Trouble finding a job!

[mrscoozy]

so i graduated ns in june and i passed the boards at the end of september (2nd try) and i guess i really thought i would have a job by now. it's almost november! the hospital where i live is currently on a hiring freeze because they are so over budget on their remodel. plus a lot of my classmates got jobs there right after school and most of them passed the boards on the 1st try. so i have several resumes out there to out of town hospitals and some clinics in the area and i am really getting frustrated. i need a job!!! i have only had 1 interview, which i think went well, but of course they have to check references and do background checks, which all takes a lot of time. i also don't think i interview too well because i get nervous. i've been at my current job for over 10 years, which is not in the health care field, so i am very rusty on interviewing. i guess i am just venting because i want to start my new career today!!

any suggestions or input would be great.

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

I'd suggest that you just keep applying and hang in there. It sounds like you are getting a late start so its understandable that it might take you a little longer to find a job but you will.

[grantf07]

Im in the same boat, except that I graduated in Dec. 07. I took my boards in April for the first time and again in June when I passed. I intially thought I had a job until I was told they thought I had experience in September, so that left me without a job. In the past month I have applied to 11 jobs, and had two interviews. The hospital I work at also is under a hiring freeze, so maybe because I work there as a tech they are offering me a position as an RN. The best advice I can tell you is dont just limit your options to the hospital setting try nursing homes and doctor offices. Nursing homes are always hiring and although you might not get the best med surg experience, you can alway get nursing experience and transfer.

[futurenicunurse2008]

dont feel bad I passed the NCLEX on the first try and cant seem to get a job. Ive applied at about 9 different hospitals and havent even had an interview.

[Anouk345]

I know right. And they say that we have a nursing shortage

[Selene006, BSN, LPN]

Mrscoozy hang in there! I passed the NCLEX in the beginning of August and after applying to over twelve facilities (nursing homes, hospitals, clinics), I finally got hired at a LTC facility 2 weeks ago. I work on the subacute/ rehab floor, so the environment is somewhat fast-paced, but uncomparable to working in a hospital. Working in a nursing home was not where I thought I would start my nursing experience, but it's a starting point. Something is better than nothing! Like grantf07, you can always get nursing experience and then transfer elsewhere. Don't feel bad that the job search hasn't been so successful. Hang in there!

[Sheila1214]

Yeah, don't worry. There's a lot of us out there in the same boat. We can't seem to find a job. So you're right! There's no nursing shortage. Unfortunately I moved down to FL from NJ and I've been down here for eleven weeks and still no job at all. Not even BK will hire me or the Home Depot. I am overqualified. ArGGGGGHHHHH! I just can't find anything but I'm still trying. So you keep trying to!

[mrscoozy]

i finally got a job today!! i'm so excited and also a little nervous. it's at a hospital not too far from where i live on a med/surg floor, it's a smaller hospital so they will train me in ob and er if i want also. yippee!!!!!!!!!!!! i can finally start my new career!

[futurenicunurse2008]

congrats! Well everyone cross ur fingers for me I have a phone interview at an area hospital on mon in a step down unit

[Selene006, BSN, LPN]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Quilter0225]

Congrats! I am having trouble finding a job as a new grad in Ohio. I know what you mean about the nursing shortage. Everyone wants nurses with a minimum of 1 year experience. I have an interview next week. Wish me luck!

[LiliyaRN]

I also seem to have trouble finding a job. I have not taken the NCLEX yet, and I apply with "pending license". Do they not consider taking you for a job if you haven't passed NCLEX yet?