I do not want to give up.

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Hello everybody, sorry this may be very long thread.

I want to start out by saying being a nurse is such a great feeling. To serve others is what we all strive. I am very proud of myself for graduating and passing the NCLEX-RN. I also happen to be among those who have not been able to find work. After deep soul searching and feelings of disappointment about not having a job, I came to the conclusion that being a nurse is an accomplishment which I earned through hard work. It would be great to work and contribute to society. Until I find that job, I constantly encourage myself. I want to work in medical-surgical nursing. Therefore, on a daily basis I have decided to keep my knowledge by studying everyday. I spent way too much time and energy feeling sorry for myself for not finding work. Finally last week I decided to turn my challenge into an advantage.

I no longer feel sorry for myself. I understand I live in a city where there are lots of nurse graduates and few older nurses willing to retire. There is a tough competition to land our first nursing jobs. I admit I have not been competing as much as I should. I guess I was too overwhelmed by the competition.

Another obstacle I overcame is my lack of experience in the hospital environment other than my clinicals. Those who had worked as a tech during school have the advantage of finding jobs right after graduation. I felt terrible for not having had a tech job as a student. However, that too was competitive. The fact that I did not work as a tech did not stop me from becoming a nurse.

At the moment it is almost two years since I graduated. I still have not found my first nursing job. I am at a position to panic or feel depressed. I honestly can say I felt those feeling during these two years in addition to the anxiety about the NCLEX.

Before it becomes two years since I graduated , I have decided to try my luck out of state. In the mean time I am taking care of myself by eating right and working out. I am also studying to refresh my knowledge of nursing content.

It is such a great feeling to get out of self pity for not landing a job. Instead I am proud of myself for passing the NCLEX-RN and graduating. Now my only fear is losing my license if I happen to never find a job before it expires? Can I renew it even if I have never practiced? My license will expire in 2016 and I fear if I don't practice with it the BON will ban me from being a nurse. I want to ask the board of nursing my concern. Until then if any of you can give me an idea of what will happen to my license I would really appreciate it. thank you.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

As long as you pay your fee, and do the required CEUs (if applicable to the state you are practicing in), you will have your license.

Have you tried LTAC, LTC, Sub Acute, and non-hospital positions? You didn't specify, so I decided to ask.

Start expanding your practice outside of the hospital and start looking to get SOME experience.

Best wishes.

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Thanks I feel such relief knowing I can keep my license which I worked so hard to obtain. I have tried long term care as well with no luck most require 1 year experience. I hope I will have better luck out of state.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Sent you a PM. No, I am not a recruiter! Our BON asks if we have worked a certain number of hours in the past 2 years, but don't know how that works for a new license.

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I recommend checking with your state BORN as to what the license renewal requirements are for your state. My understanding is that some state/s require a certain number of hours of nursing practice and CEU's, whereas other states require a number of CEU's, and I believe one or more states do not even require any CEU's for renewal. You need to check what is required in your particular state for license renewal.

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What is CEU?

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Specializes in MICU.

I think it is "continuing education(the 30 contact hours)"

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I suspected thanks

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Yes, by CEU's (Continuing Education Units) I did mean contact hours. I'm sorry for the confusion.

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I will ask my board of nursing how I can keep my license. In the meantime I wanted to know is it the one given at community colleges for inactive nurses?

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Specializes in 4.

There are many avenues for completing your CEU's. Start contacting every facility within a reasonable distance and have someone else go over your resume. Just to make sure your resume is great and I am sure it is. There are several agencies who will give new grad's experience and so will many LTC. You just have to push thru this. Unfortunately, this is the fate for many of us today but with perseverance, you can get thru this. Never give up and tomorrow is a new day, new week. :yes:

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I will ask my board of nursing how I can keep my license. In the meantime I wanted to know is it the one given at community colleges for inactive nurses?

You should be able to find information about license renewal at your state BORN web site.

Continuing Education courses for nurses (that will award you contact hours) can be found on the internet or by contacting local medical facilities who may offer such courses. It is possible that a community college may offer a nursing refresher course, which will award contact hours. It is wise to make sure that the course provider is reputable, and is approved/accredited by your state BORN to offer such courses (Continuing Education courses for license renewal need to be approved by one's state BORN); this will usually be mentioned in the course information, so you can check this before you purchase the course.

I hope this is helpful.

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