Graduated 2 years ago- no job

[alyg0910]

I graduated nursing school with a BSN in January of 2014 and passed my NCLEX in March of 2014. Not too long after, I hit a hardship. I had some personal health issues and family issues I had to deal with. I knew I was not in the right physical/mental state to have peoples lives in my hands. After over coming this difficult time in my life I began my job search (about a few months ago). I have applied to over 50 jobs in my area, only hearing back from a few. Every question I get is "Why have you not had a nursing job if you graduated almost 2 years ago?" I try to explain without going into too much detail. I feel like I have screwed myself over. I am 90,000 in debt and I feel like I wasted that money because no one will ever hire me. There is no refresher course in my area and I am not sure if I still qualify for a new grad residency program because its been over a year. I definitely will admit I need to brush up on my knowledge/ skills. Any advice as to what to do ? Am I never going to get to be a nurse now because I waited too long?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I know that not everyone can pick up the pieces of their lives to relocate. However, one of your only hopes of securing employment is to relocate to a region where few people would want to live (read: Hazard County, KY; Eagle Pass, TX).

Another option is to apply to the 'less desirable' positions in private duty, nursing homes, group homes, adult daycare, et al. You'll find the smaller mom & pop employers on CraigsList and Indeed...it is these employers who would be the most willing to take a chance on you.

[Asystole RN]

More like, "Started job search a few months ago-no job"

You need to come up with a concise, professional, and reasonable explanation for your hiatus. Concise as in a 1 sentence vague reason and leave it at that.

If you do not have a refresher close to you then travel to one.

When I graduated I had to work in a dirt lot during the Summer in Phoenix at a repo yard cleaning out repossessed cars of their dirty diapers, drug paraphernalia, and sometimes dead animals for $400. Did this for 6 months before getting my first job in a small nursing home.

Do what you need to do to survive for as long as it takes. Do not overlook nursing homes or home health to get your feet wet.

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

I know that not everyone can pick up the pieces of their lives to relocate. However, one of your only hopes of securing employment is to relocate to a region where few people would want to live (read: Hazard County, KY; Eagle Pass, TX).

Another option is to apply to the 'less desirable' positions in private duty, nursing homes, group homes, adult daycare, et al. You'll find the smaller mom & pop employers on CraigsList and Indeed...it is these employers who would be the most willing to take a chance on you.

This is excellent advice, OP. I would strongly advise taking heed to it.

Life happens and sometimes we can't always put ourselves in the most optimal of positions to succeed, but you do what you can until better comes along. Sounds like your best bet would be relocating if you can and grabbing one of those undesirable jobs just long enough to gain some experience and $$$, then bounce to better oppurtunities.