Loosing hope

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 29, 2017

What kind of experience in these clinical areas do you have? I am confused - are you an LPN?

allnurses Guide · Dec 29, 2017

I too am confused. If you just passed your licensing exam, you cannot have "tons of experience" in any area. Of course, that is assuming you passed nursing boards. If you just passed NCLEX, you can't have a ton of experience, since you have never worked as a nurse before.

Can you clarify?

Mtac32 · Dec 30, 2017

I too am confused. If you just passed your licensing exam, you cannot have "tons of experience" in any area. Of course, that is assuming you passed nursing boards. If you just passed NCLEX, you can't have a ton of experience, since you have never worked as a nurse before.
Can you clarify?

As stated in my op, I did just pass my nursing boards in the state of Massachusetts. I do not have RN experience, but I do have plenty of experience as a nursing assistant and unit secretary. I am sort of confused with your post too .. didn't make any sense and you didn't help at all and yes you can have a ton of acute care experience without being a nurse. Are nurses the only part of an interdisciplinary team ? Thanks!

Mtac32 · Dec 30, 2017

What kind of experience in these clinical areas do you have? I am confused - are you an LPN?

I was a nursing assistant and unit secretary.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Dec 30, 2017

Your OP implied RN experience, or at least that's how it read to me. Because that's what employers are looking for when they want to hire new staff members. While your NA and UC experience is useful, it's not valuable to employers who are looking for experiences NURSES and it's not going to count. Managers are really busy people and have many people they interview. If someone's resumÃ©, application or interview stands out more than others, that's who they're going to hire. Don't forget that those aren't the only aspects of the hiring process - they are also going to check your references if they're considering offering you a job. You might want to check them yourself to see what they're saying about you... just in case that's why you're not getting anywhere. There are times when the squeaky wheel doesn't get the grease, and that may be how your calling to check on the status of your application might be viewed. As for the late rescheduling of your interview it's really not anything anybody could control, so being upset about it so long after the fact is counterproductive. All I can tell you is that it's never a slam-dunk finding a job fresh out of school. I had lots of related (but not "nursing") experience and LOTS of connections when I graduated in 1994 and was shocked when it took me 5 months just to get an interview and a full year to get into a hospital setting. I applied for well over 100 positions before I got a foot in the door as a casual employee... with an out-of-work husband and three kids. I feel your pain, but I can't make it go away.

Mtac32 · Dec 30, 2017

Your OP implied RN experience, or at least that's how it read to me. Because that's what employers are looking for when they want to hire new staff members. While your NA and UC experience is useful, it's not valuable to employers who are looking for experiences NURSES and it's not going to count. Managers are really busy people and have many people they interview. If someone's resumÃ©, application or interview stands out more than others, that's who they're going to hire. Don't forget that those aren't the only aspects of the hiring process - they are also going to check your references if they're considering offering you a job. You might want to check them yourself to see what they're saying about you... just in case that's why you're not getting anywhere. There are times when the squeaky wheel doesn't get the grease, and that may be how your calling to check on the status of your application might be viewed. As for the late rescheduling of your interview it's really not anything anybody could control, so being upset about it so long after the fact is counterproductive. All I can tell you is that it's never a slam-dunk finding a job fresh out of school. I had lots of related (but not "nursing") experience and LOTS of connections when I graduated in 1994 and was shocked when it took me 5 months just to get an interview and a full year to get into a hospital setting. I applied for well over 100 positions before I got a foot in the door as a casual employee... with an out-of-work husband and three kids. I feel your pain, but I can't make it go away.

The first sentence was "I just passed my RN and I'm searching for a job." So although I didn't specific my past experience, I did not imply I had RN experience. I posted in the first year after licensure thread... anyways ... my references are stellar because I have professional healthcare references because healthcare experience does count and it is valuable. I won't have RN experience as a new grad and to be picky in a professional that's in need of nurses .. I gusss I was venting about the interview because it was unprofessional and a waste of my time and money that I don't have. After reading your posts regarding this all I can say is I will be thinking twice before posting again. Do I need you to sugar coat anything, nope ! I understand you need to wait your turn, put in the work and expect nothing.. I have worked hard and will continue to work hard. I understand it's not a "slam dunk" and don't worry .. I didn't write this to "make things go away."

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Dec 30, 2017

There are many IENs (internationally educated nurses) on this site who bring experience with them but have only been licensed here a short time. Your experience statement was mistaken by more than one reader, as other responses indicate. Your angle is that your non-nursing experience should count, but sadly, it doesn't. If hearing things that you don't want to hear leads you not to post any more, that's up to you.

Unprofessional to be sick and need to take a day off? Wow.

wondern, ASN · Dec 30, 2017

Not trying to be insensitive but maybe your spelling needs a little help. Maybe there were typos on your resume or application that scare a potential employer since you'll be reading orders and writing notes that are actually legal documents. Just practice more. This is a good place for it because we'll help you. Don't lose hope. :inlove:

Also when asked, people want to know the length of your nursing experience as an LPN or RN. It is nice that you have the other ancillary experience as well. It's definitely to your advantage.

Mtac32 · Dec 30, 2017

Not trying to be insensitive but maybe your spelling needs a little help. Maybe there were typos on your resume or application that scare a potential employer since you'll be reading orders and writing notes that are actually legal documents. Just practice more. This is a good place for it because we'll help you. Don't lose hope.
Also when asked, people want to know the length of your nursing experience as an LPN or RN. It is nice that you have the other ancillary experience as well. It's definitely to your advantage.

Haha no my resume was fine and if I had things misspelled on this site, well that's fine with me.

Mtac32 · Dec 30, 2017

There are many IENs (internationally educated nurses) on this site who bring experience with them but have only been licensed here a short time. Your experience statement was mistaken by more than one reader, as other responses indicate. Your angle is that your non-nursing experience should count, but sadly, it doesn't. If hearing things that you don't want to hear leads you not to post any more, that's up to you.
Unprofessional to be sick and need to take a day off? Wow.

I am not talking about you in 1994 or international students, I'm talking about me. Sorry that you don't

agree that prior experience counts, but I did have one recruiter say they specifically called me because of my prior experience. Please don't make me out to be a monster. There were two parts of the interview, the Human Resources part and the nurse manager part. They could've had me come in for the Human Resources part since I was in the parking lot. It would never fly if I was sick, they would think that as me not being interested. Let me make one thing clear, I don't need anyone on here to sit and cheer me on.. I simply came on here because it's a frustrating process and nothing in your post was worth my time ... it was negative and completely unnecessary.

Cococure · Dec 30, 2017

OK so basically you are a new grad RN. Here is my first suggestion take a deep breath and relax, I too was in your position many years ago. Have a professional look over your resume to make changes or recommendations. Sending a nice thank you note after the interview is a nice touch. Also widen your jobs search, look into rural areas, dialysis centers, health departments, doctor office, pediatric clinics, outpatient & urgent care centers. As others have mentioned before your previous experience will not count, I was in healthcare for over 7 yrs before my RN and it counted for nothing. You stated that you worked as a CNA and unit clerk, can you contact your previous employer to see if they have openings? You can also dress to impress and drop off your resume at sites you may be interested in, not everywhere posts jobs on indeed or career builder. My first RN job was 1 hr away from my home but it was a good job and it gave me the experience i needed.

Good luck and hang in there

Coco