New Grad No Job- extremely depressed.

Barbara Hessinger · Jan 4, 2012

My advice is to apply further away, maybe even at the opposite site of the country. This will test your relationship with your boyfriend and who knows, even open your eyes. Unsupportive men are a dime a dozen in my opinion.

Good luck and you will succeed...

I know there are other topics on here about this- I've read them all. I'm feeling so so depressed lately. I graduated in October 2011 with my BSN and passed my NCLEX in November.
I started applying for jobs in August, hoping to have one set up when I graduated- with no luck. But I kept high spirits knowing that that would have only been ideal for that to happen and I wasn't really expecting it. So October I started applying again once I graduated (Cum Laude, in Honor Society, etc. etc.). Ok, no call backs, but maybe it's because I didn't pass my NCLEX yet. So, I passed my NCLEX- tried again. This time I applied everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE within a 2 HOUR drive of Chicago (Aurora, Joliet, you name it). Ok. Maybe no call backs because I don't have my license number yet from Illinois. SO I got my license number. applied everywhere again!! and more! even 'unwanted' jobs- abortion clinics, drug rehabs, etc. Still no calls.
I am so so depressed. I am questioning why I got my degree and license. My student loans will be coming soon and me working as a waitress currently will definitely not cut it. Actually it already isn't enough- I have to ask my parents for help with my bills this month. I live with my boyfriend and I'm asking him to relocate with me to central/southern Illinois because maybe I could find a job there, but he says he can't. So I would have to be alone and move somewhere I would absolutely hate.
I am now to the point of applying for irrelevant jobs to nursing- data entry, secretary, receptionist, customer service, and on. (With no luck in that either!!) I need a full time job.
So, in conclusion. Any advice? I am so beyond depressed I can't even eat or sleep.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2012

I reckon u will have to move. I have had to move & travel over an hour all the time for work.

It's a myth that people think they will get jobs 30 minutes or so away. Start looking at accommodation options or ask the hospitals if they have any accommodation. And ask your bf if he will move. If he won't, my advice is 2 think of yourself first. You only need to move for a year or more anyway to get the experience you need.

Re-vamp your CV and cover letter as well. Can u get a professional employment service to review it?

I know people who have moved and enjoyed the experience, though many on here don't want to move and fear it. You can turn virtually anything into a positive experience if you have the right mindset.

Have u contacted all the nursing agencies near you as well?

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

Don't move anywhere without a firm job in hand.

It's really tough in IL for jobs. Yes, there are some, but from what I know those that get them have connections, like family or people they know in city government, etc! Yes New grads are hired here and there, but it is rare that those positions are advertised. "New Grad" is a very bad word in Illinois. All I can say is keep applying and beware of home health and hospice in IL as there are a few real stinkers that for some reason the state does not care to shut down...

Tarmstrong · Jan 5, 2012

It took me over 3 months just to get an interview and then another 3 months to get in the hospital system. I concur with the other post about revamping your resume. If you have a workforce commisson up there. IE unemployment workforce commission, they have a resume format that helps put key words into you resume and make it reader friendly and it is free. you dont have to be on unemployment to use that service.

I was subsitute teaching as school nurse until my job came in.

Dont move without a firm job offer! I also had a few phanthom job offers that said they wanted to hire me and then a week later I would find out they hired someone else.

jpeters84 · Jan 5, 2012

First off, eat and drink and take care of yourself because it's hard enough to summon the strength and positive energy to apply for all these positions without feeling well physically.

Secondly, most new grads from the last 2 years have been there. We've all had our breakdown moment where after weeks, months, and years of working hard, hoping, trying, doing just about anything to get a job does not result in a job. Be sure to take a moment, have a good cry about it if you need to. Scream its not fair if it helps. But then...move on because a burned out shiffty attitude isn't going to help you get the job.

Thirdly, if you absolutly, MUST 100% stay in a certain geographical area, than you must realize it is simply going to take you longer to get a job. Getting a job right now is a numbers game and supply vs. demand and you are cutting way down on the number of opportunities for yourself by limiting yourself to one area of the country. I know that sometimes that can't be helped but it's the reality. Just expect it to take longer. My friends that couldn't move took an average of 1 1/2 to 2 years to find a job.

Finally, be sure to:

-constantly work on your resume. A resume can always be improved.

-Don't just apply for jobs online. Call and talk to the recruiters so they can put a name to a voice and know your story. Go meet them in person if they're willing.

