I'm really angry!!! And i just need to vent!!!!

[GM RN 2010]

I really just want to vent, express my feelings, and my opinion on an issue that I know NEW GRADS (RN'S) all over the United States are experiencing, like I said I need to vent, so pardon meet if anyone feel offended about what I am about to say, not that I got that out of the way here we go.

I chose nursing as a career because I REALLY enjoy helping people, this is my third medical profession might I add, from Radiology Technologist, Surgical Technologist, and now Register Nurse. I gave up EVERYTHING!!!! for nursing school my credit, my brande new luxury car, my older son, sleepless nights, crying days and nights, and my sanity all because I wanted this Nursing thing soooooo BAD!!!

NOW I CAN'T FIND A JOB!!!!! I have tried in state, out of state, even volunteer and still nothing!!!!!!

!!! Yes, I gave it all up to be a yes doctor, no doctor, yes patient, no patient, dealing with miserable nurses, miserable families, basicly eating dog mess and having shoved in my face, and now I can't find a JOB!!!!

PLEASE DO NOT MENTION that I'm giving out the wrong attitude or my perspective is all wrong, or maybe this is not the profession for me, like I said I need to vent so any positive talk or good outlook I had about nursing has just went the window!!!!! I wanted this so BAD I don't know what more I would have done to become a nurse, and now that I am, I'm just so disappointed. I feel like a child who couldn't wait for Christmas Day and once the day arrived, I became disappointed, because Santa didn't give what I expected!!!!!

Yes, I have tried looking for a JOB in my previous professions, but because I have not worked for two in a half years in those professions the gap is causing a problem. Yes, I have thought about making myself marketable, but how can I when I haven't worked in two in a half years, I can't afford it, ACLS is almost two hundred dollars, CCRN is a thousand and change!!!! I'm TIRED, ******, FRUSTRATED, the whole nine yards!!!!

What makes matters worst is they are quiet a few nurses out there who don't even like or want to do nursing, they are unhappy, miserable, working two and three jobs, and this is who the agencies, hospitals, and hospice want to deliver patient care, no wonder why so many mistakes happens in the nursing field and documentation sucks!!!!

Now that I got that off my chest, and mind, I guess I can go back to surfing the net again for a JOB!!!!!

[lmsj9]

Needing to vent...I really understand where you are coming from...back in the day when I had my first child I took off 2 years to be home with him...when going back to work no one would even take the time to interview me bc I hadn't worked in that 2 years...fast forward at 30 I became an LPN put in 10 years work and then got my RN last August, I am currently in an RN to BSN on line accelerated program and will finish this October. I have paid $500 to get my ACLS and PALS certification...I have worked so hard and want a hospital job...lol no one even wants to talk to me because I haven't been an RN for a year yet and I don't have a years Hospital experience...FRUSTRATED...does not begin to cover how I feel...I have spent 10 years working with trach/vent dependent children in long term acute care...for what???....I have only gotten one phone call from all the applications I have put in and was told that maybe they would take into consideration my 10 years as an lpn, but I don't have a years RN or hospital experience yet...if anyone has any tips to assist me in my job search I would greatly appreciate it...I also have looked in neighboring states....same answer...even paid to have a company do my resume...still no luck...I am about an hour outside of Philadelphia, PA...a recent article in advance magazine stated if you are a new grad in PA, NJ, or DE you might as well move out of state for the next 2-3years if you want a hospital job...becoming depressed with the search and disappointment

[groovy jeff, RN]

you might try this thread: https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/start-here-helpful-275356.html

hang in there, i got lucky and found something after 4 months of searching.

good luck & stay groovy.

[dlammons7076]

Come to Texas; most hospitals in any major city or town are not only hiring RN's but are giving rather sizable bonus's up to 10,000 to go to work for them. I now live in Abilene, TX and both hospitals here, Hendrick's and Abilene Regional have openings. I did staffing nursing in Lubbock, TX as a LVN (been one since 1984). I made 22-29 an hr there as an LVN. Plenty of nursing jobs there too as well as Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, etc. I feel your pain, I started back to school in 2004 working on pre-requisites to get my BSN; diagnosed with cancer in 2008 so switched my major to social work as I was not physically able to do clinical's while on chemo/radiation. Graduating in May 2010 with my BSW and find practically no one hires social workers without a master's and then they pay less than I made as LVN. Now, I'm 50,000 in debt and I have been accepted into a 2nd degree BSN accelerated program but am having trouble finding funding for it. In Texas, nursing is one of the only safe professions. Most new RN's are paid a base salary of 25 or more an hour plus differential. Staffing pays the most in Texas. Good luck!

[quirkster]

Try substitute school nursing. I had trouble finding a job also, but they always need school nurses. I finally got a job at a hospital, and can also do the subbing on the side on days off to pick up extra money.

