New NP Struggling to find a job

[NewNP620]

Hello everyone,

I am getting pretty discouraged. I completed a direct-entry NP program in 2014. I have 2 children, my youngest was born the first day of my final semester of graduate school. I did not take time off and graduated on time. After graduation I took a couple months off and then I started working as a RN. I wanted to work as a RN while in school but was unable to find a position. After working as a staff RN for a year and passing my boards (AG-ACNP) I started applying to positions this past June. To date I have interviewed for 5 positions and no offers. I had 2nd and 3rd interviews at two of the hospitals but never got an offer. Most recently I went for 3 rounds of interviews over 2 months. My 3rd interview was with the chief and afterwards I never heard from them. That was a month ago. My feedback up until that point had all been really positive. I also made the rookie mistake of not applying anywhere else over those 2 months because it seemed like a perfect fit.

Has anyone else experienced this much difficulty? I graduated at the top of my class. My first degree was in biology and I graduated summa cum laude with a distinction. I did let it slip that I have 2 children in the most recent interview, but I honestly didn't think it would count against me! Just looking for some words of wisdom and encouragement.

Thank you in advance!