I have been working as a Nurse Intern, still, since graduating and becoming licensed. I dread coming to work, not because I am bored out of my mind or because I am making half the money I should be making (both are true), but because I have a variation of this conversation about 10 times a night.
Nurse: Why are you still working as an NI?
Me: Because I haven't gotten an RN job yet.
Nurse: Why don't you have a job yet?
Me: Because no one wants to hire a new grad.
Nurse: I am sure [manager] will give you a job!
Me: No, she doesn't have any openings right now.
Nurse: Well, I am sure [other floor's manager] would hire you.
Me: I have talked to them, [manager] called them and I gave them my resume. I haven't heard anything.
Nurse: Why haven't you applied anywhere else?
Me: I have, probably about 250 applications. I have been rejected from every one.
Nurse: Nursing home?
Me: Rejected.
Nurse: Dr's offices?
Me: Rejected
Nurse: Home health?
Me: Rejected
Nurse:School nursing?
Me: Rejected
Nurse: I'm sorry. I know you will get a job soon! You will be a great nurse.
Me: Thanks... I hope so.
I walk 30 ft down the hall...
Another Nurse: Why are you still working as an NI?
Me: Bangs my head against the wall
Every single shift with every single nurse, CNA, clerk, housekeeper, even one of the docs. It is the same thing every day. I feel like I should just wear a sandwich board that says "No, I don't have an RN job yet. I am working on it. Yes, I have tried that."
Would it be impolite to say "I just don't feel like talking about it"? 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 so understand the frustration! I just wanted to slap anyone silly who gave me the same advice or asked the same questions. And yes, I especially loved it when relatives called to tell me about the openings that I had already applied for (more than once).
I asked the nursing recruiter to look at my resume, and went back with the new resume each time she gave me advice. After four tries, she finally asked who I wanted her to send it to, and called me the next day for an interview. Made me wonder what she had been doing with it all of the other times...
Specializes in LTC, PCU, Med/Surg, Hospice, OBGYN.
Did you try Mollen Immunization Clinics? They are national and are hiring for the fall right now. It may not be long term but it will get you some experience and much needed money ($22/hr). They are hiring New Grads too.
And whatever you do, don't give that nurse an attitude because she'll go to her Nurse Manager and say "Thank you for not hiring that New Grad, she's got such an attitude!!!" (I should know, it happened where I work!)
Did you try Mollen Immunization Clinics? They are national and are hiring for the fall right now. It may not be long term but it will get you some experience and much needed money ($22/hr). They are hiring New Grads too.
And whatever you do, don't give that nurse an attitude because she'll go to her Nurse Manager and say "Thank you for not hiring that New Grad, she's got such an attitude!!!" (I should know, it happened where I work!)
Thanks! I am hired and the paperwork is done but I heard many negative things from people who did it before...let's see how it is!
wannabHishands
193 Posts
I so understand the frustration! I just wanted to slap anyone silly who gave me the same advice or asked the same questions. And yes, I especially loved it when relatives called to tell me about the openings that I had already applied for (more than once).
I asked the nursing recruiter to look at my resume, and went back with the new resume each time she gave me advice. After four tries, she finally asked who I wanted her to send it to, and called me the next day for an interview. Made me wonder what she had been doing with it all of the other times...
Good luck!