RN, LAc

When originally applying for jobs I put in applications in 10 different states and did try to relocate, but was unsuccessful. I have also volunteered, but cannot anymore because I have to work to pay bills and student loans. Thanks for the suggestions, though. I will look into UCSF and CPMC.

Hi everyone, I have been a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist since 2002. A few years ago, I decided to attend nursing school. Due to financial reasons, I attended a ADN program, and have since graduated and have had my RN license since 2009. Without going into my history of job searching, I will just say that I tried EVERYTHING, but was not able to get a nursing position, even with a 3.8 GPA, stellar references, and both ACLS and BLS certifications. I have spoken with several seasoned nurses here in the San Francisco Bay Area who believe I have just suffered from bad luck. I do not have the resources to attend any more education at this time. Is anyone aware of any avenues potentially open for someone with my unique background that I may not be aware of? I really wanted to work in the nursing field and believe I have a lot to offer nursing and the patients. I am a mature, intelligent and compassionate person who just wants to help others. I have never before had an issue getting a job. I received good feedback about my interviews, had my resume reviewed and am now at a loss regarding my current options. I have applied for transition to practice programs, and no longer qualify as a new graduate because of my graduation date. I completed a skills review course in 2011. I appreciate any feedback you could give me.

I believe units are hiring the wrong graduates due to some bias around who should be a nurse. I see bias all the time on this site against those who did not choose nursing just out of high school. As if this makes someone a superior nurse. I was a career changer in my mid 30's in nursing school. As a provider in alternative medicine, I used to treat 30+ patients daily. I had confidence, excellent organizational skills, assessment skills, knowledge of charting, how to speak to family members, etc. The patients were not acute as they are in hospitals, however, I had life experience and knowledge & experience of patient care. I am also very adept with procedures. During clinical rotations in nursing school, many RNs were asking if I was applying to their floor because they wanted to work with me. The other "older" graduates and I watched in horror as the units gave job offer after job offer to the very young, inexperienced, nurses with a history of making errors, no life or clinical skills or experience of ANY kind. Older graduates are more likely to understand the job and what is expected of them. The posters complaining of the "whiny" new nurses who refuse to work weekends and holidays, night shifts, etc are no doubt speaking of younger graduates without any significant work history. Don't know why this happens, but it frequently does. I never got the coveted first nursing job. Sometimes I feel like I dodged a bullet.