How are new graduate RNs coping in this recession?

Published

How are new graduate RNs coping in this recession?

I am wondering if what I am experiencing is normal? Three months ago I had a severe mental breakdown am I went to counseling for the first time in my life...I was diagnosed as major depressive disorder- moderate. I am still in therapy and doing much better. I searched for a job for approx. 7 months- applied to many and then just gave up. I graduated RN BSN honors in 2008 but was pregnant so I did not start applying for jobs till Jan 2009. My last application was in July and I have not applied since. My dream was to work in critical care and go back to school to become a NP. Currently, I am working as a private duty nurse. Does this experience count as anything? Will recruiters at hospitals laugh and throw out my resume if I post if with this experience? I have been getting experience with vents, trach, resp. anomalies cases....Just wanted to reach out.. I feel lost!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

never toss any experience. But many, new grads and experienced nurses are out of work and looking. Just keep searching, you'll find that job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Adult Med/Surg.

It sounds to me like you are getting some great experience! Please don't give up. This job market is horrendous for all of us who are looking for work right now. If you are working with trachs and vents, you are ahead of me already. I have about ten years of Med/Surg experience, but I have never had any experience with vent patients.

I commend you for being so open about your situation. There is no shame in needing help, and it takes courage to seek it. Good for you. I am glad you are doing better. My husband suffered from the same thing, and it was very hard. You sound like a terrific person who grabs life by the horns, and I bet you will have a terrific future in nursing. (((((hugs)))))

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/BMT.

With the current economic situation, many hospitals are only hiring RN's with acute care experience. The rationale for this is orientation. I know my nurse manager hired 3 new RN's that will be on orientation for 3 weeks. Hang in there! Any experience helps when applying for a new job!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ilovdetroit,

Thank you for your very heart warming reply and letting me know I am not alone...I am tearing...For months, I have wanted to post. 10 years in Med-Surg, my hat is off to you! I think med-surg is a great place to work in nursing and you sound like you are really passionate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in diabetes ed, cna ed.

Having your baby and all the hormones that heat up during pregnancy couldn't have helped either. Glad you got the help you needed. I hope you can take joy in other areas of your life, like your baby. Do you find your pvt. duty situation is a little slower paced and a little more family friendly? Hopefully, this crummy economy wont last forever...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can definitely relate to your situation.The job market is horrible now days. I graduated with my RN degree this past May (2009) and I passed boards on August.I started to hunt for jobs I believe in June...so that is about 5 month now I have been actively searching for a hospital position or LTC nursing...I went on total four interviews. I blew the first interview pretty bad..I was a nervous wrack and I didnt expect to be asked all of those behavioral questions so I pretty much went mute and froze...I knew I woudnt get that position based on that interview alone so I started to search again..I went to a career fair and to my surprise all of the major and minor hospital of a big metropolian city where I currently reside werent hiring,suburbian hospitals neither!! However I have met a recruiter from a nearby state and she took interest in my and I gave her my resume.Few weeks later I got a letter from her asking me to drive for an interview..so I did go although the hospital was 76 miles far.The interview with her went quite decent (she didnt ask me too much questions) and then she paged a unit manager (I wanted a med-surg position) but the manager was out of hospital due to some family emergency,so the recruiter asked me for another interview..however at this time my car broke and I was carless so I tossed out that opportunity.Later I had another interview at the same hospital that I had the first interview..(of course for different position this time) I though that that this one went exceptional well and I really did give good answers to all the questions I have been asked..however when I called to check if I got the job the recruiter informed me that they made an offer to someone else but she will keep all my information and if I'm interested in other position to give her a call back and she will forward my resume to the managers of other units.So I did call her back and told her that I was interested in several other openings at that hospital so we will see if something will work out..My fourth interview was hysterically comical,to say that at least....it took place at a LTC facility...I went down there and the nurse manager asked me about my clinical experience and when I revealed to her that most of my rotations took place at hospitals she asked me why I dont apply to hospitals then and she asked me do I have IV therapy skills,and suctioning experience..of course I didnt get that job...so as of now I'm still unemployed and very frustrated.I decided to expand my job search a little and now I have started to apply to different states..I mean come North America is such a huge fricking continent that there must be jobs out there somewhere! I made my list of states that I'm planning to apply: Indiana,Wisconsin,Iowa,Nebraska,New Mexico (East new Mexico) South Dakota and South Carolina,Texas. The thread called "Is there any hospitals in the country hiring new grads? located at the One year after Licensure section of allnurses helped a LOT...have you considered moving to other state,please keep all of your options open,you must do everything in your power to save your license and gain your first acute experience..good luck I hope you find something soon~

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Adult Med/Surg.
Ilovdetroit,

Thank you for your very heart warming reply and letting me know I am not alone...I am tearing...For months, I have wanted to post. 10 years in Med-Surg, my hat is off to you! I think med-surg is a great place to work in nursing and you sound like you are really passionate.

You're welcome! I could just feel in your post that you are very serious about being a good nurse, and I will say a prayer for you that you find employment soon. God bless!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am currently in nursing school and I am coming to the end. It is scary to hear that many nurses can not find work. I guess it depends on where you reside, because in New Orleans many Hospitals are begging for new graduates to build skills and a certain reputation. I hope the is still true when I graduate in 2011, which seems so far away. I am so excited to be a (male) Nurse, but post like this make me nervous. In addition, I guess having a BSN does not help out as I thought. I plan to enroll in RN-BSN or RN-MN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, PACU.

you're feelings a very normal. you are not alone.

my greatest fear is that I will not be able to live the dream I have worked so hard for these past four years. I can imagine how depressed I might feel taking a job as a waitress, etc. when I already know how happy I am as a nurse.

and then add in the financial stressors...

Im sorry and just remember this is a temporary situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
how are new graduate rns coping in this recession?

i am wondering if what i am experiencing is normal? three months ago i had a severe mental breakdown am i went to counseling for the first time in my life...i was diagnosed as major depressive disorder- moderate. i am still in therapy and doing much better. i searched for a job for approx. 7 months- applied to many and then just gave up. i graduated rn bsn honors in 2008 but was pregnant so i did not start applying for jobs till jan 2009. my last application was in july and i have not applied since. my dream was to work in critical care and go back to school to become a np. currently, i am working as a private duty nurse. does this experience count as anything? will recruiters at hospitals laugh and throw out my resume if i post if with this experience? i have been getting experience with vents, trach, resp. anomalies cases....just wanted to reach out.. i feel lost!

"whether you think you can or can't, you're right"--henry ford

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion