I have no idea what to do

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

Another thought--if you have religious/spiritual/any kind of beliefs, be sure to check out places associated with that particular brand. For instance (just an example), if you are vegetarian it's useful to look for a job where vegetarians hang out. If you have a particular religion, be sure to check hospitals/nursing homes/corporations owned or run by members of that religion.

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Specializes in Trauma, MICU.

What about travel nursing?

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Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.

Almost all of the travel companies (at least the reputable ones) require at least one year of experience.

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FYI article you might want to read about jobs right now for nurses......

Jobs or No Jobs

By Sarah Rowell Nurse-Recruiter.com

Despite a widely held belief that nursing is a "recession-proof" profession, new graduates in some areas of the country report difficulties finding a job. Surveys by the National Student Nurses Association of 2009 and 2010 new graduates show that more than 40% of nurses that responded had not found a job by midsummer.

scroll down when you get to the article and there is some stats you might want to see.

The future of nursing will improve so hang in there......Once us who are older leave, that will open up 5 million jobs.......the article states.

Jobs or No Jobs: Nurse-Recruiter.com

Licensed Practical Nurses

An aging registered nurse work force combined with a shortage of new nurses is giving rise to an increased need for LPNs in the patient care setting. According to an article by Patricia A. Kenney, MSN, RN; Maintaining Quality Care during a Nursing Shortage Using Licensed Practical Nurses in Acute Care (PDF), the LPN has historically "been used in staffing mixes to alleviate nursing shortages." The article goes on to cite a national trend "to provide additional training and education to licensed and unlicensed assistive personnel to perform various procedures that include medication administration."

Licensed Practical Nurses: Nurse-Recruiter.com

Relax and things will get better!

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Specializes in They know this too!.
I am sorry to hear about your situation...have you been applying everywhere, even nursing homes?? It isn't ideal but it's worth a shot to do rehab. I would look into New York, and Boston too...I know that Mass General is building a whole new building right now, I am sure they will need staff to fill it; Boston is very competative, but it's worth a shot. Put applications in EVERYWHERE that is what I had to do. Try CT too...I hope that helps...and I hope you find something.

MGH just did lay offs due to Medicare cuts. I wouldn't dare try there.

Lots of advice in this thread, but you just have to hang in there. Economy is tight and you have to be really flexible. I decided to take some time off in '08, to have a baby and to be a stay at home mom for a little bit. When I decided to come back, big mistake, no one wanted to hire me. Ended up being way longer than expected. Obviously, we are almost at the end of '10. I came from the ICU for crying out loud. Did some travel nursing too. I have heard it all. "Didn't make a commitment with the travel nursing" "Need current nursing experience" "Hired someone MORE qualified".

So I hear ya. I had to start from square one myself, from the bottom of the pit. I am a lost cause in nursing. It failed me. I try to find places that will pay for relo, but they don't do it upfront like they use to. If anyone knows of a facility that does, feel free to message me. I am willing to pack up and go!

Hang in there, things do get better. At least that is what I am hoping.

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Specializes in LTC, SICU,RNICU.

Not all VA hospitals require a BSN. I live in Alabama and I have never seen that requirement on their website.

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Holy **** Dance, I would not call your experience spotty or "old" Wow.

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Specializes in They know this too!.
Holy **** Dance, I would not call your experience spotty or "old" Wow.

lol, I have received letters and letters of other things. Sometimes I think they are automatically generated to turn you down and the recruiters don't realize or maybe they do how depressing they sound.

I live in a state where things are quite competitive. Some hospitals are even requiring you to have ACLS or IV certification just to work on a Med/Surg floor. Sorry, but I am not spending $1,000 and days of study time just so you can weed out your applicants. pfffttt... :down: You didn't need that 5 years ago. You just needed your license and BLS and you were good to go. Shoot you could even be a New Grad to work on that floor. That was the root of all nursing.

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Holy ****, this time!!!

IV cert too? Yikes.

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Specializes in They know this too!.
Holy ****, this time!!!

IV cert too? Yikes.

Not all hospitals, just some of them.

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Tulsa, Oklahoma is good, clinic or hospital on every corner, go online first tho.

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Specializes in PCU/Critical Care.

A deferment is not what you want. Since you are having trouble with finding a job, see if you can get an Economic Hardship Forbearence. I have recently had to do the same thing but only because I am getting ready to start the ADN program in January and it doesn't make sense to start a job to quit 2 months later. HTH.

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