Nobody told me that after graduation...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

...It would be THIS difficult to find a nursing position.

My story..

I decided to pursue nursing about 5 years ago when I felt a great tug on my heart that this is the field where I belong. I'm pretty sure its what I was born to do...I feel it in my bones.

So I did something "courageous" or stupid rather - I quit my fairly good job with the city to attend nursing school.

Ok backing up a bit. At the time I was shopping around for schools, there were great debates about ASN vs BSN and top (name brand) schools vs regular not-so-name-brand schools. So in my pride and my ignorance, I decided that I wanted to go to a reputable institution. One whose name is recognized throughout the country, thinking that this would give me some kind of advantage. WRONG.

So upon acceptance, they recommended that the students should not work during the program. I worked during my first semester because I needed to eat and pay my rent...had no choice. I struggled. So during my second semester and beyond, I didn't work which mean't taking out extra loan money in order to survive.

I graduated! Hallelujah! But nobody told me that:

- the fact that I did not have an externship during school was going to tremendously hurt me and make me undesirable to employers

- male nurses were favored over female nurses (the male students in my class had jobs BEFORE they graduated. I know some of them through school, and I must say that I will not feel comfortable letting them take care of my family members. So the fact that they get hired faster simply because they are male, something is wrong with that picture)

- I would have $100k in student debt - for a Bachelor's degree that means nothing if you have NO EXPERIENCE.

- I would possibly have to move to another state - leaving my life behind - in order to get experience

- The name brand school means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and does more harm $$$ than good.

- There is abolutely NO nursing shortage in my city. If there is, its not that serious or detrimental since the competition for nursing positions are pretty fierce.

- I would be paying $1038.00 per month for 10 years in student debt (unless I find a job that's willing to pay for a portion of it)

To add insult to injury, I failed the NCLEX for the first time (after doing fairly well in school) due to the stress of being unemployed and having every other door shut in my face. I'm now preparing to take classes to take it a second time...it can't get any worse than this.

I don't mean to sound whiny or bitter, but I should have taken the "cheap" route and go for my ASN then work on my BSN while working. However, they're cutting back on the ASN programs in my city (Philadelphia) for several reasons, but this is causing nursing education to be a lot more expensive (that was sort of a side note). I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'm unemployed and it is such a dark place to be in. I'm either over qualified or under qualified for jobs. I'm looking for Tech positions while studying for the NCLEX but I'm even having a hard time with that because of "no experience." Its absolutely ridiculous.

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Yes I've already considered moving to another state as hard as that will be for me...I'm prepared to make that sacrifice. But boy oh boy...a huge part of me regret the last 4 years of my life when it comes to my choices with my education...so whoever's out there reading this, learn from my mistakes.

Sorry to hear this, but yes this is the reality.

I sense a tad of prejudice here.

I'm not saying that I won't want them to take care of my family members because of their gender...I'm saying due to what I know about some of them personally...character wise...I'll be uncomfortable. Males getting hired for positions such as the ER right out of nursing school isn't a coincidence. I understand the need, but it is unfair to hire someone based solely on their gender. That's all I'm saying...no prejudice here :-)

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I'm not saying that I won't want them to take care of my family members because of their gender...I'm saying due to what I know about some of them personally...character wise...I'll be uncomfortable. Males getting hired for positions such as the ER right out of nursing school isn't a coincidence. I understand the need, but it is unfair to hire someone based solely on their gender. That's all I'm saying...no prejudice here :-)

Thank you for the clarification. In retrospect, I was a bit out of line to make that assumption. I'm occasionally told I don't 'belong' in Nursing because of my gender, so perhaps I let some of my annoyance with the gender thing get the best of me, in the wrong way.

I apologize for my previous comment.

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I suggest that now you've gotten that off your chest you print it out and put it away somewhere you won't find it for about five years. I'll bet you'll pull it out then and read it and laugh.

I also agree with the attitude check. It shows when you interview and even whenyou write or call. Seriously work to change this. Then you will start to see some things-- they may be small things, but don't get crabby about that-- fall your way.

Time will pass.

