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'm feeling the same way. Not quite as bad though. most of my cohort had jobs at the same hospital before we graduated. I did not get an interview with them. But I took and passed the NCLEX only 2 weeks after finishing school (the average where I live is a month cause there's only 1 testing center). I got my ACLS and PALS done and I did everything to feel like I should have job offers rolling in. But nope. I have had one offer which of course I have accepted. It's not anywhere near my first choice. But it is a job offer.
I will say it will be much easier to get a job after you pass NCLEX. The people who were offered jobs before school was over, only were because their position is a new grad residency which is all lectures, exams, and simulation for the first 6 weeks and it didn't even start for 6 weeks after school finished. So that's a full 3 months before they were going to be on the floor.
Most hospitals are not going to risk offering you a job and spend the money to drug test you, back ground check, or any of that and then have you fail the NCLEX. They want to at least give the spot to an actual RN or at least someone who has finished nursing school successfully.
So baby steps. focus on what's important in the order that it's important. Finish nursing school. Pass NCLEX. Then get job.
I don't know where you are but my age group is getting ready to retire. We all need motivated compassionate nurses. Keep on trying. Where I live it's hard to get nurses and doctors. I'm amazed by your search.
As far as finding a job, I got my "foot in the door" by working long term care. Not the most glamorous position, but it earned me experience. After that, I got a job in a hospital working ICU/PCU. When it comes to that dream job, be patient. Get some experience wherever you can. Prove yourself to be a valuable employee. Learn everything you can. Use your experience to build up your resume. Good luck.
I think that you're overreacting and I'm finding it hard to feel sympathy for you. You're about to be a BSN. You have any idea how many women would kill to be in that position. And here you sit with this defeatist attitude. I have never had a problem finding work in the field. You won't either if you let go of the negative vibe. No employer wants too see that. Another thing, off you go into the Nclex thinking like that, you won't pass. Figure it out and pull it together. And definitely, lose the loser.
This may have already been said, and if so, apologies, but first of all, the jobs out there right now need a nurse with a current license. You haven't yet graduated and you aren't yet licensed, so they're going to pass over you for someone who is licensed. Once you pass the NCLEX and have your license, your value as a job prospect will go up immediately.
Now, the interview...first the fact that you actually made it to the interview without a degree or license yet seems like something that is positive. You've had a chance now to know what kinds of questions will be asked in future interviews and be prepared with answers. Don't ever go into an interview unprepared and think that you will do well. Lesson learned, move on and be ready next time.
As for the boyfriend, no idea what to tell you there. True love it ain't if he's putting conditions on it. Not sure what is meant by "undesirable area."
1) your fiancee sounds like an *******. I would say don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. Been married to a man like that, kicked him out after 10 agonizing years.
2) do people secure jobs without graduating yet? This is definitely new to me. I've never heard of that.
I really think that you're going to be ok. I don't know where you live but in general there is a nursing shortage. Even here in Atlanta where all the schools offer nursing and it's so populated. I would say keep your head up and continue on.
After you graduatevand pass the NCLEX, more places will consider you. Try a long term care facility, where the pace is slower than an acute care hospital. Do not apply to.home health. Those nurses operate with a high level of independence, and do require a fair amount of experience. Some hospitals will hire you into a program that works you in certain areas with a mentor. That may last from 3-6months. It gives you some support while you obtain experience and comfort in an acute care setting. Take a deep breath, don't folreak out just yet. With so many crying about a nurse shortage, I can't believe you wont be hired somewhere.Oooooooo
Do you currently work? In my area, many hospitals will hire student nurse techs. And yes, basically these are patient care techs with a different title because they are students. They perform the same duties as PCTs, but they are basically a shoe in to be hired as a GN once they graduate from NS. They are given 3 mo to pass the NCLEX. If it is not taken or passed within the 3 mo period, they go back to being a PCT until they do pass. If they do pass, they continue on in their RN orientation in which ever specialty/ unit they were hired on as GN. This may be one way for you to get your foot in the door of a hospital before you graduate. I started at the organization I currently work for as a SNT 2 mo before I graduated to get my foot in the door. Have now been with them for 10 years.
I will not comment on your fiance as many of the others have already echoed anything I may have said on the subject.
Try not to be defeated before you start. To quote a cliche, just take it one day at a time, and try not to dwell on that which you cannot change. Put your energy into that which you can control. Work and study hard for the NCLEX and realize your dreams. They rest will work its way out.
Congratulations to you and your classmates for success in making through NS. It is no easy feat. And good luck to you all in your quests to fulfill your dreams in nursing. You won't regret your decision.
quixotic.dy
48 Posts
I'm feeling the same way. Not quite as bad though. most of my cohort had jobs at the same hospital before we graduated. I did not get an interview with them. But I took and passed the NCLEX only 2 weeks after finishing school (the average where I live is a month cause there's only 1 testing center). I got my ACLS and PALS done and I did everything to feel like I should have job offers rolling in. But nope. I have had one offer which of course I have accepted. It's not anywhere near my first choice. But it is a job offer.
I will say it will be much easier to get a job after you pass NCLEX. The people who were offered jobs before school was over, only were because their position is a new grad residency which is all lectures, exams, and simulation for the first 6 weeks and it didn't even start for 6 weeks after school finished. So that's a full 3 months before they were going to be on the floor.
Most hospitals are not going to risk offering you a job and spend the money to drug test you, back ground check, or any of that and then have you fail the NCLEX. They want to at least give the spot to an actual RN or at least someone who has finished nursing school successfully.
So baby steps. focus on what's important in the order that it's important. Finish nursing school. Pass NCLEX. Then get job.