Nursing is the Biggest Mistake of My Life

[almost_nurse]

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.

I am still in debt, though I signed my life away for a scholarship that doesn't even guarantee a job but severely limits my employment options after graduation. My fiancé is talking about leaving me if I have to take a job that's not in a desirable area (even though I knew I might have to do that when I took the scholarship). But, even jobs that are considered "undesirable" won't take me. And it's not just me. It's all new graduates.

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.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

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.

Certainly some HHA's are recruiting new grads. That is because there are hundreds of them vying for the $$$. REPUTABLE HHA's know that new grads should not be starting out in home care.

I had YEARS of solid ICU experience. Home health care was too much responsibility for me.

[Joknee4, MSN, RN]

Most employers will not even look at your resume until you have graduated AND passed the NCLEX. There are many nursing jobs, but some acute care facilities require experience, unless they have a designated new grad program. You may end up working in either a long term care, rehab or nursing facility initially, just to gain experience. While this is not typically where most young nurses want to start their careers, it will help you get experience and prepare you to work in a more acute facility.

[thatgirl2478]

The original post on this thread was over a year ago, then 'brian s.' came in and updated it, but there doesn't appear to be any more info added. What's the deal? Did the OP graduate/pass NCLEX and get a job? Did OP marry the Fiance? I'm glad to see the support, but there are some questions that need answering...

[Flopadopilus]

Everywhere around my area is hiring like crazy. We are short of nurses, but only hire after passing the NCLEX. Not sure if you're just stressing ahead of time or not, but I have a student loan that will forgive 50% of my loan if I stay working full time for the first 3 years. So far I've been an RN for almost 2 years and they have kept their promise. They didn't send me any paperwork until the 1 year mark. And I expect the same paperwork to arrive at the end of this year and the next.

[redopal]

Have you considered doing military nursing as a way to get experience? I had to join or quit school & earn money as I was broke my senior year. 2 bank loans, federal grant & I still coudn't afford that last year & that was 1970. It was absolutely the best thing I did. I got crucial experience & got into the field of nursing I loved-ER nursing. I had wanted to do that ever since I was a volunteer at 14. With only 2 weeks experience in ER in nursing school I knew I would never get hired right out of school. We all have to pay our dues & 2 years goes by so quickly. Please reconsider as you sound like you have great qualities for being a nurse. After I left the military I did have to spend 3 months of nights in an open heart unit proving my stuff despite glowing recommendations. God how I hated that job...not cut out for cardiac recovery at all but I toughed it out! Good luck!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I don't know why everyone is giving OP advice- he or she hasn't visited the site in over a year.

[sanncmd]

I don't know why everyone is giving OP advice- he or she hasn't visited the site in over a year.

I want to say that I found this thread through a posting from Allnurses.com onto Facebook. So perhaps something in the algorithm could use some work. :-)

[Orion81RN]

Any job, or a nursing job? If they require you to have any job, get any job while searching for a nursing position.

[Orion81RN]

And I told the fiancé this...he says it's not so much that he'll break up with me, but he thinks that he'll be so unhappy living in the middle of nowhere that it will put undue strain on our relationship and we will end up breaking up. But, I've tried to explain to him exactly what I said here--that as new nurses we are beggars, and beggars can't be choosers.

Then he is not ready to be a husband. Jumped the gun on getting engaged.

It is understandable that he wouldn't be happy. But a marriage is about give and take and working TOGETHER, sometimes sacrificing for your partner. He would need to realize that it wouldn't be a permanent situation, and that he should suck it up for a while to give you time to find your wings.

He sounds extremely immature and in no way ready to be a life partner.

[Orion81RN]

I don't know why everyone is giving OP advice- he or she hasn't visited the site in over a year.

Omg lol. I didn't even realize this, and I wrote this huge long PM to her. Oh well. Made me appreciate my hubby even more thinking about that jerk of a "fiance."