Ok, now what?

We are in very similar situations. I'm a Dec 09 BSN graduate. I also relocated directly after graduation, due to husbands work being sent across the country. It's frustrating because ALL of my contacts are in hospitals 800 miles away from me. Also, this is a second career for me. I have a degree in Elementary Education.

I'm in New England, and getting hold of nurse recruiters is very hit and miss. Some of them you can't even leave a message for unless they have contacted you first, which is incredible frustrating. I probably filled out 150 aps before I finally was contacted, and that was only after passing NCLEX in May.

I'm finally being contacted pretty reglarly by recruiters now. I have three interviews set up for the next few weeks, one in a clinic, one in a hospital, and one in a LTC. Hopefully something comes of them. I know that the hospital interview was only offered to me because of some MAJOR networking. I begged people in knew in my old state to ask around to find ANYONE that had worked in a facility within an hours drive of me. One of the nurses I know is friends with a doctor that worked for 10 years on the unit I will be interviewing on. She called and recommended me to the hiring manager. The other 2 interviews I seem to have landed on the merit of my application and resume only.

I know how it feels to feel absolutely helpless in a new area. All the advice I read on this site is to use your contacts you made in school to land a job. Obviously, that is more difficult when you have to relocate right after graduation. Still, is there anyone you know in a hospital back home that might know someone that has worked in Baltimore? It could help a lot if you could find even one person.

I would try calling the nurse recruiters, but tread carefully. If they are 'screening', like some of the ones I have encountered, you might be stuck and have to try another route. Another thing to try is volunteering (if your hospital is still accepting volunteers....mine isn't). Also, try joining a nursing organization, like whatever Maryland's branch of the ANA is, and attending meetings. You could meet other nurses and start forming a network that way.

Lastly, call the Maryland board of nursing and find out if the hold up is just because they are backed up, or if it is because your ap is incomplete. My ATT was being held up for a few months, and when I finally called I found out it was because the state hadn't received an item from my school that they needed. I would have never known if I hadn't called to check in the status of my application.

Good luck!

I actually spoke with the MBON about 3 weeks ago and found out they were missing a letter of completion from my SON dean. I called the school and they got the letter sent within two days, but then it appears that the one person who grants the ATTs was out of town for 2 1/2 weeks. She should be back today, so now I'm trying to get in touch with her. No one else at the BON would answer a phone call.

I've joined the Maryland ANA, but hadn't thought about attending meetings. I think that's a great suggestion and I'm trying to find out when their next one is. I also started applying to long term care positions last week. Not sure they'll want me before my license comes through, but I've got to keep trying. Hate to say it but I may actually try to find a CNA job. I really don't want to do it, especially after reading some of the threads on here about the pitfalls of it, but we're paying two mortgages right now and daycare costs $1000 a month, so I can't keep sitting at home filling out apps and hoping someone calls.

Your post also gave me the idea of e-mailing several of my professors who were previously military/military spouses. Anyone who's in the military for any length of time ends up in the D.C. area eventually, and I thought some might still have some contacts there. One of my clinical instructors says she might be able to help, so I have some hope there.

Glad to hear things are opening up for you...gives me hope that persistence will pay off eventually. Thanks so much for posting.