Keep Your Heads Up, New Nurses; Don't Ever Lose The Passion!

The purpose of this article is to provide words of encouragement to the unemployed new grads out there. Although the current employment market for new nurses is not the greatest in many cities and states, keep in mind that opportunities do exist in the midst of the fierce competition. Whatever you do, please do not ever stop believing in yourself. You are an ambitious, smart person who can get over this bump in the road. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

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Keep Your Heads Up, New Nurses; Don't Ever Lose The Passion!

To be perfectly honest, today's job market still remains rather dismal in many parts of the U.S. several years after the Great Recession officially ended. The employment market for newly graduated nurses has certainly been affected by the national economic situation in many regions, and in some extreme cases, there are new grads who have been unable to land that very first nursing position after more than one year of steady job seeking.

Being chronically unemployed or underemployed can strike a blow to the self esteem of even the most confident new nurse out there. In fact, it is actually somewhat normal for one's self esteem to drop during periods of unemployment. After all, you took the right steps to improve your lot in life by going to school, maintaining your grades, pursuing job training in a field that was supposed to have been in demand, and otherwise busting your tail to get this hard-earned education. You want to work so badly after all of your hard work, but the prized first job seems to be so elusive.

Times are so discouraging to so many nurses right now.

I urge you to never lose sight of your goals and dreams, no matter how disheartening your situation may become.

You are a capable, intelligent, and competent person, because one definitely needs to be smart in order to graduate from nursing school and pass the state boards for licensure as a nurse. You have a passion for helping patients, learning new things, and pursuing the things that you set out to do. You have done the right things up to this point.

Never lose your passion.

Never lose sight of your ultimate goal of finding that all-important job. Always remember that unemployment does not own you or define you. Your accomplishments and personality define you. You are somebody.

Keep trying to persevere in everything that you set out to do, even if you fail to receive a call for an interview after submitting the umpteenth job application. For every setback, dust yourself off and try again. You never know, because your next attempt might result in something very promising. Do not give up; you've come too far.

I know that you've probably heard this before, but I'll mention it again. Attitude is everything! Maintain a positive attitude against all odds, even when life seems to be throwing negative curve balls in your direction.

Positivity is infectious and passion can be sensed from a mile away. Your mind is your greatest asset.

Although the current employment market for new nurses is not the greatest in many cities and states, keep in mind that opportunities do exist in the midst of the fierce competition. Whatever you do, please do not ever stop believing in yourself.

These are my concluding words to the new nurses out there who are struggling with unemployment: keep your heads up, and don't ever lose that spark.

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TheCommuter

About TheCommuter, BSN, RN

TheCommuter, BSN, RN, CRRN is a longtime physical rehabilitation nurse who has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a Registered Nurse.

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I believe!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I believe!
I believe in you and the masses of unemployed/underemployed newer nurses out there, too. When things seem like they've reached a bottom, the only other logical way to go is up. I know that the struggle seems like an uphill battle, but always keep believing that you will claim victory and reach the top of that hill.

Thats really true. I have recently passed my nclex exam 3 weeks ago running 4 weeks now and i have been shooting out my resume and applying jobs here and there but it seems hard for a new grad like me to be picked that quick:(

I was a hard working student when I was in school and now staying home seems kinda make my brain freeze of what i have learned. I really wanted to get a job as soon as possible but with the job market right now is kind of tight for new grads.

Is it ok to apply for a patient sitter knowing tgat you have an RN license while waiting for a nursing job or that will look like odd? I mean i feel like im frozen right now:( I need advise. ?

Cgc21, I understand your situation completely! I passed NCLEX last month and have been applying left and right. I also worked my butt off in school and now I dont know what to do all day! Many hospitals begin accepting new grad apps in september, so hopefully we will both have some luck very soon!

Stlchik thats what i have heard September will be the next openings for nursing residency/GN jobs. Thanks for the encouragement. All the best for us job seekers and we'll just keep our faith strong.

Specializes in Public Health Nurse.

Where are you located that the job openings for new graduates will be in September?

