New grad, no job, SO confused

Cinquefoil · Jul 24, 2013

Congratulations! You became a nurse! You climbed a huge mountain and learned what you needed to do to survive nursing school and emerge with your learning and skills!

Now you need a new skills set that I know I didn't learn in nursing school, so I'm assuming you might not have either?

Please pardon me if you already know any of this, but these are some of the things that helped me.

1) Networking. I once had a job-search teacher tell me that 85% of jobs are gotten from networking and personal contact, rather than applications. That stuck in my brain. Sure enough, I eventually (after 5 months) got my nursing job from a mentor's connection with a DON, and a floor nurse simultaneously advocating for me. I had another option in the works from an informational interview I emailed a manager for and got, another from a caregiving job, and other options on the horizon thanks to another informational interview I'd done with a head of department via a cold-call request. Finally, I had another job offer from a place I had been emailing back and forth with for a while.

Make a sharp resume and a nursing portfolio and call HR saying you'd like to make an appointment to speak to them. Or walk in and ask to speak to the DON. Or email. But don't be afraid to make *very* nice with the receptionist if the DON isn't available - ask them how they like working there, show interest in the place. And unless you get definite "do not call us we'll call you" messages, contact is good. A mentor advised me that "semi-stalking" managers and DONs is good, semi-stalking meaning contact every other week. But make sure it's a form of contact that actually reaches the manager/unit educator/DON etc. If you don't hear back via phone and you have their email, try their email. Or ask them if you can come in, in person.

Have an answer ready (practice it beforehand) about why your nursing passions and personal qualities lead you towards THEIR organization. Which means show what you know about their organization. Which means, research them.

Have an answer like this for everyone. But be yourself at the same time. Figure out how to do this in a way where your personality is also coming out in all its best ways.

2) Practice your interview skills. When you're networking, any conversation can turn into an interview. List your nursing "success stories" and practice answering questions (formal and informal questions) not in a formal way exactly, but in a way that most clearly represents you at your best. Practice with friends, family, anyone who will let you. Ask them how you're coming across. Take feedback, and take all feedback with a grain of salt.

If you get an interview, remember to check in occasionally about WHAT THE HIRING MANAGER IS ASKING FOR in the interview question. This shows a desire to get communication right. If they ask you about conflict resolution, you might ask, "I have a lot of examples of successes there. Would you like to hear about conflicts I've resolved with coworkers, difficult patients, or family members? Or would you like to hear about something that was more of a learning experience?" Also, it's very ok to acknowledge a minor thing you'd still like to work on as a footnote to a story about a success. It shows humility and a desire to learn. But be very careful what you share if you try this!

3) Try to meet people in nursing who share your values, goals, and who appreciate you. Try to go somewhere where your good qualities will be seen by a diverse medical audience. Volunteer a few hours a week at a hospital, or LTC, or with a local nursing organization or clinic. Nonprofits too! People in nursing know other nurses! Volunteer jobs sometimes turn into PT or FT employment! If you meet someone who believes in you, they'll often help you find your place in the profession. I worked as a caregiver while applying to RN jobs and that took me into many SNFs. The staff at one SNF was happy with my care and teamwork, and recommended me to the DON, who jumped on the idea of me applying (I got my job a day later, so didn't end up needing that opportunity...but still).

4) Figure out how to represent your previous quitting a job. Most employers don't like to hear other employers bad-mouthed. Maybe others on this forum can help you with how to do that well?

But mainly take care of yourself, and practice not being down on yourself. Your Job Search may be a marathon or a quick search. Either way, it has very little relation to how good of a nurse you are or will be. Just stay in it until you can win it!

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jul 24, 2013

Look at per diem postions. Home Health. MD offices. The schools as a substitute school nurse. Camp nursing in the summer.

If you can't find something full time, then see what you can do for per diem positions. Or weekend only positions. Urgent Care, upcoming Flu Clinics. Assisted Living. Public Health. Women's clinics. Polish your resume and hit the street. Look at any and all websites of any and all Hospitals in your area. See what jobs are available. Take a weekend and get wound care certified, get an IV certification--ACLS, PALS....make yourself as marketable as you can. See if there's job postings at your college--sometimes there is, and sometimes your guidance counselor can be a good resource. Teach an LPN/Medical Assistant/CNA course--contact some local technical schools. Some even have daycare on campus.

If your husband is working all night, be mindful that it can cause stress at home if he is unable to sleep for any length of time during the day. Maybe until the kids are in school, it can be to your home advantage to do per diem.

Your former employer was just not a good fit, and inconsistent with your goals and objectives. Otherwise, it reflects poorly on your professionalism to trash talk them to other potential employers. (Not to make light of your horror show there--it was AWFUL, and uncalled for--but you can only go forward from here).

Best of luck in your endevours

Guest343211 · Jul 24, 2013

Nice advice here. I'm sorry you are having a hard time. Don't give up. That's really the key in the current environment.

sweetsunshine423 · Jul 24, 2013

Nice Advice, very inspiring! And to momma2rn. Don't give up, what you have now as an Rn is meant to be. We live in a competitive world, we've been through a lot pursuing this profession, I guess we just need to be more strong and tough. For me, I already accepted that there are really people like that (envious,jealous) people in this world who will try to pull us down. But don't get discourage, because even successful, big people experience the same way, before they get to the top :). So be strong and don't give up!

libran1984, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2013

You need to leave LTC. There are too many facilities in LTC that are poisonous like that. Most LPNs are not like the one's you've had the misfortune to work with.

palaviccinim · Jul 25, 2013

Congratulations on graduating! I also graduated with my BSN in 12/12. I got a job at the unit I worked as an assistant on right out of school. After 4.5 months, however, my husband got an engineering job which forced us to move from Florida to New Mexico! I began applying for jobs in April, and applied to about 25 positions. I received 3 interviews and 2 job offers before deciding to accept one in a Neuro ICU here.

