New Grad RN, I am in Tears today

[AugustBoy]

Ahhh........... I guess I am not alone here. I graduated with a BSN from UMD SON in 2004. After getting my BSN, I was flying hight. I had a job in hand and took NCLEX very lightly. I failed twice. Failing made me promise myself I will never take this exam again. My bother had a running HVAC bussiness and I joined him as a half partners. We has some good years. My wife meanwhile always begged me to take the exam. We use to fight everytime she brought it up (Now I know she was right and I was wrong). Bad economy came and brought our bussiness down to the ground. I started getting ready for the exam last September and passed it with 77 questions in December. Woohoo......... I was very happy, so was veryone else. I was reliefed, I can finally land a job and start my career. I have been looking for a job since, but no luck. Finally, all hell broke down today. We have been living hand to mouth and my relatives have been supporting me, God bless them they have helped for anything and everything. But you know how it is. I don't have dollar to buy candy for my two wonderfull daughter. She was in bad shape today and cried like a baby. She blamed me (I guess she is right, and deserves betther than this). I have looked for a job every day, but could only land a part time temperary job doing data collection as an RN for HEDIS. This job will end in May. I am hoping to get another job before that, but everyday has been a disappointment and brought tears. Today, I broked in tears too and begged God to help me for my kids. I don't know what to do. I am in Maryland, if anyone of you has any idea, suggestions, or comments please give them to me. I need some comments from you now. Sometimes stupid ideas work. Please tell me what to do. I am going to have nervous breakdown. HELP HELP HELP. Everyones comments are appreciated.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

First, calm down.

Second, call every nursing home in driving distance and tell them you are available for any shift. You will be hired.

[Jules A, MSN]

First, calm down.

Second, call every nursing home in driving distance and tell them you are available for any shift. You will be hired.

even better, go in person to apply. Although this area has slowed down there are still jobs for new grads which is what you will be considered. Keep your mind open to all facilities and all shifts. Good luck.

[annaw05]

Don't always rely on websites for small facilities. Call and speak to someone - introduce yourself. I was told that for every application I put in if I wanted it to get anywhere I had personally call and speak with someone. Good luck, stay strong.

[china4mom]

Congrats on passing your NCLEX. HAve you tried home health??? How about flu clinics, health fairs. Provant Solutions for health fairs. At least it will be something and a start. Keep at it and you will find something. Check out Craigslist.

Good Luck. Take care

[caliotter3]

Ditto the advice to go in person. Eight times out of 10 when I have gone in person looking for work, I have been hired on the spot or given an appointment for an interview. When you go in person, have all of your employment papers with you. Dress ready to interview. Tell them that you will work any shift. If you get hired by more than one place to be on call, fine, if two places call you to work the same shift, the one that contacts you first is the shift you work. Good luck.

[ukstudent]

Washington Hospital Center is hiring. Look for the new grad residency program's. Next start date is in April, and I have been told they will also have a July start date as well.

[caliotter3]

You may be hampered by the break between graduation and seeking nursing work. Do not tell prospective employers that you went into business on your own volition. Spin the story to make it sound as if it was a necessary family diversion from nursing and that now you are able to devote yourself to your nursing career. Try to detract from the negative. Best of luck to you.

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

I know you say money is tight, but consider a RN refresher course. I agree with caliotter, six years is a long time (especially these days, when there are crowds of fresh new grads looking for jobs) to wait between graduating and starting to work.

[smartypant]

Have you thought about relocating to tx .they are hiring nurses and pay for relocation good luck remember this is not the time to be down or mad at yourself .look at the situation as a test meaning you cannot give up .only losers give up winners never quit

[JenniferSews]

I was desperate and depressed like you a few weeks ago too. I found a job, but not as a nurse, and I took it gratefully. But in mid January I put on my very best suit and heels and walked in to 5 nursing homes one snowy day (all I could get to in the 2 hours of childcare I had.) Today out of the blue I got called for an interview from one of the places I walked in to for a real NURSING job!

Go in, resume in hand, to every nursing home within driving distance and ask if they are hiring. Everyone said yes because they'd rather have your resume on file than turn you away in case they need you later, so they want you to fill out an application. I would also update your resume with your current position and keep looking. People did seem more interested that I was working in healthcare, even though I'm not a nurse.

Be ready to talk to someone RIGHT THEN. Find a positive answer to things like "do you have experience" instead of just saying no (my own personal mistake to a DON who happened to be at the desk and perked right up when she heard me ask if they were hiring RNs.) I had to practice saying "I'm a new graduate and I've had lots of great clinical experiences" and such. Find several sayings that sound real and like you are confident and believable. I felt so beaten down that everything that came out of my mouth sounded like an apology. People told me to be persistent but I felt so hopeless and was sick of the blame game that there must be something wrong with me or I wasn't trying the simplest thing like looking at the hospital websites for jobs.

I hope something comes up for you!