I live in an area with absolutely ZERO nursing shortage (Boston). I graduated in May of 2008 Magna Cum Laude with three years of tech experience in the ICU & ER, as well as two float positions in oncology, neurology, pulmonary/ventilator, cardiac, and complex medical floors. I applied for 286 positions over the past nine months, had five job interviews, two rescinded job offers for my dream job due to budget cutbacks and the economy. I was on a first name basis with three nurse managers from placing weekly calls, and two nurse recruiters emailed me every week to keep me updated. One hospital tried to create a position for me and I was about to be the first new grad in four years in the NICU at another. Every time it seemed like something good was about to happen I hit the same brick wall over and over and over again. I just started considering relocation and had an interview scheduled for UCLA when I gave one last shot at persistence. I applied for a unit that interested me and HR told me they were looking for someone with med-surg experience but that they'd pass on my resume. I called the nurse manager the next day and after some persisting she agreed to give me an interview. It went really well but I didn't hear back for a few days so I called her again and she said she admired that I was so on top of something I wanted and said she wanted to schedule me for a second interview for her staff to interview me. I had that interview Thursday and called her Friday and I got the job! It's an acute pediatric floor with cross training to women's surgical, labor and delivery, and mother/baby. It's in the next state over, 32-36 hours evening/overnight, about a 40 minute drive and a LOT less pay than Boston, but IT'S A JOB!! I get to learn to start IVs, it has an excellent nurse-patient ratio (1:3 is their average, max is 5 on night shift), and I finally get to work with children on a medical unit. I was completely up front when asked that I am interested in pursing pediatric critical care/pedi oncology down the line and they were very supportive and hoped that I'd stay on per diem when that time comes.
It will happen for you, too. It took nine months, 286 applications, and a lot of disappointment along the line, but if you want something bad enough you can make it happen. Be persistent. If you don't get the answer you want from HR, call the nurse manager directly. And keep calling. The ones who keep in touch are the ones they are going to remember.
