No one will give me a chance

[KEELER]

I'm a new nurse, all I want is a chance to make a difference and my opportunity to help others! I just want to vent and share an experience.

I am smart, confident, strong, hard working, motivated, goal oriented, fun, friendly, kind, humble, loving, respectful, a compassionate but all of these things means nothing to an employer if you don't interview well. I have perfectly fine communication skills... until I'm sitting in front of an interviewer, spot light is on me and I feel the pressures of the whole world on me and my anxiety kicks in and then I'm left looking incompetent lacking confidence and any kind of knowledge for that matter. I don't buckle under pressure or have problems dealing with stress, if I did I wouldn't be there fighting through the interview... I'm not a quitter!! For so long I have beaten myself up and I would ask "What's wrong with me?" I know I would be a great nurse, employee, peer, whatever I need to be... if someone would look past my interview abilities and flaws and see the potential that's so excitedly but patiently awaiting an opportunity within me!

I'm the listening type not the talker type, I like to observe not make a scene.... these are the qualities I would want my nurse to have also!

I strongly believe in individualized care and patient advocacy provided through team work, those are the most important things to me as a new nurse! If I keep those as my priorities then everything else considered to be excellent care is included.

It has been a rough emotional journey not being welcomed and accepted into your career that you worked so hard for. To not be able to find work after going through nerve-racking interviews is heart breaking. I promise I will not give up as long as you promise to not give up and to not let your passion die before you even get a chance to start it!!!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I take the lowest dose of Propanalol for public speaking/high stress situations. It shuts down the performance anxiety/fight or flight adrenalin surge. Talk to you doc. No shame in it. A physical reaction. The only other thing I advise is doing "rehearsals".

[marjoriejoy]

It will give you a chance maybe is not for you. Relax and when your in front of them, just think there are only your friends who's asking you questions :)

[KEELER]

CrunchRN

Thank you for your kind comment, I do realize something needs to change. I have practiced for hours upon hours and researched interview questions to better prepare my own personal experiences and honest and genuine answers but nothing seems to help when I'm at the actual interview, so I do really appreciate your suggestion and I will definitely talk to my doctor about this and see if this helps!!! Thank you so much!!!!

[CaffeinePOstat]

Think of all the positives, and it's clear that you have already and you know you're an intelligent and competent fit to be a nurse. Yes, the nerves can get the best of everyone and you seem to be aware of your barriers ,which is a great step in overcoming them.

Many people are still struggling to get one call for an interview, and you have already received call backs which indicates employers see your potential. You seem very confident in your abilities, now you just need to practice channeling that confidence during your interviews.

Practise out loud with others beforehand, perhaps record yourself to review how your body language comes across.

Before each interview, take deep breaths and smile! :) I know it's hard, but don't let the interviewer intimidate you, try to think of the interview as a normal conversation. Answer honestly and genuinely. I think they prefer genuine answers over polished and over reheorificed responses.

Best of luck! You can do it!

[marjoriejoy]

Very well said! If they can do it you can do it! and think about the bills your going to pay. goodluck!

[sourapril]

How long has it been since you passed NCLEX?

[KEELER]

I passed the Nclex Febuary 2nd 2013 its creeping up on a year fast!

[KEELER]

Thank you CaffienePOstat

(I love your username by the way)

Intimidation is exactly what's going on here and the more I feel the need to impress the worse impression of myself I give. But there is a deeper story behind my initial post: During the short time of my last two semester of nursing school I lost my brother to metastatic colon cancer, my grandfather to complications of diabetes, and my father to a massive stroke it was a devastating and traumatic experience and when I get in front of an interviewer I try so hard for that pain and weakness not to show through on my face but whenever they stare at me I feel as if they can plainly see it (even if they cant) and so I feel vulnerable and the nursing questions don't help and just thinking about caring for others brings back those memories this adds to my awkwardness and seemingly poor communication skills.

Even though that experience is exactly what makes me want to care for others even more, its so hard to channel that passion into a normal conversation that will show I'm the nurse they want above everyone else who has their stuff together!! But you're right there has to be a way I can use these things to my advantage I just have to figure it out!

You all are a great support and I really do appreciate the time your taking to write to me and give me words of wisdom!!!

[KEELER]

Thanks marjoriejoy You're like my virtual cheerleader

[sourapril]

Have you tried home health, flu/wellness clinic? I once worked for a Maxim flu clinic as a new grad. They didn't even interview me. I just showed them my license and I was hired.

[RN_stucky621]

Home health, flu clinic, snf, assisted living, etc....there are plenty of opportunities in nursing. Yes, those aren't acute care settings but it could still provide you invaluable experience (and not show a gap in you resume)