icu12

I believe it is a game of chance and persistence. I recommend talking to some of your nursing friends who have established themselves in positions to put in a good word for you to their managers. My nursing friends have also said that they asked to job shadow in areas and hospitals where they wanted a position. In addition, follow up an application with a phone call or a visit to the area where you applied or a direct phone call to the manager. Not all hospitals have HR gatekeepers and managers have more influence on hiring their own staff. I honestly think that it is a numbers game... just keep trying.. don't give up. It only takes the right person to look at your resume and find value in your education and work experience...hang in there. Another tidbit of advice is to keep your mouth shut and not get involved in politics or offer ways to improve the facility where you work or show any sign that you have trouble with your duties because this can bite you in the butt. Do whatever it takes to get through your first two years in your first nursing job and then move on if you choose. I thought that one year and 10 months was enough experience and it turns out that that is not enough! I have been looking for a job since April 2013 and am still jobless. Part of the reason is because I don't want to work in ICU, which is my current specialty, and would rather work in a less stressful unit like PCU or an office. The market is tough. I wish you lots of luck. If you or anyone ever wants some advice or an understanding person to vent to, email me at: [email protected]

The other day I was told by management that some nurses felt that I was upset when they were giving me report.. that they felt my tension/anger... I couldn't believe it!? Are you serious?! I got a crappy @$$ team and I'm supposed to be happy about it and not show any emotion?? That was so ridiculous. The funny thing is that the oncoming nurse taking report from me got all huffy and puffy when she took over my assignment! lol I just had to laugh.. I'm not one to tattle on people, but it sucks to work with backstabbing nurses who will turn you in in a hot minute.

I completely agree. I am quitting nursing because I feel so stressed out and I feel like crying before my shift, during my shift, and after my shift. The other day I cried for a straight 45 minutes (the whole ride home)! I can never seem to find the right position, but have felt obligated to work as a nurse because now I am in enormous debt as a result of nursing school (private nursing school at a big university). I am so mad at myself because I thought this profession would be something it is not. I am worked to the bone, underpaid, stressed, and the patients just keep on coming with no end in sight! I have also had it with patients who are unappreciative and who have a sense of entitlement... who treat me like a servant and not a nurse! pull up your own damn blanket.. your arms are not broken!! ugh.. so sick of it. Anyway, I am glad that there are others out there who can feel my pain and are sympathetic because you get it. Life is too short to hate your job and be miserable. I am close to finishing up a MBA... I hope and pray that God will lead me to where he wants me to be. God Bless all of you.

I hate to say this to you, but it is only going to get worse. I hate nursing!!! I've been a nurse almost two years and it has been a nightmare. I am looking at walking away from nursing altogether. Patients don't appreciate crap and my boss feels that it's ok to keep overworking us and giving us heavier and heavier workloads. There is no end in sight. Every nursing job I have had turns out the same.. crappy pay, lots of stress, and more work than any one human should have. My advice is for you to get an doctor's office job if you can or stick it out in med surg for a year... then make your move. You have to have at least one year of RN experience to get any kind of a nursing job. Good luck.