New Nurse, no job, fairly scared

Nurses Job Hunt

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I just passed my nclex about a month ago. I have been working for a home-health aide agency as an aide for two years and they have taken in my license and given me an RN title. I still mostly do aide work with their clients, mainly because they do not have a new nurse orientation and my incompetence is scaring the crap out of me. I feel unprepared for the responsibilities of an RN, but am applying to all the hospitals within a 1hr driving time to me plus nursing homes in the hopes of getting a job with regular hours and a team of colleagues to help and support me as I try to orient as an RN. I am extremely frustrated that I still have not gotten an interview. I am critiquing my resume and cover letter in the hopes that the revised versions will get more results. Maybe it's just that it is so soon after passing my exam? Or maybe this time of year is not good for new nurses.....please, let me hear some vote of confidence that something will turn up? I'm hoping that when they all send the hard work was worth it, that it actually is.

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I believe it could be attributed to the time of year. There are many new grads out there right now with a limited # of positions open. As for not hearing back from potential employers yet, I am just now starting to hear back from hospitals that I applied to a little over a month ago. The key for me has been persistence and patience.

Good Luck, I hope you find a supportive position soon.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

It's tough out there. I've applied to over 700 positions now. I am working some random per diem stuff through agencies, but like the PP said, it does take time to hear back from stuff. I only got licensed a month ago myself. Keep applying, be persistent, follow up as possible, and don't lose hope.

A couple of the nurses I work with were saying today that November and December seem to be the best time for job searching. I hope they're right, because my flu clinic work will be at it's peak/wrapping up around then! :)

Good luck!

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Thanks for for input. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one having trouble finding something solid. It's just so frustrating b/c all through school word was that this was about the only degree that you could really be sure to have employment after school, besides tech or IT degrees anyway. It's good to know there's a little hope out there, but still disheartening that it might not be until November! Oh well, I suppose steady and stubborn will be the coorifice. Thanks again and good luck to you as well! We will get jobs someday!

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yes many people go into nursing thinking there will always be jobs for me because there are a lot of jobs avaliable. Unfortunetly they only have it half right. True that there is always many job posting for nurses throughout the country everyday. The part that some never know until they start looking for that job is that many of those jobs want the experianced nurses, and I don't believe some really have a good idea about how many nurses apply to just one job posting. Those that there is not a big market out there for the type of career they choose have it hard sometimes when the pickings for their career choice is slim. But it is not any easier when you have a big market like nursing, and there are way more nurses then there are jobs and with being a new grad the market unfortunetly shrinks even more for you as to what jobs you can apply too.

Big hugs to all you nurses that struggle to find a job. Hoping it won't be long before it will be your turn and you do have the job.

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hugs hugs...

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Specializes in MedSurg, PACU, Maternal/Child Health.

in the past few years there have been more RN programs opening however the RN jobs are either the same or a little less with facilities closing. And more jobs are in areas outside the hospital. It is not fair schools are greedy for students however schools see education as a business/money making and don't feel responsible if their graduates cannot get jobs. Sad but true.

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Any insight on the Houston market? I am a few weeks away from my first day of class. Getting nervous about the idea of debt and no job to show for it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Any insight on the Houston market? I am a few weeks away from my first day of class. Getting nervous about the idea of debt and no job to show for it.

Who knows what the economy will be like when you graduate?

One must be willing to network while in school (during clinicals), as well as be prepared to work outside of the hospital setting-nursing is everywhere!

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

It is all about who you know. Get a job in the hospital as a PCT, CNA or extern and you will have infinitely more likelihood of securing employment as an RN after you graduate.

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