Nurses who can't find work.

[JesusKeepMe]

Hello everyone, hope everyone is well.

Im writing this post so that I can 1. Send PM's , and 2. Because of my current situation.

So like you all, I thought there was a nursing shortage, wanted to heal the world one individual at a time, amd went through the torture of nursing school...come one, you know nursing school was HORRIBLE! Anyhow, 3 years out of school, and I cant land a decent paying job. I make less than a new grad at my current job. Ive sent out many applications, but all Ive gotten is no each time thus far. I've considered getting out of nursing as we say. Thought about working for Cerner, doing entry level consulting, marketing, real estate....but Im a nurse at heart, Ive found my identity in being an RN.

I guess my question to you nurses who are out of work, or those forced to take drastic pay cuts is this, how do you cope with being out of work? Did you get out of the profession, did you stop looking for work...I would love to hear your stories, Im sure others in the same situation would love to as well. Thanks :)

Pardon typos please...typing on a phone.

[SleeepyRN]

I am living proof that even working at a hospital doesn't guarantee a job out of school. I worked at a large teaching hospital for SIX years as a Unit Secretary. Always had great job evaluations and well liked..I NEVER once thought in nursing school that I wouldn't have a job..no way. Then close to graduation came and got a sorry no jobs. Yet the few jobs they had went to a few of my classmates who never had a job in their lives. HR at my hospital never returned my calls..only telling me there is no nursing shortage when I did get one. I was shown the door after six years and told to return when I get experience. I really don't get it. When you are an employee I would think they should be considered first for jobs before an outsider who never worked a day in their life! I still don't get it.

I completely agree that current employees in good standing should get first dibs. I worked as a patient care tech for 3 years at a local hospital, but I quit a few months before graduation :/ I actually remember there was a pct who worked there even though she was an RN, just waiting for a spot to open. Sad sad sad

[CrossCountryRN2008]

This thread scares me as a student hoping to start my adn program here in CT. I have the thoughts in my head of why bother there aren't a lot of jobs, the load is ridiculous, and lets be honest, not going to get better with the new healthcare. I work at two jobs as a cna so I am hopeful they would hire me, but nothing is ever guaranteed. Job searches here for rn' s turn up mostly LTC/SNF, but even those want experience. I personally think there are way too many programs turning out too many grads too fast.[/quote']

If you are cna there the facility may take you as a new grad. It is how I got a job and now work in a hospital

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I was an ER volunteer during nursing school. Most of the ER techs were nursing students. The hospital did not allow nurses to work below their license. If you hadn't secured an internal job by the time you took the NCLEX, you lost your job the day you got your license. A lot of ER techs lost their jobs in 2008.

My genuine condolences to those in this situation.

I was precariously close to being there myself.

Fortunately, I landed an acute-care job 210 miles from home for lousy pay in a glorified SNF/critical access hospital and was able to parlay that into a micro-ER then a tiny ER and now a large, urban ER (with all the pay and experience that go with it).

If you have any nursing job, be glad... and keep working to learn, grow, and move on. It took me three years but it did work out.

Beyond that, I have no false hope to offer.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

This thread scares me as a student hoping to start my adn program here in CT. I have the thoughts in my head of why bother there aren't a lot of jobs, the load is ridiculous, and lets be honest, not going to get better with the new healthcare. I work at two jobs as a cna so I am hopeful they would hire me, but nothing is ever guaranteed. Job searches here for rn' s turn up mostly LTC/SNF, but even those want experience. I personally think there are way too many programs turning out too many grads too fast.[/quote']

IMO a lot of people should be questioning whether nursing school is the right path. Some things to think about

1). Are you willing to relocate? There seems to be more jobs in rural areas, lower paying states. It is understandable that this is not an option for some.

2). Family commitments - They come first (especially your kids). You now have fewer jobs to choose from and some come along with expectations that can seriously compromise your ability to care for your kids (if you have them or are planning on it) Due to the often irregular schedules, finding child care can be difficult - for infants it can be impossible. Most nurses I know have to rely on family members or have spouses that do not work. I personally had to turn down a good job because I couldn't find child care and couldnt afford a private babysitter for my infant.

3). Nursing school (and nursing) requires a high academic caliber as well as strong interpersonal communication skills. Many programs are known for "weeding people out." Be honest with yourself with what your strengths and weaknesses are. Are you competitive enough and have enough self confidence to set yourself above hundreds of other nurses applying for the same job? 4) Healthcare reform - I don't think we know just yet how nurses will be affected. Right now, things don't sound to promising for hospitals.

