It has been six months since I graduated and I still don't have a job. When I say I have applied everywhere, I mean LITERALLY everywhere - hospitals, LTC, subacute, VA, hospice, VNA...without any luck at all. I've even applied to other states that are within a 1.5 hour driving distance. My student loan grace period is almost up, I'm supposed to get married next year and now that's nearly impossible, and I have been an emotional wreck for weeks. I'm not sleeping and I can't stop crying. I made the mistake of getting my hopes up because a pediatric ER near me is extremely short-staffed right now and they take new grads. I applied and talked to the HR recruiter who said that normally they can take new grads without problem but because they're so direly short-staffed they can only accomodate RNs with experience right now. I am sooo frustrated. I can't even get into a place that is short-staffed. I did very well in school and have tech experience, and have been proactive about finding a position (networking, job fairs, walking into HR, frequent phone calls, and even talking to nurse managers), and I get the same story every time. They're full to the max with new grads and can't even give all of their PCAs a position. I really wanted this position and I'm so disappointed I can't even stand it, even though I knew better than to get my hopes up. I've even obtained extra certifications to try and make myself more marketable. I just don't know what to do. I feel like such a failure.
Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.
I hate to tell you this because its probably not what you want to hear... I think you are going to have to move if you want to find a new grad position. If you have exhausted your local search you may want to think about placing your resume online and letting nurse recruiters find you. There are areas of nursing shortage throughout the US but they may be in less desirable places to live.
I sincerely hope you find something soon. Don't give up!
Specializes in hospital/physicians office/long term car.
:wink2:rethink for yourself.. if you can find another career. nursing is very demanding and non-rewarding, and the pay sucks. let the new grads jump in and get burnt out , meanwhile if you have to stay just let it go. do as little as possible within your scope of practice. your sanity is more important.
Dolce, RN
861 Posts
I hate to tell you this because its probably not what you want to hear... I think you are going to have to move if you want to find a new grad position. If you have exhausted your local search you may want to think about placing your resume online and letting nurse recruiters find you. There are areas of nursing shortage throughout the US but they may be in less desirable places to live.
I sincerely hope you find something soon. Don't give up!