I'm having a hard time finding an RN Job

[nurse0000]

when i graduated from nursing school, I was 5 months pregnant so it didnt make sense to apply right away. So I waited till i had the baby and spent a few months with him and then when he started sleeping through the night. I started applying, I got a job at a rehab setting but i hate it because they overwork us nurses having 13-19 pts a day plus wound care and admission if any empty rooms. I started out full-time but when i saw how stressful it is. I told them I want to do PRN. Now I am applying everywhere and have no luck finding a job. I live in the south surburbs of chicago and its been so hard trying to find a job.I can't work nights because of my baby and my husband works at night. I'm trying to find a dayshift job but not having any luck. I hope someone can help or give advice! I'm about to give up!

[TheMoonisMyLantern, LPN, RN]

On 5/29/2019 at 10:25 AM, motherofcats said:

Man this is so disheartening. Is the answer really to quit nursing? As a new grad nurse about to enter the workforce I've heard this over and over. "Are you sure you want to be a nurse? Don't work here, I'm only here for the pay", etc. They tell me I'll be jaded soon too, but I hope not.

So, in my opinion is that nursing has its ups and downs like every profession. However, the downs for nursing are substantial because many of them are unlikely to change without substantial systematic reform on a nationwide scale. Violence, ratios, working conditions, pay, etc are the hurdles that are not easily overcome especially for a female dominated profession. True story: I went to a hearing for a friend of mine (a nurse) who pressed charges against an alert and oriented male who punched her, the judge told her "With your position you should expect this to happen." and dismissed the charges. Things like this are shockingly common nationwide and are only in recent years starting to be reported more in media. We also as nurses just see some really horrific things that our patients go through and after a while the death and suffering can haunt you.

With that being said, nursing can also be a fabulous career, it can offer flexibility and even somewhat of a sense of security once you have experience and are able to market those skills. It also encourages continued learning and growth (albeit that is not without its issues as well). On top of that there are many moments where you do help others, they may not appreciate it or realize it but that's not the point.

You take the good with the bad and when you come across people that seem bitter or jaded just be mindful that while it isn't all doom and gloom there often is at least a kernel of truth in what they say. Good luck!

[Nursetravel246]

I see this post is a little old, but I’m curious if you found a job yet. I’m also in south suburbs of Chicago and having a hard time finding a good job. I’m currently employed but the on call hours are too much. I’ve applied to many different hospitals, clinics, etc. Some evening and night shift so I’m not being too picky. I either don’t hear back after applying, or complete a phone screen or in-person interview and then never hear back. Unlike you, I have about 18 years experience in many different specialty areas, so I don’t know if it’s your lack of experience or the area. I’d rather just be told they’ve gone with someone else rather than being left just hanging...it kind of makes my confidence drop. I feel like the interviews go well too so I’m not sure what the problem is.