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.
My good friend hasn't even graduated or taken the NCLEX yet and she already has a job lined up at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She took the inpatient psych job, but the cardiac floor wanted to interview her, too.
I don't know the details of the scholarship you accepted. Sounds like you may have to agree to work in a certain area or hospital for a number of years or you have to repay the money? Keep persisting. Sounds like you are throwing in the towel way too early. Everything I'm hearing is that there is a nursing shortage, and health care jobs are going to be in even more demand. Hang in there.
Yeah, where do you live? Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, etc have a ton of openings for nurses, especially in the more rural areas. My first job was in psych.
I wouldn't give up so easily. The last little bit of school can be stressful.
I applied and applied and applied. I had no "real" luck before graduation from nursing school, and then a bunch of new grad interviews that summer. After that I finally got a job, within the 6 months window you're worried about. The window is there for the program you're in and for student loans - you only get six months post graduation deferment until payments start unless you demonstrate financial need.
I'll be honest, my first (and second) nursing jobs were not my ideal jobs. My third job is so much better (most days I love it). Things will work out.
There are also - unfortunately, some areas that need new grads more than others. Is moving possible? They may be hard to find but some jobs ARE offering relocation assistance.
As a New grad in 2015, I was given a job within 2 weeks of graduation from nursing school..(Without having passed the nclex at the time of hire. (Which I of course rocked the following week))
I graduated with an ADN and only 8,000 in debt that I paid off within 6 months of graduation.
You're not actually upset with nursing as a profession--you're upset with the pressure that this federal scholarship has placed on you and you're displacing it toward nursing.
Many of my nursing school classmates and I all passed the nclex within 3 months of graduation, very doable. Get everything you can in order then apply for your ATT as early as possible.
And like others have mentioned, the definition for underserved is pretty broad, I think you may be able to find a job without moving. And its way too early for the doom and gloom.
I get what your fiance means regarding a possible move being too big of a strain on your relationship. But its still unbelievable that he wouldn't consider the fact that you guys could work through it. If my bf said something like that to me he would get a swift kick in the gonads and I would leave him.
my dear i share your pain, anger and frustration, but trust me nursing is the best profession you can get in this world. you need to calm down and still try. You cant give up like that. nothing good in this world come easy. as for your fiance you have to sit him down and convince him to support you in periods like this. it shall be well my dear
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 am sorry you are having a hard time finding a job, as that can be frustrating. At the same time, you can't really call yourself a new grad, because you still have two months to go and a big test to take. I know some people get jobs before graduation, but not everyone does. I don't know many people who did, to be honest. Passing your NCLEX may be just what you need in order to get attention from these places. It's possible they do not feel comfortable hiring someone who has not graduated or passed the NCLEX yet, because any offer would be contingent upon completion of both of those things.
As for interviews, they are tough. I honestly don't interview well myself. The thing is, you never know who may get beyond a bad interview and see you as a good hire. Many people who are good hires don't do well in interviews and vice versa. I have gotten jobs after interviews that have gone horribly. It all depends on who is interviewing you and whether or not they can see past your weaknesses and see your true strengths.
Right now, though, your main focus should be on graduating and passing the NCLEX. That may make all the difference between getting an interview and not.
As a New grad in 2015, I was given a job within 2 weeks of graduation from nursing school..(Without having passed the nclex at the time of hire. (Which I of course rocked the following week))
I graduated with an ADN and only 8,000 in debt that I paid off within 6 months of graduation.
From the person who said "Nurses take an oath and vow to care for others. Treating people like dirt doesn't fall under the scope of caring and healing".
I can see why you might be put off everything OP but this is just a temporary super-stressful point in your life. As others have said, focusing on your NCLEX is a good idea first then thinking about resume and also interview technique.
I think I read a fantastic tip from someone here on AN who said they had done well at interviews as they collated all possible questions and spent a good while prepping the answers. They then sat down by themselves and practiced replying to all the questions out loud. I can't remember who it was but I thought it was a great idea. Especially for the "tell us a time when" type questions, you can have a bunch of good scenarios up your sleeve.
As a New grad in 2015, I was given a job within 2 weeks of graduation from nursing school..(Without having passed the nclex at the time of hire. (Which I of course rocked the following week))
I graduated with an ADN and only 8,000 in debt that I paid off within 6 months of graduation.
I don't see her post as whining, only voicing concerns, which appear to be valid. I would be worried, too, if I was facing thousands of dollars in debt and had the pressure to find a job within a certain amount of time. Congratulations on finding a job so soon, but that is not reality for everyone. Many factors come into play when it comes to landing a job, some which may have nothing to do with the applicant themselves. Also, congratulations on paying off your debt so quickly, but she is not in the same situation as you, so it's really not helpful to compare the two. Additionally, you don't personally know the OP, so saying that she will not make a good nurse is uncalled for. She may have excellent qualities that will allow her to thrive in the field of nursing.
wooten3955
16 Posts
Where do you live???
My good friend hasn't even graduated or taken the NCLEX yet and she already has a job lined up at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She took the inpatient psych job, but the cardiac floor wanted to interview her, too.
I don't know the details of the scholarship you accepted. Sounds like you may have to agree to work in a certain area or hospital for a number of years or you have to repay the money? Keep persisting. Sounds like you are throwing in the towel way too early. Everything I'm hearing is that there is a nursing shortage, and health care jobs are going to be in even more demand. Hang in there.