Nurses who can't find jobs- vent..

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Hi Everyone,

I decided to come on here and read about how other nurses are in my position. I passed my boards 9/2014 and have applied to about 300 positions. I ended up going back to my job as an admin(great company) at a real estate firm in Boston. I am doing home care per diem which I like, but is not my first choice. So I have income, benefits and extra cash on the side along with personal patient care, I don't know if I should just stay at my job now and try moving up and continue with the per diem home care at this point. I 've pretty much given up on finding a job at a facility or hospital. I have my ADN. If I go back and get my BSN I will have more loans to pay on top of what I already have and still might not find a job!! Ridiculous.... Just a vent ..no negative responses please and thank you:)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Is relocation an option for you at all? Sorry for your struggles, glad you had a fall-back plan. There are some less expensive BSN completion programs that might provide leverage without breaking the bank. Good luck!

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If you've sent out that many applications, I'm guessing that you've applied to nursing homes and long term acute care? There are a lot of schools in the Boston area, and you're competing with a lot of BSN's. I've been out of school a few years but Boston is a tough job market for new grads. How far are you willing to commute? Are you willing to travel? I know one person who lived on the South Shore and commuted to the South Coast area to work at a SNF. It was enough to get her experience that eventually led to a hospital position.

It took me a while to get to where I wanted to be. Even with a BSN, I had to start at a SNF, as did most of my class. If you can manage it, I think a BSN would help. I know we all pass the same boards, but it's what the employers are looking for and would give you a stronger position when job hunting.

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Specializes in ICU.

I live in Texas and I just can't imagine not getting hired after 300 apps.

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Specializes in CCRN.

Have you ever had someone review your resume? I know many places screen resumes and if you don't have the right wording, sometimes you'll never make it to the hiring manager. Also, it may depend on when you are putting out your application versus when local schools have graduating nursing classes. In my area, new graduates come out every December and May, so the market gets flooded around those times with applicants. Maybe try applying in the gaps away from those times. I understand not want to rack up more debt for a field you have been unable to get into. As others have asked, is relocation an option?

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The job market in Boston area is very competitive.

A lot of BSN nurses and that has become the entry level education for most hospitals in that area or is preferred.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I went to nursing school in Boston. I finally found a job after a 10-month job search and a 250-mile move.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
Is relocation an option for you at all? Sorry for your struggles, glad you had a fall-back plan. There are some less expensive BSN completion programs that might provide leverage without breaking the bank. Good luck!

If rural relocation is a potential...we have nursing positions available in south east Texas

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

You might have to relocate. Texas is VERY new grad friendly. Especially in major metropolitan areas such as Dallas and Houston. Also, in most places the pay is really good. Best of luck!

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I work at Dartmouth-Hitchcock in New Hampshire, about three hours from Boston. DHMC prefers BSN nurses, but you could probably get a good job here. They are desperate for nurses and rely on travelers constantly.

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Thank you relocation is not an option. My whole family is here and not in the best health. Family always comes before everything IMO

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A friend of mine who is a recruiter put my resume together. She has 10 yrs experience as a recruiter so I'm not worried about how my resume looks.

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