Tampa ARNP-one yr post grad still no job!

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I am so stressed out and regretting my ARNP degree. It's been one year since I graduated and passed the board, national certification. And I still can't get a job anywhere!! It's maddening. Everyone wants experience but I can't get it without a job. I have been doing HRA assessments but those are drying up and I'm not getting any work from them either. I don't know what to do! I even tried to volunteer at a free clinic just to get experience and they actually turned me down too. Because they said I don't have enough experience. IT'S MADDENING! Does anyone know of part time work? Or any other HRA companies hiring? Anything? I can't leave this area to relocate (custody divorce agreement) so relocation is not an option.

Looks like OP has not been back in about a month. I tried to contact her because I have a job that would be perfect and pays decent, but she has not responded. Oh, well. Like most people who come on here, I think she just wanted to gripe that building a new career isn't easy with so many personal barriers.

I hope people who read this thread understand that you don't just sit in your jammies for a couple of years taking online courses and fall into a career as a nurse practitioner. If you don't have connections before you start, you will fail. And it doesn't necessarily get easier once you get your first position.

wait you mean i can't just sit at home and comment on topic discussions for two years then do clinicals sitting in the corner of some CVS clinic while attending WaldenFeenix university of the Governors and have people beating down my door to pay me 150k per year afterward?

shucks

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Come on guys - some markets are tough - I don't hear whining or "poor me" from the OP at all but rather a "what can I do to make myself a better candidate?"

Be nice!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
If something to my current situation I will leave florida myself if practice req. don't change

What I don't understand is rather than leave why don't you work on making change happen? Its frustrating to me as someone who works hard on the local and state level to advance NP practice when I see how many ride the coat tails or have the attitude of leaving without at least first attempting to make change. I'm all for bailing and moving if the situation isn't going to improve but not without a fight first.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Come on guys - some markets are tough - I don't hear whining or "poor me" from the OP at all but rather a "what can I do to make myself a better candidate?"

Be nice!

Totally agree and hope the OP is MIA due to being so busy with their first NP gig although casias12, APRN advice is sound for all NP hopefuls, imo. It never ceases to amaze me at the number who seem to have no professional connections, no job leads, no idea the hours, pay, duties or even know a NP before spending a lot of money and time at Online U.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
It never ceases to amaze me at the number who seem to have no professional connections, no job leads, no idea the hours, pay, duties or even know a NP before spending a lot of money and time at Online U.

Agree this is a major problem. I always tell prospective students to shadow some NPs and often hear "I'm too busy"!

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I'm the OP! I apologize for being MIA but actually had to have an total hysterectomy due to severe endometriosis and fibroids and all sorts of fabulous things happening. And during all of this have met a wonderful fellow poster on allnurses who put in a good word for me. Long story short, I received a phone call the day after surgery with a wonderful job offer!!!! I'm thrilled beyond belief!! Still doing wellness home assessments but full time with a great salary and actual benefits!! Starting training at the end of the month which coincides perfectly with my recovery start date. And is all in my county and two surrounding counties!!! Yay!!!!!! Thank you to everyone for your encouraging words and advice and especially to the wonderful NP who reached out to me and put in a good word for me out of the kindness of her heart. Thank you!!!

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wait you mean i can't just sit at home and comment on topic discussions for two years then do clinicals sitting in the corner of some CVS clinic while attending WaldenFeenix university of the Governors and have people beating down my door to pay me 150k per year afterward?

shucks

I went to the University of South Florida. No online classes. Actual professors and real clinicals. And I worked my butt off to do it so the snark really isn't necessary. You don't know my story so please don't assume I'm sitting around in pjs whining about no one showing up at my door offering me 150,000.

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Looks like OP has not been back in about a month. I tried to contact her because I have a job that would be perfect and pays decent, but she has not responded. Oh, well. Like most people who come on here, I think she just wanted to gripe that building a new career isn't easy with so many personal barriers.

I hope people who read this thread understand that you don't just sit in your jammies for a couple of years taking online courses and fall into a career as a nurse practitioner. If you don't have connections before you start, you will fail. And it doesn't necessarily get easier once you get your first position.

i sent you a PM before I read this and thanked you for your help. Again I am very sorry my response took so long. I haven't been back in the forum in some time due to medical problems and also doing some intense job hunting! Happy to report that it paid off and I landed a great position in my area. Thank you for thinking of me though!

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Specializes in Cardiology nurse practitioner.
I went to the University of South Florida. No online classes. Actual professors and real clinicals. And I worked my butt off to do it so the snark really isn't necessary. You don't know my story so please don't assume I'm sitting around in pjs whining about no one showing up at my door offering me 150,000.

Well, then you should really be dubious of all of the online NP's coming from the internet. You did pay your dues and found the market to be saturated. Unfortunately, at least in Tampa, physicians are lumping everyone into a single pot. Give it a couple more years, it's only going to get worse.

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

Agreed, there is something not being told about here. I had three job offers at graduation in a saturated market.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Well, then you should really be dubious of all of the online NP's coming from the internet. You did pay your dues and found the market to be saturated. Unfortunately, at least in Tampa, physicians are lumping everyone into a single pot. Give it a couple more years, it's only going to get worse.

We all need to be aware of this and working to get the accrediting bodies to take a long hard look at this problem. Two well respected facilities in this area have recently said

1. New NPs aren't prepared to practice so they are only hiring them in ancillary roles with what is similar to a residency

2. New NPs have no ability to practice independently, expect extended orientations and yet want to make top dollar.

Its both embarrassing and has me concerned about my future earning potential. PAs are taking full advantage of this in my area and are starting to get into psych which has historically been mostly NPs. They are cheaper and physicians are more comfortable with them, all bad for NPs.

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Nope! This was the first job that I had when I graduated. I learned a lot while working there. I'm no longer there, but some people like retail health.

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