-specialize your resume for each position. Treat each position like it's the one and only job you're applying for, have ever wanted, and like it was made just for you

-consider taking a position in a long term care or home health RN position. I started in a home health RN position and enjoyed it. Some hospitals allowed me to apply as an experienced RN because of my experience as a home health nurse

And most importantly...DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY. Looking for a job as a new grad nurse right now is one of the most miserable experiences possible. You just have to keep the faith, keep on trying, and do the best you can to just try to have a life and put it past you knowing that it's not about you it's just this miserable economy.

WorldTravelingYogi · Jan 7, 2012

I agree with the others that say to look farther away and move from your boyfriend. One year is really not a very long time.

I know plenty of couples and some with children where the new grad RN had to move to another part of the country to get a job and be separated from their familles. Then I know others looking for a year or more and not willing to move. That year of looking could have been spent somewhere else in the country getting the experience.

michelle9655 · Jan 8, 2012

Thanks so much for the advice! I think I've decided what I'm going to do... I'm going to keep trying to find a job around here as hard as I can for the next 2 months or so. My student loans are going to start coming in April so if I don't have a job by March I will consider all my options exhausted and will move as my last resort. I feel I will be able to find a job if I move.. it's just around Chicago and even its distant suburbs they don't want anyone without experience. Hopefully something will come up. I spend literally hours every day looking and applying.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2012

You've only been looking for 2 months (I don't count the months pre license number because most places don't consider applicants without a license) so I would keep applying and hoping. A lucky few get interviews/jobs within 3 months of applying but most take several months before landing a spot. It took me 6 months. Chicago is a hard area =/ Lots of schools and very limited spots. You're probably not scoring full time non nursing jobs because HR sees that nursing degree on your resume, and they assume you'll quit as soon as a nursing job presents itself. Let's face it, it's a safe assumption lol

Widen your search grid. I realize you want to stay with your boyfriend, but.....is it he can't move, or he won't move? Big difference between those two. At this point, you need to do what's best for your career. Move for a job. It'll suck, sure.....but the beauty of working in a hospital, you'll have lots of off days where you can visit your hometown again. Between that and skype/FB/msn/iChat/insert whatever IM you use, it wouldn't be that bad. Don't assume you'll hate wherever you end up! Go into it with a positive attitude. You said yourself you're more likely to find a job outside of the Chicago metro area. Do it. The sooner you start applying, the sooner you can start.

And a note about your loans.....be proactive. If you haven't found anything by May, call and tell them your situation. You can get hardship deferments with just a phone call. It takes all of 5 minutes. The Dept of Education would much rather have people contact them before their loans get in trouble.

Good luck! Like someone said, we've all been there. Keep the faith.

montecarlo64, ASN, BSN, LPN · Jan 9, 2012

Have you looked into getting an Indiana license and trying the Gary/Valparaiso Indiana area? I live in east central Indiana, & I too, cannot get a hospital job..I am 47 years old & have a home and family here, which I cannot uproot right now...But, I have been looking at the whole state, and those areas do have openings...Job situation is grim around my area...I am considering a move just by myself, but what good would it do to leave everything that is important to me just for a job...It doesn't make sense for me to do that right now...so I am continuing my education towards a BSN & hopefully the job market will eventually improve...I was an LPN prior to RN & throughout my career, I have never seen nurses having so much difficulty getting a job right now...Good luck to you & try not to get too discouraged...you live in a large market area & I am sure you will find something soon:)

michelle9655 · Jan 9, 2012

I've looked into Indiana a little bit but didn't try applying to anything.. I've tried applying to Wisconsin jobs with no luck. I should probably try Indiana and see how to obtain a nursing license in their state. My boyfriend can't move for two major reasons.. He is going to school here and not a lot of places offer his major. He also has to help take care of his mother who lives alone and is very dependent on him. The more I am reading online the more scared I am becoming. There are SO many new grads having trouble finding jobs! This is getting crazy. I am getting the feeling I'm going to have to move to Wyoming or some other random state where going from living in Chicago will be quite a culture shock lol.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2012

I moved from a city of 4.5 million across the country to a town of 2000. I'm learning a lot and making good money, so that's the priority. Yes, I miss the city and my friends, and I'm bored. However, the loans are almost paid. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Many of my friends also moved to less than desirable locations for that first job. You can either sit around hoping and waiting and become more depressed, or relocate in order to gain the experience. The choice was obvious for me.