I have no idea what to do

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I graduated in May from nursing school. I took loans out to go through because everyone kept telling me it'll pay itself out once i graduate. SO I have my BSN, my state license, and surprise! no job. neither does about 30 of my classmates, i'm looking in ohter states (i'm in NJ) i'm looking everywhere, even in PR (where my family lives) and there is nothing. So now i have loan payments that start in december, and no job. ANd i've applied to non-nursing jobs to. there is nothing. Can anyone help?

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

Try travel nursing........or at least look at the sites to see where the needs are and remember........this too shall pass.

ps: there are no jobs with the dolphins either....... :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Also keep in mind that while I know its very frustrating that you can't find a job after working so hard. The nursing shortage is expected to return and the economy will go back up. Just keep looking and keep your chin up

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just another post to let you know that you are not alone. I wish I had some advice for you. I do have advice for those about to enter nursing school or already on your way, get a job in a hospital. Any job. They seem to be the people that were hired. Although, unfortunately, as another post indicated, I do know someone that worked as a CNA at a hospital that was let go when she took the NCLEX so that doesn't always work either.

I too am in NJ and relocating wasn't/isn't an option. I applied to many LTC facilities and only received 1 phone call - to work every other weekend as a med tech making about $12/hour. I have an ASN and a BS in another field and graduated from both with high honors. I graduated May 2009 and went back to career#1 this past Spring. I have a whole new appreciation for it - I have great co-workers, the pay is better than nursing and I don't work nights/weekends/holidays. Not so excited about 5 days a week. There's a part of me though that really misses what could have been. I truly believe I would have been a good nurse and think that I would have enjoyed it, too.

Everyone keeps telling me to renew my license, but I'm on the fence about it. I was an older student to begin with and as more time passes, so do any chances of working as an RN. I'm not sure how long my bum knees would hold out anyway. I think at this point I'm just really irritated that I spent the time/money to pursue nursing (and gave up a lot of time with my family to keep my grades up), not to mention the income and advancement I gave up from career#1 by not working during that time. Very expensive lesson learned.

Good luck, I hope things turn around for you soon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all the advice. the military is a definite no for me i'm neutral in all political and government things. i dont even vote. and i am trying to move, just now they're all like without a current state license we wont hire u. and i cant apply for a state license in everystate. i dont even have the money to apply in one state. stupid nj took all my money. well my grandfather's money he paid for me to get my license. and i am thinking about alaska, tho it would be a huge cultural change. im puerto rican. we like the heat... i think 50 degrees is cold weather...

and yeah alot of the kids in my class had externships at hospitals and didnt get the job as a nurse. including me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Keep trying!

Another application strategy is to pick a couple of target organizations/facilities and persistently follow-up to see if there are any new openings. They may get flooded with 200 applications for each opening, but after awhile, if they come to recognize you and see that you've persistently pursued work with them, you may look like a better gamble to hire than even someone with more experience, because it's a good bet you'll stick around.

And being bilingual IS a major asset. It's just a really tight job market right now. Maybe you could volunteer at a health clinic as a translator or some other role just to have some continued regular contact with the clinical world.

There's no one sure-fire way to land a job these days. Best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For what it's worth, I live in a small town (about 20,000 people) with two hospital and several nursing homes. All the help wanted ads in the paper are 80% RN positions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where do you live??? This is such a suprise for me. There were jobs waiting on ALL of my fellow students in Louisiana. I have no advice whatsoever because this is so different from my area. I would move if I have to. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

Some areas will hire new grads with strong clinical proof into home health area. You might try that area. Do not assume you must work hospital unit first. Once you get a yr experience, look into travel nursing, pays well and I did it once and still get offers all the time. Also look into working in a government type location and you may get your loans forgiven. Also sign up for online job notification, I use indeed.com and you can set your interest and it will send you job openings daily. Make sure your resume is top-notch and keep applying. Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Travel nursing does not want new grads. I tried it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics.

I don't know if the military is even a viable option, even they want experienced nurses. I work in the Washington, DC area and hospitals here are hiring new grads, lots of them. You can try looking here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

I am giving you this info despite myself.....call Halifax Health's nurse recruiter.- you are exactly what they are looking for...inexperienced and smart and young. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thx for the number! and i tried dc no good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment