Need some help. Insight, support, just something

Published

OK... so there are no words for how frustrated I am today. I want to scream into a pillow. Or something else generally "therapeutic"... but first some background-

I graduated my ADN program May 11, 2012. I have had a hell of a time just getting to graduation - ex-hubby asked for a divorce when I got home from the first day of nursing school, left me with two kids & no income so that our house was foreclosed on in my second semester. During my summer psych (third) semester I had to move into my parent's roach infested home because it was there or the homeless shelter - just to stay in Nursing school. Then, during my fourth semester the front tire on my car blew which then caused the vehicle to bottom out and dislodge the oil pan just enough to render the vehicle undriveable. Finally, during my final semester I have so far not been able to find a residency because I am "not competitive enough" as stated by the *large Dallas hospital* recruiter and many others. Honestly I have been through alot, there are other who may have been through more I guess, but the fact that I made it through all that with a better than 3.0 GPA and no previous medical experience should speak VOLUMES about my ability and my passion for the field. I should also add that I did that with no special accomodations for my situation, many of my instructors didn't even know what I was going through. Alas, all residencies in the DFW area are now full (with the exception of the *closest county hospital* - whom I desperatley would love to work with, but have not heard a single word from other than *this is the last email you will get unless you are selected as a candidate*) and I am left with nothing but the reassurance from others that it "gets better once you have RN behind your name."

I said I graduated May 11 right? It is now June 3 and I still have no Authorization to Test. The board you ask? NO! Two people in my Nursing class failed to apply for graduation, so it held up ALL of our Affidavits of Graduation at the college. Now test sites and dates are filling up and I may have to make a bank-breaking drive 4 hours away just to test NCLEX. I have made it through school without once screaming "It's not fair" but this one time, I think I am justified - why should 2 people hold up a class of over 100??? I don't know what to do I am so stressed and I only have a month or so of expenses put away to care for myself and my children - I am running out of options. I don't want to leave the field. I want to go higher, because Nursing seems like the only fit for me - BSN, then MSN/DNP in Midwifery and CNM!! But it seems as if nobody cares....... HR is an impenetrable wall. I just feel so discouraged, I try to keep a positive outlook, a smile on face even though I am crying inside. I just need some support, somewhere to turn before I break. I am so tired of the "it's not what you know, it's who you know culture" here in DFW.

Any ideas that could help me stand out? Maybe draw a recruiters attention and help me be more "competitive?" I am already a AWHONN member (won a free membership at a meeting, luckily) and am getting ready to take the Intro to Fetal Monitoring class - but I am not limiting myself to just WH/OB/L&D internships because what I need more right now is a way to feed my kids and get them out of my parents deplorable home, while I grow that and do my BSN (already enrolled)...

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Specializes in Rehab.

I'm here for support if u can get through all of that then u can get through the rest of the bs. U r strong and a survivor, keep ya head up, is a nursing home a option for ya intern ????" if so go that route, u can do this ur almost there he may not come when u want him but he will b there right on time, get a glass of wine and relax u got this I just know u do

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
i'm here for support if u can get through all of that then u can get through the rest of the bs. u r strong and a survivor, keep ya head up, is a nursing home a option for ya intern ????" if so go that route, u can do this ur almost there he may not come when u want him but he will b there right on time, get a glass of wine and relax u got this i just know u do

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I live in DFW too. There are some places hiring. Several home health companies are picking up new grads. Look into Angels of Care. If you PM me your email I can forward it to a classmate of mine who is now working for a home health agency for adults and actively seeking out nurses.

Several classmates have had luck looking to the Sherman area for employment, particularly at LTACs.

The "who you know" culture isn't just Dfw. I am afraid that is just how the world is now. I hope you find something soon. My class graduated in December and we have people still looking.

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Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

I am not offering specific advice, just some sorely needed encouragement.

Hang in there, it will get better.

I too have had a hellish couple of years. Husband left me after many years of marriage, had an affair and married coworker and I was blindsided. Two young children, had been stay at home mom and away from bedside for 15 years. I have had some difficulty in figuring out how to proceed.

All you can do is keep knocking on doors. Take any job you can find. Home health, nursing home, hospice, whatever. Be prepared to sell yourself. You can easily speak of your determination and love of nursing and work ethic after what you have been through and it will be TRUE.

One tactic I was prepared to try: go to the hospital website of the hospital you are interested in. Sign up for a CEU offering. Go dressed nicely with a portfolio of resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation. You WILL meet employees and managers this way. HAND THEM YOUR RESUME.

Just start networking. Something will come of it.

I also volunteered at hospice. They encouraged me to apply, but I held out for acute care position at specific hospital, and am waiting to hear after being interviewed.

The determination and drive that has carried you this far WILL see you through this.

Sometimes you have to pat yourself on the back b/c no one else is.

YOU ARE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS. And you will be a far stronger, more mature person, and so very proud of yourself.

Hugs,

Cheryl

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I thought GNs were not allowed to work home health....

Board Rule 217.3 prohibits GVNs (as well as Graduate Nurses [GNs] who complete registered nurse training) from working in "independent practice settings", which includes home health settings, regardless of if the GN or GVN is under direct supervision.

That is from the Texas BON FAQ page. If you read the "Practice Recommendations for Newly Licensed Nurses " they also mention "assisted living" facilities as "independent practice settings" isn't that what nursing homes are?

Also I cannot PM since I have not had >15 posts.. bummer

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Thank you for the encouragement Cheryl =) *hugs*

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omg what is wrong with men leaving wonderful women who have an education and are trying to pursue it.. shame on these men now a days.... men give you head aches.. but it will be ok.. something will come.. and it'll be better.. but it kills me now a days how men can seem so jealous because women have so many opportunities in life....WE ARE STRONG AND INTELLIGENT...

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Sending good thoughts. Hang in there. I know thats easier said than done. I'm also at the end of my rope... so tie a knot and hang on.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I thought GNs were not allowed to work home health....

Board Rule 217.3 prohibits GVNs (as well as Graduate Nurses [GNs] who complete registered nurse training) from working in "independent practice settings", which includes home health settings, regardless of if the GN or GVN is under direct supervision.

That is from the Texas BON FAQ page. If you read the "Practice Recommendations for Newly Licensed Nurses " they also mention "assisted living" facilities as "independent practice settings" isn't that what nursing homes are?

Also I cannot PM since I have not had >15 posts.. bummer

There is a difference between a graduate nurse and a new grad RN. The former has graduated from an accredited nursing program and is not licensed while the latter has taken NCLEX and received his/her license.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are not the same thing... not by any stretch of the imagination.

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Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.

Do you have any friends/family in the Oklahoma City area? I know of a job that is opening within the next few days that I believe would suit your needs. A temporary OK endorsement (90 days) is $10.

http://www.ok.gov/nursing/endorseused07.pdf

The position is in research, with Neurology, at Oklahoma University.

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There is a difference between a graduate nurse and a new grad RN. The former has graduated from an accredited nursing program and is not licensed while the latter has taken NCLEX and received his/her license.

I know. I am still just GN. If you read my OP it stated that our ATTs were held up. Still don't have one.

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