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 don't know how you are now, or if you found a job or not (this post has like 21 pages and I didn't read them all). I am not a nurse, but I am dating my boyfriend of 6 years and we're from two different cultures and lifestyles. So this is more about relationship rather than nursing:)
Relationships are complicated. Here you have two people trying to make one lifestyle work. I understand you are scared, and I understand he has his needs too. I get it that he is uncomfortable moving to a totally different area. And eventhough 'long distance relationship' is an option (esp because u havent married yet and have no kids yet..i assume) I totally get it if you guys don't even consider it an option, I'm very attached to my bf as well and would dread long distance.
So it's time to question the relationship, "Babe, how much are you willing to go for me?" "Babe, how much are you willing to compromise?" You guys can always make new friends in the new area. You have a life ahead of you, travel a little, maybe a little adventure. If you don't like it and it doesn't work out, move back. Who knows maybe he can even like the new place.
What is more important to him? Does he rather stay in his desirable area, and lose you..or the other way around? Realistically speaking $40,000 is mega much, he has to know how afraid you are. As a bf it's his job to comfort you. Relationship is all about being there for one another right?
I would usually say that both ways need to compromise, yes. But in this case you're the one 'stuck' and he is the one who is able (and should) give u support, lend you a hand, and be there for you. Just like you would if he's in a situation.
To make him imagine better, ask him, "If you were in my shoes, how would you want react and what would you want me to do?". This can give him a better perspective.
If you guys overcome this obstacle, it's going to make your relationship stronger :)
If it doesn't work out..well girl..you only deserve the very best, not the second best.
But I do hope that things will work out for you :) All the best!
Nursing is my 2nd degree in medicine, but I experienced similar to what you're going through with my first. I have some advice that might help you get through it.
School is hard, especially Nursing school. If you are handling a relationship, work, or any kind of extra burden, it is even harder. Getting through school can sometimes seem like a survival course all its own. Most have points that feel like none of it was worth it and life is falling apart.
Take a weekend or even a day to yourself. A day where you breathe and do something you enjoy that helps you think, even if that is just be lazy and tune the world out. Even if it's just a few hours on a few days it will be worth it. Use the time to remember how hard you've worked and get some space from the obstacles in front of you. No matter if you decide Nursing is for you or not you have a solid foundation in school that you can build on for any career you might decide to transition to. Don't give up on your Nursing just yet, though. No one stays at as long as you who doesn't really want it. You fought for it.
A I can say about relationships ending is it sucks. People change over time or don't have it in them to stick with us. I wish I could make heartbreak better but this may be the universe telling you that this person is not good for you and there are better things coming. Or maybe in the future after some space you guys will work it out. Either way I hope you're able to find some peace there.
In regards to not being able to find a job, no one tells us that the real work starts after school. That not only do we have to learn patient care, but we also have to learn professional development, interview skills, resume building, tone and delivery when speaking, how to communicate your awesomeness in a way that gets you hired, and all the things that go in to be hiring for a job fresh out of school.
You doing the absolute right things by finishing school, volunteering, and looking for jobs proactively. Consider diversifying the jobs that you are looking for. Sometimes we can find a related job, or maybe a job that pays a little bit less to start, that will get our foot in the door or allow you to transition once you do you graduate. Apply apply apply. In this market some people find jobs immediately and others it can take a year or more. Sometimes even more than that. Sometimes we have to keep volunteering and take a job we don't really want, in order to get where we want to go. Rough, I know. But, it's worth it for the right job.
Have someone or several someones look at your resume, even if it is awesome. Consider having a professional resume written by a service who writes medical resumes. It can be a little expensive but it is a good investment. After that think about the interview and any areas where you can practice and get even better. Practice speaking in the mirror, watch yourself speak, your facial expression, and get used to the way you talk in an interview. Practice answering any questions you really don't like in an interview that trip you up, if there are any. And finally, have friends or family, or someone from school mock interview you and give you feedback. Sometimes it can be something so small is the way we answer questions, being shy or vice versa too friendly, or some small thing which is holding us back. Keep doing it even once you knock it out of the park. It helps.
Finally, give yourself a break. No matter how good we are or how hard we try Life can be a pain in the butt. Give yourself some credit for how hard you worked and how far you've come. Trust that there is an employer out there who will invest as much in you as you have in yourself. You will find them and they are going to love your work ethic. In the meantime don't be afraid of a legitimate medical staffing agency or polishing your professional development if you need it. Hopefully after a step back to breathe, refocusing your goals, and looking to see if there's anything in your professional development you can improve, you will come back stronger and ready to put this last bit of your school to bed as successfully as you have everything else. Don't let anything stop you if it's what you really want. And, if it's not what you want there's no shame in that either.
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.
Read the fine print. See if there's some loophole.
Keep written track of where you apply, when, who interviewed you, reasons you did not get hired. If you can show that you have been making a good faith effort to get hired, it could help.
If you were able to immediately repay $40,000, you wouldn't have needed the scholarship in the first place.
They can demand that you immediately repay them, but if you don't have it, you don't have it. If they want their money back, they will have to work with you.
Be patient, don't give up.
Your fiancee sounds, sorry to say, like he's more into money than into you and your relationship. But don't make any big decisions while you're this upset.
Get hired the old fashioned way - by who you know. Does someone from your scholarship connections know of any job openings?
Check for openings in other than your most preferred areas.
That fiance has gotta go. I feel like I don't even need to know more about your situation to know that the fiance is the problem here. I'll bet you would find a job no problem if you felt comfortable looking into those undesirable areas.
Your nursing career is a source of independence for you. That is vital to your success in finding the right romantic relationships. If you don't feel dependent on someone, you're less inclined to listen to their ridiculous ultimatums.
You've worked HARD for this. You were smart (in my opinion) and got yourself a scholarship. Going to an undesirable area for your scholarship will give you experience, and from there you can have a wide array of nursing jobs to choose from.
That fiance has gotta go. I feel like I don't even need to know more about your situation to know that the fiance is the problem here. I'll bet you would find a job no problem if you felt comfortable looking into those undesirable areas.
Your nursing career is a source of independence for you. That is vital to your success in finding the right romantic relationships. If you don't feel dependent on someone, you're less inclined to listen to their ridiculous ultimatums.
You've worked HARD for this. You were smart (in my opinion) and got yourself a scholarship. Going to an undesirable area for your scholarship will give you experience, and from there you can have a wide array of nursing jobs to choose from.
I work in homecare peds. Although the pay could be better (they likely will pay you in the low end), it is not hard to get a job. I like my job. This is just a temp job for me since I want to be with my toddler son, do some more schooling, and only work the hours and days I decide (they are very flexible). Try PSA healthcare, it a good start until you find what you really want. Something is better than nothing. They train you for every home case.
Um. That's a little fatalistic. First off, location matters A LOT when it comes to getting hired. Where I am, the employment rate post graduation is quite high (for those who pursue it). If you feel like you're bombing interviews, practice. Google for interview questions and then find somebody to help you answer the questions so they can give you feedback.
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
I can think of at least two home health agencies in my area who are gunning hard for new grads. Not necessarily the case in all areas...that no agency would consider a new grad.
mrl3fnp
66 Posts
Stop your whining and go find a job........