GradSpring'09-->Passed NCLEX Mar 2010-->No Job==>Losing Hope but still applying

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Hello,

Sorry if this message is a bit redundant, with all non-experienced RNs not getting jobs. I am new in this site. I graduated April '09 (Florida). I took the boards for the first time and did not pass around August '09 (I had to answer all the questions in NCLEX for the first time) and I freaked out. Never really failed tests in my academic life, and I had to admit I panicked. I wanted to make sure I passed the second time (which I think I over kill in terms of studying time, and the actual 2nd NCLEX try) so I finally had the courage to take it again on March 2010..PASSED with 80 questions..Felt great that day..I told myself that by Aug 2010 I will have a job...Months passed by, and I have been applying like a Crazy person Everywhere (hospitals, nursing homes, clinics phys offices etc.) and still nothing...I had some interviews, but the nurse managers consensus: EXPERIENCE.

Then, I had this one interview for those who does not have any experience, but the nurse manager did not want to hire me because I had graduated April 2009, and that it had been too long since my graduation. I remember walking out in that meeting..walking to the parking lot and finally in my car..I started crying non-stop. I felt mad at myself for taking that long to do my NCLEX the second time, not knowing that this now counts against me..I thought once you passed the NCLEX, you wait 3-4 months and then job..so much for that theory:crying2:...Although I am kinda considered a NEW GRAD (a nurse manager told me , new grad means someone who had no experience in nursing)..I am technically an "OLD" New Grad...Now, I keep wondering if someone will even hire me. Now, it just feels like I wasted my 4 years of RN-BSN degree for nothing, and that even if I got an interview, the almost 2 years (will be 2 years post grad on April 2011----but 1 year since I passed the NCLEX-- Mar 2011) will be counted against me...There are even hospitals that won't let me in their NEW GRAD PROGRAMS this Jan. 2011 bec. they want New Grads who graduated Fall 2010. I spoke to another recruiter of a hospital who will also have a new grad program also in Jan 2011, she was honest with me and she told me that my chance is slim. I asked her any advice, she said just keep applying (I never stopped applying..but again, all i get is DENIED). I even have a recruiter call me, and apologized that she could not hire me and she knows I have been applying since I passed the board, she just apologizes and again told me to just keep applying and that someone may say yes. Then, there are also those hospitals (I believe 4 hospitals now) that have sent me letters telling me to stop applying until next year bec. they wont have any positions for non-experienced grad., or that they reach their quota of non-experienced grads this year. I have been applying everywhere in Florida, even in cities that I have never heard of:eek: I am planning to get licenses in other states that may have a better results, but it costs money to get those licenses (Florida is Not part of that COMPACT agreement)..I am thinking of applying to New Mexico License this Decemeber or January. I would do it earlier but I have no money for it yet.

It has just been so frustrating. I know my capabilities as a Nurse and although I may not have the experience they want, I am passionate, and dedicated to becoming a working RN. I learn very fast, and I work hard in anything I do. Currently, I work in Customer Service (3 yrs experience) which I do believe is an important part of nursing. Currently, I am taking an ONLINE RN REFRESHER KNOWLEDGE COURSE from University of South Florida (10 module class--it is generally Fundamentals/Medsurg topics). I have my BLS, ACLS, and just finished my Basic EKG Class. This week I will be taking a 30 hour IV Therapy Class. All these courses are expensive, and money is a bit tight..I am also planning to take an Airway Management Class and a Wound Care class this November 2010 (again depending on how much money I can save). Then in December, I will take my NRP certification...I don't even know if taking all these classes will help my resume. I do love taking them (minus the $$$ required to take them), because it helps me continuously learn. Also, there are continued education online classes that I keep taking that deals with diff. topics like Cardiac Tamponade, Firbromyalgia etc., these ones are just 1-2 hrs class you take online, and you take a test afterwards and you get a certification letter (they are certified by Florida Board of Nursing and goes to my CE Broker Account)

I just want some opinions, tips and also if these continued education classes even help my resume...Sorry if this message is way too long, and if there are many grammatical and spelling errors..I am typing this with a flu :) Would love your input about my situation.:)

Sakura13----> tired,panicking,disenchanted BUT still Crazy for Nursing and will TRY again and again..DARN IT!!!:crying2:

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I'm in the same boat as you. I graduated in December of 2008. Still nothing but I can wait I guess..

