Losing sleep over lack of job offers, is anyone else experiencing anything like this?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a new grad RN. I have a very nice job in a rehab-ltf, but I really want the education and experience I could get as a Grad Nurse in a hospital. Wtih hospital crying for nurses, and using agency nurses to fill there shortages, I am absolutlely bewildered. I am gone on numerous interviews, and they almost always assure me that they want to hire me, and will call me within a week, but they don't. Can you imagine a hospital with 200 openings turing me down. I have a spotless record, 3.5 GPA, excellent references, and I am smart. I have been in a professional position before I came to nursing. I have a BS in ED and taught, and have an excellent record there. My skill are excellent. I feel there must be a reason why I am not getting hired.

I am really losing sleep over this. Can anyone help me understand this, or have you gone thru the same situations. What is the difference between nursing home nurses, and hospital nurses?

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Specializes in ICU-CVICU.

Are you applying for new graduate positions? I know at the places I applied, they were filled well before graduation in May. Had I not known that, I might not have found "the" job, and would have had to settle for less than I wanted. Many places take new grads at specific times of the year because of the extra training involved.

I do hope you'll find what you want. It sounds like you're a great catch.

Very good luck to you!

May

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Classic Advice from our pro's:

Wondering why you can't get hired: Resume hints!

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Thanks so much for the quick reply and the words of encouragement, but I started to look in December. The places that I am now interviewing are still looking, and will actually be starting oreintations in the middle of July, and the end of July.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

This sounds "fishy." Is there any reason to suspect that maybe they are checking your references and finding something that is turning them off? Could a previous employer be saying something negative about you? Are you willing to work whatever shifts they want you to work? etc.

It sounds as if there is something about your application that is causing employers to not hire you. My advice is to find someone locally you trust to help you find out what that is -- examine your application materials, do a mock interview, call your references, etc. If you can find someone at the hospitals who have not hired you to tell you the "inside scoop," that would be great, but that might not be possible. Perhaps a former instructor has "connections" and can help you get that information.

Good luck,

llg

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Have you called and asked them? It's worth a shot. You can't fix something if you aren't aware that it's broke.

Also, this might be a possibility - if the new GN class is not starting until July - they just might not have notified everyone yet. Have you specifically got a letter or email back saying you are not going to be offered the position?

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Have you called and asked them? It's worth a shot. You can't fix something if you aren't aware that it's broke.

Also, this might be a possibility - if the new GN class is not starting until July - they just might not have notified everyone yet. Have you specifically got a letter or email back saying you are not going to be offered the position?

I have tried calling. I was even treated like a pain. They just won't say. I am 57 though, and I have to believe it is age discrim...I don't want to, but I feel it. It doesn't make since though. I am healthy, energetic, and very flexible since I don't have little ones. I even work for young mothers on holidays. Just don't know what else to think. I sish they would just come out and say it though, so that I can stop wondering.

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Have you thought about your answers to the questions that were asked of you. Such as "Why did you choose this hospital?" Things like that.

Good luck.

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You are not alone sister! I have lost 5 pounds since graduating a month ago, can barely eat. I am wide awake at 3 am, in tears every other day. I didn't realize that I was supposed to be applying BEFORE graduating. I even get phone calls or emails saying that I will be contacted by someone else, and then all of a sudden I get no responses anymore. Hopefully we're just being impatient???... i hope. I quit my job of 6 years to study for the NCLEX, and work on finding the right job...NEVER imagined it would take this long.

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Specializes in HIV care, med/surge agency.

Being 57 and a new grad might be the problem. Try not to get too upset about it. If you don't get a job offer in a hospital get a years exprience where you are and you will be more marketable. If you can't get a hospital job then try for the acute care floor of a nursing home. Ive seen nursing homes with IVs and ventilators. You can gradually build up experince that will ease you into a hopspital job. But why work in a hospital?

Hospitals are realy tough places to work. Most nurses get out of hospital jobs by age 50. I did. It was just too hard. You can learn a lot of nursing in a nursing home. What do you want that makes it essential that you work in a hospital?

Have you thought about home health? It can pay very well and it is a lot less stress than a hospital. Employee health is also a good area. I am a school nurse now. The pay is not great but I like it.

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Your age should not be problematic. I agree, with above poster, you may need to take another position to get experience and then you can do travel nursing. Then you could go to a variety of hospitals. Just work it to your advantage!

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Another thing, have you worked with your school. I am still a student but my school claims to have 100% placement.

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