Stuck in a rut and feeling discouraged

[quirkster]

Hey nurses!!

I am stuck in a rut and feeling discouraged about finding my first job out of school!! I take the NCLEX in a few weeks and have applied to numerous jobs, to no avail. I am passionate about L&D, but most hospitals require 2+ years of experience----QUESTION: How am I supposed to get experience if I'm a new grad? I worked as a PCA in L&D for a while but no one seems to notice that on the resume. I realize that I may have to do some other area for some more experience, but it's still not going to be what they want!! Classmates and some past instructors tell me it is possible to transfer after I've worked for the hospital for a while, but will that really work if I don't have experience? I recently moved to a different state and lost my contacts and also wondering if that is an issue. How am I supposed to get my "in" like I had "back home?" Just feeling discouraged and would like some high spirits to offer words of encouragement, advice, anything!!

Thanks all!!

[NursePamela]

Don't give up! How long can you hold out without a job? Depending on the city you are in, a lot of times L &D jobs are hard to get. It is not horrible to take a job else where - get some more experience - and keep looking for L & D. Do wait at least a year before changing jobs as a new nurse. Most hospitals require 6 months to transfer but as a new grad a year should be the min. Do not give up! The jobs are out there. The contacts will come again. Will they hire you as a tech while you wait??

[quirkster]

Thanks!! There are jobs listed for L&D, they just require 2+ years of experience, which I obviously do not have as a new grad. So if I get a job elsewhere and get some experience--it won't be experience in L&D, will they still consider a transfer? I have a non nursing related job right now while I wait to take NCLEX in a few weeks that I will stay at until I get a nursing job. I will probably hold out for nursing in some other area for the experience, wouldn't that be best? Thanks again and I won't give up! :)