Local hospital closed, market flooded while I look for my 1st job

[Iaso]

Hello everyone! I've lurked around here for quite a while and have enjoyed the wealth of knowledge and support.

A little about me: I am "technically" a new grad, but I took some time off after graduation in Spring '07 due to family as well as personal needs. During first year of nursing school, my son was dx'd with JRA, and he made great progress. The next year, as he started his first sport post-JRA dx (soccer), he was mauled by a neighbor's dog when he ran after a soccer ball gone wild. He was very lucky in that he has had no permanent nerve or functional damage, but it was a very difficult experience for him none-the-less. Add to that an ill mother and the normal responsibilities of a family and school and I knew I needed a break after taking and passing the NCLEX.

I even discussed this with an instructor, and she helped me work through the pros and cons of taking the time off.

I started filling out applications about a month ago. I started with the place I wanted to work the most and where I have a contact who works in the unit I want to join. I waited, heard nothing, talked with my contact again (who is a long-time, well respected MSN), and have yet to hear anything. So, I started applying everywhere, have had 3 interviews in the last week. One seemed to go great, the others were OK.

What I really want to do is behavioral health. It suits me so well. My strengths are empathy, people skills, patience, listening, openness. I waited tables for 7 years, including some time as a manager, so I can priortize and delegate. After that I was a graphic designer, but missed working closely with people as I was often chained to a computer all day every day. So I have computer skills and am very creative. I am also pretty open as to shift preference.

So here's the kicker -- last week an area hospital closed and there are now hundreds of seasoned nurses looking for jobs, so my prospects seemed to go from pretty good to frankly scary.

So, if not the job in mental health that I want, any suggestions as to what would be a good fit that also takes new grads? Thanks in advance for any advice!

~ Iaso

(Iaso is the name of the greek goddess of cures, remedies and healing BTW)

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

If your looking for mental health, your odds are probably better than you think. Not a whole lot of nurses seem to love the field or want it. Keep trying, make sure you call back to check on your application. Best of luck on your job search! (I hope you get called back with an interview!)

[Iaso]

Thanks Tanzanite for your response!

I've been to 4 interviews now, and have an offer in mental health! I think the hospital closing freaked me out a bit. It was - oh great, this year's grads are looking and now add a bunch of seasoned nurses, yikes!

Now, how to find childcare for the 3-11pm shift? :chuckle

Thanks again!

(Rereading what I wrote about my screen name, I should mention the goddess thing is kinda a joke, I don't think I'm all that. I just like mythology. Iaso's sister was Hygieia. Yeah, I'm a dork. )