Need advice for unemployed/underemployed New Graduate !!

[telealli]

Hello nurses/future nurses!

Since I've received so much positive feedback from one of my recents posts regarding NCLEX study tips:

I've decided to share with you all my journey in finding an acute care job. My dream job is to work in the telemetry unit...I just simply love everything about the heart and geriatric patients :) I've read various stories here at all nurses.com about so many new grads having trouble like myself in finding their dream position, or any position at all. I simply enjoyed reading others' stories because it makes me feel like I am not alone on this "fight." I've become so inspired and motivated by other writers here I thought that I would share my story with you all so that I can get feedback from you guys!

So I graduated in June with a BSN in nursing, I passed my NCLEX and got my license in August. I have been applying to jobs every single day, and probably have applied to the majority of hospitals here in SoCal. So far, only one interview for a new grad position in the PCU unit (which unfortunately got cancelled due to budget cuts) and one interview for a psychiatric position (it's been 2 weeks since the interview and I have not received a call from them).

I was hired in the beginning of October as an RN Case Manager for a Home Health Hospice Agency. I was willing to take any position right now because I though it would be better than just sitting at home waiting for a phone call, so I took the job! It's an OK job but I really do not feel like I'm actually doing nursing stuff, I mean what I've been following an RN for admissions and visits to patient's home, but all I've gotten to learn was PAPERWORK! Documentation is an important skill to learn, but I want to expand my learning and skills so that I can become the competent nurse that I want to be! I barely get enough hours, I mean I only work probably the most 5 hours a week, and that does not result in a big paycheck, considering my gas.

Also, I do not feel that this company cares about my safety because they just called me randomly in the middle of the night to do trach care for a (VERY COMBATIVE AND ABUSIVE) patient ALONE! I mean seriously, I'm an RN, but I'm also a new grad...I really feel that they are just taking advantage of me!

But I decided that I should not quit, because I do need the money since my student loans are on the way (this January ) I have just made it clear to the company that I am not going to do anything that puts the pt at risk, myself at risk, and my license at risk. So I'm just sticking through this Hospice agency until I find a hospital/facility that really cares about my learning!

I have been recently hired at a long term care facility as an on-call nurse. I do have a passion for working with geriatric patients (I just love old people!) but it is on-call only...so its just another job where they call me when they need me, which does not make me feel very good as a nurse who is craving to learn and take care of patients! Also, I am just afraid that as a New Grad, the RN responsibility for this facility is that I have supervision of the all facility for the whole shift as the only RN, so that really makes me nervous. But the DON did explained to be that the LVNs and CNAs are always happy to help. I just wanted to get opinions from anyone out there on what they think?

I decided to take this opportunity since they are going to train and orient me. I mean it is better than my Hospice job where they just push me out there to patient's home, where I have no idea what I am doing.

I have just be praying to God that my time will come to finally be able to use the skills and values that I have to share with my patients. I truly believe in my heart that I will be a competent and compassion nurse. I do admit that I get frustrated many times, and wake up with a feeling of emptiness every morning because I know that my learning has not been consistent and that I am always scared that I have been given a leadership role already, where I just want to learn my skills. But I know that I just have to be patient.

I would really appreciate any comments from anyone out there about my current experience. Thank you.

[telealli]

really? No one wants to give me advice

[Nonetheless]

Have you expanded your search out of state?

The market sucks for everyone

The only advice is to keep on trucking and pushing until you get the hospital job!

[zoey88]

sadly I can relate to your pain. I have settled and taken any job that I can get, I too wish to work for a PCU/ Tele unit and eventually do critical care. I am in NYC which is probably just as bad as Cali these areas are just not new grad friendly right now. I am hoping to eventually transition to an acute care facility. I would just say stick it out and network as much as you can that is my game plan hopefully to connect with someone that will eventually give me a shot.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's awful, isn't it? If there simply are not jobs available in your preferred setting, you have to make a choice to either change settings or relocate to an area that does have jobs available. You have already broadened your Job Search to alternate settings. The only other option would be relocation. The only additional suggestion I can think of is to explore LTACHs... many of these facilities are basically acute care, including all types of technology & provide a great stepping stone to a hospital job.

Best of luck to you in your continued search.