New grad and NO JOBS!!

[Newgradtoo]

Just looking for some advice/encouragement. I'm so frustrated! I graduated in May and I am unable to find a job. I have people telling me to do one thing, and others telling me something different. People say hang in there it will get better. I was told by a hospital recruiter to just stick with it and do not go work at a care center or rehab. because you will be doing yourself a disservice. Others are telling me to just find something. I'm getting depressed and worried. The bills are piling up around here. I was so excited to graduate and work and I never imagined it to be like this. Any advice? leads? Thanks so much!

[MagsMom]

WAstateRNMichael

I am wondering if you went to an accelerated program in Utah? I have not heard of anyone graduating from the U's program and not getting a job- that is concerning that you are having such a difficult time.

[Me, SN]

I know the feeling. I looked up the topic because I was curious if this was just a regional thing or something the country is dealing with. My search led me to your post. I'm in Kentucky and we're dealing with similar circumstances. Only there were two hospital chains in my area and one bought the other. After the merger they slapped on a hiring freeze for new grads. Then in December they lifted the freeze, but ONLY for those who are PCAs and CNAs at that hospital.

I'm sitting in the same puddle: Sigma Theta Tau graduate who passed the boards the first time around with the minimum number of questions and several impressive letters of recommendation by not only college faculty, but members of the hospital's staff, and I think we graduated around the same time too (I graduated Sept 18th). Yet I couldn't even get a job at a nursing home in order to fulfill the 120 hours direct care in order to apply for reciprocity in Ohio. To add insult to it all, almost everyone I graduated with has a job. They either worked at the hospital where the hiring freeze was placed, or they applied for their licenses in Ohio.

I hope you get a job soon. I hope I get one too.

[Iris Santana]

Not sure of your location or what your prior experiences are or interest. I have found that all it takes to nurse is having the theory and being able to apply it clinically. When I graduated I had a difficult time due to lack of past work experience. I ultimately ended working a little distant from where I lived in order to obtain experience. VA hospitals are really good about working with new nurses . So you might consider that. I ultimately left my first job after nine month in pediatrics and took on a job as a home health casemanager caring for the adult and geriatric population. It has been history since. I stayed in home care for about 7 years and was very comfortable although I had not worked in an acute care setting. I finally decided to go into the hospital setting after about 8 years of nursing in the community. Now I work in the intensive care unit. The key factor in obtaining a job is confidence which we lack during an interview when we lack experience. Practice your job interviewing skills and do not get desperate and consent to working a job you will not be content in. There are jobs . Try monstersjob.com .