I can't find work!!

[Quit Floating Me, BSN, RN]

Hello there! I decided I would make a thread to see what other fellow nurses thought about my "situation." I became a nurse in 2010 (I was only 21 years old). I got my first nursing job at a hospital that I did my practicum at. It was an in-patient rehab (med/swing) type of setting. Very small in a very small town. I worked there for maybe six months then relocated 4 hours south. I then found a job at a bigger hospital on a Med-Surg floor. I worked there for two years. First mistake: I put in my two week notice but with two or three days left, I called the nursing supervisor and told them I would not be coming back. I am not eligible for rehire. I then found my *third* job at another hospital on a Med-Surg floor. I worked there only for six months. While there I met someone who was the DON at another type of facility where I ended up going to work at. During this time period I took up a PRN job at a n o t h e r hospital and ended up going through orientation but only worked 1 shift. It was sooooooooo horrible I never went back. (I do not include that on my employment history). I think this was my biggest mistake in my career - I left the hospital (I did complete my two week notice and am eligible for rehire) to go work at this other facility. I ended up grabbing a FT nights position after a month of training. Things started going down hill fast. The DON was forced to resign and I started getting called into the new DONs office a lot for petty things. Then someone started locking the girls bathroom on night shift so I did not have a bathroom to use for 8 hours. Aside from that - I had never been written up and was fired after working there for six months for false, petty things. Nothing involving "nursing." In fact, the DON that fired me said "It's a shame... you're a great nurse!" Since then it has been three months and I have not been able to find a job anywhere. I think I did myself in and ruined my career. I will graduate with a BSN in a few months and fear that it'll be for nothing. I don't know what I can do to show employers that I am serious about finding employment and I will not up and leave in a short period of time.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

Wow, your track record is a hot mess! I would venture to guess they opt not to gamble on you. Especially, if they check work references and learn you are a non-rehire at one facility. Maybe look into home health or LTC and stay for a couple years to rebuild your reputation. Good Luck

[Quit Floating Me, BSN, RN]

Thanks. I do understand I messed up really bad jumping from job to job. I just want a second chance to redeem myself and to show that I am a hard worker, I am a good nurse ... I am more than just a job hopper. I have tried looking into LTC facilities but they usually say the same thing "I cost too much." They are not hiring RNs.

I've tried not including all those jobs on my resume, I've tried including them all ... I just don't really know what to do at this point.

[All4NursingRN]

Search your heart and ask yourself why you kept leaving each job so soon. Finding that out wil unlock your answer, but also job hunt like crazy at the same time and ask yourself what type of unit you would fit best on and enjoy.

[Biffbradford]

Have you talked to any agencies? Working for them for a while might be a good way to turn over a new leaf and get a back door into something more permanent.

[madore57]

Well you've learned not to burn bridges but at least you learned it young (basing that on when you graduated). Is there any reason you have to stay in the community you now live and work? Agency/Travel Nursing is good because it gives you a taste of what's out there. You can experience what a facility is like before you have to commit to it. And they can see that you are a good employee and not judge you on the past.