How can I get hospital experience as an RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm hoping others can offer me some advice or help. I received my bachelor's degree in nursing in 2010 and at that time it was close to impossible to find a job in a hospital. As a result, I worked in an office setting up until now. I have networked and applied to almost every hospital in Massachusetts with no luck. Every job posting states "Prior experience in a hospital setting required." I have personally gone to the HR departments at the hospitals and still with no luck. I have also tried applying to all other areas of nursing such as home care, primary care, nursing homes, etc. The companies that do reply say I should check back once I have had hospital experience. I have had my resume critiqued and it is up to par as far as I know. I am certified in Basic Life Support for the Professional Healthcare Provider from the American Red Cross and I have an active RN license. I have three years of experience, I am not a new grad, and I have excellent references. I graduated at the top of my nursing class and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing. I am totally discouraged and feel as though I should go back to school for something else but should I rack up more debt in school loans? Advice please!!!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Many of us are leaving or have left the hospital. Be careful what you wish for...

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I believe moving to a place where hospitals have trouble recruiting or networking are the only way in your circumstance if you want to do acute care.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You have your BSN?

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Honestly, I just want a job! I'll take any nursing position anywhere, I just can't because I don't have the ever-so-necessary "hospital experience."

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Esme12 yes I have my BSN

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CrunchRN, you say to move to another area, however, according to many discussions I have read, this is a problem across the U.S. Not to mention, I have a home and a life here and without a job, it makes it terribly difficult to up and move in search of a job. I would be better off going into another profession.

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Mom To 4, I am actually in the process of applying to school to become an NP, I just need a job in the meantime!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Mom To 4, I am actually in the process of applying to school to become an NP, I just need a job in the meantime!

*** OMG! You are not telling anyone that are you? If you are that would help explain why you can't find a job.

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Specializes in ICU.

I have 14 years of ICU experience and *I* can't get a hospital job! :no:

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Specializes in Burn.

Move to Memphis. You go to one career day (job fair thing for nurses) and they'll jump on you. They'll be shoving interviews and applications down your throat. The only difficulty is getting a job in the pediatric hospitals, but otherwise, nursing recruiters are everywhere and they want YOU.

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*** OMG! You are not telling anyone that are you? If you are that would help explain why you can't find a job.

PMFB-RN, no I haven't mentioned that to any prospective employer. I totally understand how that would be a red-flag to an employer signifying my employment as short-term. I have actually only recently decided to apply to NP school as a result of not being able to find a job.

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