[dlammons7076]

Just wanted to add that Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, TX has told me they will give me half of my 25 plus years as an LVN to my years of experience as a RN when I get out of school. I know its hard to relocate but see if any of the hospitals here will help pay relocating expenses. Many hospitals in Texas have been forced to use staffing nurses and will take steps to get their own staffing nurses. Cheaper for them than the staffing agency's. Good luck to all in this economy.

[WondeR.N.]

B.R.A.V.O!!! I'm in the same sinking boat, and I'm really questioning whether I made the right choice in my second career. I have two degrees, a successful first career with project management and supervisory experience, and I am still not working almost one year after graduation. It's ridiculous. I can't go back to my first career after all this time; and I can't afford to go back to school for a master's in order to be more marketable without an employer to assist with tuition. I know there are countless others in our position. With all the "nursing shortage" hooplah, I feel we were sold a bill of goods. I'm actually pretty p*&&ed off.

[shivone]

Yes it's been really difficult for our graduating class too (December 09). It is so discouraging after spending all that time and money on school and then having the student loans lurking over your shoulder. I think the worst was when I lost out on a job to someone who isn't graduating til May (this was a couple of months ago too). She was an employee at the facility so of course I understand they wanted to give her the job. But it was a rude awakening to realize I was not only competing with all my classmates, but with the oncoming flood of May grads! I finally got offered a job in mental health at my community hospital down the street (will start in a couple of weeks). A huge relief.

lmsj9: I'm in the lehigh valley area in PA. In our area very little hiring is going on - not even in long term care. I keep hearing that Reading Hospital is hiring (they were too far from me, but maybe not for you). Some of my classmates have had luck with private duty nursing services doing pediatric home care. I know it's not the ideal experience, but maybe with your trach/vent experience it would be something to keep you busy and you'd be able to say on your resume you;re working as an RN. I know for sure PSA and Luv n Care have hired a few of my classmates. Also, again not sure where you are located but Good Shepherd in Allentown has an LTACH facility, and they also have some pediatric specialty units. you never know.

[felixfelix]

I feel for you...and me, as I'm in the same boat. it's absolutely tight as a drum around the SF bay area, unless you've recently been in m/s or acute, and even then....do you hear your friends saying,"Oh yea, no jobs? I thought nursing was a super in-demand career and they're dying for nurses out there?" The health care system is really broken. Hang in there, and just keep plugging away, the right thing will happen for you.

[cynr131]

Oh my gosh! I'm going through the same thing here in Houston. I graduated from Excelsior ASN program in Feb and passed my boards in March. I've been an LVN for 13 yrs & worked med/surg, total joint, even PACU but case managment for the last 2 yrs. I started looking for a job around the hospital I've worked for 12 yrs because I love working on the floor and the nurse recruiter told me, "We don't hire new grads". My heart dropped to the floor. Mind you that I went back to school for my job security and when our CNO came into office, she was known for getting rid of LVN's. Good thing I was close to getting my RN, right? WRONG! Turns out that most hospitals in Houston, even with our LARGE well known medical center, only hire new nurses once a year in June for the internship programs. I applied for every one that I could and am waiting to hear back. Some hospitals only hire BSN's now so that narrowed the field. I applied for my system's internship and want to stay with the company because I used tuition reimbursement and have to work here for 2 yrs to pay it off but if I can't find a job with them, how am I supposed to do that?? If anyone has the hook up in the Houston area, help me out!!

[rrockstar88, BSN, RN]

Wow, so sad. I'm graduating next May (2011) and am becoming really nervous about finding a job. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area as well. I'm willing to work in any capacity. I hear there is always a shortage of RNs who want to work in mental health. Is this true? That might be my only salvation at first - and I actually enjoyed that rotation. I know a lot of new grads want to work med-surg... what other (less popular) areas might a new grad look to find their first job?

Good luck everybody. Keep the faith.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I graduated May of 2009 and just took my boards a few weeks ago. There are no jobs around here so I took a break and hung out with my kids. Thankfully, I'm used to living from hand to mouth. Now I'm looking for a job and there still aren't any. I have an 'interview' to volunteer at a hospice tomorrow at 0900. I'm also looking at going on for my bsn. At least I can say I've been doing something.

I do have faith that the right job will be mine! I will get it and I will appreciate it ever so much more. Good luck to us all.

[GApsychNurse]

Yes, I agree with the previous poster. Try checking into agencies as well. Most travel agencies require at least a year or 2 of experience. But check into local agencies that either supply local hospitals or specialty agencies such as DeVita, Bayada, etc., These often train in their specialty field and therefore can be willing to accept new grads depending on their location.