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 :)
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.[/quote']
Well said truth.
Find that experience outside of a hospital, at best in facilities, if possible. There is a thread out there with people who worked at a SNF/LTC, and got a job at a hospital.
This era if nursing will have people who have their original jobs and nursing as a second job.
I didn't start working under my license until 8 months after; over 1 year after my last acute care/critical care rotation; add that to the fact that my particular job has a not so good reputation with their new grad program, so I left the job; I still had my previous job and continued to work there until I found my current job as a Supervisor at a nursing home. I think my saving grace was that I was a LPN for 7 years; however, my previous experience does not correlate into nursing experience and salary (at least in PA) unless I stay at a job for 1 year. The pluses of my job is assessments, clinical decision making needed for 60 residents; can run the cart for 30 if needed, making assignments and figuring out potential problems and making decisions when residents need additional care; handling doctors and their personalities and supporting and educating employees and making sure residents and support staff can work together (if possible) or providing solutions; I have been working for almost six months. These skills will transition to an acute care job; I have been getting bites of recruitment and recruiters who are interested. My two year experience will be in June 2014; the way my area works, I will get that acute care job again.
Many previous experience has been in home health, Rehab, Sub-Acute Peds-LTC and Medicare review charts and health screenings as a LPN. I found plenty of niches and nursing; I think my previous experience has helped me in this current client to a) realized nursing has many avenues that skills and nursing knowledge can be built upon and transferred, and b) use each opportunity to help get the experience one needs to get that position and niche; even if it is outside of the hospital.
Well said truth. Find that experience outside of a hospital at best in facilities, if possible. There is a thread out there with people who worked at a SNF/LTC, and got a job at a hospital. This era if nursing will have people who have their original jobs and nursing as a second job. I didn't start working under my license until 8 months after; over 1 year after my last acute care/critical care rotation; add that to the fact that my particular job has a not so good reputation with their new grad program, so I left the job; I still had my previous job and continued to work there until I found my current job as a Supervisor at a nursing home. I think my saving grace was that I was a LPN for 7 years; however, my previous experience does not correlate into nursing experience and salary (at least in PA) unless I stay at a job for 1 year. The pluses of my job is assessments, clinical decision making needed for 60 residents; can run the cart for 30 if needed, making assignments and figuring out potential problems and making decisions when residents need additional care; handling doctors and their personalities and supporting and educating employees and making sure residents and support staff can work together (if possible) or providing solutions; I have been working for almost six months. These skills will transition to an acute care job; I have been getting bites of recruitment and recruiters who are interested. My two year experience will be in June 2014; the way my area works, I will get that acute care job again. Many previous experience has been in home health, Rehab, Sub-Acute Peds-LTC and Medicare review charts and health screenings as a LPN. I found plenty of niches and nursing; I think my previous experience has helped me in this current client to a) realized nursing has many avenues that skills and nursing knowledge can be built upon and transferred, and b) use each opportunity to help get the experience one needs to get that position and niche; even if it is outside of the hospital.[/quote']
I would also like to add that my employer has been a great nursing ground to transfer into acute care nursing; I know of a percentage of nursing mangers and a great percentage of nurses who have worked at my employer for a year where they are working at Level I hospitals. At least in my area, it is possible.
It also depends on the nurse manager. I suspect it is your "old(er) school" managers who have superiority issues and don't want to hire anyone who comes from an LTC. However, Some do realize that the acuity levels are higher now and they will actually get some good hires with nurses who have previously worked LTC/subacute rehab. IMO there are a lot of transferable skills. But then, it also would depend on how much competition you are up against.
Thanks so much for this information! I'm more than willing to move (although moving from a place like Philadelphia to Arkansas sounds really intimidating especially alone and without a vehicle). I will do some research to see what that process would look like. Philadelphia is def not a good place for new grads. Its the total opposite of what's going on in AK. There are at least 6 nursing schools/schools with nursing programs in the city, so its extremely competitive. Most of my graduating class had to move. But thanks a bunch for the info. Its good to know there are still places that actually need nurses.
