Job Hunting

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I am a new grad with an ADN that has recently relocated to the Dallas- Fort Worth area. I have been seeking to secure a job in Dallas-Fort Worth or Plano area for about 3 weeks with little to no luck. Is it too early for me to feel anxious or discouraged? Most of the job announcements are requesting a BSN or experience, neither of which I currently possess. I am planning to return to school once I have successfully obtained a job. It feels like I have applied nearly everywhere and haven't gotten much of a response. I wanted to know if anyone has any helpful suggestions for me during this search.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I live in Allen. ?

I assumed you would do your BSN after getting a job. That does change things - but I would still recommend the accelerated to be honest. Once you graduate from nursing school the clock starts ticking on your eligibility for those residencies/internships. It won't start over after you get your BSN. Generally you will not be considered for them after one year goes by from graduation from the two year institution - you will be what is called an "old" new grad. It would be better to get your BSN right out of the gate if you have the choice. I am surprised there aren't any options for that in Utah. How old are your kiddos? Are there any community colleges there that you could earn your ASN with instead of the for-profit school?

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9 minutes ago, not.done.yet said:

I live in Allen. ?

I assumed you would do your BSN after getting a job. That does change things - but I would still recommend the accelerated to be honest. Once you graduate from nursing school the clock starts ticking on your eligibility for those residencies/internships. It won't start over after you get your BSN. Generally you will not be considered for them after one year goes by from graduation from the two year institution - you will be what is called an "old" new grad. It would be better to get your BSN right out of the gate if you have the choice. I am surprised there aren't any options for that in Utah. How old are your kiddos? Are there any community colleges there that you could earn your ASN with instead of the for-profit school?

That’s awesome! How do you like it? We need to take a trip in the next year and a half and figure out where we want to live haha.

I wish there was that type of program here ? For 2 yr or 4 yr schools I still need about 2-4 semesters of pre-requisites and then the programs still take 4 semesters (they don’t go through the summer) so essentially 2 years and then I could do my BSN.

There is one program that takes a yr but they have over 270 applicants and only take 70 ? It makes it tough to put my eggs in that basket haha.

Maybe I’ll just get a phlebotomy license and work until my kiddos are older and can go back to school. They are 2.5, 7 months, and one on the way. So that probably won’t be for a while.

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Would it be better if we try to stay in Utah for a year and me work for a year before moving? Would that help?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Honestly? Yes, that would help. As an experienced nurse you will be much more hirable. The market is only tight for new grads down here.

Your kiddos are little still! I have kids but didn't do nursing school until they were in high school. You could work on your pre-reqs until they are in school themselves at least, if you wanted. However, if you have good family support there, that's pretty valuable. You will need that with little ones and nursing school. Congratulations on the new baby on the way!

I like Allen okay - in terms of places to live, its safe and an attractive town. It isn't as friendly as they are up north (I grew up in Omaha). I could not tell you the names of any of my neighbors. I absolutely loathe the weather here. Summers are just so horribly, horribly hot. In the heart of Texas summer you have to do what northerners do in the heart of a north winter - stay inside as much as possible. Its too hot for the kids to even play outside. Swimming pools feel like bath water. I personally miss having four distinct seasons. I have considered moving to a better climate many times.

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12 hours ago, not.done.yet said:

Honestly? Yes, that would help. As an experienced nurse you will be much more hirable. The market is only tight for new grads down here.

Your kiddos are little still! I have kids but didn't do nursing school until they were in high school. You could work on your pre-reqs until they are in school themselves at least, if you wanted. However, if you have good family support there, that's pretty valuable. You will need that with little ones and nursing school. Congratulations on the new baby on the way!

I like Allen okay - in terms of places to live, its safe and an attractive town. It isn't as friendly as they are up north (I grew up in Omaha). I could not tell you the names of any of my neighbors. I absolutely loathe the weather here. Summers are just so horribly, horribly hot. In the heart of Texas summer you have to do what northerners do in the heart of a north winter - stay inside as much as possible. Its too hot for the kids to even play outside. Swimming pools feel like bath water. I personally miss having four distinct seasons. I have considered moving to a better climate many times.

So even 1 year of experience would make a difference? Also, would the technical school matter then or would they look more so at my experience at that point?

I’m hoping not to wait that long but if I have then it is what it is haha.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yes, even one year of experience would make a huge difference. Huge. You would be very marketable as an experienced nurse. The technical school itself would most likely not matter, especially if you were in the process of earning your BSN, but the two year degree would still potentially hurt you, but not as badly as being a new grad. You might be able to get hired in on contingency for getting your BSN within two years or three.

Something to check on - if the technical school is not nationally accredited, you will have trouble getting any of your credits to transfer when you go to pursue your BSN. That means you will have to retake all of that content to advance your degree. Only you can decide what is right for you, but make sure you have all the information starting out. Its a heavy hit when you apply to get your BSN and find out that you have to pay to retake a ton of classes.

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