Published May 6, 2010
Bobbkat
476 Posts
Has everyone gotten a job but me? I'm not seeing nearly as many 'No thank you, New Grads' posts as I used to. For the record, I'm still jobless. Applications submitted: probably 120. Interviews: 0. Fun, fun.
Has it picked up everywhere but New England? Do I just live in a sucky area and everyone else finally got jobs? I hope so. That would be nice for everyone else. Somehow, I doubt it though....
And really, I'm not looking for 'have you tried this?' advice. Yes. I have tried it. I have 2 bachelor's degrees, a great GPA, great recommendations, I done interviewing workshops (though I can't get an interview), had my resume tweaked and re-tweaked over and over again, and have applied to LTC's. On Jupiter. Where no one else in the solar system wants to work. I'm just venting, I suppose, and looking for other unfortunate souls stuck in the same position I am in. I know eventually something's got to give.....I just don't have much to do with myself until it does. I can't even volunteer somewhere because we can't afford daycare for our 2 year old unless I am working. Ugh....this sucks. I said that already though, didn't I?
prinsessa
615 Posts
You are not alone! It had been over one year since I have been looking for a job. I have also done all of the above. It seems like there are actually less jobs now than there were 6 months ago. Now I have to compete with the newer new grads. Who wants a rusty, unexperienced, old grad? People keep telling me it will happen but when will that be? 2 months from now? 2 years from now? 20 years from now? I feel like I wasted thousands of $$ and years of my life for nothing. I know you already said it but this sucks!!!! And when anyone on facebook complains about having to work I feel like telling them to shut up and consider themselves lucky. I think I am becoming bitter and mean! LOL
hernaRN
1 Post
you are most definitely not alone... i have applied and reapplied everywhere. i even applied for an application in another state because i cannot take it anymore. the part that gets me the most upset is when people who know nothing about the profession and what is happening act surprised that i have not found a job and say "but i thought nurses are in demand". The closing of hospitals in NYC doesnt help one bit.
linRdsNay
196 Posts
you are definitely not alone. The job market in California is equally horrible. I haven't even seen a job to apply to in the bay area in over 6 months. It's so discouraging applying to jobs in an industry that wants nothing to do with you. I've even applied to positions in my previous line of work with no responses. I'm at a loss as to what to do with myself at this point. I feel like I get dumber and dumber with each passing day.....sigh...
SCSTxRN
258 Posts
Come to Texas. The jobs, at least in my area, appear to be plentiful and interesting, and (at least in my area) the cost of living is relatively low.
aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN
585 Posts
I think what has helped me is that I know people inside two of the major hospitals and got scholarships with a work commitment from one of them so they work very hard to place us new grads. We get priority over other new grads applying who either do not work there already or have not gotten scholarships from them.
I was very leery when I took the scholarship but now I'm so glad I did!
If I were single, had no child, and had not recently relocated 800 miles away from home to New England, I would be there in a heartbeat. As it is, my husband has a great job were we are, so unless I want to live hundreds of miles away from my family, relocation just isn't possible. I have considered it, but my husband and I lived 800 miles apart for a year and a half though and JUST got under the same roof again. I am so done with that.
It really stinks too, because when we were deciding whether to move out here, husbands company flew us out here and had a big reception with community representatives present. When the hospital reps found out I was in nursing school they were literally chasing me around the room and shoving cards into my hand promising a job once I graduated. Of course I realize 'promise' doesn't actually mean I had an actual job secured, but now the same recruiters won't give me the time of day. It's like I have to plague or something. Geez, what a difference 2 years make.
Anne36, LPN
1,361 Posts
2 years has made a dramatic difference in my life as well. No jobs here in Michigan either from what I have read. When I first started taking classes 3 years ago, I had planned on paying for Nursing School in part with the sign on bonuses I saw advertised all over. There were lots of ads for nurses and bonuses to boot. Now there is almost nothing. I also had planned on using the No Worker Left Behind money that our state was advertising like mad. That money has since dried up.
The father of my 3 kids is an engineer and been out of work here for a year and a half.
kangamangus
29 Posts
I'm right there with you and yes I live in New England where you can't even get a job at a facility that has no DON and a criminal record:banghead: Never mind a nice reputable hospital....I feel your frustration and too have wondered why did I go to school for all of this? To have a degree with no job? It really bites.
No jobs here in Michigan either from what I have read.
I moved from Michigan. I stayed behind there for a year and a half to finish school, while husband moved out to Connecticut. Ironically enough despite the fact that the unemployment stats are so much worse there, if we had stayed in Michigan I would have a job. The hiring manager on the unit I precepted on offered me one, and I know a few hiring managers that told me that if I am interested in working in Michigan they would let me know when they are posting a position so I could interview.
Out in Connecticut though I know NO ONE. It's aggravating that the only way to get a job is to know someone.
Ann36, I don't know what part of MI you are in, or what area of nursing you are looking into, but if you are interested at all in peds, keep your eye on U of M. The new Mott will be opening next year, and as units are being finished, they will start transitioning earlier. I have a tip that the NICU will most likely need to hire a lot of new nurses, though that may not happen for a year. So if you can wait it out for 6-12 months, you may be able to land something in Ann Arbor. (I know, I know...we'd all like something NOW, but it's the best I can do).
Also, with the DMC being bought out I've heard (although I don't have first hand knowledge) that they will be expanding hiring also. I don't know if that has happened yet, but keep an eye on it. I know that a lot of my classmates landed jobs there after graduation in December. It's sad....I'm pretty much the only one of my classmates that doesn't have a job yet. ARGH! I wish we hadn't have had to move!
Good luck!