Officially giving up

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Is there anything I can do with this nursing degree besides nursing or teaching in nursing?

It's been 18 months and NO ONE will hire me. I've looked out of state, internationally, even tried to volunteer and I can't !&*^@*$ win. I had a position offered to me then retracted because the manager decided to change the "new grad" position to someone with experience. Every other interview I go on, I always get to the final interview and then told I didn't get it for some BS reason.

I spoke to a nursing recruiter and told me that I was basically screwed. Mostly because I've been out of school for so long and refresher courses are reserved for those who have had experience but have been out for other reasons. A second recruiter told me to find a new dream.

This is my second degree, the first is in biology, I have no clinical experience other than what I did in school but my resume is still impressive. I can't believe I wasted three years of of life getting my BSN all for nothing.

No need to be insulting.

Not being insulting just realistic. There is no point in getting someones hopes up about something that is definitely not a possibility at this point unless you know otherwise.

The person wants valid options not guesses

Wow that's not cool at all. I wish I could help.. have you ever tryed a nursing home or something? I hear they love new nurses bc they are easier to learn the way of their proccess good luck

Specializes in Med-surge, hospice, LTC, tele, rehab.

I don't know what state you live in or which other states you have tried exactly, but have you tried applying to smaller towns and rural areas rather than larger cities? Perhaps places that are considered less desirable locations may be less saturated with applicants and have more opportunity such as rural areas in midwest states rather than big cities in coastal states for example. Might be worth a try if you haven't already. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

Greetings. My wife just got her LPN-NY license last week, and already I have sensed that something is very wrong. We thought there is a nurse shortage, and as soon as she gets her license jobs would be waiting. But everywhere we sees are looking for experience nurses. My wife was a CNA for 5 years before she study LPN. Thats experience, isn't it? Can you tell me your agency's name and contact info. We will surely give it a try. Much appreciate your response. Email is [email protected]

Specializes in Home health.

Many companies are hiring for flu clinics now. It's not a long term prospect, but better than sitting home and will be something you can put on a resume.

Specializes in Home health.

"Military is even harder than civilian nursing to get into by a LONG shot. The pay and benefits are good and with the wars dying down the services are full. Minimum 2 years experience to even have a shot with the Army right now.

I love when people suggest the military as a last resort when they have no clue what they are talking about. "

Dranger,

Your last sentence is unnecessary and comes across as rude.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Yeah I feel like giving up too. I am an LVN & when I apply everyone wants someone with experience. If I get called in for an interview I wonder why am I here? I know I won't get the job because they have probably interviewed 10+ people with experience. It's frustrating & I know it won't get any better if I decide to become a RN.

I have done my fair share of PDN & am tired of it. All the lost shifts because the family doesn't like me or the kid has to go to the hospital. And lost shifts = lost pay. At this point I'm ready to go work at a grocery store or something to just have a steady income! I hope something works out for you, good luck!

Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, NICU.

I live in NM and we are not currently experiencing this issue of saturation like other parts of the country. I understand that most new nursing grads are finding it hard to get any experience at all! Unfortunately, most places wont hire you as for a position that is under your degree for fear that you will leave asap. Perhaps home health might be a good option, I'm not familiar with them. Also, have you tried Doctor's offices, clinics. schools, etc?

I know for a fact that the Air Force is recruiting new grads in New Mexico and Arizona. I have spoken with several recruiters based out of AZ as recently as this past January. The benefits and pay are fantastic and they train you themselves so experience is not an issue. As a medical professional in the Air Force, you'd be trained and then stationed according to their needs (not according to your preferences). I am not sure of their policy/preference on new grads of 18mo+ with no experience.

thank you! i will look into this

i live in the northern nj area. i'm willing to travel up to an hour away or move if it comes down to it

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
Greetings. My wife just got her LPN-NY license last week, and already I have sensed that something is very wrong. We thought there is a nurse shortage, and as soon as she gets her license jobs would be waiting. But everywhere we sees are looking for experience nurses. My wife was a CNA for 5 years before she study LPN. Thats experience, isn't it? Can you tell me your agency's name and contact info. We will surely give it a try. Much appreciate your response. Email is [email protected]

Actually no, it isn't. CNA experience does not count as nursing experience. I hope your wife finds a new grad opportunity soon. It is rough out there. There has not been a nursing shortage, especially not an LVN shortage, for many years unfortunately.

In regards to the OP, I understand how you feel. I got my LVN license in 2008 and felt like it was hopeless with all the jobs wanting experience and then decided to go back to school to get my RN in 2010 and still had the same problem. I don't know where you live or where you have tried applying but one thing that I realized after months of applying once I had my RN was that the KEY to getting a job as a new grad in this terrible economy is to go where NO ONE ELSE wants to go and DO what everyone else is NOT doing.

My first 2 jobs as an RN were in deserts, middle of fricken nowhere, and terrible work environments where the turnover rate was high. I understand that due to the economy, most places have a very low turnover rate since people want to hang tight to their jobs. But with where I was going, nurses were quitting like no tomorrow. And it is those places that will hire new grads without question. My first job hired me immediately the day of without even asking interview questions, my second job hired me because no one else wanted the position. The location of the second job was just absolutely dead, not even a movie theater there, and barely any stores. And I did fall into a deep depression living there, but it was a price that I HAD to pay to gain some kind of precious experience.

Fast forward 2.5 years and now I'm an ER nurse. Nightmares don't last forever, sometimes you wake up and their gone. But in order to make it you have to separate yourself from the entire population and do the exact opposite of what everyone else is doing.

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