New nurse grad had a family emergency and now trying to seek first job, one yr later

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 23, 2015

Hopefully I have this in the right forum...
I am looking for any advice dealing with several topics. First, I graduated with my BSN in January 2014. My mother was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in March. I moved back home to be her caretaker for 8 months. During that time I passed my NCLEX (in June). My husband moved back to the states from overseas in October and we relocated to Maryland. I have been putting in applications for several months and still no luck with a job. I feel that because it has been so long since I graduated I am being looked over. One hospital (JHH) after initially offering me an interview, said per hospital policy they don't hire new grads who are six months or more after their graduation date.
So, my question is, should I include something about my family emergency in my cover letter?
My other questions, which may need to be moved to another forum, have to do with (lack of) experience and applying for multiple positions at the same facilities. I live in Baltimore, big city=lots of hopsitals=lots of nurses. Do I apply to every and any position I'm interested in regardless of experience required? Some even specifically state no new grads. Does it look bad that a nurse recruiter will see I have applied for 12 different jobs at their hospital?
I'm feeling lost and discouraged by this whole process. I'm even more confused because there are conflicting posts about whether or not one should try and get a job at a Nursing Home or other non-acute setting. I've looked at these jobs and they mostly require or prefer experience? AAGGH! Any help is greatly appreciated. I am doing another thread on cover letters and resume questions too.

First, let me offer my condolences on the loss of your mother.

Now on to answer at least part of your question. Some people (and employers are people) aren't going to consider eight months to be "A family emergency." You did, and you unselfishly offered your care to your mother. But not everyone will see it that way. To employers, a "family emergency" is "My 8 year old fell off the swing at school and broke his arm. I have to go pick him up and take him to the ER." Or "My father was just taken to the ER with an MI" or "My husband was in an accident on the way to work" or even "Dad just died, and that means Mom is at home on her own she has Stage IV cancer. I have to fly home and set up a living situation for her so she'll get the care she needs." After a certain period of time -- and I don't know what that exact time period is -- it ceases to be "a family emergency" and becomes an ongoing situation. I suspect 8 months crosses that line.

I think it would be unwise to comment upon a "Family Emergency" in your cover letter, as some will immediately conclude "ongoing situation, not emergency". You are certainly free to discuss this situation and how you chose to deal with it personally rather than to get a job when you have an interview.

As far as the withdrawn interview offer from JHH -- it is possible there's something in your social media accounts that they've found objectionable? I'm asking because your avatar on this forum is somewhat unprofessional and yet you are clearly identifiable. It doesn't take much for someone computer savvy who is actually looking to find this forum and connect it with you, and Hopkins has a team of people whose job is to comb the internet for comments by and about employees and potential employees. Most large hospital systems do that these days, as do other employers.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Feb 23, 2015

I agree with RubyVee, I will add, that I do not think applying to more than 1 position will hurt you.

When I graduated 5 yrs ago it took me 9 months of looking to get my 1st full time gig.

I casted a wide net to look for jobs, went door to door essentially with LTC and SNFs until one hired me. Then one large hospital chain I applied to 200 positions within their multi state hospital system until I was hired.

My current employer I applied to about 30 positions before I was hired.

They have multiple recruiters, so no it doesn't hurt to apply

sunrays1981 · Feb 23, 2015

Thank you so much for both of your inputs. My mother is luckily still with us. It has been a difficult journey but she continues her fight with cancer. My brother has also come to help out my parents ( as I also have a special needs brother) so they still have some help at home.

To address some of the responses above, I just added my avatar yesterday which is a picture of me after the color run that our nursing class ran together. I thought it looked more fun but I never considered it unprofessional. Although my facebook is mostly private I previously went thru anything that was public to make sure it wasn't appropriate. I by no means have a crazy lifestyle but I will definitely double check everything just to be safe.

Hearing that you submitted that many applications gives me some relief. I was really worried they would see me as unfocused or not caring about which job I got. I will continue to keep applying. Thanks again for your feedback!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2015

Even though your avatar is from a color run, it's best to have one that does not have your image whatsoever in any form. Anonymity as a nurse is so important these days online. I don't even use my legal name on Facebook as most do, so it is unlikely that I will be found by employers. Even the email address I use on my resume is never linked to Facebook.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

sunrays1981 · Feb 23, 2015

That makes sense. Thank you for your response.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 23, 2015

I know of quite a few well-known hospital systems in many parts of the US that will not hire anyone who graduated >6 months ago without any work experience since then. This is based upon their own analyses of their orientation/onboarding processes. If this turns up on the initial application screening, the process is just stopped. This is not discriminatory because it is applied to 100% of applicants and validated by their own evidence.

My advice? If you discover that this is the case with any potential employer, simply go somewhere else. They aren't going to make an exception for you no matter what your reasons are. Once you get started somewhere else and gain some experience, you will be free to re-apply as an experienced nurse.

sunrays1981 · Feb 23, 2015

Thanks for the reply. I agree with going somewhere else. The bright side is it saves me time since I won't be applying there any longer and I can focus on some place that will.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2015

I have heard of residency programs not accepting new grads more than 6 months post grad, but not new grad jobs that aren't associated with residencies. I find that odd. I do agree with another posted, a family emergency that is that long term wont fly with employers. AYou just moved to Maryland? Employers may be more likely to appreciate "I knew we were being relocated and wanted to wait until I knew where we were going because I didn't want to take a job I knew I wouldn't be in for long.

Apply for every job that doesnt say one year experience (or more)required. It doesn't matter if they are all the same facility, I think I applied for something like 200 jobs in only 3 or 4 hospitals!

VAPrincess1036 · Feb 24, 2015

Sunrays,

I'm in the in Washington DC area so not far from you and this area is tough. It's saturated with nurses from what I've been told by my nurse friends I've made in the area. I recommend going to job fairs as I have seen several in the MD area when looking through jobs on Indeed.com. Also I've seen some new grad residency programs in MD as well and I don't remember reading anything about 6 months post graduation in the job description so you should be ok. I am currently looking for a new job in the area and I'm having a hard time as well. Being a military wife doesn't help because one look at my resume and you know I am leaving in 2-3 years. I've been here since Oct and haven't found anything yet but don't give up! We will find something :-)

sunrays1981 · Feb 24, 2015

Thanks for your response. My husband is military as well. Reservist on active duty but will be off orders in Sept. We plan to stay in the area assuming I find something by then LOL. We live in the city and I was really hoping to find something close that I could walk bike or use public transport. But at this point getting a second car so I can commute will be worth it! I'll check out the job fairs on that website and good luck to you too!

tatfuturern · Mar 7, 2015

my advice is to get cna job work as cna to put some experience on your resume