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.
Specializes in Neuro ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU.
I have been a nurse >30 years, all in the hospital setting. Still enjoy what I do. First you need to decide where you would like to practice. Hospital, clinic, doctors office, nursing home, etc...Remember when you start your nursing career, you are building a base for your future. First job may not be your 1st choice. Research how to interview, and practice-practice-practice.. sample questions. 1st impression is very important and how you handle a interview. I would wait until you have your RN license. Keep checking back with the HR department once you submitted your resume. Don't wait for them to call you.
You are giving up too soon. I applied many places before taking the nclex and didn't get my interviews until after I passed and my license was posted. You have to give it a chance. You might start somewhere you don't think you belong like me, but you get a year of experience and you move on.
I have some understanding of these scholarships. There are ways to apply for extensions. Keep detailed records of all applications and communication. Also, if it comes to making payments pay them anything. By law, if they accept payment they cannot take you to collections. They'll just posture and threaten a lot.
Just as everyone else said, keep your chin up. A job will happen. Use the time to prep for any interview and have a professional review your resume and cover letter.
OP, it must be scary. I'm assuming that it is a large area from which you can apply to find a job since you agreed to get a job in 6 months. Maybe you just haven't found the right one *yet. And if the fiance feels that strongly, I hate to say it...but maybe you are better off without him. I guess you should have talked it all out more prior to taking this scholarship, but that is water under the bridge. Good luck!
Totally understandable. You are venting and here we SHOULD be able to vent! This is my first post in over 5 years(just got away from reading posts...nursing now over 30 years and sick of it) BUT I felt compelled to give my input on the necessity of at least graduating and taking your boards!! Don't throw all that sweat and toil away before taking the Board exam PLEASE. At least when you pass, you'll be a nurse. THEN decide your path. I wish you the best of luck and more blessings than heartaches in this field or whatever field you choose.
I agree with several other posters. When I graduated, I was so fatigued from school and debt that my future seemed bleak. Now two years later life is running smooth as a nurse. It took me 4 months to get a job after graduation. I worked in a hardware store for several months after graduation! Just keep your chin up! I love nursing, don't regret my choice.
You should really wait until you have your license before you start stressing so hard. I worked part time and Per Diem my entire first year as a nurse before anyone would even consider looking at me in a reputable establishment. You have to start in the trenches. The real world of nursing is completely different from nursing school. You have to have a backbone and be willing to prove yourself to get anywhere. If you start with a bad attitude your not going to get too far too fast.
Specializes in MICU/CCU, SD, home health, neo, travel.
jobellestarr, I am very interested in working for IHS. It is actually my top choice. This is definitely a point of contention for my partner, as he believes that he won't be able to find a job (a possibility) and will generally be unhappy there because there's "nothing to do". May I ask what region? Feel free to send a PM.
I was also going to suggest IHS. My brother is an MD and went to IHS after his intern year. After 3 years with IHS, he not only got a hella big forgiveness on his loan, but he got a great residency afterwards and that program knocked a year off his residency requirement. It was fabulous experience for him. His wife, also an MD, found a good job in a town that wasn't real close, but she stayed there while working and came home while off. You would get really fine experience with IHS. And if your BF is that picky, he's not about *you*, he's only thinking of himself and he's not worth keeping. You need to do what makes YOU happy!
My scholarship requires that I find a job within six months of graduation. If I don't have to pay back upwards of $40,000 immediately.
I fully accept and acknowledge that I'm complaining--I know it's not the best attitude to have. It's certainly how I'm feeling, though.
I had a similar scholarship. I graduated in May and started my first job in September at one of the top hospitals in the country.
I was getting discouraged, I had only had two interviews but i finally score a job.
I don't know about your area, but in mine, you can get hired in LTC and start the next day. While you might not want to do long term care, it can be a start.
I felt exactly the same way when I was preparing to graduate my 2-year program...and shortly after graduation (like 10 days), I was hired in a LTC/SNF part-time...within in 6 weeks I had 3 part-time jobs-all LTC/SNF. I eventually found positions in psych nursing, camp nursing, corrections and Head Start. Then I finished my BSN and even more opportunities opened up! Hang in there-it'll all work out!
Two months from graduating and you are ready to throw in the towel?? Really?? You have not even begun your nursing journey yet. My recommendation to you is to relax, take some deep breaths, and take it one day at a time. After you graduate and pass NCLEX you will be eligible to hire on into a nursing internship program. Most hospitals offer them 1 or 2 times each year. If I were you I would contact the hospitals HR and inquire about their nursing internship program. Most of them will require a GPA 3.0 or higher, two or three letters of recommendation (at least one or two from a nursing instructor), and an essay expressing your compassion for nursing. Contact the HR department at the hospital(s) that you wish to seek opportunities with and find out their nursing internship requirements. These are usually paid positions that lead to full employment after successfully completing the program. Try changing your mind set to having a more positive attitude, stop playing/portraying the role that of a victim, find out your options and learn what you need to do to capitalize on them. Focus on passing NCLEX, because until you pass that exam everything else is a moot point.
Second issue: The BIGGEST mistake one can make in life is having/fostering a relationship with anyone who does not love you unconditionally. It sounds like your fiance has some control issues that you may want to address. If you allow him to control your professional career choices now, then that will only be the starting point of his control over you.
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KirstenICURN
1 Post
I'm sure everyone on this page who is a nurse and almost a nurse can understand your frustration. I graduated in June 2015 so I am new to the scene as well. In our nursing schoolthey did tuition forgiveness. Which you had 6 months to pass your boards and find a job before you were required to pay back 21k. For people who passed their boards and couldn't find a job extensions were made. Also a tip from our school was to not even apply until you were graduated and had your license. Trust me you'll get a much different outcome when you have these items listed on your application. Right now you need to focus on graduating and studying for your boards. I feel so bad that you are currently in such an unsupportive relationship. That cannot be healthy or helping your stress level. My boyfriend and I have been together since high school and it was a drastic life adjustment when I went to nursing school and he supported me every step of the way. Unfortunately the next few months of your life are going to be the most stressful you've ever encountered. You need to cut the ties with any unnecessary stress. Nursing will give you a future, this fiancé doesn't sound to promising on a happy and healthy future. Love yourself and take a deep breath. You've survived nursing school you can survive anything. â¤ï¸