I need good advice from other nurses.

[KaliNurse19, BSN, RN]

Hello everybody,

I’m here to seek advice because I feel overwhelmed and helpless with the lack of opportunities out there. So, I’ve been a nurse for a year and half and immediately got hired at two jobs right after graduating. A SNF and an outpatient derm clinic. I started looking for hospital jobs/grad programs even before getting my RN license, I think I’ve applied to 400 positions, I have my license in CA and in FL. Never found a grad program in the Bay Area so I thought about  Moving to Florida and getting my license there. Now I’m getting denied again because they say I need at least one year of critical care experience but I’m also considered NOT a new grad anymore. They told me a year experience in a snf would get me a job in a hospital. It’s the chicken or the egg, they need nurses but they rather hire travelers than getting new nurses during a pandemic. Is there something I should write on my resume that would get me a foot in the door in any hospital? My heart is in the emergency dept but I would start on any unit. I’m planning to move to the Tampa Bay Area this Summer but I would stay in the SF Bay Area if anybody would give me a chance. So I’m constantly applying to both states.

Please help.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

For what it is worth, travelers tend to have more hospital experience and do not need as much training as someone like you would because they can hit the ground running with very minimal orientation.

Both areas you are looking into are saturated with nurses already which is likely why you aren't having much luck. If you really want a hospital job, look into other areas across the country where there really is a nursing shortage - for example, border towns near Mexico. 

Also have someone professional review your resume and cover letter to ensure that isn't contributing to your lack of responses as well. Good luck to you!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

You're stuck in the unfortunately oversupply and demand situation. You are licensed in two states that appear hardest to find work in. You might need to consider getting licensed in another state to find somewhere looking for nurses. Have you been working at a SNF for the last year and a half? That should make you marketable in many areas. Good luck.