Thanks so much for this information! I'm more than willing to move (although moving from a place like Philadelphia to Arkansas sounds really intimidating especially alone and without a vehicle). I will do some research to see what that process would look like. Philadelphia is def not a good place for new grads. Its the total opposite of what's going on in AK. There are at least 6 nursing schools/schools with nursing programs in the city so its extremely competitive. Most of my graduating class had to move. But thanks a bunch for the info. Its good to know there are still places that actually need nurses. [/quote']
There is another poster here on Allnurses who was claiming that where she worked in PA there were a lot of RN openings (and taking new grads) but that Philadelphia was difficult. I can try to find that thread if you want.
Its not my resume. I don't understand...can you please explain? One nurse manager told me I have no concept of "time management". She said private duty homecare esp was the one that had no concept of time managementeven though we have to give meds at certain times.[/quote']
Some nurse managers may assume this; it is up to your to enlighten what aspects of timeliness is imperative to your patient especially if you work with trach/vent patients; you have to be able to sell the counter argument of a hiring professionals doubts in order to be consider and get a position...at least I have been able to.
Can you tell all these unemployed nurses where to get experience? Where to apply, which hospitals are hiring? I'm sure they would love to pay their dues and their bills too.
I can't tell you how many times I've gone to work and have worked short. It makes no sense to me. Employers are worried about patient satisfaction. Well guess what step 1 is to have a fully staffed floor so when those call lights go off someone is available to answer them.
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.
We both graduated about the same time - when nursing jobs for new grads became scarce. I had to move for my first nursing job. I commute 3 hours each week for my current nursing job.
I graduated with over $70,000 in student loans, so I know pressure.
The difference between us and those who throw in the towel is largely attitude and perseverance. A new grad can dwell in negativity due to the genuine hardship finding a job or make his or her own way and create success.
Nowadays in the work world once you have a job as a nurse, you no longer are able to stand for your personal rights and allow your mannerisms (good or bad) to be known. Hospitals are picky, jobs are becoming more scarce with the Obama care effects.
Hospitals have employees that have worked there for years on years, and frankly the newcomers with their dreams and happiness and hope to make friends with fellow nurses are all a mere fantasy. The long-time nurses are all friends, the newer nurses are not considered qualified candidates for their exclusive group, and ultimately the new ones become the targets of scrutiny and gossip.
Newcomers are better off keeping their head down, doing their work, speaking when spoken to, and DOING THEIR JOB. The best way to ensure job satisfaction and continue to grow and learn professionally in your position is to stay distant. Being friendly is one thing, but initiating these things will lead to demise.
My message here is that when you do land a job, stay true to your nursing practice and profession, focus on what you're really there to do: help patients to get better, and do what is expected of you. These are simple things that make life easier, no drama and no worrying about finding trouble. If you fly under the radar, the people who are always looking to bring others down by defamation won't see you down there. I don't put myself near any lines of fire or danger zones.
, and 2. Because of my current situation.
and supporting and educating employees and making sure residents and support staff can work together (if possible) or providing solutions; I have been working for almost six months. These skills will transition to an acute care job; I have been getting bites of recruitment and recruiters who are interested. My two year experience will be in June 2014; the way my area works, I will get that acute care job again. Many previous experience has been in home health, Rehab, Sub-Acute Peds-LTC and Medicare review charts and health screenings as a LPN. I found plenty of niches and nursing; I think my previous experience has helped me in this current client to a) realized nursing has many avenues that skills and nursing knowledge can be built upon and transferred, and b) use each opportunity to help get the experience one needs to get that position and niche; even if it is outside of the hospital.[/quote']
especially alone and without a vehicle). I will do some research to see what that process would look like. Philadelphia is def not a good place for new grads. Its the total opposite of what's going on in AK. There are at least 6 nursing schools/schools with nursing programs in the city, so its extremely competitive. Most of my graduating class had to move. But thanks a bunch for the info. Its good to know there are still places that actually need nurses. 
LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN
8,429 Posts