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.
It's a federal scholarship...they require you to pass the NCLEX within 3 months of graduation (hopefully that won't be too hard) and find a job by the six month mark. The contract is that you find a job or pay back everything (tuition + stipend).
There is an old saying; You can't get blood from a stone. If you aren't working you can't give them money you don't have. It took me 9 months to get my first full time job. In between I networked with many different agencies, places where I did clinical, places that we toured as students. My first job was a flue clinic, then sheltered workshop, nursing home and so on. Your first nursing job will not be your last. Apply for everything and don't rule anything out. They all provide some kind of experience, knowledge. What they taught you in nursunng school is just the tip of the iceberg. Good luck and don.t worry. Nursesare and always will be in demand.
Yiu are very wrong Sweetbeth. Home care is NOT the place to go as a new grad. We would never consider a new grad with no experience. It takes time and years to gain knowledge and be able to critically think and make decisions independently
Hey, I live in Utah and the shortage here isn't nearly as bad as it is in other places. It took me 4 months to find a job after my NCLEX and I applied for hundreds. Keep your chin up.
Another thing to think about is the emotional strain that nursing school places on you and your family. It consumes you. I don't know what your relationship with school was or is but I do know that it flipped my entire world upside down. I lost freedoms I once had; I didn't have a full time job through school; my house was always in total disarray and there was hardly time to sleep. By the time I graduated I had no idea who I was anymore. It took me a good solid year to reconnect with myself and all my hobbies. During that first year my fiance left me. Nursing school ws hard on him as well because it made me such a miserable cow.
The point is that you shouldn't make any judgements about anything until you have 1. Gotten over the stress of nursing school.
2. Can focus on yourself and forgive yourself for for "making the biggest mistake of your life".
3. Get working
4. Reconnect with your life
It can take a full year to recover from nursing school. Don't make or allow anyone to force you to make and life altering decisions right now. And any man willing to support you would make a life with you no matter where you end up.
You will be amazed at what will happen after you graduate. It is important to have a good idea of what type of nursing interests you. Sometimes, when applying for "any job" you might not show the enthusiasm you might for a job in which you are really interested. Take some time and make sure you are not looking disinterested or not present. I knew I wanted psychiatry from the start. It was my first love and my first job, almost 40 years ago..still doing it...different places but always mental health. Slow things down, in your mind, and see what comes up for you, and apply for the jobs that feel right for your temperment, your passion ( if you have one ) and that has held your interest in school. There will be some entry level jobs...don't expect to change anything at the beginning...take it in...listen, learn, ask questions..even in interviews...ask lots of questions...you will find the job to start with....and you will go from there...but there is no magic....it comes with time in the passenger seat..and sometimes years before you get into the driver's seat..but it can really be worth it..you have to try to be adult about this kind of work..one way to do that, is to be student of the art of nursing...as you start your search for work...read up on types jobs and opportunities and what the work itself is...don't just look at listings...find out about the details of a job..like neonatal or ER..what does it entail to do that work...this gives you a better idea of what is hidden in your mind as to passion or real interest.something that doesn't come while in school....don't be so quick to judge that it is over before it even began. Good Luck.
I agree with #llg, you need to take a breath and know that you will get a job when you graduate. I don't know what your "desired" job is but I can tell you I graduate from nursing school as a second career at the age of 39 and found a job in the NICU immediately. Find a preceptor or mentor in the field you want to go into and follow their lead. Nursing will always be a high demand profession. #slchchildrenshospital
Come to Alabama! You would probably find a job very quickly here, as a lot of the hospitals here seem to want to only hire new grads ....I have been a nurse 22years and am having a hard time finding a new job, I believe because they do not want to pay me for longevity and experience. Just sayin'
I'm sorry you're feeling deflated as you embark on what is an amazing career. You sound like you have the passion and desire to be an amazing nurse. Please don't give up so easily. When it comes to interviews review 'behavioural interviews' and create some scenarios. Although you don't have years of practice, you have life experiences that make you as valid as any of the rest of us. Practice your questions and answers. You'll nail it. Also watch the superhero/superman pose tedtalk... it helped me with my last interview. As a nurse of 23 years, please do not minimize your contribution. Hang in there!!! You may not start off in your dream job, but you will get invaluable experience that will all lead to caring for others. I wish you the best. You won't regret your career choice, I promise!!
This is the silliest write up I have read in a long time. You can't find a job, really? Even if you decided to not full fill your obligation for scholarship, get a job you like and pay it back. Most nurses owe a lot more than you, start out as new nurses with new nurse pay and still only make payments that add up to 1/8 of their income for student loans etc. Nursing is one of the best professions on the list and it has nothing to do with how much you owe. I have been a nurse for almost 20 years, I keep going back to school so keep owing in student loans and its been worth it every time. Keep thinking about helping your community and it the rest will work out. If you have the opportunity to work 2 years in an under privileged area and get your loan paid off then do that if you want. If your fiance can't tolerate that then tell him to hit the road Jack. I doubt he has been in the dark this whole time about your plan. But if you think you are going to fool any nurse on this website that you can't get a job you have another thing coming. There isn't one out there you can fool. You racked up the debt, now you have the opportunity to work in one of the greatest professions that has ever existed and have a great career! Student loans or not. Buck up and do it! You won't regret it.
The job market varies greatly throughout the country. I've been a nurse since 86, and I moved to Houston from the KC area in 2013 because the job market was dead in Missouri. What is termed an underserved area isn't always a bad thing clinically. Hang in there. You're almost through with a difficult journey. What lies ahead may be wonderful. I'm excited for you!
Response to TSSale: Not a very constructive or helpful post. Calling the post silly, to buck up and essentially kick her boyfriend to the curb. Seriously, responses way out of line! I too have been back to school on many occasions and been in debt repeatedly, and I now practice as a post masters paediatric nurse practitioner. I wouldn't for one minute doubt or pass judgement to someone who is pouring their heart out looking for direction. I certainly hope you are not in a leadership role... if so, perhaps it's time to hit the books again.
What this new nurse needs is encouragement. The end of the road is almost there... tips, words of wisdom are needed- not criticism. Also, take off your rose coloured glasses, in some areas there just are NOT positions available. So, you i'm afraid have another think coming if you think there are positions to be had at every turn. So embarrassed for your response- you do not reflect the my beliefs or the beliefs of many others i'm sure.
What area of nursing are you looking for? If you haven't thought of it, try geriatrics. I wanted to be a labor & delivery nurse when I first graduated and couldn't get a job. I opted for a good paying job (actually more money than hospitals were offering) in a long-term care facility, and never looked back. Twenty-three years and counting as a geriatric nurse. Plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement too. If you want more information, feel free to contact me: [email protected].
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tedsbeds
1 Post
It's a federal scholarship...they require you to pass the NCLEX within 3 months of graduation (hopefully that won't be too hard) and find a job by the six month mark. The contract is that you find a job or pay back everything (tuition + stipend).
There is an old saying; You can't get blood from a stone. If you aren't working you can't give them money you don't have. It took me 9 months to get my first full time job. In between I networked with many different agencies, places where I did clinical, places that we toured as students. My first job was a flue clinic, then sheltered workshop, nursing home and so on. Your first nursing job will not be your last. Apply for everything and don't rule anything out. They all provide some kind of experience, knowledge. What they taught you in nursunng school is just the tip of the iceberg. Good luck and don.t worry. Nursesare and always will be in demand.