My Story ........... For those who think will they ever get thier first job.

[AugustBoy]

I guess I have posted my story before, but after reading others frustration that they will never get a job I thought I would share my story again. I got married before I started nursing school. I had a BS in biology, but the job I was gonna get with that was anywhere from $10-13/hr, needless to say it was not enough. Some how I thought of nursing and applied and got into UMD SON. Wow was I happy. Started school and had my first baby girl when I was doing my L&D rotation at the same hospital I was doing it. Was a gread experience and I was very happy. I greaduated in December 2004 with like a mid B grade after finishing a BS in 18 months. I was very confidant. Took NCLEX right away and took it very easy, I failed it not only once but twice. This is the only exam I have ever failed in my life. I cried in my heart so many times. I was a shamefull thing. Being a man and how a man thinks he is tough I said the hell with it I am never gonna take it again "forget it". My lovely wife begged me so many times but I refused. It came to a point that we use to fight when ever she brought it up. Anyhow, I joined my brother in his HVAC bussiness and we made some money. It was all good for about 4 years. We had some great days. But with the recent economic fall, our bussiness fell too. From a company of about 20 down to 2 of us and then eventually all of it.

I started thinking of Nursing again and started getting ready for NCLEX in September 2009. I was nervous, anxious, afraid, scard, and a bit excited too. I studied from scratch. This time I took Kaplan to help me prepare. Decmeber 16th 2009 was the big day. I can't ever forget that day, I took the exam. 75 questions came and nothing happened. I was calm and cool, took my break, went to the bath room and had sip of water and got myself ready for a long day. I got 2 more questions and then it was over. Next day I did the pearsonveu trick. I was shaking and crying, I had passed. Wow it was a bid day. I had finally concoured the big bad sucker. I had taken the monkey off of my back. Now, I was sure that I will get a job easily. We all knew shortage of Nurses and all. Boy was I wrong. Its January now, I haven't worked in 4 months. All the money I had was gone. Hospitals were saying they might start hiring in Febuarary. So I asked my wife to be patient. Freburary came and nothing. We had no money. I didn't even had enough money to take now my 2 girls to Mcdonald. My wife broke down that day, she said its my responsablity to bring the bread on the table. She had never worked as I had wanted that and I was able to bring enough. She said that day I don't care what kinda job you find, find me something I cant take this anymore. It was the worst day of my life. I went outsinde the house and in a hidden corner cried, looked up and said "Oh dear God, please help me, you can see everything. I need your help for me, for her, and first of all for my kids". It was a tough time.

After that day I started applying where ever I saw a nursing job available. To all the nursing homes, asissed living places, all the hospitals and everywhere. I went as saw some nurse recruiter personally. Sometimes I saw them more than one time. To some of them, I even begged to do anything they can for me. I told them I have 2 kids and no money left. Any how, in early March I got my first interview. It was a compnay doing some survays on bahalf of insurace companies and needed some data from medical records. It was a temparary job only until May 2010 and I took it. I got my second interview from an Asissted living house. It was a partime job. The interview went great and I got the job. Meanwhile I got some other interview and most of them said we will call you if we need you. Then one of the recruiter from a hospital that I use to see every week called me and said there is a job open and I have forwarded your resume and the nurse manager said no promises but I will interview him. It was a job on a Stroke unit. I was thrilled. I went for the interview, I think God was with me that day and the prayers from my parents, grad parents, my wife and everyone were with me. I had the best interview and actually had a great time there. It was 2 hours long. They took an exam on the computer, I aced it. She also asked me some questions and was impressed by my answers. She called me the next day to come shadow a nures on her floor and if I liked it, she will offer me the job. I was thrilled and over joyed. To make it short, I shadowed the nurse and told them I like it. They offered me the job on the Stroke unit. Today I took my physical and I start Oriantaion in early April 2010.

To all of you who are having difficulty finding a job, I will say keep trying. Try everywhere you see a job. Do not give up. You will get it. Be yourself, see the nurse recruitors, tell them the truth. I can tell you, believe me this first job hunting will be a very unique experience. I know it sounds funny, but look at me, there was a day when I had no hope and I cried in front of my God (or who ever you blieve in) and now I have 3 jobs. I am happy, I know and hope you all will be too. Good luck to everyone.

[wsuRN09]

Wow. Thank you for sharing, you have quite a story:) Congrats on finally conquering the NCLEX, but more important, congrats on your jobs!

[eeyorelov]

Thank you for sharing. I only hope my story will end as happily as yours.

[Ace587RN, RN]

Awesome story! Theres always hope when you keep on fighting. God is great

[mixedfruit]

AugustBoy your story inspired me!

I have a question, I hope you could help me with it :)

Did you put your assisted living experience on your resume right when you started working there while looking for a hopspital job?

Thank you in advance. and congrats on the jobs!! :)

[AugustBoy]

Actually no, I didn't have that job when I interviewed for the hospital job. But I did tell them that I have interview for the asissted living house job and hope to get it. So the nurse manager knew that I was gonna get the part time job. Hope it helps you.

[mixedfruit]

Actually no, I didn't have that job when I interviewed for the hospital job. But I did tell them that I have interview for the asissted living house job and hope to get it. So the nurse manager knew that I was gonna get the part time job. Hope it helps you.

Thank you!

[silverorlead86]

Congratulations on getting the job. Its tough out there, but you made it!

One thing I have to add, not to pry, is why didn't your wife try get a job when you guys really needed the money? Has she ever even had a job? It sound to me like she should have supported you a little better instead of crying about it and making you feel worse.

[SWS RN, ASN, RN]

WONDERFUL! I am so happy for you! I also have to say that I am PROUD of you...even if I do not know you!

I know it is tough out there now, I actually just finished posting my thoughts on the job market and the perpetual myth that there is a nursing shortage on another thread. There is NO SHORTAGE!

I just want to say that you are a shining example to everyone out there looking. I have friends who have been looking for months unsuccessfully but I dont think they have had the intestinal fortitude that you have.

I hope that the nurses who are having such a difficult time will read your post and learn from it.

Never give up!

If you put the same effort into your nursing job, that you did in finding it-you will be a HECK of a nurse!

I also believe your conversation with God was certainly heard!:redpinkhe

Good things and many Blessings to you and your family

s

[svalico]

how did you explain the 4 yr gap from school and nclex. I am having the same problem. I grad in 12/2003 and passed my NCLEX in 2/2010 passed with 75 ques and I also took kaplan

[NucieNuce]

Thank you for sharing your very uplifting and relatable story! God bless and be with you and your family.

[NurslingRN]

Thank you for sharing your story! very inspirational. Please pray for me:redpinkhe