I wish someone told me........

[dienne]

I wish someone told me that to enter this profession you already need experience. You need to be born an experienced nurse if not there is just no place for you in this field.

I am sorry, I know this topic has already been discussed a thousand times on this board but today I am really really down and just need to vent.

I am a new grad so I am unemployable, I feel such a failure. Years of hard work, sacrifices, endless night studying and all for nothing. I understand that having a degree and a license doesn't entitle me to a job, but I would love to have at least one opportunity to show that I too can be a good nurse. But after months and hundreds of applications sent with no luck, I am ready to give up and go back to my old non nursing career.

I am not the only one, there are so many of us new grads of 2009 and 2010 who will never be nurses, despite our passion and love for this job and willingness to learn and work hard. I don't think it's fair but so it's life. I considered moving but right now I am so broke after months of not working that I can't even afford that.

I wish all new grads the best of luck! To all working nurses, I envy you so much (in a good way hehe), because you are doing what I would have loved to do........

Daniela

[ilovetinyeye]

Wow, I wish someone could have also told you that doing the process in person is faster. If you did it online it may actually take a yr. For me I went in person filled out an application, got an interview date for 4 weeks later, at the interview i was told if i passed i would receive a letter in 6wks with my results and eligibility. and thats just how it happened and I was automatically placed on the list and started making those calls!!! Since you did the online process you have to wait it out now (my friend did the same thing, it had been like 3 months and she hadn't been contacted for an interview-she has since been hired by another facility) (she did tell me there was a problem with her application and not all documents were received, so be sure to call and follow up make sure you let them know you are interested and as in my friends case if there is an issue fix it to help the process)

I don't know how proactive you are, but with any of these processes you HAVE to be because the other 90% of nurses competing for the same position will be super proactive and involved in their process letting the employer know they are interested/really want the job etc. i only saw this because i have seen it. Classmates who were not offered a position at their "dream" hospital instead of taking the rejection kept calling asked to meet eith everyone asked for a second chance or to at least meet with someone and be told why they were not hired. let's just say they never had to meet with anyone they were told sorry we over looked you you can come interview. Another friend put in countless applications and finally decided to be proactive and follo-up with her apps, suddenly wks later she was called to interview. at the interview the recruiter said she chose her because she had seen her name everytime she applied and also because she expressed interest by following up. I'm not saying that will be your case because it depends on the facility and you as well ( i don't know anything about you so its hard to guide you in any which way)

something else i had started to try before i got hired was that i googled a list of hospitals in CA i went to the website of ones that were at least driving distance and applied. I didnt get to finish but you should try that, you'll miss places you never knew existed.

CHOC- Children's Hospital of Orange County, CHLA Children's Hospital of Los Angeles

Also did you apply to UCLA's new grad program earlier this month??? they have started contacting for interviews.

[Nurzelady]

Hi, I just read ur story and I completely understand what you're going through. I feel the exact same way sometimes, but like everyone has already been telling you, you can't give up. The only way to get a job in this competitive market is to be competitive yourself. The sacrifices are not yet over girl. You have to make phone calls, talk to recruiters, mention your name, ask them if it's better to apply in person or online (most of the time in person is better). I also googled all the hospitals within driving distance of where I live and I found so many! Many of them accept new grads but do not necessarily state their positions as new grad. I'll also refer you to this great website below. Since you already applied to so many positions, I would just start following up with phone calls first, then apply for more positions. Maybe see if you can boost your resume and cover letter too. Don't worry girl we are here with you. YOU WILL GET A JOB. You just have to be proactive. At the end of the day, you can always choose to go back to school to get your masters, maybe take out a loan, and then be guaranteed a job afterwards. We're all rooting for you girl!

Check this site! http://nursedeezl.typepad.com/nursedeezls-iblog/2010/03/hospitals-without-new-grad-programs-just-apply.html

[Nurse_Jaydee]

@Ilovetinyeye- Hi! Can you tell me more about the hiring process at LAC+USC? I have my exam (interview) tomorrow and I am very nervous/excited! I was just wondering how your friend got hired in the L&D? Did she contact HR after being placed on the list or did they contact her? How is she liking it there? I would love to work in L&D or Peds, thank you!

[tojal1989]

i'm a new grad, graduated in may, got a job last week 10 mins away from home...

it'll come

[ohyeah]

I know your pain. Graduated 2010 and still no dice. My license is up for renewal and I do not plan to pay the $150. Why invest more money into a lost cause? The majority of my class is unhirable/stale-grad with no hope.

I too applied to SNF’s, LTC, hospitals (not picky of floor or shift), drug rehab, adult daycare, hospice, military—EVERYTHING IN MY STATE. I was willing to move at the drop of a hat. All to no avail. I view nursing as the biggest mistake of my life. But hey, when I went back to school recruiters were at the schools asking student to go to work for them. Now you will be lucky to get a 1-2 call backs from 200 applications. You better be bilingual, have experience and/or know somebody to get you in. If not you can kiss nursing goodbye.

As an added bonus, the degree is absolutely worthless in the work-world outside of nursing. The degree and license has turned out to be worth less than the paper and plastic they are printed on for the majority of those who graduated RN school 2009-2010 and 2011 will see the same. People say "it will pick up", but the statistics (remember those) show otherwise. the economy is getting worse with no sign of getting better.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I am a new grad so I am unemployable, I feel such a failure.

No, you are not unemployable, and are not a failure.

It is very hard to find that first job.

Instead of shooting out resumes to everywhere, sometimes focusing on those places you want to work & networking to find a contact there is what works. That includes contacting working classmates and asking if they hear of any openings to let you know.

In terms of new grads, my 37 bed unit hired at least a dozen new grads in the past 2-3 years., so there is hope.

And, I've seen more nurses retiring in the past 6 months, so eventually it will trickle down to the inexperienced RN level.

Hang in there