Should I quit without exp?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi there, I'm a stale grad now I guess with the new batch of graduates coming up. I made a thread a while ago but never got replies. Basically I'm thinking of leaving nursing, not now but maybe by next year if I still don't get a job. I'd hate to quit without having worked as a nurse but it's been a year now since I've been applying and have not gotten anything. I have had only a handful of interviews and was not successful because of lack of experience. My confidence got an all time low when I was being interviewed along with a bunch of nursing students on there way to graduation this summer. Since nursing school, I've had tons of anxiety during clinical but I was at peace somewhat during my community and mental health placement. People say nursing is such a broad umbrella and opportunities are plenty but to a new grad without experience, there's still a massive wall that blocks it. I have applied to all and every LTC adds and clinics and any outpatient settings. Anyways with my year off, I decided to start looking more into different careers. I realized the more I was away from nursing the more anxious I was about my depleting skills that were already lacking to begin with.

I still want to remain in the healthcare field preferably out in the community like public health or another option I was thinking being an xray/ultrasound tech or even a unit clerk. I feel like a coward for giving up and this was the reason why I wanted to complete nursing school even though I realized I wasn't meant for it. I don't think I'm a bad nurse but I'm a very anxious person and unconfident to the point it really shows. I'm still fairly young so going back to school is still a good option for me but I'd really hate to give up everything I worked hard for just because I'm losing hope in this job searching.

Any advice? Should I just quit or stick around until the last glimpse of hope? I know I only have 2 more years until my license expires meaning if I don't get a job within 2 yrs or else I'm not gonna be able to work as an RN anyways, so should I just keep applying to jobs and hope I get something before my 2 yrs is up, then switch into a different career? I know I'm gonna get tough comments like just quit if you don't like it and to grow a back bone, and it's really easier said than done. I'd like to get some constructive advice if possible. Thanks.

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Are you willing to move for a job? There are parts of this country with dangerous nursing shortages.

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Are you willing to move for a job? There are parts of this country with dangerous nursing shortages.

That's my main drawback. I won't be able to afford to move because I'm currently unemployed. I just can't pack up and leave. Most of the adds I've seen that are further from me (around 3-5hours) are only hiring part time as well. I'd be more than glad to take part time work to start with but I won't be able to survive if I have to move and pay rent. My other concern is being alone in a new place with a new job with no support from family or friends. I don't want to sound like a wimp (which I am anyways) but we all heard how hard it is to transition from a student to nurse to an actual working nurse. It would be much horrible for me without the support especially since I'm still second guessing my career in nursing. Thanks for your reply though. I'm sure many people will share the same thought that we unemployed folks should stop complaining and move to the jobs but it's very much easier said than done, everyone is different and some are able to move and some cannot. There are plenty of jobs in my city though but definitely not in nursing, so I got to think about it some more and ponder if it's worth moving in the middle of no where just to get a nursing job that will stress the heck out of me or just stay in my bubble place and finding work which pays decent amount of money but obviously less than a nurse salary. I really have realized that to enjoy nursing has to be a calling which I probably don't have. I wanted to help people and care for people but for some reason I get so anxious in the hospital/floor and busy environment.

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Do you have a bachelor's degree? What was your favorite part of your education? If you have the means to go back to school, why not get a masters as a licensed social worker or education so you can teach? (if you loved science, math...you could teach those things)

Meanwhile, look to home health. That could be a niche for you.

Best wishes!

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Do you have a bachelor's degree? What was your favorite part of your education? If you have the means to go back to school, why not get a masters as a licensed social worker or education so you can teach? (if you loved science, math...you could teach those things)

Meanwhile, look to home health. That could be a niche for you.

Best wishes!

Yes I have my Bachelors degree, I felt dumb for taking it right away after highschool. I should have gone into LPN route first to test if I really would like nursing I at least would not have been in so much debt that I am now. My favorite part of nursing school was nothing lol joking asides I did like community health where we worked with children, and also mental health I was assigned in mood disorder so I liked it but I have a skewed perception because my peers who were assigned in Psych ICU for example said they'd never set a food inside a mental health unit ever after seeing the restraints.Thanks for letting me know about home health I've been researching on it and I think it's my best bet right now! I have applied to some but have not gotten replies back. There are home health companies that are only hiring in areas 2-3 hrs away though but honestly by the end of this year I might even consider it to get my foot in. Do you need experience or even a bachelors in social work before you get a Masters in it though? (Sorry if it seems like a dumb question I honestly don't know and would love to know the options I can take with my degree in nursing). I would love to do more social/emotional aspect of nursing like social work however I have a family friend who is a social worker but works in a retail store because she said the jobs required you to be fluent in a popular language to the community ie; Spanish, Mandarin/Cantonese, Indian, French. If you could not speak those languages she advice me to stay away. In terms of teaching, it's always been my dream to be a teacher but my city is saturated with teachers and people who are wanting to get into teaching and have their teachers college credentials. I have a family friend who graduated 5 yrs ago and have gone to teachers college but till this day she only works as a substitute teacher. I'm getting really frustrated and sad about the bad economy and job market nowadays. I don't mind going to school again but definitely would regret it if I came out more in debt and without a job still.