I lost my job because of my pursuit of this degree, after almost 25 years...my bosses were not too happy about me going to nursing school. When I started the program I made sure to let them know that towards the end for 2 semesters I would need 2 days off and if this was not acceptable to them that I understood, but I needed to know if this was going to be an issue as that would give me a chance to look for another job and they will have plenty of time to replace me, and they said no; after working there that long it was not going to be a problem - it bears to mention too that someone before me in the same office did this and it was ok then, but wanted too make sure that things did not change; which is why I was honest abut it. So when the time came, no one ever said it was no longer OK, plus I felt better as we had hired an extra person...but apparently without my knowledge it was NOT ok. I did feel towards the end of my program how some at work were not happy for me going to something as wonderful as nursing, sometimes words are not necessary to be expressed, some are not excited you are progressing. Luckily I was "laid off due to downsizing" after I graduated and short of two weeks from me sitting for boards.

So I need sound advice....The job market here is just awful for us - South Florida. Would I like to move? Yes, but....I wish to stay now because of my parents. Would I be best served to look for a job in my old profession while I continue to get my BSN and then after that try an RN job?

This is very unrealistic but in the interest of being optimistic, I am giving myself one month to get an RN job otherwise, I go back to what I was doing before....I need to work, there is just no way around that. Mortgage needs to be paid and I need health insurance.

Here, in the St. Louis area, the largest system is BJC Healthcare. Their hospitals recruit new grads in september and february. I guess I should have applied in feb but I was too busy with my final semester of nursing school to even think about applying and all that! While there are a ton of hospitals around here, there are also a lot of nursing programs, thus competition : (. The september recruitment is probably meant for students graduating in december, but I'm hoping to have an advantage since I'm done and have already passed boards!

To be perfectly honest, today's job market still remains rather dismal in many parts of the U.S. several years after the Great Recession officially ended. The employment market for newly graduated nurses has certainly been affected by the national economic situation in many regions, and in some extreme cases, there are new grads who have been unable to land that very first nursing position after more than one year of steady job seeking.

Being chronically unemployed or underemployed can strike a blow to the self esteem of even the most confident new nurse out there. In fact, it is actually somewhat normal for one's self esteem to drop during periods of unemployment. After all, you took the right steps to improve your lot in life by going to school, maintaining your grades, pursuing job training in a field that was supposed to have been in demand, and otherwise busting your tail to get this hard-earned education. You want to work so badly after all of your hard work, but the prized first job seems to be so elusive. Times are so discouraging to so many nurses right now.

I urge you to never lose sight of your goals and dreams, no matter how disheartening your situation may become. You are a capable, intelligent, and competent person, because one definitely needs to be smart in order to graduate from nursing school and pass the state boards for licensure as a nurse. You have a passion for helping patients, learning new things, and pursuing the things that you set out to do. You have done the right things up to this point. Never lose your passion. Never lose sight of your ultimate goal of finding that all-important job. Always remember that unemployment does not own you or define you. Your accomplishments and personality define you. You are somebody.

Keep trying to persevere in everything that you set out to do, even if you fail to receive a call for an interview after submitting the umpteenth job application. For every setback, dust yourself off and try again. You never know, because your next attempt might result in something very promising. Do not give up; you've come too far.

I know that you've probably heard this before, but I'll mention it again. Attitude is everything! Maintain a positive attitude against all odds, even when life seems to be throwing negative curve balls in your direction. Positivity is infectious and passion can be sensed from a mile away. Your mind is your greatest asset.

Although the current employment market for new nurses is not the greatest in many cities and states, keep in mind that opportunities do exist in the midst of the fierce competition. Whatever you do, please do not ever stop believing in yourself. These are my concluding words to the new nurses out there who are struggling with unemployment: keep your heads up, and don't ever lose that spark.

Oh my! This is exactly what I needed to hear and exactly what I've been feeling. I earned my license back in January and have not been able to find anything. My emotions have been off the charts regarding finding a job and my self-esteem is beginning to suffer. I graduated at the top of the evening class as did my friend, who also has not been able to find a job. We are both in our mid-40's and wonder if that has something to do with it as we have found all of our other classmates are working as nurses. In any case, I just want to say thank you for posting such encouraging words. I am trying my best to hang in there but it hasn't been easy. I have even applied to healthcare positions with less responsiblity than what am I licensed for, I just hope something comes along soon. Keeping my hopes up and head held high......Thanks!