Graduated from ADN program but feel like a failure

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I live in KC and graduated from an ADN program at the beginning of May. I have been proactively looking for new grad openings as well as entry level RN positions. I have applied to at least 20+ jobs with no call backs!!! I'm feeling very frustrated that I worked so hard for these two years and it seems like I have accomplished nothing. I am starting MU's RN-BSN program this summer and have that on my resume as well.

Are any other ADN's or even BSN's in the same boat as me??? It's soo frustrating and embarrassing when people ask me "How come you haven't found a job yet? There is a nursing shortage."

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As far as what others say, I would just enlighten them that there is no shortage of nurses. Remind them about the economy. Then say that you would appreciate any help they can offer in providing you with leads. You have to be persistent. Eventually you will get something as long as you keep at it and adjust to the circumstances at hand. Best wishes.

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I am just over the border from you in KS. It took me about 5 months to get a job. I revamped my resume and used more of a skills-based one (I am a second-career nurse) and bam! The first position I applied to, got an interview and a subsequent job offer. It was all of my non-nursing experience that could relate to nursing that really caught their attention (customer service, computer skills, diverse background).

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Don't be sad and frustrated. Your situation right now is normal considering what is happening to New Grad RN. I applied to 200+ jobs and to every single states in US. Every single job postings for new grads on indeed.com since January (I graduated on Dec 2011). There are people who did the same thing like me and even graduated before me and still have not have job. You only graduated since May and 20+ job. If people ask you that question: Tell them there is no nursing shortage and why don't they go look for a job instead. On the other hand, just keep applying, read the tips on here about how someone found a job, and something will eventually come to you:)

Good luck

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I'm in the same area as you, but licensed in KS. Graduated May of last year. I picked up a job doing pediatric home health with Firstat pretty fast (name dropping in case you want to look into the company) but kept looking for a more stable job that would allow me to advance my skills. I probably sent out 200+ applications. Was interviewed for but didn't get a job on the unit that I did my practicum/capstone on, even. Are you applying to hospitals on the KS side, as well? What about the LTACs in the area?

Did you work as a PCA during school? Or do a senior capstone? Both of those experiences could be invaluable to getting job leads. I'm pretty sure that everyone in my class who had job offers upon graduation had them because of PCA experience/networking/contacts made while working as a PCA.

Anyway, keep your chin up. I know it's frustrating, but twenty applications aren't really that many in this economy. Statistically, it takes the average new grad something like six months to find a job -- and they suggest that you put in 3-4 applications, minimum, a day. You do the math. ;) The KC market isn't as saturated as the coasts, thank god, but it's simply not the market that it was five or six years ago with new nurses graduating with 5-6 job offers.

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Thanks for the encouragement! :)

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SurrenderDorothy,

I am hoping that once I get licensed as an RN I will get more call backs. What did you do during the 5 months after graduation? I am starting to get low on cash and tempted to apply for a waitress job etc. just to have some form of income while I play the waiting game.

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Thanks for the reply! I have applied for KS positions as well as MO. My plan is to take the NCLEX ASAP and then apply for my KS license too. I have applied at LTAC and still can't get a reply.

I unfortunately did not work as a PCA during school but I have and continue to volunteer twice a week at a hospital.

I used to do home health as a caregiver and received NO training. As a new grad do you feel you recieved the needed training to do home health? I haven't applied to those positions for the fear of this.

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Are any other ADN's or even BSN's in the same boat as me??? It's soo frustrating and embarrassing when people ask me "How come you haven't found a job yet? There is a nursing shortage."
Search the board, there are thousands of posts from people in the same position. The job market for new grads is very poor right now & has been for a couple years.
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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Thanks for the reply! I have applied for KS positions as well as MO. My plan is to take the NCLEX ASAP and then apply for my KS license too. I have applied at LTAC and still can't get a reply.

I unfortunately did not work as a PCA during school but I have and continue to volunteer twice a week at a hospital.

I used to do home health as a caregiver and received NO training. As a new grad do you feel you recieved the needed training to do home health? I haven't applied to those positions for the fear of this.

Well, I always felt totally safe with this particular company but I insisted on working with older, stable kiddos AND that I work a 2-4 hour shift with the primary nurse before working alone. The job itself was pretty boring. I expanded my TV watching skills, mostly. :lol: You also run the risk of being pigeon-holed into this specialty. I worked full time for this company and kept looking for jobs full time, as well. I have a couple of friends who were hired on with me who are only now starting to look at getting into another area of nursing but they aren't considered new grads anymore on top of not having acute care experience, so.

Truman's psych program hired a few of my peers who were in the similar situation of not having PCA experience while in school.

You've probably applied for St. Lukes - HR can and often will call you up on the weekend, and they don't always leave a message with their contact info if you don't answer, so be prepared. lol.

Don't have much else to add, unfortunately. :( St Joseph has a hire turnover rate and always seems to be hiring; I actually did a telephone interview with them, but didn't like the way I was being treated (on the phone!!!) and so didn't go in for a face to face.

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

I'm in an ADN program in KC and work for a large hospital in the area, a girl from HR told me that May grads have a harder time and wait the longest for positions because all nursing programs graduate in May and the market is flooded. The grads that graduate in December seem to get jobs a lot quicker, it will happen, you may just have to wait a few months! I know you have probably tried all hospitals but on HCA's website on the last page of jobs there is a post that says HIRING NEW GRADS and you apply under that post. I don't know how many new grads get hired through that but just a thought if you hadn't already seen it.

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