Thanks for your warm wishes and for your reply! :)

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That's my main drawback. I won't be able to afford to move because I'm currently unemployed. I just can't pack up and leave. Most of the adds I've seen that are further from me (around 3-5hours) are only hiring part time as well. I'd be more than glad to take part time work to start with but I won't be able to survive if I have to move and pay rent. My other concern is being alone in a new place with a new job with no support from family or friends. I don't want to sound like a wimp (which I am anyways) but we all heard how hard it is to transition from a student to nurse to an actual working nurse. It would be much horrible for me without the support especially since I'm still second guessing my career in nursing. Thanks for your reply though. I'm sure many people will share the same thought that we unemployed folks should stop complaining and move to the jobs but it's very much easier said than done, everyone is different and some are able to move and some cannot. There are plenty of jobs in my city though but definitely not in nursing, so I got to think about it some more and ponder if it's worth moving in the middle of no where just to get a nursing job that will stress the heck out of me or just stay in my bubble place and finding work which pays decent amount of money but obviously less than a nurse salary. I really have realized that to enjoy nursing has to be a calling which I probably don't have. I wanted to help people and care for people but for some reason I get so anxious in the hospital/floor and busy environment.

What about looking out of state? Get out of your comfort zone. There are areas that hire and sometimes with a sign on bonus or relocation bonus.

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You mention lack of confidence. Are you afraid of what you will encounter in nursing? Do you really want to be a nurse? I sense a lot of ambivalance here. If you do get a job and become a nurse, are you willing to step out of your comfort zone, fall down a few times and pick yourself up again, work hard to learn what school could not teach you?

If you master these things, your confidence will rise.

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What about looking out of state? Get out of your comfort zone. There are areas that hire and sometimes with a sign on bonus or relocation bonus.
I haven't seen that much adds that would help with relocation but I think by the end of this year if I don't get anything else I will probably have to relocate.

You mention lack of confidence. Are you afraid of what you will encounter in nursing? Do you really want to be a nurse? I sense a lot of ambivalance here. If you do get a job and become a nurse, are you willing to step out of your comfort zone, fall down a few times and pick yourself up again, work hard to learn what school could not teach you?

If you master these things, your confidence will rise.

Yes I'm terrified of what I will encounter actually. I'm not sure about being a nurse anymore I've had a really rough time in nursing school and I realized it really wasn't what I wanted to do, but people are saying that nursing work is different from nursing school (I know it's going to be much tougher and that's what scares me, if I was hanging on the edge at nursing school I'll probably fall off the cliff at work). You are right I am very ambivalent with proceeding my career however I haven't started yet so I'm really on the fence, should I just take the risk and get a job then determine if I should stay as a nurse or should I quit now and keep my sanity. I have no problem stepping out of my comfort zone as I did in school but I feel like there's also a limit and that I have issues with being pushed out of my comfort zone vs stepping out. I think I'm a hard worker and very determined person but lately I've been getting really stressed and emotionally withdrawn at thought of working as a nurse. It scares me at how much things I don't know yet, and the plethora of jobs that I've applied to that wasn't qualified for. I didn't have much of an ego to begin with and the constant rejection and longer I stay unemployed is making it worse.
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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I don't think you should give up with how hard you worked. Have you kept in touch with classmates? I'd look for connections there, and is considered making the big brave move to a place with a nursing shorts gem. I know so many nurses who couldn't find a job in California, went to another state and got their 1 to 2 years experience and then right back home. You could try to view it as a temporary plan. Life's too short to not at least take a chance or two. :)

The biggest thing is you want to move somewhere you feel safe and a place that has a decent orientation program for new grads.

I wish you luck.

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Try psychiatric nursing - there are a lot of different areas for mental health nursing from hospital to addiction nursing. I had interviewed for something some years ago and it would have been a lot of talking, some medication passes but basically that is it.

Once you have experience you could actually even apply to graduate school to become a psych NP - perhaps you want to check that out. IN my area they also added a lot of outpat psych.

You still might end up moving but it might be an area you feel more comfortable. I know nurses who literally never set a foot into other nursing since graduation from school and love psych nursing.