5). Physical demands- nursing is a difficult job in many aspects - it can ruin your back, knees, elbows, feet. If you already have an orthopedic issue it is bound to get worse. Also, think about how you tolerate working night shifts. Chances are good that is where you end up as a new grad. Some people just can't do it.

Not trying to be pessimistic and there are positive aspects - particularly if you get into a job that is a "good fit." Honestly I wish someone had filled me in before I started nursing school.

[JoI8815]

I'm an old new grad who is currently out of work...my situation looks really gloom because not only am I an old new grad (graduated over a year ago, recently passed the NCLEX on Oct 25th), but I have absolutely NO experience in the medical field. I often feel like there is nothing on my resume that would jump out at employers to make them want to hire me. Currently I work on an on-call basis with a catering company, and when I'm not working, I'm looking for work ...you can only imagine, or maybe identify with, how difficult it is some days.

How do I cope? Well, I'm not sure how many people on here are "religious" or what their beliefs are, but I continue to trust in the Lord. I find my rest, peace and comfort in Him. When I want to vent, I run to Him and I find peace. I know that although my hands are empty, His hands are full and He is able to open doors for me. Yes some days are hard, but I walk in peace regardless of my situation thanks to God. I'm going to keep looking, and praying, and serving where ever I can since I have the time to do so. Volunteering to help others out have a way of taking your mind off of your situation or being thankful by realizing that it could be much worse. I don't intend to get out of the field because I believe whole-heartedly that I was called for this. So quitting is not an option. Be encouraged everyone :)

[SleeepyRN]

So unnecessary. A rush to judgment such as this shows a distinct lack of assessment abilities.

I second that. Why must we as nurses treat each other this way? And yeah, blah blah, other careers have this too. But nursing is OUR career and we should want to be better people than that. Thinking its like that in other jobs (which I hear a lot) is beside the point. It's childish to think "well others do it so we can too." It's time to take pride in nursing again and strive to be well respected. But if we can't even respect each other, we're doomed.

[SleeepyRN]

If you are cna there the facility may take you as a new grad. It is how I got a job and now work in a hospital

And if hired, you would have such an advantage because you know the residents. You wouldn't have to worry about who's who during orientation and you could find the residents more quickly to pass meds, saving time.

[SleeepyRN]

I am right there with you. I graduated with a BSN December 2012, passed my NCLEX in March 2013, have a Pa AND NJ license and cannot find a job anywhere!!! I am starting to lose hope I thought I would have no problem getting into a hospital in Pa. I have had my clinical adjuncts refer me and nurses who loved me on the floors I worked on and...nothing. It's not due mostly in part to inexperience, it is the lack of positions for new to practice nurses. All the positions are for NP's, coordinators, educators, or nurses with 1-3-5 years experience.

I am now a year out of school and feel like I cannot remember anything. I try to keep studying and reading, but I'm a married 36 y/o with 3 boys and BILLS! My husband has his own contracting business and I have become his best painter! Seriously? ***! A painter?! I suffered working f/t while busting my ass in nursing school with a 3.7 GPA and I'm a *******' painter! Who feels like reading after a day of grueling labor! UGH, I am so heartbroken with the fact that I cannot use the knowledge and skills I have obtained. I have applied for everything under the sun. I have just recently contacted the NAVY since they accept ages up to 41. I am waiting for a recruiter to contact me back. In all honesty, what will that get me? I certainly will not be in active duty and part time is only 1 weekend a month and two weeks a year! I seriously do not know what else to do. I have begged, pleaded, cried; everything short of holding a nurse manager hostage, which I have been contemplating... I am now at the point that I am terrified of being contacted because I do not feel like a nurse at all anymore. Everyone says, "Oh just hang in there, it will all come back!" Of course, they didn't have 5 years of information shoved in their brain in 2 short years! It's very disheartening. I was a CNA, but since getting my license, I am no longer eligible.

So obviously, as you can see, I should read up on my coping skills! I go through all the stages of grief everyday and just when I start to think positive again and accept that I am not practicing, I wake up and start all over again. I know exactly how you feel and it's a terrible feeling. I pray that you have since found something. I will keep you in my thoughts and send you best wishes.