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I too am finding that no one wants an inexperienced RN. Have you tried going over the nurse recruiter's head and speaking directly to the floor nurse manager. I have heard that this works but have not had the opportunity to try it as of yet. I am trying to get any type of work at the moment and it is tough out there. Everybody keeps telling me to keep trying so I guess that is all I can do. Some people get hired without experience. I have heard that you have to know someone but I have a good friend in the field and it didn't help me. Oh well, at least you have a job. Where are you taking the IV class, I would be interested in that. Good luck!

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I don't think the refresher class will just a waste of time and money for now. They will go over that during the New grad program. On the other hand, you should enroll in an RN to BSN program (If you don't have your BSN already). If you do, I would suggest an MSN so that you can compete. There's too many ADN as of now. In order for us to compete, we need to have a Masters at least.

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From all the nurses that got hired that I know, they knew people that were a lot higher than the nurse manager. i.e. The CEO, CNO, or a board member. It sucks but what can we do.

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I thought about getting my BSN but it seems like there are plenty with BSN's out of work also. I already have taken out 20,000 in loans that I don't know how I will pay back with no job. THIS SUCKS!!!!

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I know it pretty much sucks right now...I talked to some HRs about those classes I am taking. According to them, it is good that I am taking these classes bec it shows initiative, and that once the market is open for us (whenever that will be), I can show that I am dedicated in enhancing my knowledge. So I guess that would be my advice to the people in the same boat that I am. Also, its always good to keep learning...I have my IV certification class this Thurs and Friday!! YAY..I believe someone asked where I am taking these classes....The actual live classes (face to face classes) I am taking are from nursingunlimited.com and cmestraining.com..Check out their websites..They offer ACLS, BLS, NRP, PICC, PALS, Wound Care Course, Airway Management Course, a 5 days Advance Telemetry Course, and 4 days CCRN Review Course...Both companies are certified by Florida Board of Nursing when I checked their certification at my CEBroker account (i dont know about other states)...Just make sure that you apply to cebroker...It is basically a site in which these companies/facilities providing these classes send confirmation that you have been certified in whatever course certifications. Basically, my CEbroker keeps tab at my continued education classes, and they also give a list of facilities/companies that are approved by the state.

Then there are also those little online classes I have been taking, which are only an hr or two for each certification (example of topics are Fibromyalgia, Cardiac Tamponade etc.)...I took most of these little certifications in ceufastrack.com (Again I know they are certified with Fl Board of Nursing but not sure about other states)

Oh and yes, I do have my BSN already....In terms of getting my Masters, I dont have that much money for that as of now.

In the bright side, I had a call today from a secretary at a hospital at North Florida. She asked me if I was available for an interview because I am from Miami and they are in Tampa. I told her I definitely am this coming Monday. Its like a 5 hr drive from Miami to Tampa, so I have to leave after work on Sunday (me and my boyfriend driving up there)--> rent a hotel--> have the interview Monday afternoon!!! I remember telling the unit secretary who does the call for interviews, can you please make sure that they are willing to look at someone without nursing experience...After 1 hr wait, she called me back and said that she talked to the nurse manager, and that she is still interested in an interview..GOSH!! hopefully, when i get there I don't get another surprise like my other "interview" calls who asked me to do an interview, and when I got there they asked how many years of nursing experience I have, and when I said None..They were just dismissive, saying sorry we are not hiring new grads right now :confused: I remember just thinking.."hmm..the resume I submitted said No experience..":madface: ...Hopefully, this Monday interview will not be like that esp. with $$$ I'm spending to just go there and missing work..I am very excited, nervous and agitated...I WANT TO BE A WORKING RN SO BADLY....I just want to show all those people who are not giving unexperienced RNs a chance that we are worth whatever risk they think they will be taking for hiring us!!!..I love Nursing and I know my capabilities as an RN..And I wanna show them that I work very hard, and that I will not disappoint them:grn:...sorry Ranted too much...WISH ME LUCK!!!:anpom:

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I am so happy for you!!! Good luck!!! Please let us know how it turns out.

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Thanks for the info and make sure you tell them about all the continuing education you have taken. You even have your BLS. Someone was telling me about a nurse who got hired 10 years after nursing school. She had to take care of a sick family member and couldn't work. I would think that having your BSN puts you above at least half of the other applicants.:redbeathe

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