This is absolutely horrible!!!

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Anywone wanna listen? I decided to go back to school 6 years ago and pursue and career in nursing and was hoping one day to work as a nurse practitioner. Well, now I am getting ready to graduate with my NP only to my dismay that there are no jobs out there or if there are, I guess I'm just not a candidate. I have had some interviews but still nothing. I decided to do the ANP with a cardiac focus. I have sent my resume everywhere. AND NOW, I am stuck in this dead end staff RN position in a hospital that is only part-time (I had to go part-time for school) and I will never be able to work there full time because the hospital I am employed for is doing absolutely horrible financially. We're talking major layoffs, including nurses. So, I'm stuck working PT in this dead end job. School ends in three weeks. I don't have a job lined up and the prospects are awful right now. And, to make matters worse, I have a huge mortgage to pay.

I just never thought nursing would be doing as bad as it seems. I don't know what it is, but nurse and nurse practitioner jobs are very hard to come by now, even where I live in the Chicagoland area. Now, I am second guessing myself and wishing I had done something different even though I like being a nurse. I am thinking of just taking a nurse job in a doctor's office but even that is hard to get. The economy is just so bad right now and I think nursing is feeling it too.

What's worse is this dead end RN job has been just awful, so stressful making me work many weekends and taking a huge toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally. I just can't do this anymore and I feel as though I've neared the end of my rope.

Any thoughts, suggestions?

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First all congrats for doing it and becoming a NP, I am so jealous of you, that must of been a lot of work. I only have my ASN in nursing and hope to someday be a NP. Are you willing to relocate? WHat speciality are you looking for? I have been searching for a RN job and see nothing but nurse practitioner job near here, not sure if you need experience or not, but I have seen them. I live in South Jersey about 5 mins outside Philadelphia, I saw some at Children's hospital of Philadelphia and other hospitals in Philly and South Jersey. Don't know if this helps at all, but I hope something comes up soon for you, you have done all the hard work and now because of the stupid reccession are having a hard time and are more importantly unhappy. I really do hope this turn around for you.

GOODLUCK!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in CTICU.

Can you relocate? I just posted 2 cardiology NP jobs which came to me in my email list - one at Duke, one in TX.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Yes, I can relocate. Would you be able to PM me those positions in TX and Duke?

Thanks!

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Congratulations to you!! You sound discouraged, but I believe things will work out for you. If the jobs in Texas and Duke don't work out, is it possible for you to work outside your cardiology focus, perhaps in a more generalized ANP role until you find something more to your liking? You've done the hard part....keep plugging, the rest will fall into place. Remember, network like a mad person!!

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Also, don't forget to look at PA jobs. The job I am in currently (orthopedic surgery) was originally listed as a PA position simply because the clinic had not hired an NP before and hadn't considered it. At the initial interview I was not just discussing my strengths, but the basics of NP practice. It worked out wonderfully.

I know of a few cardiothoracic surgery groups that have only hired PAs in the past, but were more than happy to consider an NP.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

By the way, there are a ton of NP job openings in WA and OR right now.

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I'd like a peek at the cardiology NP positions also?

Thanks

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Congrats on finishing your program! There seems to be lots of NP jobs in MA, although it costs a fortune to live here (esp. around Boston). You could try looking in the Springfield and Worcester areas of the state if you're interested in heading east.

Best of luck in your job search.

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Specializes in Pediatric Neurosugery and Neurology.

I had a similar problem. I moved to Texas for NP job. I'm glad I did. It seems the economy hasn't hit Texas as hard as other places ( I could be wrong, I've only been here 3 weeks). All my job offers and interviews were in Texas. It took very little time to get my APN license here here since TN and TX are compact states.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I live downstate in IL - Peoria and the big cardiology practice has an opening. If you are interested, PM me.

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Don't forget it's going to be a minimum of 3 months after graduation before you can take your boards and get licensed. Perhaps the job market will change. It's slow in my area of south Florida as well. I think summer's tend to be slow overall.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I can't believe I have to wait that long. I really need a new job now. I know things will get better once I'm completely done with school in a couple of weeks because I will have more time to actually look for a job. I had several phone interviews with a practice in TX so we'll see. I am open to relocating. I just can't get over how bad things are right now in terms of the job market. I feel like I'm stuck and can't get out.

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