Licensed as an RN, but still jobless!!

Published

I just want to vent a little. I've worked as an LPN in FL for the past 4 years & found myself wanting to know more, to experience more than the redundant repetition of my days working in the same place in Geriatrics. I decided to go back to school to become an RN thinking that it would open more doors for me & bring much more opportunities.

I recently finished, passed my boards, and became licensed as an RN. It's already been a couple of months, yet I haven't heard a word from the 40+ jobs other than 1 rejection email. I suppose that living in an area that's over saturated with about 10 nursing schools is a factor to why I have been unsuccessful in landing a job.

Being experienced as an LPN..I thought I would have a better chance of getting a job before any new graduates straight from school, but it doesn't seem to be the case. It's been discovered that it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know. Unfortunately for me, I don't have the network required to even get an interview.

With school finished, and the dreadful wrath of NCLEX behind me; I have a lot to be excited & happy about, but as time passes and no incoming phone calls about inquiring employment..I can't help but feel down & disappointed.

An over abundance in graduate nurses allows the few surrounding hospitals to be very specific & picky about who they hire onto their team. "1-2 years experience required" - in a specialty area ... those are the words I dread to read. How am I to attain experience if no one will take the chance?

Feeling down and feeling doubt creep in..where I should be excited and ecstatic about starting this new chapter in my life.............RN_Laila

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you considered moving if you were to find something? not sure if that is a possibility for your situation or not... Sorry to hear your story. If if makes you feel better I have been an RN for 7 &1/2 years and have been out of work for almost 4 months. All because I can't work nights. So I understand the feeling of discouragement and frustration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

we have the same problem! so frustrating..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

I feel you. I have a part time RN job out of school which I am relocating for. Massive student debt. I was so stressed about all this that I broke down crying on my birthday last week. Even with this job which I am grateful for, I am still broke. I hope this turns around by the end of next year. It is scary for all of us new grads and nursing period. Good luck to all of you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hear you! I'm a recent new grad also looking for work. I even moved to an area with more opportunities, but I've been trying for more than a month with few results. Even looking to drive up to 2 hours for work! Why do they make it so hard for new grads to gain experience?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It's already been a couple of months, yet I haven't heard a word from the 40+ jobs other than 1 rejection email.

I was licensed in September, and by the end of October I'd submitted well over 100 applications. And it's gone way up since then (but I stopped counting because it was not making me happy!). 40+ is not an overwhelming amount to have completed yet.

That said, I feel your frustration. I wasn't surprised that it's taking so long, but my family, who when I started school thought I was being neurotic and fishing for compliments or something when I talked about how competitive the new grad market was, is just now coming to grips with how tough things are. And while they are supportive, I don't really have the energy to walk them through their incredulity over the realities of the job market vs what they've always heard in the news about nursing shortages.

I went to a virtual career fair a couple of weeks ago and Lee Memorial Health System was there hiring new grads. PM me if you'd like the contact person for the new grad internships.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been a nurse for only a year, and I feel your pain.

I am moving back to my hometown in NY (from NC) VERY soon. Already applied for licenses in NY and CT.

It is so sad, depressing, and discouraging. I feel like I worked my butt off to become a nurse, and I LOVE taking care of patients and now nobody will even consider hiring me!

:bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1::bluecry1:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

An issue in this type of market is the discrepancy of training between new grads where some new grads who gain employment at certain facilities will have thorough training through nurse residencies while others will not. This discrepancy is a larger issue in nursing that is magnified when funds are cut short for training.

Who can we talk to or write to to get more support for training new grads at health care facilities across the US?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I know how you feel, Ive been out of work for 3 months now and only one interview (with no call back :crying2: ). I have literaly applied everywhere and nothing. Im about to file bankruptcy cause I cant pay anything.

My Mom keeps telling me to keep trying but I dont know how much more oomph I have left. Its very depressing since I was the main income for the family, its so bad right now my kids wont have a christmas this year :crying2:.

on the bright side I did apply at a facility today that keeps posting for nurses, maybe Ill get lucky

Hope you find something soon :), try to keep smiling

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in burning out.

I feel your pain. If you have a BSN, you're more likely to find a job. In many cases, try to just speak w/nurse managers directly; HR only serves as gatekeepers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi.

i totally understand how you feel.I graduated on May 2009 and cant find a hospital gig since then.I work part-time as home health RN and I'm broke as well.(thanks god I did flu clinics for two months so I could at least get out of near bancruptcy-I was so behind my bills like 3 months).I'm past the dissapointment phase.I used to be so excited as well when I first graduated with my RN.Then came slap in the face,and after more then a year I developed an attitude like whatever...until couple days ago when I saw a a fairly young nurse(my age) with two kids (who work with me in a home health care plus she also work in a nursing home) driving in her beautiful,expensive car (I dont know exactly the type of car she has but it looked similar to Hammer),done nails,nice cloths,also very proficient in nursing knowledge (walking drug book!) (you can tell she has the bennies) and I though to myself I should also be in this position,it has been like almost 2 years and I'm still making next to nothing,still lack many skills,ehhhhhhhhh/

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If the geography is not in your favor you may want to relocate. There are some large teaching hospitals that offer clinical training in the form of CEU's that you have to pay for in certain specialty areas that will give you and edge in the way of job openings provided you make a favorable impression on the unit manager. There are also refresher/re-entry classes that allow licensed nurses to obtain additional clinical skills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion