Life right now as a new grad has become my worst nightmare

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I can not believe the state of things right now. I have been looking for a job since April and have handed easily well over 150 applications. All I have to show for this all effort is one interview at Mass Eye and Ear for an OR position. This was with the Director of nursing who told me she really wanted to hire me be there weren't any openings at all.

I have tryed just about every trick in the book to get into HR to talk to someone ANYONE about open positions. I did the "I was just in the neighborhood on my way to see a friend and figured I'd stop in and say hello." I've called, emailed and worn my shoes down to ashes on the pavement.

I've applied in other states such as Maine, RI, CT, NH, VT, NY, NC, MY, NJ, PA and haven't gotten one phone call back.

I've tryed Temp agencies, Rehabs, Hospitals, Home care, community health and just about any other setting you can think of. Nothing, zilch nada.

I feel like all this is really starting to wear on me. I'm tired of hearing "oh just wait and it will pick up", "Don't be so negative" or "Oh, they're hiring in my area." I'm tired of being told to have hope in a situation where no hope exists.

I wake up every day in aches and pains. I have massive headaches and lately just filling out even three applications has me feeling exhausted afterwards. I am beyond the point of "well, what's the point?!?". Searching has become more of a ritual than it anything that gives me hope of for the future. I long since gave up looking for New Grad positions and just apply for the experienced one.

Well, there's supposed to be a shortage, right? Doing the math there can't possibly be enough experienced nurses around to fill all these open positions.

As far as the shortage goes, I feel like that is just one big lie. I don't think there ever really was a shortage to begin with and this was all one big hoax to tie up all the excess labor training for a new field for a few years. Overall, there probably was a slight shortage and they put out this big call for nurse grads just to flood the market and drive wages down.

My marriage has reached the point where the relationship is beyond strained. My wife and I are now in couples counseling and considering divorce because she now feels tired of the whole nursing school thing and this massive let down at the end. I really can't blame her for being angry about it and I wouldn't want to be in her position either.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Where are you currently living? You story makes me feel so bad for you. I am sorry that you are going through this. If you live in California, I heard that its nearly impossible to get a job in that state. Wish you the best and hope that you post really soon about a new job offer.

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Oh no, don't loose your marriage over a job. Find a job doing anything, if you have loans you can get them adjusted they have all kinds of new programs now.

There have lots of talk here about the fake shortage an I agree that it was and continues to be staged to get cheap labor. More then likely the floodgates will open an even more cheap labor will flood in.

All the more reason to do whatever you can jobwise and focus on your family where the focus should always be to begin with.

I probably dont have the greatest attitute either and will probably get flamed by florence nightengales but really in the end its just a job, maybe one you really really wanted to do but still just a job.

Your wife is family. BIG HUGE difference.

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Specializes in Surgical, Community Health.

Wow. That is a tough situation, and I can only imagine the stress you are having and trying to cope with. Take a day off from the job search, ASAP. Breathe, drink coffee and read the paper, take your spouse out to lunch (even if it is McD's or someplace like that if funds are tight). Then, that night, make a list of alternative jobs you would consider doing for short-term financial security and put the nursing search on hold. Working as a unit clerk at a hospital, picking up shifts at a local coffee shop while you study for ACLS or the like?

You are a qualified individual stuck in an economy that is disheartening, but you will eventually find a nursing job. The issue is that is simply may not be right now. This does not make you a failed new grad, but instead I see the intensity you put in your search and am humbled and impressed.

Something will come.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I know what you mean! I'm trying to not let all this affect my marriage or family but it is. It is really stressful trying to find a job when there isn't one out there. What makes it worse is that people I graduated with were in the same boat as me until recently. Now there are only a few of us without jobs. And I am sick of seeing the same jobs on hospital websites. Either they want to hire someone for that job or not. Hopefully this whole situation will get better soon!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

You are not alone.

I'm going through nearly the same thing. I actually grew up and went to nursing school in Boston but moved to New Orleans after graduation because my boyfriend is going to med school at Tulane (and I thought that there couldn't be a job market any worse than Boston). It's hard to believe that I'm reaching the 6-months post graduation mark without any end in sight to the dark hole of new-grad-RN-unemployment. I feel out of control of my future because I'm relying on these faceless HR people, who reject my application within thirty seconds of submission, to allow me to get started in my career.

