New Nurse Job Hunt- Feeling inadequate

[VanessaP8]

Hello all, this is my first time posting to this website. I graduated with my BSN in august 2019, and since then I haven't started my job hunt because of a family situation. I completed my ADN in december 2017 and passed NCLEX in February 2018, so it has been a LONG time since I practiced basic nursing skills. I am able to begin my job hunt now, but since it has been so long since I did real nursing skills, I feel very inadequate as a nurse, and I feel like if I began a job I would look stupid since it has been so long since my ADN program and I will be slower than other more experienced nurses. I am afraid that I won't do well during an interview either, if they ask me about my nursing knowledge/ experience. Especially with the COVID19 crisis, I fee like everyone will be stressed too, to deal with a struggling new nurse. Any advice or reassurance? I almost feel scared to go into the nurse field because of where I am at as a nurse.

[scrubs521]

Hi there! Don't give up, there's always hope. I graduated in December 2019 and have been looking aggressively since then with a few interviews but no luck yet. I know the job hunt can be very demoralizing ?

For me, I just tell myself that it's not about me and that ultimately I will find the job that's meant for me. Also, we're living through an economic downturn AND a pandemic, so a lack of jobs in general really isn't anyone's fault.

It sounds like you're worried about having taken a break before looking for jobs. If anything I've learned from groups like RN Interview Tools on facebook (highly recommend), it's all about how you tell your story. I think if you communicate to recruiters clearly how you had a difficult family situation, and maybe even explained how you made it through/how it has informed your nursing practice, this time off can even be an asset for you.

Best of luck to you and hang in there!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Look at dialysis clinics, or inpatient dialysis (acute). You use assessement skills, and it can be a good place to start. Good luck on your hunt!

[Enarra, BSN, RN]

Study up your fundamentals book and relearn your meds because some interviews throw a med test on you and if you fail that’s it. I’d even go further and review medssurg book. And keep applying for job use NCLEX testing apps to figure where you’re weak on so can focus studying . Best of luck