Old grad = no job = depression

Nurses New Nurse

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Its been over a year now and no job opportunity yet. People that are close to me can't believe that I dont have a job yet because im an RN. I dont know what to tell them. I try to tell them its hard nowadays esp for new grads. They look at me kinda different. I hope they dont think im lazy or something because im trying my best to get a job. I hate this feeling. Its not my fault. Most of my family and friends are not in the healthcare field and they all have jobs. And me, nothing! They expected so much from me while I was in nursing school because Im going to be an RN. A steady secure good paying job???? Where is it? The media doesn't think that nursing (RN, LVN) are hurting in this recession. As a matter of fact, the media portrays that nursing is a recession proof job and encourage others to go into the field of nursing. Why give the public a false reality??? New/Old grads are becoming more saturated every year. And its going to be worse for all of us soon because the competition is going to be very high. Those people who graduated with an ADN degree will be hurting more because hospitals preferred BSN graduate nurse. And those who graduated over a year old will face a tougher time to land an interview because its been too long already. My self confidence dropped to an all time low since seeking employment has become a nightmare.

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Specializes in 1.

I feel your pain. You can try taking a refersher course, that would help increase your chance of getting an interview and getting hired. Volunteer work too should help. I don't know what else we can do besides that, for old new grads. Does anybody else has any advice?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Maybe your standards are too high? What kind of specialty are you looking for? Are you willing to relocate? Have you tried travel nursing companies?

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OP you are not the only one going through this:redbeathe. I have several classmates that are that cannot find jobs as well after putting in 100's of applications everywhere. This recession is brutal. I can imagine that it is frustrating to have to keep telling people that you cannot find a job and they look at you like you are incompetent or something. I have classmates that were turned away by SNF's because they did not have experience. I don't think many of these new grads are being picky because sooner or later you have to put food on the table. The only advice I can offer is to never give up and just keep applying.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm sorry. I know it sucks. I can't find anything either. Even the LTC's are requiring experience, it's really frustrating. A lot of the hospitals have it stated right on their website that new grads need not apply. There is a hospital by me with 90 nurse openings. Funny thing is though, a lot of them have been open for 1-2 years. I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall applying to their openings over and over again. If they won't consider me even for midnights on a med surg floor, obviously they don't want to hire me. Obviously despite the 90 openings, they really don't need nurses that badly.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I know how you feel. I go through periods of depression. Especially when I hear people talking about their jobs. Nurses week made me feel even worse. Just remember you are not alone! (((HUGS)))

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I am in the same boat. There is just nothing out there in my area. And I mean anything -- LTC, nursing home, hospital, home health. I am just graduating now, but have been looking for a job for six months. :sniff: I am applying for tech jobs now, just to get some experience, and volunteering for everything I can. Hopefully the market will come back soon. Whenever I feel lousy I come here because, as cruel as it sounds, I feel better knowing I am not the only one!

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Thanks for all the responses and listening to my vent. I just feel like such a failure not only in my part, but also to my family as well. Job is scare also in my area. Dont get me wrong, I'm not picky about jobs. I'm also willing to relocate. I just want to work and provide something for my family. I'll take anything from LTC to hospital. I can't give up my hope of becoming a nurse now that I have my license. I just don't know where to start anymore. It seems like i've done everything, and I mean everything without success. I'm already looking forward to working in a retail as a cashier because it seems like there is no nursing shortage anytime soon.

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Thanks for all the responses and listening to my vent. I just feel like such a failure not only in my part, but also to my family as well. Job is scare also in my area. Dont get me wrong, I'm not picky about jobs. I'm also willing to relocate. I just want to work and provide something for my family. I'll take anything from LTC to hospital. I can't give up my hope of becoming a nurse now that I have my license. I just don't know where to start anymore. It seems like i've done everything, and I mean everything without success. I'm already looking forward to working in a retail as a cashier because it seems like there is no nursing shortage anytime soon.

No need to be a cashier!

Check this out:

GoArmy.com Nurse Corps Officer (66)

Medical Professional | Careers | NATIONAL GUARD

Healthcare Bonuses and Loans | Medical Professional | NATIONAL GUARD

Both the US Army Reserve AND the Army National Guard have said they take ADNs!

This could be a big bonus for you, as you'd get a stable job, some very solid work experience as a nurse, and perhaps educational support so they'd pay for your BSN or MSN degree!

Have you considered calling up a Healthcare Recruiter for either of these branches? :)

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Thanks for all the responses and listening to my vent. I just feel like such a failure not only in my part, but also to my family as well. Job is scare also in my area. Dont get me wrong, I'm not picky about jobs. I'm also willing to relocate. I just want to work and provide something for my family. I'll take anything from LTC to hospital. I can't give up my hope of becoming a nurse now that I have my license. I just don't know where to start anymore. It seems like i've done everything, and I mean everything without success. I'm already looking forward to working in a retail as a cashier because it seems like there is no nursing shortage anytime soon.

Jane, I really feel for you because I am also thinking of going back to my old profession, at least for a while. It would at least put some money on the table and make me feel useful. But it just seems like such a failure on my part. I had all these grand plans to help the world and now no one wants to give me a chance. I just try to remain focused and positive and realize it is nothing personal, lots of people are having trouble finding jobs.

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I am in the exact same boat. ADN grad who graduated in May 2009. Nothing anywhere. In July I will be coming up on my one year anniversary for my RN license and found out that home health agencies will hire after you have been LICENSED for one year. Is there any way you can go back to school again for your BSN/MSN? You will probably qualify for loans if your income during school was low. And there are programs out there that only require you pay 10 years (vs. 30) of student loan payments if you work in public service (county hospital, VA, military, etc) for those 10 years. That might help.

Hang in there. Times are tough for all of us, not just new nursing graduates. I feel for you and wish you the best of luck. It is NOT your fault. Do not let anyone tell you so.

And for those of you wanting to post these types of comments: Maybe your standards are too high? What kind of specialty are you looking for? Are you willing to relocate? Have you tried travel nursing companies? If you have been out of school and working for more than 2 years, our current situation does not apply to any of you. EVERYONE is requiring at least one year of acute care experience, travel companies, agency nursing, LTC, rehab...ALL of them.

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I really wish that someday...I will come back at this site and congratulating each of us for finally getting a job. It will happen. Lets keep our chin up.

@ samianquazi: Thanks for the info. I will definitely give them a call.

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