New Nurse with no job prospects

[GamerGal]

Hello,

I'd like to first preface this by saying this is one of the hardest things I will ever post because it is a bit humiliating. But I am lost as to what I should do, and I'm starting to feel hopeless about my nursing career.

I graduated with my MSN (as part of the Entry-Level program--meaning, I had no prior nursing experience before earning my masters degree). After graduating in 2016, I accepted my first job into a new grad program, however I was forced to leave my position without completion because my supervisors did not feel I was progressing as they expected. I took 3 months off to look for another job, and found a per diem outpatient position that allowed me to work for 6 months. I should state that in that Outpatient position, I did not have any direct patient care, as the position transitioned into clinical research, so my patient assessment skills were not being used. Needless to say, at this point, I feel like I need to start all over again. However, I am now being overlooked for New Grad positions, as I have more than 6 months experience, and have been out of school for 2 years.

My question is: What are my career options at this point? No hospitals want me, and I'm afraid that my skills have atrophied to the point that I would not be able to work safely in a clinical setting. I would love to do Research Nursing, although it seems most positions require more clinical nursing experience than I currently have. My greatest fear is that I may never work as an RN again. Please help. Thank you for any advice you may provide.

-GG

[AceOfHearts<3]

LTC, SNF, LTACH, rehab, HH, etc. There are more jobs than hospital jobs. You get a job somewhere else, get some experience, and once you have your 1+ year of experience AND are comfortable you can look for a hospital job. A hospital job is not the only type of bedside nursing and is not the only nursing job that gives you clinical experience.

Good luck!

[GamerGal]

And what if I decided not to do any kind of clinical nursing? What if I wanted to do Research or change to a different type of patient-centered care, such as Nurse Aesthetician? I was advised to get my Cosmetology License, take an IV Cert class, and then approach Med Spas. I realize I do need more clinical experience, in general, however with settings such as was suggested above (LTC, SNF, etc), while I greatly appreciate the input, my concern is that I would not be able to work safely in such a high-paced, high nurse/patient ratio setting. Any other suggestions?