I am graduating in two months. It took me seven years from the moment I decided to become a nurse to when I started my BSN program. I thought I did everything right. Graduating Summa Cum Laude. Volunteering at every opportunity. Years of job experience in healthcare. Networking. But, I am getting turned down for every job I apply to.
The best advice I could give anyone is not to pursue a career in nursing. I thought I was going to be an awesome nurse. I have the passion, the drive, the compassion, the dedication, the hard work--but that doesn't matter. If you don't have two years experience you can't even get your foot in the door. No one will take you.
I got one job interview but I flunked the "describe a situation where..." questions. The biggest employer in my area requires an electronic "talent" test and if you don't get the right algorithm your application doesn't even make it past HR, so it doesn't matter how hard you work. I regret the moment of "clarity" when I thought nursing was the right thing to do. Me, and thousands and thousands of other naive people who think they're actually going to make a difference in the world.
This is probably the lowest point in my life, and I've been through a lot. I thought I'd finally "made it". I thought I'd pulled myself up by my bootstraps. But I don't see any way out, now. I'm in debt and can't get a job, and neither can many, many other new graduates.
I didn't read the 12 pages of responses so I apologize if I'm repetitive. Have you researched nurse residency programs? When I graduated from nursing school 4 years ago the market felt pretty competitive as well. I googled residency programs, found one in a hospital I had never ever heard of, and got the job. 4 years later I'm still here! I really took the chance they gave me in an interview to sell myself. I submitted a written letter of recommendation from every clinical instructor I ever had, I had been studying for NCLEX like crazy at the time and felt on my game when they asked me scenario questions, and I just tried to sell it. Long story short, try some residency programs designed specifically for new grads. Also- if you're in an ADN program (which is what I initially graduated from too)- enroll with a BSN program now so you can put it on your resume. Good luck! You got this! And don't worry about the mini stress out session... I remember nursing school... makes you do and say crazy things! haha
I felt exactly like you do at exactly the same point you're at, 2 months before graduation. My mom (who is an NP, so she aught to know better, right?) Really pressured me to apply for jobs every single day and I would get rejected before making it past HR. After I passed my NCLEX I made it past HR about 50% of the time. It was SO frustrating!! I ended up applying all over the country to every Hospital I could find and I got a total of 2 interviews, one of which I got the job. Moved halfway across the country for this job, and they fired me *6 DAYS* later with no explanation. I didn't even have time to be oriented. Then I was desperate. I had spent all my family's money moving for the job, and now had nowhere to live, was in BFE Colorado, knew nobody... a friend in another part of Colorado let me stay with her until I found something, which I did, at a SNF. Never wanted to do LTC and I hated it, but it was work and I got a year in. It's been easy ever since. Here's my advice- if you have a CNA license, use it. It'll give you a foot in the door to your choice facility. Everyone's always short CNAs. Wait to apply for your RN job until you pass NCLEX. Focus on studying for it. It is NOT easy. When you get it, apply to EVERYTHING. Take anything you get. Get a year in. Gotta pay your dues before it becomes a dream job. PS Cheyenne Wyoming needs nurses and hires new grads.
Consider joining the military! I know someone who graduated BSN last summer. She is now in the Navy, an officer, and stationed at a great location. A hospital is a hospital, whether civilian or military. If your fiance is dissatisfied, dump him! Your whole life is ahead of you and already he's imposing limitations. Take that as a warning of what your marriage could be. Go on out there and make you own mark!
You haven't even graduated yet! The system sucks, but give it a chance. I applied to every hospital and community care posting in Toronto for a year before I even got a phone call. Now I have a permanent part time position on a medicine unit at a small community hospital. If you want this bad enough, keep working! You've already worked so hard. Send resumes, call HR, go to units to talk to floor managers. Call them until you're annoying. That's the only way.
