New Grad No Job- extremely depressed.

[michelle9655]

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.

[Newlpngraduate]

@mortecarlo,I will give it a try,I really appreciate it,God bless.

[fullofenergy]

I have a few suggestions. Have you signed up on all career sites under healthcare/nursing to have alerts for RN jobs to be sent to you automatically through e-mail? I did and just got an interview from one of these sites that I would have never known about. Second, have you ever just driven around in areas where you would like to work, found facilities such as rehab centers, clinics or long-term care facilities and came in and filled out applications? I did this and sometimes it may take a month to several weeks, but often times they will call you when they need you. These are what I call the "hidden job market" that other nurses may not have tapped yet. I also went on the website from the school where I graduated and got a list of their clinical partners. If they are willing to have students come in, oftentimes they are interested in hiring new grads as well. Unfortunately, you may not land your ideal position this way, but it is definitely a start. I have been feeling frustrated myself lately and hope these strategies help. Most importantly, try not to despair and give up, because something will probably come up when you least expect it.

Best of luck to all,

[Cindycin37, ASN, RN]

No, things haven't changed for me. I'm still unemployed. I'm so frustrated with the nursing profession that I just stopped applying all together. I don't know why I'm still taking classes to get into UIC's RN to BSN. I'm take one class right now. I guess I'm hanging onto the last bit of hope. I will probably get a cashier or waitress job while I work on my BSN. I guess I can always take an RN refresher course 2 years after I complete BSN. I'm not sure if this is the right way to go since I got my A.D.N. in May of 2011, worked 8 months, and will probably be 2015 when I get BSN.

[Cindycin37, ASN, RN]

Well, I'm finally going to apply for an RN job:) I'm just going to keep applying and not stress myself out if I don't get the job. Something has to eventually happen:)

[sourapril]

That's the spirit! Keep going, that's all you can do. I am in the same boat as you. From time to time I also feel depressed and not wanting to apply for jobs. But the dark period will pass.

[S RN]

I understand you better of what you can imagine, we are in the same boat....I graduated on May this year, ADN, got my license on July, more than a 100 applications in hospitals, rehab centers, clinics, doctor's office, LTC, hospice, dialysis, etc...and I'm still waiting for a call...here in south Florida it is very hard almost impossible to find an RN new grad position in a hospital...it is not what you know...it is who you knows...it is very depressing and sometimes I feel like all the hard job that I did during my nursing school to graduate with high honors is useless, I was accepted to begin my BSN on January...in the meantime I will get a cashier or waitress job while I work in my BSN, but I will continue applying in every single place that have an RN open position, hopefully some day I will get an opportunity!!

[Nonetheless]

I finally have a job.... An amazing job at the best hospital in the state- Northwestern Memorial. However it was my first hospital job and I only got hired at the end of July. It took me 9 months total to find my first job and I applied to every single hospital in Illinois, and then also hospitals in Iowa Indiana and Wisconsin. Awful. Haha but I have a lot to be grateful for now and now I will be "experienced" so I hope I don't ever have to go through that again.

YAYYYYY