Note: to get full impact of this message, it should display in Comic Sans, green. Thank you.

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I'm not saying that I won't want them to take care of my family members because of their gender...I'm saying due to what I know about some of them personally...character wise...I'll be uncomfortable. Males getting hired for positions such as the ER right out of nursing school isn't a coincidence. I understand the need, but it is unfair to hire someone based solely on their gender. That's all I'm saying...no prejudice here :-)
I agree, it's not completely fair, but it's reality. In many settings being physically stronger is a plus. I think that's why settings like the ER, corrections and psych hospitals tend to favor male nurses slightly.
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Oh trust me love...I did do the research. What I found was that there is a nursing shortage. I guess I apologize for being frustrated? I'm pretty much open to working in nursing homes as well as moving miles away from my family...how might you suggest I change my attitude? What kind of attitude should I have? All I'm saying is that I wish I had a little more guidance concerning my choices. I even came on here under an other name to seek guidance before I enrolled. I was open to any and all suggestions...Also, if you read my entire post you would see that I did apply for tech positions and I'm still doing so. I'm not giving up...but I am at a point where I do feel slightly frustrated and discouraged...or am I not allowed to feel that way?

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Of course you're allowed...that's no problem. I think that some of the reactions you're seeing here, though, are the result of alot of people being frustrated by the multitude of posts so very similar to yours: new grads who are saying exactly the same things you are, and they ALL want everyone to give them the pat-on-the-back, cheer-up-it'll-work-out speech that's already been done so many times.

Some of the responses you've gotten is because your situation isn't unique, and people get frustrated at how often it's presented as "news".

But since it's news to YOU.....hang in there. It'll work out :)

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In the OP's defense, the whole "shortage! shortage!" thing is still being trumpeted everywhere you look. Schools, the media, Dept. of Labor, etc. You really have to dig hard and/or go to a hospital and talk to real Nurses to learn that it's been bullsh|t for over a decade now.

I can see why so many people have this starry-eyed impression that they do. I did once also.

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Certainly, you're entitled to feel this way.... but it won't do you much good. I suggest to broaden your job search to include more "outside the box" RN jobs. Did you try dialysis clinics? Corrections? Urgent care centers? Substance abuse programs like the Salvation Army hire nurses to run their medication dispensaries. If you apply for the same jobs all the other new grads are applying for, well, you'll be lost in the shuffle. If you branch out to other jobs, you'll have less competition. Good luck.

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Oh trust me love...I did do the research. What I found was that there is a nursing shortage. I guess I apologize for being frustrated? I'm pretty much open to working in nursing homes as well as moving miles away from my family...how might you suggest I change my attitude? What kind of attitude should I have? All I'm saying is that I wish I had a little more guidance concerning my choices. I even came on here under an other name to seek guidance before I enrolled. I was open to any and all suggestions...Also, if you read my entire post you would see that I did apply for tech positions and I'm still doing so. I'm not giving up...but I am at a point where I do feel slightly frustrated and discouraged...or am I not allowed to feel that way?

Feel any way you want! People who want to be smug usually haven't been in dire circumstances and can't understand.

I have to say, when you have people saying to you constantly "Oh there are ALWAYS nursing jobs" you tend to think finding a job that will be easy. What people don't understand is that the plentiful jobs aren't for NEW GRADS.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Oh trust me love...I did do the research. What I found was that there is a nursing shortage.
Oh my. You can't have done any research on AN.com. You would have learned immediately that the nursing shortage is a myth perpetuated by the media.
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Thank you so much...more than willing to move! Yes. Def going to focus on passing the NCLEX as well as seeking out some volunteer opportunities in schools or maybe clinics. Good suggestion...I'll def try this...

Maybe I should have put a disclaimer before the post.

This post was just me venting my frustration. I am in no way going to go on any interview and say any of these things lol. Silly rabbits:-)

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All the suggestions on here are actually really good. They are things I haven't thought about and will look into:) PS...I'm not a US citizen so I can't join the military (tried that lol)...looked into Dialysis and they want experience as well. But everything you all suggested sounds good. Thanks again...and sorry for the bad attitude...really:-)

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