My lament....my turn

[Scrubmouse RN]

I know these threads are a dime a dozen and many of you are tired of seeing them. I know..."if I only got a nickle for each thread that complains about being a new grad and not getting a job.....etc. etc." It's my turn. I need to vent and release my frustration.

I cannot for the life of me get an interview. It's just so bad out here! I graduated this past May.I have an excellent GPA, have a Bachelors degree in Biology, speak two languages, and did really well in clinicals, passed my NCLEX on the first try yet no one at HR will even give me the time of day. I'm even suffering through a statistics class so I can prepare to get my BSN. I've lost count on how many applications I've turned in (must be getting close to a hundred); nursing homes, countless hospitals, clinics, home health, etc. Not one call back. Every position that is open requires 1+ years of experience. This is so frustrating! Never in my working life have I sent so many applications to never get a call back. Automated rejection emails are a common sight in my inbox. It just hurts that I worked very hard for something I wanted very badly to only not be able to get a job! My skills are going to waste as I sit here because it's been 3 months since my last clinical. I feel so useless and a failure. There is a job gap in my resume, if you want to call it that. My last job was in late 2007 before I gave birth to my first child and decided to stay at home with him. I was a stay at home mom while I attended nursing school. I feel like crying and giving up! I feel so helpless! I don't even know if I can call myself a nurse!

When I started the job search I was optimistic, knowing that I am a darn good candidate, but my optimism keeps falling with each application that does not get a call back. Maybe I'm not giving myself enough time. I don't know. For the mean time, I did start on plan B and got accepted to do flu shots in the fall. That unfortunately, is temporary and I am a bit scared because as far as I know, there isn't much training or an orientation.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. I know there are others like me and totally commensurate. Hope others are having better luck

[craziechiq, BSN, RN]

Oh yes sounds very familiar. I have been feeling pretty down myself because I am running out of ideas of where to apply. Do you happen to live in CA? I think I am in the worst state for new grad programs. I wish us both luck and maybe sometime soon someone will give us a chance.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I've lost count on how many applications I've turned in (must be getting close to a hundred); nursing homes, countless hospitals, clinics, home health, etc. Not one call back. There is a job gap in my resume, if you want to call it that. My last job was in late 2007 before I gave birth to my first child and decided to stay at home with him. I was a stay at home mom while I attended nursing school. I feel like crying and giving up! I feel so helpless! I don't even know if I can call myself a nurse!

Yes, you can call yourself a nurse.

Where are you located? My classmates who switched their job searches to LTC and Home Health are getting interviews and offers left and right.

[Scrubmouse RN]

I'm in Northern Illinois/Chicagoland area. I've searched nursing homes and LTCs, unfortunately even those require experience. I still apply anyways and hope for the best.

[Ter.Rn.Er]

It s hard to keep your head high when life is in the way( ie..getting a job). I usually give myselfself 10 minutes each day to feel sorry for myself...after that...I tilt my head high and think happy. Negativity is very contagious, if you feel bad, then for example; you probably wont go to the hospital down the street where you will actually get hired if you show up..:)

[Scrubmouse RN]

OMG! The Lord is good. After filling what feels like millions of applications. I get one hit! I got a call early this morning for an interview at a wonderful hospital near me that I really wanted to work at. Its for a GI lab.

So to everyone out there who feels like me, there is hope! I live in a really tight new graduate market.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I'm in Northern Illinois/Chicagoland area. I've searched nursing homes and LTCs, unfortunately even those require experience. I still apply anyways and hope for the best.

Consider relocating a bit north to MN. There seems to be an abundance of Home Health positions here for new grads.

[KTSNurse2b]

Where in MN??? I am in Minneapolis and in the exact same position as the OP....applied to hundreds of positions since March and not a single bite. I'd love to do home health but all the positions I see posted require at least 2 years of experience. Please let me know, thanks!!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Scrubmouse, I think your fluent Spanish language skills really were key for landing that job. They do need people who really know the lingo for endo. In Northern IL lots of hispanics and very few Spanish speaking nurses other than those who took some classes in school. You will be valued because you can explain as an RN to patient pre and post, and family as well. They will be glad to have you!