Recently, I've started considering moving back home for a year if I could find a position (and then moving back to NOLA after I get my 1-year-experience). The idea of being 1500 miles away from my BF is heartbreaking. But I don't know how long I should wait for something to happen so that I can start my career. I know the market in Boston is non-existent, but I'm beginning to think that I might have a better shot because I did all my clinicals in Boston, and also have some connections in the hospitals in Boston.

I'm so confused. :confused: and depressed. :crying2: and angry. :angthts:

I'm beginning to resent everyone I see in scrubs.

And now I just shut down when someone dares tell me about the "nursing shortage."

:(

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Oh, and I don't know if you have ever worked at BIDMC (maybe as a pct/cna?) but they posted this recently on their career page. Seems to be the ONLY thing in Boston advertised for new grads..

Clinical Nurse Perioperative 101

As of 10/16/2009 this opportunity is for internal BIDMC employees or new graduates who have recent BIDMC work experience only.

Designed for experienced, as well as, clinical entry nurses new to the operating room, we facilitate the transition into this new role through a comprehensive orientation process which is anchored by the AORN Periop 101™ curriculum. This process utilizes on-line learning, simulation, didactic and clinical orientation by perioperative clinical experts with ongoing education. We teach the basics of evidence based clinical practice preparing nurses to join our dynamic team.

The perioperative nursing staff provides patient-focused care to our surgical patient population on two campuses. We practice in teams consisting of RNs, surgical technologists and ancillary personnel working collaboratively with the surgeons and anesthesiologists to provide care during surgery. The scope of our nursing practice includes the facilitation of the nursing process in both the scrub and circulating roles. Utilizing a shared governance model practice is developed, implemented, and reviewed by the OR Practice, Education and Quality Assurance Councils. Membership includes perioperative leaders and staff.

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Specializes in Peds.

I understand completely. Not counting the apps I put in before I passed NCLEX, I have put in about 22 apps. I have had two interviews....did not get one, and the other I have yet to hear anything in 3 weeks. I just got hired for a job at Best Buy on Friday, so I start there this week....it isn't nursing, but it's a job. I got a call this morning for an interview at an OB-GYN office. I am hoping I get this, and can keep this Best Buy job on the side. It's frustrating, but we just have to keep trying and be as patient as we can.

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Specializes in l.p.n.
I understand completely. Not counting the apps I put in before I passed NCLEX, I have put in about 22 apps. I have had two interviews....did not get one, and the other I have yet to hear anything in 3 weeks. I just got hired for a job at Best Buy on Friday, so I start there this week....it isn't nursing, but it's a job. I got a call this morning for an interview at an OB-GYN office. I am hoping I get this, and can keep this Best Buy job on the side. It's frustrating, but we just have to keep trying and be as patient as we can.

WOW, You are a very smart and strong. I think this is the way to handle this huge problem. Good luck., and let us know if you get it.:up::up::up:

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Specializes in Peds.
WOW, You are a very smart and strong. I think this is the way to handle this huge problem. Good luck., and let us know if you get it.:up::up::up:

Thanks! I am just afraid since it isn't a hospital job. If I get it, how would I be viewed if I left in about a year to go to a hospital setting, since I technically won't be a new graduate, but I won't have much acute care experience. Just going with the flow of it all!

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I feel your pain. The online applications are so long and exhausting. Then I call the floor to ask for the name of the nurse manager. Most times the secretary gives me an attitude like "why do you ask" and I feel like saying "cut me a break, lady..I'm trying to find a job".

Things have become a little strained between me and my husband, too. It's like we both avoid mentioning it because the job discussion never ends well. I have my first interview this week at a Boston-area hospital. I am going to have to channel the power of the universe because if this doesn't go well, I'm going to have to take a temp office job or something.

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Specializes in Peds.

I finally just heard back from the ER position I interviewed for 3 weeks ago...they said no :'-( I don't know what I am doing wrong.

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