I had a similar stipulation to my scholarships. Don't stress now. Keep applying. You could also try applying as an aide on the floor to get your foot in the door. This way you lay the foundation to prove yourself as a good employee. I worked on first floor as an aide off and on during school and while studying for the NCLEX. I was lucky someone had transferred shortly before I took my test so my application was at the top of my managers list. You still have time. I started in a small community hospital.. and now I work at one of the biggest cancer centers in the US. Every job is a learning experience and a stepping stone. Don't get discouraged.
almost_nurse, move to Erie PA! I can guarantee you that you'd likely be able to get hired at either Saint Vincent Hospital or UPMC-Hamot, which just earned Magnet status. It's NOT in the sticks...half-way between Cleveland OH and Buffalo NY and about 2 hrs away from Pittsburgh PA. It's on Lake Erie and the COL is VERY reasonable! You can find a great house for about 125K. We have some great public schools in the area. Lots to do from beautiful Presque Isle in the summer to skiing at Nearby Peak and Peak in the winter.
I too struggled finding a job before taking the NCLEX and becoming official. A nurse that I know advised me that most places do not look at you until you have passed boards. I would suggest looking around for positions that interest you but not applying until you have passed boards. I went through this same frustrating process because no one gave me this information. Good luck and keep your head up. It will work out for you, just have to be patient.
I'm sorry that you are having such a crappy time; it seems that you have little support available at school. Is there a job placement/student support center? Are you at a state university or a private school? Depending on those issues and where in the country you are there are resources to help. I know its really different than when I graduated (you were hired BEFORE you took the boards and could fail twice BEFORE the hospital was obligated to fire you or demote you to nursing aide!) I remember studying for my boards while I learned on the off shifts how to function as a 'real' nurse, it was a horror. Try to focus on taking your exam and finishing school. Then figure out where you want to be. You may not get the shifts you want or the type of practice you imagined, but there are jobs out there. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and take a less appealing option (for me that would have been geriatrics) to get your foot in the door. I graduated in 1979 and spent 20+ years in the clinical area,,,staff, administration, education and have spent the last 10 years using my clinical skills in a law firm. Each change has been an opportunity to do something different; some things worked well and others were not so terrific. But I would say that nursing has given me more opportunities over the years than many other professions could have. You have to be willing to keep exploring.
Ok I'm a male and I'm a nurse and I have to say that your BF's attitude reveals him to be a major loser. 1. He's not married to you, he has no right to make such a demand on you. 2. If he really loved you, he's put a ring on it and follow you to the ends of Earth to be with you. Dump that loser.
Also so you might want look into that federal loan you have. Those restrictions do not seem valid at all. Perhaps you are misinterpreting something.
Your post makes me so sad. And it's because I know exactly what you are going through! I live in a city with no less than 6 nursing schools. The market for new grads is absolutely saturated! I graduated 5 years ago and it took me 7 months to find a job. The job was 2 hours away and I had to commute because because my husband couldn't leave his job. I was terribly depressed and felt really hopeless during that time I was job searching, and it's such a horrible feeling after we worked so hard! The best thing I can tell you is try not to lose hope. Apply for the nurse residency/ new grad positions. They usually hire in groups and might not have started their groups yet. Then once you get a little experience you are going to find you have a lot of options! Recruiters will be calling you non-stop for jobs you never even applied for. Just remember there is hope in the future and it's OK to feel sad.
Rhody34
128 Posts
I didn't read the 12 pages of responses so I apologize if I'm repetitive. Have you researched nurse residency programs? When I graduated from nursing school 4 years ago the market felt pretty competitive as well. I googled residency programs, found one in a hospital I had never ever heard of, and got the job. 4 years later I'm still here! I really took the chance they gave me in an interview to sell myself. I submitted a written letter of recommendation from every clinical instructor I ever had, I had been studying for NCLEX like crazy at the time and felt on my game when they asked me scenario questions, and I just tried to sell it. Long story short, try some residency programs designed specifically for new grads. Also- if you're in an ADN program (which is what I initially graduated from too)- enroll with a BSN program now so you can put it on your resume. Good luck! You got this! And don't worry about the mini stress out session... I remember nursing school... makes you do and say crazy things! haha