New Grad, No Job, Need Car?

[kiwi111]

Hello,

I've been a long time reader of AN but just recently joined. I graduated in the summer and got licensed in the fall for my RN. Now I hear it's not anything new but it's been 6 months since I was job searching and I'm getting nothing. I've had 2 interviews that made no sense because they backed out after knowing that I was a new grad without any experience. I'm hearing some of my peers hired for temp agencies or home care willing to take a chance for new grads. However all of them require a driver's license and a car with insurance. In my last interview they took it negatively that I did not drive as well.

Anyways, to broaden my Job Search I would need to drive/own a car to get to places BUT I do not know how to drive, don't have a license or own a car. Is it sane to think about maybe lessen the job searching while I try and get my license and hopefully get my own vehicle or co-insure with my parents? I know this might be a dumb self explanatory question to those who drive and cannot live without driving but I live in the metropolitan where public transit is pretty decent but there's a dense new grad population I would need to apply further. However I also have the WORSTT hand eye coordination in terms of driving (I tried taking lessons before and gave up because I just sucked). To completely be competent in driving I think it would take me a good 5-6months at least but those months would take away from my job hunting time. Is this a wise move? I don't plan to completely not apply to jobs with those 5 months but I think it would be stressful trying to balance both at the same time.

[babilidose]

Thanks for the insight Mavrick, I did have some experience (whatever this might count) in gen surg as a student and yes I agree that it's more hectic than driving however I might have to give some leeway considering how crazy drivers are in my city. I'm just a very anal new learner, I get bummed when I don't get things right away. I don't really want to defend myself in terms of the eye hand coordination but I'm a computer wiz so no problem there I started coding websites when I was in highschool so no I don't mean I'm an expert in FB or Twitter unfortunately. Typing is no problem as well, anything with technology I'm good, I ended up fixing the school computers when they break down, people racistly kid it's the inner Asian in me. I'm not bad at injections either.. I think. BUT I meant to say sports wise I'm a very bad athlete however my hand eye coordination in video games despite being a girly girl is quite well.

Yes I've read your past conviction about other grads mentioning home health or agency nursing. I must agree with you that it will be difficult for sure. I'm the most coward person I know and I agree that it might not be for new grads, however if I keep being the coward that I am and shy away from opportunities like HH or agency then I'll be waiting more and more than just months to get a job. And I can't rely on parents for everything anymore. I already try to eat one meal a day just so I don't make family expenses higher than they already are. Although objectively speaking you are right being a new grad is tough no one wants you anywhere.

Agency nursing isn't for new grads. Period. I can't imagine an agency allowing a new grad to work for them without experience. It reflect poorly on them, and it's not safe for patient care. Maybe certain types of home health, but not all. Nursing school experience isn't experience.

We all had a medsurg rotation on a general floor for basic skills and assessment. Does that mean that a new grad is prepared to take a full load on the first day? No. That's why there's an orientation period. I would highly encourage you to challenge yourself, and learn how to drive. It's not cowardly to shy away from experiences that don't match your level of expertise. It's wise, and safe. Best of luck.

[ED Nurse, RN]

Please read properly before commenting so harshly. I did NOT only apply to two jobs. I lost track of how much I've applied to already. I meant to say as Mavrick stated that I've only gotten 2 interviews. I've applied to plenty of new grad opportunities but I don't count as one anymore. By the way, life is so short. Just because you've gotten a good job doesn't mean it will last forever and give right to speak lowly of those that struggle to find one. Ashes to ashes dust to dust my friend and what comes up must come down.

It was in no way harsh- and you meant to say it, but didn't say it- I'm not a mind reader. You should probably toughen up a bit and not be so quick to jump on someone for stating a fact. Don't make excuses and then deflect your issues to other people. Life isn't going to just come to you.

[Julius Seizure]

I would definitely encourage you to seek out a hospital job with an extended new grad internship. Especially if you are an anxious person when it comes to learning new things. If you start in home health, you will be completely alone - no one to ask questions of or to help you learn what to do.

When I graduated, I moved several states away to get a spot in a new grad internship and it gave me a fantastic start to my career....after that I was equipped to do whatever i wanted - move back home as a strong candidate for any hospital job, go into home health, do agency work, etc. You have to get the strong foundation first to make yourself a desirable candidate to hire.

