Job Search Blues and Questions

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I have been looking for 7 months for an NP job (certified as Adult) in the Boston area and I am getting frustrated, feeling down on myself, and at times demotivated.

I haven't seriously considered relocating but realize that I need to do that. I don't have a lot of funds to travel and apply for other state licenses especially if its horrible market in other states. I guess my questions are 1)Am I alone in this plight. 2) Where are the jobs?? 3) Has anyone been able to relocate without spending a fortune? Thanks for any advice!!

Hey, I am also in the Boston area and having a horrible time with the job search...any luck yet?

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how many years experience do you have?? Because i know of a position that is currently open in Phoenix, AZ. Pay range between 80 to 90K per year and needs about 2 years experience.

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Hi, I am in Boston. There seem to be job postings but alot of them just keep showing up over and over - not sure if there are really jobs?? I ended up taking a pay for service position. You get paid for what you bill. Its ok for now but they give NO training, offer NO support, and do not seem to give a crap what you do. I will keep looking. Sad but we will all get through it!

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I am considering the FNP program at a top university. I will be able to complete it in 7 months with no debt and still be

able to work 4 days a week as a nurse with full benefits. My concern, as with many, is the job market. I will be in my

mid 50's when I graduate and I was wondering what the job market will be for FNP's now and in the future? I also have

an MBA and my passion is integrative health and preventative health and lobbying for CAM research. I am board certified in

Cardio vascular and plan on getting my diabetes certification. Is this a good career move? I am interested in job security, flexibility and income, in that order. Thanks for any suggestions.

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

what school are you attending that you can complete in 7 months? Just curious.

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Oh sorry I meant 7 semesters! sorry for the typo!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

There are tons of APN positions available in Bridgeport CT. The health systems are booming within the area, the location is generally a pleasant location, due to its relativeness to New York City, and you can also apply for your tristate license.

Just a suggestion!

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I have been looking for an NP job for 9 months now, and have still not landed a position. I have definitely been having job search blues!! I have been a pediatric nurse for 8 years and my certification is Acute Care PNP. I have applied locally and out of state, and have not been successful. The problems I keep running into in the application process are that I am a new NP and that I don't have the experience that they are looking for. The fact that I have no critical care experience is shutting me out of a lot of jobs. I know the economy is bad, but I really did not think it was going to take me this long to get a job. I have lost track of how many interviews I have had, and how many applications I have filled out. I am really wishing that I had never spent all that time getting a NP degree in the first place. I am still stuck doing the same job I was before with no way out. I could really use some advice because I am really ready to give up on finding an NP job entirely.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

That's an awfully narrow field. Perhaps you might consider getting your ACNP for adults as well to improve your marketability.

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This is what I have come to realize, of course only after I have been looking for jobs. While obtaining an Acute Care certification for adults would definitely improve my marketability, I have no experience with adults as an RN and Pediatrics has been the only age group I have been passionate about. This is one reason that I did not go for the FNP, which has a wider scope. The other reason is I have spent most of my time as a nurse in the hospital and I am not that enthusiastic about primary care.

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

I think you would run into the same problem if you became a ACNP without critical care experience. Most employers want an ACNP who has critical care experience (especially with new grads). Not trying to be negative, but I'm surprised your program director did not suggest obtaining critical care experience prior to your program completion.

Maybe you should apply for a PICU job to get some critical care experience. I would look for a critical care position within a hospital or system that utilizes Acute Care PNPs. That way you can get some experience within a unit you're interested in long term and the hospital won't feel like they're wasting their time training you. A year or two of critical care experience should make a world of difference and you could then bid on a ACPNP position as an internal candidate. I know it is not a quick solution, but I think it would get you closer to your goal. Good luck!

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I have already applied and interviewed for a PICU position with no success. All that kept coming up was why I didn't want to pursue a NP job. I was prepared for this, but was still unsuccessful. What bothers me even more is that I have wanted to do critical care for a long time and have applied multiple times with no success. Yes, I wish my school had been more upfront with me about the areas where ACPNPs are hired.

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