newbie RN

I was offered a position in LTC on the rehab unit but turned it down because I thought I was getting a position at a hospital. The hospital even gave me a recruitment interview and discussed benefits in detail. I was so sure I was getting a position at the hospital that I sent a letter to the LTC saying I accepted another position, and after a few months of doing shadows at the hospital they decide to tell me they aren't offering a position at this time, and to come back in a year. I did five shadows at the hospital and wasted all that time when I could've been at another job actually working. I need advice on what to do at this point. Should I call the LTC center and tell them the other position didn't work out? I have been looking for a nursing job now for 9 months, I graduated back in December 2010 with an RN. I was offered the position back in July, and now its September and still no job. I don't know if I would still be considered for employment at the first place since I turned down the position. I feel like I ruined my only chance for a job. I have been told by hospitals that I lack confidence and don't seem strong enough to handle the stressful positions, I am not even given a chance to prove myself. I get nervous in interviews, and feel like new RNs are given the brush off unless they know someone on the inside or look perfect. I am overweight, but I am trying to lose weight right now. I don't know if I haven't been offered positions due to my weight, and said it was due to lack of confidence, so they don't get into trouble. Everyone else I graduated with in 2010 has a job in a hospital right now.

I know exactly how you feel. I graduated in December 2010 with a BSN and live in Rochester. I have applied to numerous places and cannot find a job. Strong told me to come back in a year when I have experience. Where is a new nurse supposed to go to get experience if a hospital won't hire me? I need to get experience with the basics that we can't do in nursing school like IVs, blood draws, and other skills. No office will hire me without experience and so far every LTC facility I've interviewed at wants supervisory experience. I am at a loss and feel like giving up as well. If I had known that working in the hospital as a PCT during nursing school was a prerequisite to get an RN job, I would've done that. Does anyone know of ANY openings in Rochester, NY or surrounding areas?

Well, I graduated in Dec 2010 with my BSN, and have yet to get a job. I talked to a nursing recruiter today after having five shadows and interviews at a hospital, and was told I wasn't offered a position. She asked if I would like some constructive criticism, and said that Nurse Managers have told her that I don't show confidence at interviews, look like a deer in the headlights, and don't smile. She said there are at least 30 people applying and interviewing for jobs on each unit and they don't feel I am confident enough to work on the acute care/med surg units. How do I gain confidence as a new grad if I cannot get into a position to start building confidence? I need to prove to staff and Nurse Managers that I can do the job, but am not given a chance in the first place. The staff nurses I shadowed with seemed to like me and hoped to see me soon, but never gave me the idea that I lacked confidence. I thought during shadows you are merely watching the unit and nurses to see if it is a good fit for you. I have over 4 years experience working in LTC as a certified nursing assistant, but no recent health care experience. I have slowly lost confidence in myself since I graduated last December 2010, since I have had no job offers. Maybe this has shown in my interviews. I need advice on how to exude confidence even if I don't have any. I have trouble with behavioral interviews, lack confidence that I will find a job, and feel like I will always be a "new grad". My loans have started and I feel like employers are ignoring my persistence, hiring younger more fit nurses, and I become just another resume in the pile. Oh and I live in Rochester, NY, where there seem to be no jobs.