I am finished with my rant! And please people, do not criticize me and tell me I'm negative or have a crappy attitude and that's my issue. It is not at all the case. I am a very pleasant person, but like I said, it is very disheartening to not be doing the one thing you worked so hard at to accomplish and struggled through all-nighters, missed football games, Mother's Day tea, and many other important events in my children's lives to have no reward in the end other than a license that has become useless. I am still trying to stay positive and believe the right opportunity will come along when it's ready...one day...hopefully soon, even if it is in the Navy :)

Did you say you have a 2 year degree, or did you do an ABSN. Because to be a nurse in the Navy, you have to have a bachelor's. All of this just plain sucks. I just finally got a job but it seems like nursing homes fire nurses easily :/ I know it's been mentioned before. But we need to have a nursing rally or march and bring this to the news. If I hear one more time when telling people I'm a nurse "Oh that's great for job security!", I think I will snap. So many of these private LTC/SNFs COULD hire more nurses making the ratios more reasonable and create thousands of jobs throughout the country. But no. That money goes into the fat cats' pockets. How do they live with themselves?

[SleeepyRN]

Did you say you have a 2 year degree, or did you do an ABSN. Because to be a nurse in the Navy, you have to have a bachelor's. All of this just plain sucks. I just finally got a job but it seems like nursing homes fire nurses easily :/ I know it's been mentioned before. But we need to have a nursing rally or march and bring this to the news. If I hear one more time when telling people I'm a nurse "Oh that's great for job security!", I think I will snap. So many of these private LTC/SNFs COULD hire more nurses making the ratios more reasonable and create thousands of jobs throughout the country. But no. That money goes into the fat cats' pockets. How do they live with themselves?

BTW, I emphasize with the disheartening feeling of not practicing after the blood, sweat and tears of nursing school. I started to become ashamed and feel like a fraud calling myself a nurse when people asked what I do. I said "I'm a nurse," but a lot of times didn't add that ive only worked 2 months as a nurse over a year ago right after obtaining my license and was now jobless. Im relieved and scared that I finally got a job that I start in a couple days.

[smartnurse1982]

I have one more thing to add.....don't think because you get hired at a Ltc/skilled nursing facility that hopsitals will want to hire you after 1 yr.

Same with home health.

I have 9 yrs experience in Ltc,Sub school nursing,and home health,and have worked on vents,gts,central lines,Tpn,trachs,Ngt's,you nae it.

Guess what? Hospitals won't even touch me with a 10 FT Pole!

[TiredKitten]

After reading this thread, I'm wondering where all the nurses live that can't find jobs. Where I live (Arkansas), we are almost having a shortage. I know several travel nurses that have spent several years here because the hospitals have a hard time filling slots. There is only 3 RN programs in the capital. A hospital diploma program, and the university associate of science and BSN programs. You look in the rest of the state, and there are not that many programs available in the whole state. So we are not churning out lots of grads like other places.

I know it's not always practical to move, but I know a lot of nurses that have moved here (including 2 from UK) because of the available positions. A bonus is the cost of living is pretty low. I'm a Yankee transplant that moved here as an adult, and Arkansas isn't the southern hick state it has a reputation for being. With Walmart headquartered here along with some other big companies, the state actually has a lot to offer.

Here are 4 hospitals in Little Rock that I have RN friends working in that say they are actively hiring. Most were offered jobs as new grads before graduation, the rest had jobs by the time they took the NCLEX. There are a couple more large hospitals, like the VA, UAMS, ETC that have advertised positions, but I don't have any friends working there to know how actively they are hiring. There are also a ton of positions advertised in other areas, like Mercy in Fayetteville/Springdale area, St Edwards in Fort Smith. Pretty much anywhere in the Delta region of the state like Pine Bluff is hiring or the many rural areas (a lot of time with sign on bonus').

Arkansas Children's Hospital

8 RN 1- these are new grad positions. Several specialty ones like surgery and cardio ICU are listed. NICU wasn't listed today, but I've seen it listed most days when I check. And my peds rotation last month had me working with a ton of new grads in their 100 bed NICU.

19 RN 2

6 LPN

Baptist Health (most are the hospital, some are the nursing home or satellite clinics). My OB rotation here a couple months ago had most of the LD nurses I worked with being new grads. I was paired with several that just graduated last May and several others were just 1-2 years.

8 LPN

23 nurse assistant 1 (CNA without license)

5 CNA

61 RN1 new grad positions.

56 RN 2 (12 months experience)

10 specialty nurses like Unit specialization nurse.

Arkansas Heart Hospital

11 RN positions

2 LPN

5 CNA

St Vincent Hospital

141 RN in all states with a St Vincent hospital

132 RN positions in Arkansas St Vincent locations.

33 LPN all in the Arkansas locations.