I graduated from nursing school in May 2006. For various reasons--in equal parts ties to my old career, family problems, custody battles for my nine-year-old son, etc.--I didn't take the NCLEX (and get licensed) until Sept 2008.
I thought that when I started applying online and over the phone, HR walk-ins, etc. (100's of apps/resumes to hospitals, the VA, grad-nurse programs), I'd be working within two weeks. Ha! Reality check.
Alright, I understand that no one wants to hire a new (and now, a precariously "not-new") grad. After all, the nursing schools only assured us there would be no problem finding work, there's such a huge shortage, right? But no one told us that this "noble profession" has quite the un-noble attitude toward its future and up-and-coming practitioners. Further, I also understand that having graduated three years ago makes me persona non grata with regard to any possible hope for an entry-level spot to start my new career. I mean, how DARE I put off nursing to take care of some significant issues in my life, right?
The thing is this: I did well in my clinical programs at school. My grades were very good. My IQ is not double-digits and I've been told I'm a likeable guy who gets on fine with most people and has a good sense of humor. I was also successful and talented in my old career, so there's no reason to believe that if I apply myself in this one I won't achieve the same result. So why won't anyone give me a shot? It's at the point where I'm actually thanking people for saying "NO" because my experience thus far is that I've been ignored by all but a handful of prospective employers.
So I really don't know what to do at this stage. I'm a little discouraged that the profession has so little regard for its novice practitioners. I'll use the word "nobility" again. From what I've seen of the industry, applying the word to nursing is a misnomer. Or am I getting bitter? I certainly don't want to become that way!
I had a lot of plans for myself: start my career, back to school for a BSN and eventually an MSN, finally an NP--possibly a psychiatric specialty. But every month that goes by with no job offers, my plans seem more and more like absurd pipe dreams. Was all that hard work truly for nothing?
So I don't know. The financial situation is such that I'm considering taking a job at a pizzeria. The thought has crossed my mind to volunteer at some local hospitals so I can meet people and schmooze, but this certainly won't pay the bills. I'm feeling quite disillusioned by all this, and in some ways I'm starting to think that nursing school was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. I mean, brick walls are there to see how bad we want something, but if they can't be surmounted then reality takes over...
Anyway, trying to maintain a positive attitude and thanks for taking the time to read this rant...