My biggest piece of advice is to find a way to communicate in your application the reasons you left your last job after only 4 months. Many hiring managers asked me why I left my job after 4 months and were "relieved" to find it was for my husband's relocation, and not because I couldn't "hack it". As new grads, a first job quit within 6 months typically is seen as a new nurse who was in over his/her head. Make sure you make it clear that you had no problems with your job duties, but simply did not gel well with the organization and it's mission.

Secondly, follow up on your applications. Call the nursing recruiters at the hospitals you are applying in and just let them know you have applied for a few positions and would like to know if there is anything else they need from you - be polite, respectful of the process and not overly pushy. One of my job interviews came about directly from one of these phone calls - often times the nurse recruiters will find other job postings waiting to be put online that you are suitable for, and give your resume to the hiring managers.

finally, present yourself well at any interviews you get. Remember, just because you aren't in the meeting itself does not mean you aren't being interviewed! be polite to everyone - the lady washing her hands in the bathroom beside you could be your new boss.

good luck! you will find something.

kaffy · Jul 25, 2013

congratulations on ur graduation!i am sorry u experienced such unfriendliness at ur place of work. You know what? the university and community colleges are open for anyone who wants to be an RN. if those LPNs feel they can do the work on the RN then, they can go pick up the application and enrol... if they can stand the heat of nursing school then they can be one. do not let their hostility get to you at all.

You own job will come ur way pretty soon.

goodluck!

kaffy

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 25, 2013

I don't really have any words of wisdom that haven't already been provided by our wise colleagues.

Just wanted to interject a What the Heck??? I'm not familiar with LTC. Is it common practice for an LV/PN to serve as "charge nurse" rather than an RN? They (legally) can't delegate or supervise an RNs nursing practice, so what are they 'in charge' of? In the OP's post, it seems as though that LPN was making staffing decisions (not responding appropriately to ensure RN coverage for a call in)... if so, this would clearly be a 'scope of practice' violation. Sheesh.

MotherRN · Jul 25, 2013

I don't really have any words of wisdom that haven't already been provided by our wise colleagues.
Just wanted to interject a What the Heck??? I'm not familiar with LTC. Is it common practice for an LV/PN to serve as "charge nurse" rather than an RN? They (legally) can't delegate or supervise an RNs nursing practice, so what are they 'in charge' of? In the OP's post, it seems as though that LPN was making staffing decisions (not responding appropriately to ensure RN coverage for a call in)... if so, this would clearly be a 'scope of practice' violation. Sheesh.

The administrator of the WHOLE building at my current summer LTC is an LPN. LTC is a DIFFERENT world! It has been the domain of the LPN for so long that at my facility, we both are equal. And, I don't get to do the IV's just because I am an RN- only those, including LPN's who have had the certification class, get to the IV's etc. But, apparently, they still can't mix the IV drugs AS FAR AS I Know but could be wrong on that too.

It's nothing like the textbook definition of 'scope of practice' sometimes in a LTC facility. It depends on the state and facility what goes.

jjmbgmill5 · Jul 25, 2013

I've been a LPN for ten years and know alot about the animosity between the LPN's and RNs. In my opinion the LPNs that have these views either are oversensitive or dont understand. On the same hand I see where they are coming from alot of times in the LTC setting. I have worked in the prisons, Hospital (primarily), LTC, and drug and alcohol rehab. In my opinion the least amount of animosity is in the hospital. You should look to get out of that setting. In a hospital everything is about trust and teamwork, not to say this happens all the time. Nursing can be an aggravating field of work you have to be able to take attitudes from MDs, LPNs, CNA/HT's, Supervisors, and even PATIENTS. Its all in how you take the attitude. I generally follow the rule kill em with kindness and try and make people laugh and it seems to help me. But I wish you the best and hope things get better for you. Oh and yes I graduated and am taking my boards for RN tomorrow. Just giving you my view from the LPN side

momma2rn · Jul 26, 2013

Thank you to all that posted words of encouragement, advice, and insight. I had another interview today for a hospice RN position that went horribly. Filled out an application Tuesday and took my resume in. Got a call that same afternoon and an interview was set up for today at 11. I went in, introduced myself, sat down, and the interview was over in a matter of 2 minutes. Why? Because the lady evidently didn't look over my application well enough and said that she only hires people with at least three years of experience, and to check the hospitals for a position. Even though I was irritated, I thanked her for her time and went on my way.

I mailed my resume to the health department and to a behavioral center here as well. HR is out of the office of the behavioral center until next week, and I am not sure when the health department will be looking over resumes. I am still on the fence about stopping school for the BSN and going into HIT. Here is the scenario I see happening (kind of like one of those 'If you pay too much for cable' commercials lol):

I have been told the only way I will get hired is to work 12-hour night shifts (the opinion of my nurse friend). I cannot work 12-hour night shifts because my husband also works the same schedule and we have no one to care for our kids. I would need someone to live at my house for 3 days in a row because I would need to sleep when I get home and then go (almost) directly back to work. I cannot afford this type of care and we have no family that can help. If I do not get a job, as time goes on it will be less likely I will get a job. If I can't get a job, there is no reason to continue to rack up school loans. Then I will crash into a pizzeria. This is how I see it playing out.

Again, I do appreciate everyone posting to this. Makes me feel like I'm not quite so alone!