Purposeless Ranting just to make myself feel better for a second.

RN403, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2014

I am sorry for your situation, Courtney. *hugs*

Have you considered getting your resume and cover letter professionally reviewed? Maybe they can help you spruce things up a bit in hopes to finding a better job.

Keep your hopes up in the mean time and keep applying to jobs. Make some calls, go to HR, use the connections you have with your fellow graduate to try and get in contact with NMs. Hopefully, your newfound RN experience will assist you in finding a job you will be happy with. Best wishes.

firstinfamily, RN · Sep 12, 2014

Hey Courtney, sounds like you have a case of bitters!! Yeah, I can relate to the getting through nursing school with no support but yourself. I know recent grads have had problems getting into the hospitals because they all want some type of experience. When you say you have been a student nurse in the ICU for 2 years do you mean you did this as an extern? It is hard to get experience when no one will hire you. If you want to ready yourself for the hospital environment it might be wise to look into sub-acute rehab. There is still a lot of medical-surgical type nursing in sub-acute, the patients are still sick and still need a good bit of nursing care, you would be improving your assessment skills as well. In my state most of these are located in the LTC facilities, but being on sub acute will prepare you for general med-surg in the hospital. I know some younger nurses that have had a very difficult time getting into the acute environment, but the ones who were on the sub-acute units have been hired into acute care, so I think it is a very good bridge and it does show you have the necessary skills. BLS is good, ACLS is better, try to get certified, keep up with CEUs to show you are motivated. Keep trucking, the time will come.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2014

I am sorry for your situation. Are you applying for jobs out of your town? Are you applying for jobs outside the hospital?

monkeyhq · Sep 12, 2014

I am sorry for your situation, Courtney. *hugs*
Have you considered getting your resume and cover letter professionally reviewed? Maybe they can help you spruce things up a bit in hopes to finding a better job.

^^^THIS^^^

I would add that there are ways to apply for jobs, and ways not to apply for jobs. Many new (and experienced) nurses search the internet for job postings, and this is not a bad thing. But you must use care when applying for jobs in this manner (i.e. web-portal, auto-import of resume fields, filter questions, etc.).

A sizable number of employers use 'filter' criteria on web postings. With the internet, more people are made aware of more openings at a much faster pace than the old newspaper employment ads, and most employers get flooded with more resumes than they can handle. For new nurses, these filters are often the kiss of death. If your resume doesn't import to their 'fields' with 5 years of experience, ACLS, *specialty*, for example, the employer may never even SEE your resume, unique qualifications (bi-lingual), and relevant experience.

To avoid the automated 'this applicant will not be sent to employer' bots on these type of job listings, MAIL in your resume (with a comprehensive cover letter and references) whenever possible. And make follow-up calls after five business days to show them you are interested, and to confirm receipt of your resume.

If you are unhappy where you are, keep looking. There are government nursing jobs (these generally care for the mentally/physically disabled adult population, i.e. wards of the state), public health agencies, surgical centers, outpatient surgical centers, rehab hospitals, GI/Endoscopy clinics, Diabetes specialty clinics, children's hospitals, urgent care centers, occupational health clinics, Hospice, military hospitals and VA hospitals, Dialysis centers, and more.

It is a tough market in many cities right now, and I sincerely feel for anyone competing in the market as a new grad. But keep trying. You will get there!

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Sep 12, 2014

At least you found a job as a nurse. Eventually you should be able to get the job you want. Try to make a difference to all the poor neglected elderly while you are at the nursing home. Try to brighten their day and it may help lift your spirits as well!

Some new grads haven't been able to get a nursing job even after a year or two so you are already better off than others. You are gaining experience and able to pay your bills and student loans so that is what I would concentrate on.

allnurses Guide · Sep 12, 2014

First off, I totally hear the rant and understand. Second..

Wow, you have so much to be proud of!!!

Forget about the comparison game. I know it sounds old-fashioned but it is pointless and impossible to compare your insides to other people's outsides. In a year or two things will have changed considerably - trust me on that one. In nursing you can't survive without a deep inner core. You seem like you've got a toolbox full of lots of great attributes to get you started on that. You'll need it when the wind starts blowing.

Take that nursing home job and toss out the thought of "low-level". When a high-caliber person shows up, the job is not low-level. Not to say it might not be a terrible place, but approach it with the idea of learning skills you can take with you, and you will, even if it's only a "what not to do" lesson.

You've got some great credentials and personal qualities going on there, so ((hugs)) hope the rant made you feel better!

caliotter3 · Sep 12, 2014

Wish there was something I could say to make you feel better, but the truth of the matter is that you have probably been introduced to how much of your working life could be. The workplace is always unfair. To somebody. Typically, the people who work the hardest and really earn their checks are the ones who are abused and dealt with harshly, in all aspects of work. Better to realize this now and learn how to better cope with this reality than to always be making yourself sick over things you can not change. Find the joy in your life and concentrate on that every day. Who knows, once in awhile, you may turn out to be the one who gets the better hand. Good luck.

ceebeejay · Sep 12, 2014

(((hugs))). I have screamed to heaven what you have posted here many times. Personally, I believe one key is the resume issued as stated by Monkeyhq. It's a void for novice RNs. You have your BSN, so you are ahead of me. Still working on that. Have you tried going into the places that you want to work? Avoid the online application. Not every place is open to this. Some will robotically redirect you to the website, but some are willing to talk and give you their business card or email. We are working *somewhere* and gaining skills and experience. Now, time, talent, and opportunity have to come together. Try not to compare yourself to others as hard as that is. I know it feels so unfair sometimes, but it will really drive you crazy.

Emergent, RN · Sep 13, 2014

I know I sound bitter, this is why this is called a purposeless rant. I have to work in a very low-scale nursing home to make ends meet for now.

I started out in a tiny nursing home, there just weren't many jobs available when I graduated. I, also, worked my butt off, raising children, very little money, had my car break down, oh, and my mother had a brain aneurysm and died, after being in a coma for 4 months while I was in school.

My suggestion is to go to work every day with an attitude of gratitude and humility. Be a good servant to your patients and your current employer. Stay with your job for at least a year. Like others have said, brush up your resume. And, do some honest self-reflection as to how you come across professionally.

Good luck and God Bless!

morte, LPN, LVN · Sep 13, 2014

I would suggest a visit or two with a psychologist/job coach, perhaps you are coming off bitter/entitled, whatever. this is not an accusation... but address all possibilities.

Nola009 · Sep 13, 2014

Ok, so when did you graduate? If it helps, you're not alone...