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...I was at peace somewhat during my community and mental health placement....I still want to remain in the healthcare field preferably out in the community like public health....

OP, let me allow another to introduce moi,

"Guy in Babyland, BSN, RN

I think it because you are the author of "Pass California NCLEX-RN in 60 Questions". They must have read it felt you deserved more money because of your in depth knowledge of the subject."

In the referenced thread, I provided insider secrets, I will do the same here:

Unless the job descriptions ask for 3+ yrs of experience, apply.

All my job offers came with these wording: "experience preferred" or "experience highly desirable."

Might as well take a gander at my other threads (2 offers, 4 offers) to perhaps build up your confidence.

Good luck!

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I don't think you should give up with how hard you worked. Have you kept in touch with classmates? I'd look for connections there, and is considered making the big brave move to a place with a nursing shorts gem. I know so many nurses who couldn't find a job in California, went to another state and got their 1 to 2 years experience and then right back home. You could try to view it as a temporary plan. Life's too short to not at least take a chance or two. :)

The biggest thing is you want to move somewhere you feel safe and a place that has a decent orientation program for new grads.

I wish you luck.

Thank you for your advice. I know taking risks is what I need to do but I'm still really doubtful in my future in nursing. I feel like I am pushing myself into doing something I don't like but do it because I have no choice since I've worked so hard to get the license. I'm so ambivalent. I think it would be a different scenario if there was work in my area because had I gotten work right away and experienced what it's like as a working full fledged nurse, then I can finally make up my mind and either stay or go. I want to be happy but I don't want to waste my handwork and efforts especially when I'm still not sure if I want to call it quits. It's very hard to explain but I appreciate your honest opinion about moving. I will have to make up my mind by the end of this year to relocate for sure.

Try psychiatric nursing - there are a lot of different areas for mental health nursing from hospital to addiction nursing. I had interviewed for something some years ago and it would have been a lot of talking, some medication passes but basically that is it.

Once you have experience you could actually even apply to graduate school to become a psych NP - perhaps you want to check that out. IN my area they also added a lot of outpat psych.

You still might end up moving but it might be an area you feel more comfortable. I know nurses who literally never set a foot into other nursing since graduation from school and love psych nursing.

I'm not as experienced in psych nursing though which worries me, I didn't do my consolidation in psych and only had a few weeks of experience in mental health a couple of years ago so it's all a blur to me. Do you think there's still a chance for me to get in if I review the theory behind it and the meds etc? I was thinking of getting a psych certificate which has a 1 week placement after taking the 8 courses I believe. I was thinking of doing that but it costs close to 10 grand for only a one week placement. My problem is I don't have 10 grand, and my second problem is I think the certificate is geared towards people already in mental health and just need the certificate because it's required after they get in for the job meaning I would probably be sooooo very lost when it comes to placement (but I think this is the negative anxious me coming out), what do you think? Should I take the chance and get it? I'm really second guessing because if I did have the 10 grand I wanted to take another course like Xray Tech which would be roughly the same price or just a little more expensive.

OP, let me allow another to introduce moi,

"Guy in Babyland, BSN, RN

I think it because you are the author of "Pass California NCLEX-RN in 60 Questions". They must have read it felt you deserved more money because of your in depth knowledge of the subject."

In the referenced thread, I provided insider secrets, I will do the same here:

Unless the job descriptions ask for 3+ yrs of experience, apply.

All my job offers came with these wording: "experience preferred" or "experience highly desirable."

Might as well take a gander at my other threads (2 offers, 4 offers) to perhaps build up your confidence.

Good luck!

Thanks for introducing yourself :) I will take a look at your other threads to get more advice from you thanks for letting me know. I for sure apply to resumes that says 3yrs experience below. Anything more than 3 yrs I don't apply to. However all my interviews fall short after they find out I have 0 zero experience. It's like they took a chance to interview me but always find out more valuable people after which is a no brainier I guess. The biggest hope I really do have is taking home care or agency care or LTC verrrrrrryy far away from my area about 3-5hours maybe even more. But I calculated all the expenses I would have to make to relocate with my approximate beginner salary and student loan debt and my ending would be roughly -$13 grand (yes negative) lol. If I stay at home and work as an aid if I can get it or even work a min wage at retail I would get positive 2 grand because I won't be paying rent. I just don't know anymore. Not everything is money I understand but I need the money to be able to comit to a job that's further away and if I have to relocate I think it's only natural for me to worry about expenses. There's hospitals closer by that recently hired some new grads but I didn't bother to apply because I just can't for the fear of losing my last ounce of sanity in me. I really admire how nurses in the hospital floor do it. I just can't. Unfortunately mental health is never on a hiring around my hospitals.
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