STILL can't get a job after being licensed for 1 year!!

[Jessicajeanann]

I know by all means I am just 1 of MANY many nurses out there that have been hunting for a job for months, and maybe even years. I am going on just past a year of being licensed.

Upon graduation, I was laid off from my current job as an RN EXTERN (you would think that would count as SOME kind of experience?!)....the externship was in surgery. I however do not wish to make a career out of surgery, I would like to gain a lot more general experience before specializing in something so specific. However, because that is the only experience on my resume, surgical positions are the only ones I even get slightly considered for.

I currently have a per-diem position with a surgical center, but am still hunting for ANY job on a daily basis. How is it that after a year of being licensed, and having at least SOME experience....I am STILL wrote-off as a "new-grad" with next-to-no experience?? Sooooo frustrating and discouraging. I WANT to work so bad, I WANT experience, I WANT to learn, and see/do, and be taught, and of course, most of all do what I went to school for a make a difference, help those who need nursing help.....why does it seem no one wants to give us new-grads a chance?? I'm so worried my license will expire, and i'll still find myself with "no experience".

I'm already considering "alternative" careers I may go in to. I don't know if I can handle this constant feeling of rejection, and constant feeling that no one will ever give you a chance. I just want to work, and want to be given that chance. Even if it's a position below my pay grade....I don't care, I just want to be out there doing SOMETHING. I'm considering looking in to getting certified to become an EMT/Paramedic possibly....definitley not the pay of a nurse...but....at least I would still be happy and would still feel like i'm making a difference in the medical field.

I've never had an interest in any field but the medical field. What other careers are there within the medical field that I could possibly obtain certification for and possibly have better luck with employment in?? I'm just at my "witts-end" and am venting my frustrations that I know so many of you are experiencing. Any encouraging words would be helpful....cause i'm definitley starting to lose hope....

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Your post has been moved to the First Year After Nursing Licensure forum so that it will hopefully attract more responses. Good luck to you!

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

There was a girl in my nursing class with a similar predicament. It took her a few months to find a job even having tech experience. She finally got a job at a smaller hospital in the pool. She worked for a few months and has recently moved onto bigger and better things. You might try a pool position. Even though some floors may not be so nice, you'll change frequently, etc. it will at least maybe get you some experience and your foot in the door.

I can only imagine the frustration you're feeling. I was thankful to have a job right out of school (not where I worked as a SNT for 1.5 years though. They were on a hiring freeze. Ugh.). I don't understand how hospitals expect you to get experience if nowhere will hire a new grad. That's how it felt when I graduated last year anyway! SO ANNOYING!