2021 Graduate Getting Multiple Rejections

Nurses General Nursing

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2021 Graduate Getting Multiple Rejections

I am a current full time school nurse after graduating in late 2021 but not being officially licensed until earlier this year due to personal health matters.

I am at a loss for words on how to improve or maximize my chances of gaining acceptance into a formal nurse residency program or inpatient position. 

I graduated from a direct-entry MSN program and falsely believed that would give me an advantage but the applicant pool is insanely competitive. How might I be able to stand out given my unique circumstances? It appears without bedside nursing experience, you're not at all desirable to most employers. ?

Thank you so much in advance for any feedback! ?

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Are you wanting to do bedside nursing or are you using the experience as a gateway to another area? Could you maybe more specific in what your goals are and then maybe others could have a better idea on how to help you. ❤️

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Where do you live (you can be as vague or specific as possible)? You may find that relocating to a different area, if that's an option, would be your best bet to getting an inpatient job. Some areas/towns/cities are saturated with nurses and can be very choosy, and other areas are more remote - think small town without a larger city within a 1-2 hour drive, maybe has just one community college with an ADN program if they're lucky. Those communities will be more likely to hire anyone who is an RN and interviews well.

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Specializes in oncology.
RNCT93 said:

I graduated from a direct-entry MSN program and falsely believed that would give me an advantage but the applicant pool is insanely competitive. 

These programs (DE MSN)  were created to bring in more $$$ into the schools.  if you already have an ASC, or BSN student financial  aide is limited

, Did you think you could jump further up the hiring list?

 

RNCT93 said:

fter graduating in late 2021 but not being officially licensed until earlier this year due to personal health matters.

I am at a loss for words on how to improve or maximize my chances of gaining acceptance into a formal nurse residency program or inpatient position. 

Lots of red flags here but I wish you the best.

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Specializes in oncology.

Boy was I a 'mean girl' in my post. What Continuing Education are you doing? Subscription to nursing journals? Personal payment for School Nurse Courses? I have a cousin who created her own job at a school just by writing out a description of what she would do, how to advertise to parents an RN was there for IDDM children, etc. And you are already there!  

If you really want to move to inpatient you are going to need to dispel where you were for 2 years. Any volunteerism, childcare? Have you joined or created a local/state school nursing group? What have you done that shows you are a "Master's Prepared Nurse"?  Surely that section of your coursework for your MSN focused on being a patient advocate, relating to politicians, healthcare policy?

Any hospital would be proud to include you in their ranks if you show you are articulate and willing to work on healthcare policy. I do think though that looking for a nursing residency is not probable. Grow where you are planted.!! Be the best school nurse ever! On school holidays and summers work private duty or home health care.

PS when I was in graduate school I worked a lot of "rent a nurse" jobs. Especially when my rent or car payment was due. That's where I made my connections!

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It is true that schools are creating programs as quickly as possible to improve their profits; which means some schools are hiring less than qualified faculty and clinical instructors, and accepting all applicants.  Employers generally know which schools produce nurses with solid skills. What about nursing homes to get bedside experience ?  Usually not dream jobs, but help you learn to manage time,  perform basic assessments, gain experience with charting and common medications. 

 

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

We have a nurse that is a 2nd career nurse, went to a program that has a "master of nursing" not an MSN. Horrible RN. Going to kill someone ? 

Just a comment on the $$ issue regarding these programs. I fell victim to a program that does this to 2nd career teaching candidates. I was a 1st year teacher with a masters. Couldn't find a job. Did the ADN nursing when they cut master-trained teachers in my district. 

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mmc51264 said:

We have a nurse that is a 2nd career nurse, went to a program that has a "master of nursing" not an MSN. Horrible RN. Going to kill someone

[...]

You've mentioned this before I believe.  If the degree in question is a graduate degree in nursing, how does it matter if it is an MAN, MSN, or MN?

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