new NP cant find a job

Specialties NP

Published

Hello all,

I graduated from NP school a year ago this month, passed boards and received my license in Oct 2012. Unfortunately, I have not found a job in my new chosen profession as of yet. I have been on several interviews but, in the end the job always goes to the NP who has the experience. And the jobs that are advertised on the career sites (career builder, indeed etc...) want NP's with 1 or 2 years of experience. At first I didn't worry too much but, now I'm down right frustrated and depressed that I am still working as a RN. It seems like no one wants to invest the time and patience to hire a new grad NP these days. Any advice, or suggestions please.

Thanks

I passed the AGNP exam and now am seeking work. There are three NP schools in my area so I am not sure what to do. I have considered moving but that is hard too in that I do not know where I'd like to live. Gotta start somewhere.

Would you guys even consider starting at Ideal Image? I am just not getting any bites from any jobs I have applied for.

Hi, in December I graduated with honors from the ACNP program at the #1 ranked school of nursing in the nation, and I have applied for over 50 jobs, had 5 interviews, and only one offer (from a place that lost 80% of its providers over the course of a few months, always a bad sign, so I turned it down).

Only 1/3 of my classmates have found jobs, and every single one of them works for the same institution they worked for all the way through school. I worked full time through my program and still work in the same job as a nurse, so I do have a job, but it's not an NP job, and and it doesn't pay enough for me to pay back my loans.

i'm feeling very discouraged and wondering if I made a huge mistake. The only NP job open at my current institution is a primary care job. The only calls I get from recruiters are for urgent care clinics, where I cannot work because I can't see kids.

I am applying now for a post-master's FNP certificate program. Hoping that having both (in another 18 months) might actually set me up to be employable.

It has been my experience that the employers looking for ACNP's do not want to invest in training new grads. They all want experience as a provider, so 5 years as a nurse seems to count for nothing. This seems to be somewhat less the case in primary care, from what I can tell.

Specializes in Mental Health.

Just curious which geographical areas were you looking for jobs in?

Hi in December I graduated with honors from the ACNP program at the #1 ranked school of nursing in the nation, and I have applied for over 50 jobs, had 5 interviews, and only one offer (from a place that lost 80% of its providers over the course of a few months, always a bad sign, so I turned it down). Only 1/3 of my classmates have found jobs, and every single one of them works for the same institution they worked for all the way through school. I worked full time through my program and still work in the same job as a nurse, so I do have a job, but it's not an NP job, and and it doesn't pay enough for me to pay back my loans. i'm feeling very discouraged and wondering if I made a huge mistake. The only NP job open at my current institution is a primary care job. The only calls I get from recruiters are for urgent care clinics, where I cannot work because I can't see kids. I am applying now for a post-master's FNP certificate program. Hoping that having both (in another 18 months) might actually set me up to be employable. It has been my experience that the employers looking for ACNP's do not want to invest in training new grads. They all want experience as a provider, so 5 years as a nurse seems to count for nothing. This seems to be somewhat less the case in primary care, from what I can tell.[/quote']

I feel your pain and it IS discouraging and downright depressing some days. But you only graduated 2 months ago, right? For me, things have been moving at a snail's pace. I've been searching now for 5 months, been on 5 interviews with no offers. Only recently have I honed in on what I actually want to do (Surgical NP, I'm an OR nurse currently) so I'm hoping this newfound enthusiasm and willingness to learn, and take a pay cut if necessary if said job is willing to train, will be attractive to employers. It's getting increasingly difficult to answer "Have you found a job yet?!" to my coworkers.

But what can we do but apply away! Ask friends/acquaintances and it will happen, eventually. I have a WHNP friend who just landed her dream job after graduating a year ago, so don't lose hope.

I am in the same boat,. They want FNPs ( I do not think they really know the difference as FNP seems to have become generic for NPs), only experienced ones at that, and also require us to do hospitalist work too. I did not go to school to work in a hospital, plus it makes me feel like we are here only to serve the docs doing the work they do not want to do such as rounds etc. In other words be an extender. I also wonder if they still need RNs so much we are only another herd to draw from. I hope I am wrong but I sort of doubt it. I know what area my passion is in and how much of an asset I actually would be in that area, but for the ones I have tried, they do not have the money right now. I have thought about developing a position and presenting to those facilities as they will not think of it themselves. I have also written a protocol for my area of interest and hope to either get it published or present it to one of those facilities/Centers I like and develop and apply it there. I'd like a mentor though which usually is the ones you work with. Also, one ANP wrote a proposal and presented it to the Asst Living facility and now is there full time. We have to get creative and set ourselves apart!

Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.
I feel your pain and it IS discouraging and downright depressing some days. But you only graduated 2 months ago right? For me, things have been moving at a snail's pace. I've been searching now for 5 months, been on 5 interviews with no offers. Only recently have I honed in on what I actually want to do (Surgical NP, I'm an OR nurse currently) so I'm hoping this newfound enthusiasm and willingness to learn, and take a pay cut if necessary if said job is willing to train, will be attractive to employers. It's getting increasingly difficult to answer "Have you found a job yet?!" to my coworkers. But what can we do but apply away! Ask friends/acquaintances and it will happen, eventually. I have a WHNP friend who just landed her dream job after graduating a year ago, so don't lose hope.[/quote']

I was in your position two years ago. I took a position at a lower salary to get the first assisting experience. Send out resumes/inquiries to every surgeon in your area of interest. I guarantee you that you'll get a call back!

I've been out of school since 2011 and am still working as an RN. Not because the pay is good (RNs here don't make anywhere near $40 an hour) but because of the saturated market. I've heard recuiters say Tennessee is the worst state for saturation. This is why I am having to leave part of my family behind and go for an interview in South Caolina.

Be sure and check the Practice Act in that state because you can be very limited in ability to practice. I am in NC and was from Ga. Neither seems to be supportive of NPs and being able to practice as educated and capable. I'd consider moving north, and if I found the position I really wanted and who would take a new grad, I would without question. Good luck.

I've been out of school since 2011 and am still working as an RN. Not because the pay is good (RNs here don't make anywhere near $40 an hour) but because of the saturated market. I've heard recuiters say Tennessee is the worst state for saturation. This is why I am having to leave part of my family behind and go for an interview in South Caolina.[/quote

How did your interview go Mountainaire?

I haven't gone yet. I go next Monday. They did pay for a nice motel room for me for two nights but I am having to drive down there. I really hope it works out and that getting a license in SC won't be too much of a hassle.

SC is part of the Multistate compact. Are you in a compact state? If so, you can use your RN license there but will have to do what their BON says re the NP. They all vary as you know. I moved from Ga to NC and had to use reciprocity which was not difficult, but start the process now even if you do not take it. Also, in case you haven't done this, contact your Certifying body and ask them to notify SC BON of your status with them. This may cut some of the time out of your being able to start work. I had an interview where they thought my past nursing experienced would account for no NP experience, but that was not true for me. Good luck.

+ Add a Comment