May grad, still no job, what next?

[diamondmeadows, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I graduated last May with a BSN and became licensed last June. I found myself unexpectedly (but very happily!) pregnant in September, and I am due in mid-May. I have been actively searching for jobs since before graduation, but I have only had one interview. The interviewer asked me if I am pregnant (illegal, I know), and when I said yes she dismissed me.

It's so tough out there for everyone right now. I know that everyone just says to move, but I don't see how that is realistic for me since my husband has an excellent and quite specialized job where we live, and both of our families live here. With the competitive atmosphere, it seems inevitable that I will be passed over because of my pregnancy if I am even able to land any more interviews. When my baby comes in May, that will be a year since graduation, and naturally I will need some time with her before I can start a job. I will be a year-old new grad competing with fresh new grads PLUS the rest of the year-old new grads in my area. To me, that seems like about zero chances of getting a job.

My question is, what happens to those of us who end up going for months and months, even over a year, without finding a job? Are our careers doomed forever? I love nursing, and I don't want to give up something that I truly want to do, and have spent so much time and debt working toward. I guess I am looking for honesty, and advice on what I can do to save my career, if anything.

Thanks so much for reading this. I know there have probably been a thousand posts like it.

[caliotter3]

I've gone for more than a year without work and was able to find work immediately when I relocated. But unfortunately, the area I relocated to does not have jobs lately. You should widen your search or continue to apply where you are. Start over and reapply to each place you originally applied to. Be persistent. An alternative if you can afford it is to continue your education to take up your time (good excuse for interviews) and perhaps better your chances. Good luck.

[mariposa728]

I'm kind of in the same boat..I graduated July 2007, had my son a week later and just now passed my NCLEX last November. No luck with the job search..not even one call or interview. I'm not sure what to do..I can't get a job without experience and I can't get experience without a job. I'm not picky and will pretty much take any unit, shift, etc I can get. I'm trying a career fair this week to see if that helps..at least I can physically hand my resume to someone instead of submitting it online and hoping it gets noticed!

[Jbrock718]

My wife once answered an ad for a school nurse (paid) in the local school system. She didn't get the job but asked her if she'd be interested in volunteering. A month later another person that had applied for the same job, was volunteering in the schools. About 3-4 months after that they had a FT job with the school system.

What about doing some sort of volunteering at a local hospital or free clinic? Not a given that you will get anywhere but you never know who you might meet.