I have graduated from a RN diploma school almost 2 years ago and have since been actively searching for jobs. All this time I have not gotten a single phone call or anything. I am from the NJ/Philly area and everywhere around me is only hiring BSN now. I enrolled in an RN to BSN program but my graduation date is in another 2 years.
I haven't been slacking though, I have ACLS, PALS, IV therapy certification, BLS Instructor (cannot find a class to teach),and I also do basic volunteering at the ER near me. However, I have 0 work experience in the health care field. I have applied almost anywhere and everywhere, and had my resume checked many times.
I feel like giving up, I really just do not know what to do anymore. By the time I finish my RN to BSN program I will have been 4 years out of my nursing student clinical experience and I fear that will look terrible. Should I just start looking for jobs other than nursing in the healthcare field then apply for an RN job again when I graduate? I really need advice. I have also tried looking for RN residencies but they all require BSN. I am also unable to relocate.
where on earth did you get a Nursing Diploma from in 2013? Please educate me on what school.
The local diploma program school where I live graduates its last class this year. They have consistently had 100% NCLEX pass rates and have the best reputation around town. Sadly, due to budget cuts, the hospital system chose to close it. Some of the best nurses I work with are graduates of that school.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
Move to a state that takes new grads. North Dakota has a great economy. 2 years is a long time to go without working and you skills might start to languish. good luck.
I agree with everyone that advises to relocate to get a job. Two years is way too long to be out of school and not yet employed, that's considered stale. Not to mention the fact that you are a diploma school graduate (nothing against that in itself, only as compared to the bulk of ADN and BSN grads out there). You are competing for a job in a market that is oversaturated with recent BSN graduates, and even they are having a tough time at it. My classmate was unemployed for a year after graduation and she had a really tough time convincing employers that she was still job worthy. Someone eventually took her on once she moved elsewhere. You need to make some sacrifices in order to make things happen. At this point get ANY RN job you can get, anywhere! You need to start getting experience already.
I wish I had better advice for you than move, since you indicated that is not possible. All posters from that area are saying you have a very hard road ahead of you without a degree beyond a diploma nursing program. Keep plugging away I guess, apply anywhere and everywhere nurses are hired. Check with agencies, insurance companies, home health, school nursing, big companies that hire wellness staff. There are probably more places that I can't think of off the top of my head that might hire nurses. In the mean time keep up with that BSN, at least when that is done you will again be a new grad, in the same boat as all the other new grads without the burden of having no college degree.
I would suggest looking at Skilled Nursing Facilities. It's not the most glorious job and the pay isn't the best, but it's how I got my start in Nursing. The turnover rate is so high at SNF's that they are almost ALWAYS hiring.
Central Pa diploma program person here. Almost all grads are offered positions at the hospital, and the local Penn State campus is where we complete our 1 year RN to BSN program. Starting rate is fantastic considering the low cost of living. Unfortunately, not much in terms of fun activities to be had here. Hospital also still pays 100% of that BSN (the last I heard).
A friend graduated in 2013 and had no problem getting into Penn State Hershey Med after a few months experience at the school hospital and just her lil 'ole diploma.
Diploma program doesn't necessarily mean career suicide in some places yet.
I agree about looking outside the box. Craigslist helped me get my first 3 nursing jobs, all ones I worked at the same time. I did health fairs through Maxim (agency- Google them!), home IV infusions, and assisted at births at a freestanding birth center. None of these are mainstream nursing jobs, but they all helped me to get the one I accepted today in outpatient urology.
The more flexible you can be, the better for you, especially with 2 years out of work. As stated above, you are, unfortunately, considered stale at this point, and people will look at you and think that there's a reason beyond even your diploma versus BSN that you don't yet have a job. If there is ANY possibility of moving, do it. I know it's not always possible- I had to stay here and tough it out while searching because of my family (soon-to-be-ex husband and I have 50/50 custody, and my son is a high priority for me).
I'm sure you've already done this, but make sure you have on your resume and cover letters that you are enrolled in a BSN program. Some hospitals will accept nurses that do not yet possess a BSN, as long as they will earn it within X amount of time. Consider posting your resume in the resume forum on here- you never know what someone might point out for you. :) Good luck!
Try flu or wellness clinic. Those types of companies are all over the country. I used to work for Maxim (not the magazine :) They would hire anyone with a license and clean background.
I know exactly what you are going through. It is a TOUGH market out there for new grads without a BSN. I'm also a diploma program grad. I have been working in home care for a year since Feb 1. It's definitely not where I want to be, I have been enrolled in a BS program since September and should hopefully be done next spring (2016).
When I apply to jobs I save the automated responses to an email folder. As of today, I have applied to at least 222 jobs in the same area you are in (Phila). I say at least, because I have been SO frustrated lately that I am not quite sure I have saved every single response. I have only had 2 interviews since I graduated in Sept 2013 (1 being my current job). The only classmates to be hired in the hospitals were the ones that worked as CNA's while in school.
It is so frustrating and I totally feel your pain and get why you would give up. I've thought it myself more than once, especially lately. Hang in there, keep on trucking with the BSN - PM me if you are at all interested in home care - my place is always hiring.
Specializes in MedSurg, PACU, Maternal/Child Health.
Unfortunately, being a new diploma nurse in modern times is extremely difficult more than being an ADN RN grad. Have you tried getting hired by the hospital to which your diploma program is affiliated? If a hospital has a diploma program in this day and age, it only makes sense that they would hire their grads with the condition they enrolled in a BSN program (which you say you are in one now). WHy have a diploma program if you are not gonna hire your own grads? Diploma programs are almost obsolete throughout the US, even though diploma programs were known for producing the best nurses as diploma programs involve the most hospital clinical time.
kodkar
1 Post
It's a tough spot to be in, but hang in there!!!
Are you licensed in NJ and PA?? If not, you may want to be, to open up more possibilities.
Smaller, non academic hospitals seem more willing to hire new grads and/or non BSN ~ also you may have to
travel to a more rural area until you complete your BSN.
Best of luck to you!!