Is it true that it is hard to find work--with experience?

caliotter3 · May 10, 2014

At least in my experience, I have found that to be true. When times are hard, employers can afford to "pick the cream of the crop" for what may be a lesser "availability" of positions or workload.

MBrickle · May 13, 2014

I started in pedi home health...3 years later with a BSN, I'm stuck. And the couple of job offers I have gotten have been for much less money.

All jobs require experience. Viscous cycle. At this point, especially in the northeast, I think getting a hospital job is akin to winning the lottery!

double_minority · May 13, 2014

At this point, especially in the northeast, I think getting a hospital job is akin to winning the lottery!

You can definitely say that again!

newnicurn · May 13, 2014

Definitely my problem. I took a job in another facility because it was my only offer even though it was the same thing. Though I'd have better opportunities. Ha! It was like my unit on steroids. I could have just stayed were I was, have better control of my schedule and get paid more. If you get interviews that ask why do you want to leave your specialty? I even paid to have my resume perfessionally done to get a interview for something else. Thinking of relocating. sigh

pbajil · May 25, 2014

@obesity33 - YES it is true. I am one of the nurses on here that can not get a job outside of her specialty. I refuse to get another job in something I have already done. I just keep applying and interviewing. I find a lot of places are totally against it, only want specialty experience. But I have found some others that are open to it .... only I don't get selected because another candidate is "a better fit" because they have that experience.

I do see new grads getting hired into these specialty areas that I want to work in. I see on facebook when I do an employer search, the new RNs that have just graduated and what unit they work on. It is blatantly obvious that my 10+ years of experience is being held against me. They want either someone with experience, or none at all. They assume I am set in my ways maybe? But if I weren't ready for a change and a challenge, why would I be applying?

Best of luck to you.

MBrickle · May 28, 2014

@obesity33 - YES it is true. I am one of the nurses on here that can not get a job outside of her specialty. I refuse to get another job in something I have already done. I just keep applying and interviewing. I find a lot of places are totally against it, only want specialty experience. But I have found some others that are open to it .... only I don't get selected because another candidate is "a better fit" because they have that experience.
I do see new grads getting hired into these specialty areas that I want to work in. I see on facebook when I do an employer search, the new RNs that have just graduated and what unit they work on. It is blatantly obvious that my 10+ years of experience is being held against me. They want either someone with experience, or none at all. They assume I am set in my ways maybe? But if I weren't ready for a change and a challenge, why would I be applying?
Best of luck to you.

You are too expensive! Anyone with under a few years of experience is too expensive to train, and anyone with over ten years of experience is too expensive to hire. I really think 3-9 years seems to be the sweet spot!

Yo

pbajil · May 29, 2014

You are too expensive! Anyone with under a few years of experience is too expensive to train, and anyone with over ten years of experience is too expensive to hire. I really think 3-9 years seems to be the sweet spot!
Yo

I would work for free if it's in a specialty I want, just to gain experience! No one has asked me how much money I want. I guess they assume I want to be paid $50 per hour in a new specialty? How about they give me an interview and an offer and see how expensive or cheap I turn out to be.

MBrickle · May 29, 2014

I would work for free if it's in a specialty I want, just to gain experience! No one has asked me how much money I want. I guess they assume I want to be paid $50 per hour in a new specialty? How about they give me an interview and an offer and see how expensive or cheap I turn out to be.

This is EXACTLY the problem - this mentality! We are undervaluing ourselves because we are so desperate for a job and therefore are taking less money. We need to stop doing that!! Hospitals are the only ones benefitting from this - not us!

PediatricRNTX · May 29, 2014

I have over two years experience in a variety of fields and I can't seem to get a call back either. I have a BSN and another bachelor degree. Maybe my resume? Who knows.

MrChicagoRN, RN · May 29, 2014

You are too expensive! Anyone with under a few years of experience is too expensive to train, and anyone with over ten years of experience is too expensive to hire. I really think 3-9 years seems to be the sweet spot!
Yo

Sorry. I disagree.

Im going to hire the person that is the best fit, and brings the most value to the table. If it's a 10 year nurse stuck at a 3 year experience level, that's not value. But I'll hire a hire a sharp Nurse of many years/decades experience if they have what it takes.

pbajil · May 30, 2014

This is EXACTLY the problem - this mentality! We are undervaluing ourselves because we are so desperate for a job and therefore are taking less money. We need to stop doing that!! Hospitals are the only ones benefitting from this - not us!

I never actually undervalued myself and told anyone I would work for free. One second you are telling me I am too expensive to hire, and now are telling me that no, I should not take a pay cut. Which is it? I want to change specialties and can not.

@MrChicagoRN -

Im going to hire the person that is the best fit, and brings the most value to the table. If it's a 10 year nurse stuck at a 3 year experience level, that's not value. But I'll hire a hire a sharp Nurse of many years/decades experience if they have what it takes.

What is a 10 year nurse stuck at a 3 year experience level? I have not advanced to any promotion level, because I was having babies and not working full time. Working, yes. But I am not stuck at a 3 year experience level because I have not promoted to some fancy FT position in my current specialty. I am not interested in those. And how would anyone know I have what it takes unless they interview me? I don't get any calls to ask me.