6 Months Out and STILL no job!!

[mzimmer723]

I graduated in January and passed my NCLEX in March. I have had a total of 3 interviews. My first interview was with a pain management practice where a close friend of mine works. They told me they loved me even though I was brand new and would be calling me back within a few weeks when they were ready to start their "new team" for the new doc they had hired. They even called me to let me know they hadn't forgotten me. I called them 3 weeks ago to see if they were still interested and nobody returned my call. (I don't want to keep asking my friend because it puts her in an awkward spot.) My second interview was with an assisted living facility as an "LPN Care Manager" on third shift. I went what they called a "preview" for two hours at night to see what the job entails. Basically, I would NOT have been acting as an LPN, but rather an aide, a housekeeper mopping floors, loading dishwashers, and doing laundry as well as changing briefs and answering call lights. The only LPN duty I would have had would have been in the off chance that someone needed insulin or a pain med. Otherwise, grab a mop and start cleaning. No other nursing duties were allowed. I was offered the job but turned it down because how is that supposed to help me grow as a nurse? My immediate supervisor would have been an aide, not a nurse. I would have had no supervisory duties either. My third interview was with a home health agency. Again, no call back.

I have another interview with a rehab hospital tomorrow, part time days. I have done my homework and REALLY WANT this job!! I am so nervous!

My thing is, I never realized how hard it was for a new nurse to find a job. Several of my classmates are still unemployed as well. At this point I'm willing to take what I can get. Maybe I SHOULD have taken the Care Manager job, but then again, I would not have been gaining any skills at all, no dressing changes, no catheters, none of that. It was basically an aide/housekeeping job. When I was an aide, I remember LOTS of new grads being hired where I worked. Now, employers are reluctant to even LOOK at you if you don't have 1-3 years clinical nursing experience. Why is it that they won't give us a chance? It's frustrating and I feel like I wasted a year going to school. I want to re-locate to another state, but am unable to do so until I get at least SOME experience. Is anyone else as frustrated as I am?

(Please don't criticize me for not taking the Care Manager job!! I IN NO WAY think I am too good to clean anything! I'll change briefs and beds and clean messes and keep people comfortable all night! But I DID NOT go to nursing school to mop floors and do laundry! Save the bashing!)

[HippyDippyLPN]

It took from November 2008 to January 2010 to land my first part time LTC job. That December/January 2010 was unusually warm so I hit the pavement. Instead of applying online, I went there with my refs, resume, everything ready. I doubled back to the places that rejected me before and I increased my radius to 30 miles out from my home. I did this for 4 weeks, mostly every day. I got hired at the place that told me know 6 months earlier. I know it's very hard, I was very down on myself till I said no more pity party I am doing this. Just keep going I promise you will find something.

[HippyDippyLPN]

Told me no*

[T-Bird78]

Hang in there, it's so tough for anyone. When I was a new grad it took 5 months--and that was 6 years ago. I went on maternity leave last year and decided not to come back. I started looking for a job in June and didn't get anything until late January--a temporary assignment an hour and a half away. They offered me a permanent position and I found out that my old job had an opening so I went back to my old job. That was in April and I love being back! My point is, it's hard for anyone to find a job right now. It took me over 6 months and I've got 6 years experience! Don't focus only on one area, I'm in an allergy clinic and love having my weekends/holidays off. I've never worked LTC or hospital and that's fine with me. Good luck!

[MrsCeeTaylor]

I graduated in January myself & just passed my boards in May. I'm finding it extremely hard to find work as well! No one wants the "New Grad"! No one wants to take the time to orient you which is even more frustrating, because I feel like you have to start somewhere. I tried an agency & they made me fill out all this paperwork to then tell me that no work was available at this time. Makes absolutely no sense to me, but I'm going to keep on trying until someone realizes that I have the potential to be a great nurse... Just need someone to take me under their wing & guide me.

[psullivan95]

I graduated July 2011 and I did not get hired until July 2012. I went to 18 interviews and I was turned down 17 times.

Unfortunately, there are many people applying for the same jobs and most have experience. Do not give up though!

I kept going and was eventually rewarded with a job doing private duty for pediatric patients in their home. It was

well worth the wait. I love caring for kids 1:1 rather than dealing with the horror stories I hear from classmates who work

with ratios of 1:20 and don't get to leave until 2 hours after their shift ends because of paperwork.

I went the long way round of saying "stick with it". Take a job with the job title of "nurse" even if you are mopping

floors. Because 6 months later you will have 6 months experience on your resume.

[imaLvn2]

Don't lose hope. Your turn will happen and when you finally land that job, you're going to wish you have time off. Lol. Just have hope and be persistent and it will pay off. Good luck!

[deon bird]

I graduated in January myself & just passed my boards in May. I'm finding it extremely hard to find work as well! No one wants the "New Grad"! No one wants to take the time to orient you which is even more frustrating because I feel like you have to start somewhere. I tried an agency & they made me fill out all this paperwork to then tell me that no work was available at this time. Makes absolutely no sense to me, but I'm going to keep on trying until someone realizes that I have the potential to be a great nurse... Just need someone to take me under their wing & guide me.[/quote']

Hang it there , I'm also a new nurse looking for a job. It's very tough out here but we will fine something.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I relocated out of state to land my first LVN job.

I realize that not everyone has the time, money or inclination to pick up the pieces of their life to move to another area, but the LPN job market is actually booming in some parts of the country.