Only hospital jobs?

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I am from California going to an out-of-state school and have been following up on what's going on in CA. Most of the posts it seems here are discussing hospital-related jobs and how difficult it is to get one. Is anyone out there trying to apply to non-hospital jobs? Outpatient, community health, things like that? Thanks.

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Specializes in Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Palliative.
I am from California going to an out-of-state school and have been following up on what's going on in CA. Most of the posts it seems here are discussing hospital-related jobs and how difficult it is to get one. Is anyone out there trying to apply to non-hospital jobs? Outpatient, community health, things like that? Thanks.

I think a lot of people who are finding it difficult to get into the hospital both in-state and out of state nurses, if they are "lucky", find jobs in non hospital settings, but then those of us who take the non hospital jobs, end up being grouped as nurses who have experience, but not the "right kind of experience", basically you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Until last month, I worked for a home health hospice company, and I chose to quit because I realized that:

a) This experience isn't going to get me into the hospitals (even if I stayed for a year, I was there for 9 mths) because the home health hospice experience is considered "sub acute care"

b) Working for a company that doesn't provide any orientation, employee support/education, is not for me

c) Being a BSN prepared RN, I felt like my education/skills were not being used in the best way, I feel like I've forgotten a lot of what I learned in school.

d) The most important reason for me leaving this job, despite being paid (that's if they didn't hold my heck), the agency was constantly being audited and investigated by various agencies and I didn't want to risk my license.

It really is a lot harder than I ever thought it could be. I don't know about others, but personally it makes me question whether all the hard work put into nursing school, clinicals, externships, attaining certifications etc... if it was all worth it... Personally, the road isn't/hasn't been easy, and I'm tired, and it's becoming harder to look inside myself and find the stamina and positive energy to keep moving on and hoping for the one "YES" that I need from the many hospitals that I've applied to.

Recently, the Dept of Consumer Affairs/California BRN sent a letter, requesting RN's to take a survey online about the current job market and the hardships nurses are facing to find jobs. I'm not sure what will come of the survey results, but maybe it will be good news for those of us who are unable to find jobs despite having experience and maybe we will be able to have more opportunities to gain "the right kind of experience"

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.

I'm applying for everything I can. The SNFs, clinics, and everything in my area want experience. It's ridiculous.

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PedsOncHopeful, thank you for sharing your experience. I regret that you were not happy at your hospice job. I hope you are able to find one soon that supports you and your desires. Don't give up hope!

I totally respect your choices and desires, but I just would like to say that it really annoys me that the nursing field and nursing schools promote the attitude of "you can only be a real nurse if you work in a hospital in acute care." I have a hard time buying that. I wish nurses would stop promoting that. Not everyone wants to be a bedside nurse in an ICU!

It is interesting: I've asked instructors their opinions about all this "great flexibility" that nurses have in terms of job movement, but really, how true is it, esp if you can't get a hospital job as your first gig out of school, esp with that attitude I just talked about above? I would be interested in asking younger nurses who have been working for less than five years as opposed to the past 25 years.

Not everyone can get a hospital job as their first job, let alone an acute care job, just like not everyone can be a CNA during their school years and get hired right away. Then what's the point of accelerated BSN programs and direct-entry masters programs and mass producing and dumping out numbers of students with minimal to no clinical experience aside from clinical rotations? Argh ...

Anyhow, I am graduating in May and am planning to come back regardless. My partner lives there and I'm tired of being in a long-distance relationship. I am going to remain optimistic and will take (almost) any job I can as my first job, even if it is not the most optimal--which sucks because I just spent time and a lot of money to get this BSN (I'm a second degree student). I am personally okay to not work in a hospital for my first job and would actually prefer not to work in a hospital. Hospitals are hardly the institutions of health and support that they should be.

ExPharmaGirl, which area are you in? I imagine the SF Bay Area is the hardest in California at the moment (where I'm from).

Thanks to everyone for tolerating my rant. Ah ... so frustrating ...

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.

I'm in San Diego. Ridiculous all over SoCal too. I'm a second degree student as well (actually 3rd degree--I have a Master's).

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I was born and raised in California, and lived there from birth until 2005 when I relocated to Texas. I still live in Texas and have 7 years of experience.

I had a phone interview for a county outpatient clinic position in CA, but was not selected. I had a phone interview for a psychiatric nursing position owned by the same county hospital in CA, but was not selected. I had an in-person interview at a hospital-owned SNF in CA, but was not selected. I had a phone interview with a recruiter for a rehab nursing position in CA, but they never called back.

I had a phone interview with a HR manager for a position in CA with the same company for which I currently work (I work at their sister hospital in Texas) and they never called back. I've submitted masses of applications at hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other settings with no luck.

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.

I should note I'm not a student :)I'm up to 109 apps.

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I'm applying for everything I can. The SNFs, clinics, and everything in my area want experience. It's ridiculous.

Same deal. In San Diego, applying to all kinds of job.

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.

RNinC, it's super-frustrating. I've also been applying in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange County. It's getting old really quick. Unfortunately my husband doesn't want to move quite yet so I'm stuck here.

How long have you been looking?

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RNinC, it's super-frustrating. I've also been applying in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange County. It's getting old really quick. Unfortunately my husband doesn't want to move quite yet so I'm stuck here.

How long have you been looking?

I graduated 2 years ago, but we lived overseas for 9 months so I've technically been actively seeking employment for a total of 14-15 months. My husband is the breadwinner, so we're also not prepared to move. You're right. It's SUPER frustrating.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
ExPharmaGirl, which area are you in? I imagine the SF Bay Area is the hardest in California at the moment (where I'm from).

I believe it is. I was talking to my brother (who is a nurse) about highest paying nursing jobs and SF has the highest pay in California mainly because it's a big city. Or rather, a lot of the big/major cities tend to pay really high and of course with high pay, it probably comes at a high cost such as experience. He had also mentioned that one of the nursing students he was orienting didn't get a job until about 9 months after graduating due to the "no experience" tab.

Don't forget how our society is now. It's not only job apps that get you hired, it's knowing people and networking. Ask your friends and relatives. Even ask your former clinical instructors for possible references or recommendations.

I would be applying to both hospital and non hospital jobs and if that does not work, I would definitely look to out of state. Don't forget to check nursing jobs at schools and colleges as well, they may not be really noticed but they do hire nurses and I don't think those require that much experience.

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Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.
I believe it is. I was talking to my brother (who is a nurse) about highest paying nursing jobs and SF has the highest pay in California mainly because it's a big city. Or rather, a lot of the big/major cities tend tow pay really high and of course with high pay, it probably comes at a high cost such as experience. He had also mentioned that one of the nursing students he was orienting didn't get a job until about 9 months after graduating due to the "no experience" tab.Don't forget how our society is now. It's not only job apps that get you hired, it's knowing people and networking. Ask your friends and relatives. Even ask your former clinical instructors for possible references or recommendations.I would be applying to both hospital and non hospital jobs and if that does not work, I would definitely look to out of state. Don't forget to check nursing jobs at schools and colleges as well, they may not be really noticed but they do hire nurses and I don't think those require that much experience.
Applying for everything and anything. Using every connection I can. I can't go out of state. I'm in SoCal and the market is SATURATED.
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