Help! Job Hunting

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I am getting very discouraged..I graduated nursing school in May, 2008 and passed NCLEX August 20, 2008. I started serious jobhunting around a month ago. Every potential job description states "at least a year experience" and they specify that it must be Nursing experience. I worked as a psychiatric aide at a mental health center for 12 years, which doesn't seem to count for much. I also take care of my 89 year old mother, who suffers from dementia (last 5 years). When she had a stroke, I basically became her case worker, as I set up services for her at the Corporation for Aging (Philadelphia, PA)....in-home medical services, day-care program (which she loves and calls it her "club"), and modifications to the home (stair glider, grab bars in the shower, sensor for the front door..she gets confused and lately gets upset at night (Sundowner's Syndrome) and implores me to "take her home"....I can't put that on a resume...Anyway, I got together a good resume and cover letters and have been sending them out via E-mail and regular mail...It seems that I keep hitting a brick wall..Oh, by the way, I am 51 years old, so "I ain't no spring chicken!", as they say. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

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What about assisted living facility. or some nursing facilities need prn people too. I know the place i work at, cert alz dem care hires new nurses. unless your looking for hospital exp. What about some internships.

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Thanks for reading my post..Here in Philadelphia, even long term care positions say "at least one year experience". Please explain what you meant by "internships" and how would I find these?

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Also, the funny thing is that one of my areas of interest is long term care. (I'm really not interested in a hospital, but rather assisted living. I was told that I'd have an easy time getting a job, since (I'm told) a lot of RNs do not want these positions..My other interest is psych...so why am I having such a tough time!?! Please advise..Thanks

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I am beginning my job hunting as well and I am in the Philadelphia Area. I don't graduated until July. Recently I have heard of many nurses in the area getting laid off- this makes me extremely nervous. Other hospitals have filled positions up til October of 2009...don't ask me how that is possible. But what happened to the shortage?

I guess this isn't too encouraging, I just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain! I am really worried about not finding a job.

Also, I just finished up my psych rotation at the VA in Philly. You should try there. Best of Luck@

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Also, the funny thing is that one of my areas of interest is long term care. (I'm really not interested in a hospital, but rather assisted living. I was told that I'd have an easy time getting a job, since (I'm told) a lot of RNs do not want these positions..My other interest is psych...so why am I having such a tough time!?! Please advise..Thanks

Congratulations on passing the NCLEX and a lot of respectful admiration for taking the time to care for mother:heartbeat. In the time you were caring for your mother, you might not have realized what was going on in the nursing employment world. Due to the economic crisis, several hospitals have closed or cutting jobs. Subsequently, nurse recruiters finally got the upper hand, demanding 1+ years nursing experience, due to the influx of experienced nurses looking for jobs. Accordingly, there are several hiring freeze at hospitals for new graduate nurses or nurses period. Yes, you are correct--nursing homes, assisted living, psych, etc. now requires experience more than ever. In a lot of areas, even the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals are having a hiring freeze. Your age has nothing to do with being unemployed, it’s just the economic situation we are in. Good luck with the job hunt. If you are not picky with shifts, type of nursing, or availability to travel, your chances of finding employment will increase.

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I have also been looking in the Philadelphia area for the past 3 months. I have been a nurse for 26 years with over 15 years of critical care experience and after emailing many resumes and interviewing for 5 positions I FINALLY got a job offer in Southern NJ last week. I think you are having the same difficulty finding a position as I was because of _AGE_:banghead: discrimination. I'm 49 years old.

Why? Because statistically we have a greater chance of getting injured or ill, many units don't feel we fit if most of the nurses are in their 20's, some administrations feel our age group can't adjust quickly to changes and are too slow with computers & technology. Plus usually (unless you are a new grad) if you have many years experience they have to pay you a lot more especially if the RNs belong to a union.

I have never had such a difficult time finding a job in nursing. I know the economy has an influence but I also feel age discrimination remains a dirty little secret in the hiring process.

Good luck with your search!:wink2:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I'm in the same position. Graduated in May 2008, passed the NCLEX in July. I'm in Boston, and between my mother's cancer (she found out 2 weeks after I graduated) and my seriously ill father-in-law, I tried to find something local. I found a 16-hour/wk LTC job that turned into a per-diem job when I showed up for orientation. I'm 32, so I don't think it's age discrimination.

Right now, I'm willing to consider relocation anywhere.

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Specializes in ED.

Why not put all of your " experience" with your mom on a resume. I would. 2005- present- PRIVATE DUTY NURSING----Nursing Assistiant, Registered Nurse, Case manager for 85 year old Dementia patient. Explain what you did. It is pertinient experience and LTC facilities would love that!.

Go to career builder and send out every app that you can. Its time consuming these days to get a job but keep filing out apps.

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Wow this must be the location. Here we are trying to find RN's to work for us, and you have a difficult time finding a position. But OK isn't that interesting for most people I believe. But mzloco is right, make sure you add the caretaking of your mother to your resume to show that you have that experience.

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