I would definitely get the drivers license so that you can take a job anywhere. Dont give up when its hard - you can learn it! And once you have, it will be second nature soon, I promise.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Where do you live that you don't need a car to get around? I find it odd that you would have gone to college and graduated with a nursing degree but not learned how to drive. Being a nurse you also need good coordination for procedures such as IV's and NG's for instance.

I would make it a priority to learn to drive not just for a job but for the independence it gives you. Even if you have public transport it usually takes longer than driving and limits where you can go. I can't imagine not having a car and not driving. It seems like it is a part of adulthood. Back in the day high schools taught students how to drive, but my dad wouldn't let me go to punish me for being the rebellious teen I was. Still once I was an adult I paid for driving lessons and yes I was a nervous driver, but it doesn't take months to do and you grow in skills and confidence over time. I think it is worth the time, effort and money to learn to drive and own a car. It doesn't have to be expensive you can get a compact, certified used car for a reasonable amount of money.

[kiwi111]

@ED Nurse

I never "meant" to say I applied to xx amount of jobs because I didn't intend to it was just redundant. Also YOU don't have to be a mindreader because guess what? I actually pointed out that I only got 2 interviews yes interviews not positions I applied but interviews. That's it. You don't need to mind read, you just need to ..read. I don't expect life to "come" to me because we have to "live" life right? Not force what we want in life. I don't have high ambitions I don't want to do ER/ICU or any of that stuff. I just want to provide safe care to people in a manner I can handle.

@Janey496

Thank you for your kind words :) I will still keep applying and learning. Glad to hear success in your end.

@brandy1017

I know you meant well in your comment I do. And thank you I will take your advice wisely. However, I came from a very low economic family. We could not afford a car when I was old enough to drive in highschool like you must have had with your dad. So how can my dad teach me to drive if we had no car? I'm sorry to say but you need to stop thinking in a frame of mind that everyone has lives similar to you. In highschool I had no time to even think of doing anything but stuyding why because I could not afford to go to college so I had to maintain my grade and I got a scholarship that's how I got into nursing school. And my dad did not have time to even teach me when I was in college because he worked every day and passed out to sleep when he got home. Some people like me were just not fortunate enough to afford many things whether opportunities or training or cars I'm not complaining. I don't think it has anything to do with me being less of a nurse though so I hope you won't as well but I don't have control in that. PS you don't need to know where I live but know that there's many people like me that don't drive or own a car because you know that's why they created buses and public transportation right?

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Thanks for the insight Mavrick, I did have some experience (whatever this might count) in gen surg as a student .

Unfortunately, it doesn't count for anything. Your best bet is to learn to drive while looking for a job. You need to find a job while you still qualify for a new grad residency program. If you have a job where you are only working 3 days a week, that leaves the rest of the week to practice driving. Plus, you will be making money to put towards a car.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

No one needs to know you don't drive or own a car. It is none of their business as long as you have transportation to work. I am assuming that you have someone willing to always drive you to work so problem solved. I know many nurses that always get driven to work by somebody.

All that matters is you get there. My husband drives me to work alot.

[kiwi111]

Unfortunately, it doesn't count for anything. Your best bet is to learn to drive while looking for a job. You need to find a job while you still qualify for a new grad residency program. If you have a job where you are only working 3 days a week, that leaves the rest of the week to practice driving. Plus, you will be making money to put towards a car.

Haha I had thought it wouldn't count. Thanks for your advice springchick! I will try my best and keep on truckin'

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

PPs are offering great advice. Just wanted to add.... I knew an academic PhD nurse educator (Dean of a large Tx ADN program) who did not drive. Srsly. He grew up in South Texas; youngest child in a very large family & just never had to learn because there was always a ride available to anywhere he needed to go. He pursued his graduate & doctoral work in large metro areas with great public transportation. By the time I met him, it (non-driver status) was just accepted as part of his personality, even though Tx is probably the least public-transportation friendly area in the nation. BUT... that was then (he retired in the 00's) and this is now.

Agree that OP really needs to become a driver in order to remove this significant career path barrier.

[Dani_Mila, BSN, RN]

Hopefully you're driving by now! I am in the same predicament. I'm actually beating myself up for it as I had lots of opportunity to learn how to drive but because I was too chicken for it. Now, I have to try to commute via public transportation to find jobs outside the city as most hospitals and area in the city requires a BAN. I have a friend who commutes an hour via public transportation to work. She can drive but she doesnt have a car.