gizmojamz

I could have written this as I too have recently moved from home to another state for my first nursing job (well the first hospital one anyway) which also has me on a 2-year contract. However, the location I'm in is a neighboring state so the drive from here to home is very reasonable. While I find the new town I'm in doesn't compare to home, it definitely could be much worse. I would try to keep in contact as much as possible with family, I'm sure they're interested in how you're fairing at your new job. It'll be tough but try to get involved in things you did at home. For example, try and go pamper yourself at the spa. Go to your local gym. Volunteer. Go shopping, to the zoo, etc. I have found more peace with my situation as I know this is temporary and I'll gain valuable experience in the long run as well. As time passes, it'll be easier! And also think about this as time passes, you're that much closer to fulfilling your part of the contract and will be rewarded with a bonus in the end so it isn't all for nothing. Remember this, the homesickness will be temporary, your stay will be temporary but the experiences and clinical skills you gain will stay with you wherever you go! ☺️

Yes, things are very different now. I'm a new nurse and I've heard stories like yours from other seasoned nurses who have also been able to get into their specialties with little to no med surg experience. I hope to advance my career by transitioning into public health nursing at some point after completing 2 years (I'm on contract) at my current job. Throughout my time in school, there was something about bedside nursing that I did not like and I think it's the lack of real interaction with the patients besides what boxes needed to be checked for charting. Oh how I wish things were different!

I agree with this. I graduated from nursing school in fall 2018 and it took me 1 year to find the current hospital position I have now. Within that year, I do feel like my skills have collected dust, as I like to say. In between that time I worked a home care job which required very little critical thinking skills and at the minimum very basic assessment skills. So when I have had encounters for things like starting IVs I have to explain to my fellow nurses that it's literally been 1 year since I've even been in a hospital environment, let alone done any IVs as a student nurse. I feel like it's easy for staff to forget that you may not have the 10+ years of med-surg experience they do and that I'm not the fresh doe-eyed type of new nurse, I'm an "old new grad" who has experienced a lapse in exposure to the bedside nursing environment. I'm truly thankful to have the opportunity that I do now but I feel like things would have been different for me had I started hospital orientation within a month or two after graduating. Unfortunately, that just wasn't the path provided for me.

Wow that is crazy. I'm sorry this happened to you. I have a friend who went to a for profit school and had a scenario like this happen to her as well. She was able to graduate 6 months later after she and a bunch of other nursing students who still wanted to fight got together and lawyered up. If you can get in touch with more of those students, you might have a good case on your hands.

Hello! This was from months ago and I actually took another RN position in my home state but this interview wasn't as stressful as I thought. It was pretty straightforward but the formatting was completely new to me at the time. They give you a few attempts in between video responses too as they are aware you may mess up. I think if you get used to talking in front of the camera, you'll have very little issues.

That's great news! Congrats! ?

Wow, interesting what a small world. It's sad how it is right now. If you don't mind, I'd love to PM you some companies that have reached out to me previously (and still do occasionally).

Exactly and that's why I've kind of accepted how picky they are being. It's like this with all of them as of late. I'm guessing you're a new grad from May 2019 correct? I'm an "old new grad" from December 2018 and have found a part-time RN job. Don't count out any regular full time/part-time positions if you can't get into an RN residency program. They're definitely out there. The Indeed website has been the most beneficial in my search. Good luck!

It's been like crickets so far. I have 3 applications still saying "under review." No changes as of lately besides 1 rejection email from one of their facilities.

You're welcome! Please update us on here if you find anything?

Congratulations on graduating. I'm going to be honest with you, DFW has been extremely competitive lately for new grad nurses in particular. It's mostly because this area is saturated with nursing schools thus resulting in a lot of new grads in the area to compete with which also affects the wait time for reviewing your application and receiving the request to interview. You say you haven't gotten any position offers so I take it you are getting interviews. That's good. You might need to spread your wings and be open about the possibility of applying in locations outside of DFW. Also, don't knock potentially relocating outside of Texas. Not saying you should give up on DFW, just know that you have 1 year from your graduation date to qualify for nurse residency programs. After that, you're an "old new grad." I would recommend applying for SNFs, LTAC and rehab facilities. The main goal is to get an offer and get clinical nursing experience period, whether it be in a residency program or a regular full-time position at a smaller facility. Don't be discouraged there are many more like yourself in the same boat, trust me. Keep applying! ?

@brightfutureRN Initially, in Fall when graduation was approaching I applied for most critical care positions as well as med surg. Since then I've had a total 4 interviews within that specialty (In CC) but no offer. I have had about 4 or 5 interviews for med surg positions for new grad residencies and still no offers. They're incredibly picky (as they should for various reasons) even if you have all the qualifications (including previous CNA experience, at that!). Since that has happened, I've been applying indiscriminately to anything I'm eligible for including positions that use the word "preferred" for certain qualifiers. I've been applying to local nursing homes, LTACs, SNFs, rehab hospitals, within the metroplex as well as those located in the mid-cities on the outskirts of the major cities. Yes, I must admit I do have my moments when my efforts feel fruitless but I still make myself fill out at least 10-15 applications every day if I can because it never hurts. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Thank you for your kind words. I know it will work out eventually. Just didn't expect the process to be THIS long and grueling.

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. I'm so happy you were able to find a good position (and in the specialty you desire too!) Unfortunately, in my case, it's been almost 5 months now since receiving my license and almost 6 since getting my BSN. It's been extremely tough. I'm aware of how competitive it is for new grads, especially considering that I live in a major metroplex where I am. I've explored the option of going out of state but the reality hit me hard that it can become quite expensive applying for license endorsement, and even flying out for interviews (which I may or may not get an offer for). I definitely haven't given up applying or interviewing (and I AM getting bites). However, I just need an actual offer that will consolidate my clinical skills. Thank you once again!

My applications still say under review. Good Luck!

@brightfutureRN I know this post is at least a year old but did you manage to find a full time position? I'm currently dealing with something similar to this myself.