Here are some notes (to self) on the Job Search process and some thoughts and feelings as a new grad. Please share your own!
1. Get over your anger/frustration/disappointment that the "nursing shortage" turns out to be largely overblown. Accept the fact that nobody owes you a job as a new grad and hospitals are free to set whatever criteria for employment they want. Move on and deal with the job situation as is.
2. Don't compare your situation to others. Don't get too worked up because this one said they got a job in the specialty of their choice even before graduation, and that one said they were looking for a year with no luck. There are so many different variables in play -- their location, experiences, connections, etc. Your only concern is YOUR chances and YOUR situation.
3. Don't let anyone diminish your difficulties and make it sound like if you "just" did this or that you'd find a job easily. "Just move to a different city." "Just have a professional redo your resume." "Just volunteer for a while." "Just be open to different shifts/LTC/SNF" etc. etc. Not to say that you shouldn't take any good suggestion seriously, but face it, the job market is tough and "just" doing this, that or the other is not going to assure you of a job. Don't bother defending yourself to those people -- only you know or need to know what you've done, what you're doing and what you still need to do.
4. Do something job-search related EVERY DAY. Whether it's make calls, fill out online applications, volunteer, go to job fairs -- don't let a single day go by without taking action on your own behalf.
5. Get out of the house. Go to nursing-related events and activities in your area. Maybe there are lectures, CE's, open houses, meetings, even political action. If there is nothing, start something. Call some former classmates or nursing friends and get together. Interacting with other nurses in a professional arena will get you some exposure and connections that may lead to a job. And even if it doesn't... some good might still come out of it.
6. Focus on the good that you CAN do with your nursing license, even if you're not getting paid for it (yet). Think of the difference you dreamed of making some day as an RN, and go out and do it NOW. Don't wait for life to start once you have a job. Your life is now.
7. Keep positive. It's so easy to start to feel down, regret ever going to nursing school, regret being born... well, when you're unemployed, it's unfortunately a short road from negative thoughts to depression and total dysfunctionality. You can't afford to go that route. Yes, you will find a job. Yes, you are talented, intelligent, needed and valuable.
8. As long as you have time on your hands... do fun stuff that you will never have time or energy to do once you're employed as an RN. Not necessarily expensive stuff... but the things you enjoy that you keep pushing off. I started creative writing again, which I did very little of during school.
