8 months and still no job

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Hey everyone,

Its been 8 months now and still no RN job offer. I feel so frustrated and depressed because i keep getting rejected due to lack of experience. How am I supposed to gain experience when no one wants to hire. I'm reaching my breaking point and just wanting to give up. But i really do want to be a nurse. Don't know what to do any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh and one more thing i wanted to add. I got offered a medical assistant job but quit in two weeks because the workers were very unprofessional and i felt bullied. The MA's kept referring themselves as nurses and i was so annoyed. But i questioned myself if it was the right decision to make. If i kept the job i wouldn't be jobless.

ANA has a list of hospitals that hires new grads, also has a job post section...just saying.

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Not true in two hospitals I know of. ADNs are managers and leaders as you call them.

There actually is a defined difference between a nurse manager and nurse leader, Forever wasn't making that up.

ANCC - 2011 Organization Eligibility Requirements

Nurse Managers

A Registered Nurse with 24 hour/7day accountability for the overall supervision of all Registered Nurses and other healthcare providers in an inpatient or outpatient area. The Nurse Manager is typically responsible for recruitment and retention, performance review, and professional development; involved in the budget formulation and quality outcomes; and helps to plan for, organize and lead the delivery of nursing care for a designated patient care area.

Nurse Leaders

Those nurse leaders with line authority over multiple units that have RNs working clinically and those nurse leaders who are positioned on the organizational chart between the nurse manager and the CNO.

Official facility job categorization may differ from actual job duties being performed. In addition to that the requirement is "at the time of application" so there may be some wiggle room with that definition, not to mention the ANCC does not clarify its stance upon temporary/interim positions and permanent.

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Specializes in Ortho / Nuro / ICU Step Down.

I am having the same problem. I graduated in December. Moved to So Cal and Got my license in 2/2011. I Have been trying to network like crazy, Called nurse managers, Got my ACLS, and am about to pay for a phlebotomy class and still nothing! I am tired of hearing nurses complain about how short they are but yet no one wants to give a new grad a chance. The hospitals seem to be far more interested in head hunting other hospitals nurses (those who have 1 + year experience) than they are about gaining a loyal and optimistic employee who is eager to learn and willing to become part of a team. Sad really..... I'm afraid buy the time these hospitals realize that there job pool consists primarily of new grads, that they will have lost some great nurses. Oh By the way, A having a BSN doesn't matter in So Cal....There not having any better luck. Unfortunate really.

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Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

Again, I will repeat myself: You have to relocate!

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Specializes in Ortho / Nuro / ICU Step Down.
Again, I will repeat myself: You have to relocate!

I'm sorry but I don't have the money or support to do so. In fact many adults with children don't. If it where that easy, I don't imaging we would keep seeing similar posts like this on an almost daily basis.

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I am having the same problem. I graduated in December. Moved to So Cal and Got my license in 2/2011. I Have been trying to network like crazy, Called nurse managers, Got my ACLS, and am about to pay for a phlebotomy class and still nothing! I am tired of hearing nurses complain about how short they are but yet no one wants to give a new grad a chance. The hospitals seem to be far more interested in head hunting other hospitals nurses (those who have 1 + year experience) than they are about gaining a loyal and optimistic employee who is eager to learn and willing to become part of a team. Sad really..... I'm afraid buy the time these hospitals realize that there job pool consists primarily of new grads, that they will have lost some great nurses. Oh By the way, A having a BSN doesn't matter in So Cal....There not having any better luck. Unfortunate really.

Good luck to us we just have to keep trying i guess. I have my ADN and I was thinking of going back to school for my BSN but i guess it really doesn't make a difference.

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ANA has a list of hospitals that hires new grads, also has a job post section...just saying.

Thanks for the tips. I checked on it and unfortunately there are no hospitals listed for my state.:confused:

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I thought this post was pretty helpful: https://allnurses.com/graduate-nurse-forum/tips-new-grads-547531.html

And here's another good one!: https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/great-news-i-534778.html

I know what you mean about not being able to relocate. I have a husband with a great job and three kiddos, so it's not possible for me to move at this time as well. Sometimes it works to your advantage to stay where you're comfortable and where your nursing school is known.

I've been told by many recruiters that they do not consider a BSN over an ADN BUT I do think it's good to show that you're interested in continuing your education.

I may be worth it to take a break. Regain your confidence and revamp your resume.

Hope this helps and good luck :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

Would you consider posting a resume/cover letter on Monster.com? I applied to tons of places and eventually decided to cut my work in half by placing essentially an "application" for employers to see. I ended up getting calls from tons of places and recruiters that wanted to help me find jobs! (well, they get paid for getting you hired, but hey, its worth a shot.) Well, to my luck I got a call from a hospital in my city. ( I live in Houston and it's HARD to find jobs) The recruiter said she saw my resume and wanted to interview me for a possible Critical Care GN position! How insane is that? That like, never happens. So I interviewed, nailed it, and was hired! (I do have lots of Critical care Nurse tech experience, with ACLS/PALS, etc. though) Keep in mind that I didn't even know this hospital existed LOL. Give Monster a shot....

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
There actually is a defined difference between a nurse manager and nurse leader, Forever wasn't making that up.

Official facility job categorization may differ from actual job duties being performed. In addition to that the requirement is "at the time of application" so there may be some wiggle room with that definition, not to mention the ANCC does not clarify its stance upon temporary/interim positions and permanent.

I didn't say she was making it up. I don't know where that came from. I just said that our hospital and two others that I know of locally, have ADN's very high up in management. I'm not making that up either.:D

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I looked up those links and they are amazing!!! I bookmarked them so I could go back easily whenever I want to :)

Thanks NeatNik! :up:

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