I made the wrong choice...

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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why? after studying to be A in class all the time, sacrificing my time over and over, getting in to stupid nursing loans, then what? no jobs! This is discrimination! to just apply over 100 places! but the ones that have family members and friends! get the hospital jobs! is this fair? after graduating which was almost 2 years ago... I had to take all that **** jobs for new grads! with low pays! and then still no one wants to hire you! IM TIRED. Tired of hearing "you need hands on experience", "you need this you need that! I almost begged to get hand on experience without getting paid but who cares!

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Have you gotten some nursing experience you can build your resume with now?

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why? after studying to be A in class all the time sacrificing my time over and over, getting in to stupid nursing loans, then what? no jobs! This is discrimination! to just apply over 100 places! but the ones that have family members and friends! get the hospital jobs! is this fair? after graduating which was almost 2 years ago... I had to take all that **** jobs for new grads! with low pays! and then still no one wants to hire you! IM TIRED. Tired of hearing "you need hands on experience", "you need this you need that! I almost begged to get hand on experience without getting paid but who cares![/quote']

It ****, but that's the way it is nowadays!! I didn't realize how bad it was until I moved to Texas in a well known neighborhood!! Everyone has literally got where they r because they know someone. I start school in August & I'm glad I live here because I'm surrounded by nurses, docs, military. I'm told all the time that when I'm done I'll have a job. "What if I'm a bad nurse I kid with them?!"

Im grateful for that but i do feel for the hard workers like you cuz I was in your spot when i lived in California & knew or related to no in my profession.

But it has come to "who u know not what u know"!!

Give your resume to ppl that work in healthcare. I worked on base & ppl I knew would bring resumes for friends & give a good word for them.

Some IT guy we knew brought some gurls resume & said good stuff about her & the gurl got hired. You just never know!!

You might not know someone but someone you know may!!

Sorry!!! Don't give up someone will give you a chance. Hopefully soon!!!!

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I can totally understand how you're feeling because that's what I am afraid of as well. I am starting in the fall for an ADN program and extremely terrified of being jobless. I too myself don't have much hands on experience, just volunteering. what I can suggest is tell/ask anyone you see( family, friends, acquaintance, former co-workers, former friends, fellow students, school where you graduated from) that you are desperately in need of a job. Hopefully someone will recommend you or hire you.. lots of luck!!!!. I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I posted a article in the nursing student section of all-nurses about two years ago warning new nursing hopefuls that this was the case, and guess what, they practically bite my head off! They said all sorts of mean things about how I was a mean little person to say that it was a terrible market for new grads and how I was wrong. Its been two years now since graduation, and just about everyone has jobs now, but its taken a long time, and many people are just now getting their first jobs. I don't know what its like for new grads that have graduated this year or last year. It does seem that the job market is getting a little better, maybe its just because I am now considered "experienced" that more doors seem open to me.

To be honest, I see alot of hospital nurses posting on here how terrible hospital nursing is and how they can't wait to get out and get a job like the one I have. So, maybe its a case of "the grass is always greener".

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I was just hired into a new grad ICU position and I graduated in May with my ADN. I knew people, but because I networked and made sure everyone from the unit director to the techs knew who I was. I'm a 3.6 GPA student, but I have gone out of my way to get ACLS, PALs, NIHSS, Vent training and so on. There are new grad jobs but you have to constantly be doing more and working harder than the other new grads around you. It is definitely tough, but don't lose steam now!

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I've had people say that about my hospital system. It is sort of evident in the ER but I would say about 50/50. I was hired in a different position initially and because of my resume, I was hired. I had ACLS, PALS, PEPP, ITLS, CPR Instructor, EMT on my way to be a paramedic, and completed my first semester of nursing school. I also volunteered on a fire department and could relate the questions well from cutting up cars to helping customers when I worked retail.

I managed to get this ER without knowing a single person up here. I have a shoe in now because I work in the hospital system. I also make sure I work a lot of hours and I cover a lot of people. Since I work 36-48 hours, the charge nurses, nurses, and doctors know me. The doctors think I am full-time.

I honestly think it is almost mandatory to try and get a position in a hospital. Any position and not just volunteer.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
why? after studying to be A in class all the time, sacrificing my time over and over, getting in to stupid nursing loans, then what? no jobs! This is discrimination!

Unfortunately it's not discrimination, as new grads are not a protected class.

I know you are venting. And I agree, it's frustrating--I went through the same problems a few years ago. The problem is that there's too many new grads and not enough jobs, so you need more than As to set yourself apart from the pack. You've already gotten some good tips in this thread.

Most loan companies will let you defer your loans if you're unemployed but actively searching.

Also keep in mind that the new grad job hunt nowadays usually takes 6-12 months or even longer, even for the cream-of-the-crop graduates.

Best of luck.

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

It is not discrimination...some areas of the country (California) has as high as 47% unemployment of new grads. try relocating....try LTC. The average job search for new grads is 14-18 months in MANY areas of the US. There is NO NURSING SHORTAGE.

There is not shortage....I'm with IsisC...I was called many things for trying to point to the future...and accused of crushing everyone's dreams. But when you graduate with thousands of dollars in loans and NO JOBS.....it's pretty much a nightmare.

OP I wish you the best...keep on plugging along.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

You may have to consider moving to where the jobs are available. Just like any field, not everyone can get their dream job the first time. I feel for you.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

How is it discriminatory? Nursing students are not a protected class, lol. Better connected people are always more successful in job hunting. I recently read somewhere that 8 in 10 successful applicants landed an interview based on networking (this is all jobs/fields-not specific to nursing). "Cold" inquiries and applications are rarely successful, especially in a tight market.

You are going to have to decide if you are willing to relocate. If not, you had better get yourself out there and get connected!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

You could keep looking or go to grad school like so many others. Staying in the same place spinning wheels will get you nowhere. I agree there is no nursing shortage. Time to pull on the big girl pants and make life happen. If you keep waiting you will have the same result. All of the new grads at my hospital this summer came from other states.

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