Why Can't I Get a Job?

[inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

When you preface something with "Personally..." it generally means you don't plan to express that thought in a job interview. I think this poster just means it's usually a good policy to hire experienced vs inexperienced. Today's millennials will be tomorrow's oldsters pushed out to pasture in favour of the fresh, young, less-expensive nurses.

You would be surprised. Your feelings come through during an interview, even if you don't mean it to.

[DowntheRiver]

Second, the oldest Millennial is in their late 30s (Millennials were both between 1980 and 1995).

Btw, if it matters, I'm a Gen-Xer.

The most widely used time frame of Millenial is born between 1983 and 1998. I have widely researched this topic because I'm a Millenial (born in mid-80's) and I don't feel like one! When I was growing up computers were just starting to be used and we still played outside until it was dark. I don't feel like I have much in common with someone born in 1998!

But yes, thank you - all of us Millenials aren't so bad.

[Oldmahubbard]

I just think it is ridiculous to put people in boxes based on the year they were born.

I was born in the 60's, I somehow mastered the basics of using the Internet.

[db2xs]

The most widely used time frame of Millenial is born between 1983 and 1998. I have widely researched this topic because I'm a Millenial (born in mid-80's)

I appreciate your input but I think the one- or two-year difference is really splitting hairs. I have seen some people suggest that Millenials start in 1978 and end in 1999. There is no hard science to this. It's like lab values: Some institutions have differences in upper and lower limits but the overall range is the same.

The basic gist is that the older Millennials can have a lot of experience. The person to whom I was responding was implying that Millennials are less competent than someone older simply because of age, which is hogwash, of course. I am still waiting to hear the evidence that she states is out there to back her statement.

[Forest2]

You could try another agency or travelled gig.

I had a bedside job from Hell last year. I am an old looking (it is hereditary) fluffy, early 50's lady. I did not get a couple of jobs I felt like I was well qualified for. I went on an interview for nursing instructor. I knew I wouldn't get it, but I did! You just never know. You have to be open and think outside the box. What about something like nurse trainer for products (bed, wound care, mobility equipment)?

I felt very depressed and can relate to your situation! Although I did not get a job which is top dollar, it has nice benefits and it is a new adventure.

If I had gotten one of those other same type of jobs, I realize now that I would have been going back to something I had not been totally happy with. Maybe that came through as I answered the interview questions? The same ones for three jobs at two different employers. I tried to use different examples for each interview, but did not hit the mark! My last unsuccessful interview was over the phone. I remember thinking I did not like the interviewers attitude. They seemed very cold. It was mutual they did not call back! Though I wanted a job and felt a bit disappointed , I know it was for the best. I actually knew it then!

I also had an all day interview I thought I aced. Really I do not know what happened there. Some people I used to work with had gone there under unpleasant circumstances. Did they complain about me? Maybe, but would it have been good to work with them again? Probably not!

The people at the college interview did not ask the same questions. Most of the focus was on teaching a sample topic. I felt more at ease doing public speaking than trying to psych out what answer they wanted to some canned questions.

I wish you the best. You can make a connection and hopefully find a good fit! There are also things like school nursing and assisted senior living where you can often get your foot in the door prn to start. Maybe reheorifice with a friend?

Thanks so much for your suggestions. When you have done all you can do and know you are qualified it is rather heartbreaking to not get an offer. I always try to be upbeat but when you wait to hear something after a terrific interview and get disappointed time after time it becomes very discouraging. The Non-nursing job I have had since October and I really like it. Maybe it is just time for me to leave nursing, but I put so much money and work into my degrees it seems a shame. I just think I have to forget my disappointments and rethink.

[Forest2]

Hehe, well, I am 56 and overweight, and I have an excellent job as an NP. Which I can physically do, no problem. No 12 hour shifts on my feet, which I could not do. I couldn't have done it 20 years ago.

My resume makes sense, it adds up. I have been with the same company for 9 years.

So it isn't the age and the weight, it is the unrealistic expectations, the lack of career focus, and the type of job she wants.

I ended up applying for everything and anything. I don't think it unrealistic to just get a job but maybe it is. My career focus was education, I have education experience. I have taught classes and developed programs. I have been totally responsible for education as an administrator and as an in-service director in a 155 bed facility for over 6 years. I have worked as a staff trainer and onboarder and can do that job too. So I really wanted to focus on education as that was where my heart was, so I got my MSN in education thinking I could get my dream job as a educator in a hospital. Well, it didn't work so I started to apply for many jobs at all levels and I had no luck in that either. But that is OK, I guess that is not my path in life now. I wrote the letter to Beth some time back before she posted it. I am not as bothered now as I was then.

I really love hearing what others have to say. I enjoy learning others perspectives, Thanks.

[Forest2]

If you can't hack 12 hour shifts and that's all that hospitals have...I don't really see the mystery? I bet you could get a job as a staff nurse in LTC any day, and those are usually 8 hours so it's less on your feet on a daily basis...but expecting the hospital to change their needs for you doesn't seem realistic.

Actually I never did expect a hospital to change their needs for me. I would never do that. I did apply for 12 hour night shift positions. Just thought it will only kill me for a little while and I will get used to it again. I would do a 12 hour shift in med/surg. I have the strong assessment skills, IV's, tube feedings, trachs, wound vacs, you name it. I have done it, even chest tubes, dialysis, nephrostomies, piccs, central lines, ports, all as an autonomously functioning nurse in the home. I have even had to go to the hospital to show the nurses how to draw blood from a port. I have to teach all the patients how to do these things so I better know what I am doing, right? I wonder if it is a problem having so much home care experience. Maybe hospital managers don't see the experience as beneficial? Wondering about this.

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

So true! My dad is 67, and he got our first computer in in 1984 or 1985. Think "Oregon Trail" with green graphics and a black screen. He also bought a CD player and a laser disc player (anybody remember those?) before most. He's still more of a techie than I am!

I always joke with the gamers: "If you enjoy that PS4/X-box, you have people like me to thank for it... feeding quarters into the Pong machine at the pizza parlor and buying a home version (hockey goal, handball, and Pong)." And once we got Space Invaders and Asteroids... well, we were all that.

My first PC experience was a Commodore Pet loading programs off of a cassette tape.

And my first PC of my own: 1MB of RAM and a 20MB hard drive.... coupled with a 1200 baud modem.

I was an early adopter of tech and still am... keeps the mind agile.