RN can't find job, what gives?

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

I have been a nurse for 3 years. Started out in LTC, moved onto Med/Surg, and then started travel nursing. My first Med/Surg job, the floor closed, and they didn't want to train me in any other specialty in the hospital, with my LTC background.

Why in tarnations can I not find any work? :cry:

It got so bad, that I ran out of money for gas, to even get to an interview. I even didn't eat for a few days, because I had no money for food. I exhausted my savings. I was suppose to start a position, but there orientation was an hour away from there faciltiy. I had no way to get there. How embarassing.

I heard that the shortage is over on the West coast? And also on the East, where I am from. I felt that last year, and had to move from my hometown. Where are people hiring?

What about travel nursing, does it really ruin the resume? I heard both different from recruiters. I am afraid to take another travel assignment because I am afraid it is ruining my chances of finding a permanent position.

I have great work references and I love being a nurse. But, I haven't worked since July and came here for some suggestions as what to do. I don't want it to come down to me going into another field, since I worked so hard to get here in the first place. But, I seem to have gotten stuck over here and can't seem to move up in my career. All the students in my graduating class are doing so well. They did their year of Med/Surg and was able to move on. Sigh... :crying2:

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Specializes in ER.

Gracious, you have had a hard time. I don't know where in Arizona you are, but there were lots of travel jobs last time I looked. I have not heard about traveling ruining your resume, if anything, I think it improves it. If you can't even get to a job because your finances are so low though, I am not sure how traveling will help. You have to get there first.

You may be able to find a company who provides a rental car, but you still have to put gas in it and wait for your first paycheck 2-3 weeks after you start.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

I definitely don't think travel nursing "ruins" your resume. I worked a travel assignment for almost 2 years at UMC in the resource pool. It was by far the best experience I've ever had.

It sounds like you're single? So you are perfect for traveling. The first job I had traveling I was too financially strapped to get to my assignment, so I told them that. They sent me a 700$ check (which was their relocation allowance). Normally it would be on my 1st check.

Try Premier Healthcare Professionals - they were the only truly honest travel company I dealt with.

Good luck to you - it sounds like you are really having a hard time. (((hugs)))

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Specializes in OPERATING ROOM, ICU.

What in the world? I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. Would you consider branching out and training in a different nursing field? How about home health, community nursing, different areas in the hospital such as recovery, ICU, operating room, cath lab. Remember to not limit yourself!

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.
What in the world? I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. Would you consider branching out and training in a different nursing field? How about home health, community nursing, different areas in the hospital such as recovery, ICU, operating room, cath lab. Remember to not limit yourself!

There is no hospital that I have applied to that is willing to train me out of Med/Surg. It seems they are hiring New Grads (no offense), but Med/Surg was suppose to be the basics of all nursing. Everytime I apply they say I don't have enough experience in that specialty. The Tele/ICU position I had was only 13 weeks long, and they needed nurses so bad they were taking Med/Surg.

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

Oh and thanks for letting me know that Travel nursing will ruin my resume.

Recruiters keep telling me all these things about nursing, but they aren't even nurses. So I knew I would find the answer here.

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Have you thought about applying to the VA? I know that they are establishing an internal travel nursing program. With your experience in LTC/Dementia you would be picked up. (As a psych nurse for the VA I can tell you that a lot of my patients are agitated patients with dementia.) Best of luck!

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it is always so frustrating when you are having difficulty finding a job, one reason why i shifted to nursing in my doltage

as suggested try everything that you can possibly qualify for, if you would like to return to traveling that would give your a lot of experience in diverse specilities and once your are established you might find your self in a part of the country where there is a shortage

most places in the country finding a job is not a difficult thing but right now with the economy in a slump there are a lot of sahm who have returned to work

i live on gulf coast and there is NO shortage of jobs

come on down

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

This is the type of letter I received when applying for a permanent position at a hospital in Southern California. It was for 3 positions in Med/Surg. Didn't want to leave a name, because that isn't nice, but this is what I usually get. I don't get it.

I would like to thank you for your interest in a current position at BLANK Medical Center.

Unfortunately, after careful review of all the qualified candidates, your resume

was not forwarded to the department for consideration. We select candidates

whose skills, knowledge and experience provide the best qualifications for the

position.

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

Have you spoken to Nurse Managers? Maybe it is something in your resume that is turning potential employers off. I would try to get an appointment with one and ask for a resume evaluation, who knows it could turn into a job, or maybe your school or another local CC or University nursing program could assist you. What about state nursing associations?

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.
Have you spoken to Nurse Managers? Maybe it is something in your resume that is turning potential employers off. I would try to get an appointment with one and ask for a resume evaluation, who knows it could turn into a job, or maybe your school or another local CC or University nursing program could assist you. What about state nursing associations?

:up: Thanks so much for your suggestion, but I did that a month ago with my mentor. My mentor who has been a nurse for 31 years says my resume is fine. She has been a DON, ADON, and now is in Hospice Case Management. I have great references, that no one even checks. I swear only one or two places have called my professional references to do a background.

I can't go back to my school, I don't live there anymore. I left the East Coast, for the same reason. But, before I thought it was because of my LTC background and not enough Med/Surg or what they would call Acute hospital experience. Seriously, though what I learned in LTC, has made me the nurse I am today. No regrets ever. But, I would get the same letters from hospitals out East. Question is who

Now I have been a nurse for 3 years and I can't find a job. And I met someone at my last assignment who has been a nurse for 20 years and can't find one either. I know I am not the only one with this problem. I probaby will have to do another travel assignment, since that is the only offers I am getting. :banghead: I would like a home someday. Sigh. :no:

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

I just wanted to say one thing, because my internet is getting shut off on Monday. I hope that people who have jobs appreciate that they do, even though some days are hell, or it might not be the best place. Don't complain about it and say it sucks. Look at me who has nothing left and can't even get to an interview. I never thought I would ever be starving, on the verge of homelessness, and begging for a job, with my RN and college degree.

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