"Why don't you have a job yet?" and other infuriating questions/comments.

itsmejuli · Jul 7, 2010

I know everyone is trying to be helpful and supportive and I appreciate the sentiment, but I am so tired of explaining why I am not worthy to hire...

I realize that it gets really old explaining your situation to everyone that asks. But the one person that you don't explain it to may be the person who knows of an RN job for you.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 7, 2010

I had the same thought as Juli ... I'm just glad they're all being supportive, but I'm sure it gets old answering it! Ugh.

Bobbkat · Jul 7, 2010

Yeah....it really gets old. The one's I really love are the nurse recruiter's who act really shocked about a new grad not being able to get a job. Ummm.....really??

giftedRN · Jul 7, 2010

Bobbkat, you are so funny. I have been bombarded with the same questions. What can a new grad say? I just spoke to the manager for the floor where I did my Practicum and she told me that she will pull up my resume to review it and she will call me. Let me hope this is a breakthrough...Oh my God..I am so frustrated.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 7, 2010

Just remember that any one of them may know someone who knows someone so grit your teeth and tell them your story. It is all about networking!

Work in Progress · Jul 7, 2010

Well, I had the same thought initially... hasn't proven to be true so far. One gal told me about PRN work at a nursing home that her daughter works at. I called and they said they required 1 year of LTC. My charge nurse did offer to critique my resume, so that was helpful. I will keep my fingers crossed that someone will miraculously think of something.

caliotter3 · Jul 7, 2010

I would turn it around on them and ask them to help you with a job lead or to recommend you to someone that can get you a job. When they get tired of you asking them for something in return, they might lighten up on the third degree treatment every time they see you.

NurseVN · Jul 7, 2010

I am crying because of the frustration I've experienced. "We like your resume, but we are looking for someone with experience." I received so many rejection emails and phone calls that I became numb sometimes. I have a BSN, a high GPA, BLS, ACLS, PALS, EKG, CPhT (Certified pharm. tech). I have 4 excellent reference letters from professors and past employers. I am working part time at a Rehab center. I've applied to so many jobs- it has been my full time job to find a job! I networked while I was in school. I know so many people who want to help me find a job but their facilities are just at hiring freeze, especially for new grads I may add. I visit all local facilities and hospitals in person with my resume. I even applied to Corrections. I applied EVERYWHERE within 80 miles around me (San Bernadino County, Southern CA) because I can't relocate with a husband and a baby....What else can I do? And everyone that I talk to get surprised that I do not have a job yet. They think I'm either stupid or lazy to look for a job!!! And, the people that are kind, all they can say is: "you will get a job soon. You'll be a great nurse then." Thank you, but when? I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just so stressed. I started applying 3 months before I graduated and now after 3 months of graduation, I just got a job to work one 8hr shift/ week at a Rehab center.

Sorry, I just have to vent because only you guys can understand what I am going through. My non-nursing friends think I'm joking...

caliotter3 · Jul 7, 2010

One eight hour shift a week is a start. It is better than being totally unemployed. Go to the local agencies when you have accumulated some "time" on this job and see if you can talk your way into getting more shifts a week. During the conversation try not to emphasize that you are only working one day a week. It might work. Good luck.

BKCinNOLA · Jul 8, 2010

My favorite is when relatives think they are being helpful by perusing hospital websites for you.. 'oh, this hospital by us has tons of openings for nurses! check out their website! they say one year experience, but you have all that good experience from nursing school, right?' or 'I looked under nursing support and there are a ton of jobs for nurse's assistant and medical assistants. Wouldn't it be good to be an assistant to a nurse or a doctor? They might be able to get you a job eventually!' Ha!

I still just politely say, 'Thanks! I'll check it out.' Hang up the phone and roll my eyes/laugh with my mom (She actually gets it).

P.S. I just got a job offer the day before yesterday for work as an RN with an Early Intervention program. The first thing my grandma says to me when I tell her it's not in a hospital, 'Oh, so it's not a nursing job?' :uhoh3: Here we go again...

Work in Progress · Jul 8, 2010

Family members are the WORST! My MIL desperately wants us to move to the town she lives in. The hospital system in that area (which also basically runs every SNF, doctor's office, urgent care, home care, ANYTHING medically related in the town) contracts students in nursing school and gives them tuition assistance in return for agreeing to work for them. Because of this, anyone who did not go to their affiliated nursing schools has no chance of getting in as a new graduate. I have explained this to her about 50,000 times. I have shown her the website which explicitly states this. Yet every single day she sends me a link to a job listing there that says ___ years of RN experience.

I think people outside of the field are used to seeing job postings that say ____ years of experience in other fields and thinking "well, that is what they want, but they are never going to get it so I should apply anyways." They don't understand that this is not how it works.