So I have just found out that my dream job has rejected me after what I thought was a great interview with good references.
Looks like all my hard work didn't mean anything. BSN. Magna Cum Laude. 3+ years of healthcare experience. Nothing. While other new grads get their dream jobs with no experience. It just ticks me off.
So now, I do not know what to do. I had my heart set on the babies, but looks like that isn't happening. I am now starting to apply indiscriminately, even though I am not in love with any other specialty like I am with the babies.
Now what? To the more experienced nurses out there, what happens if you don't get that dream job? Do you stop pursuing it and just take what you can get? I am so disappointed.
Aww, don't be so hard on yourself! Take it from someone who had to leave their dream bio job behind and pursue nursing to do clinical research instead for job security. 99 times out of 100, people post the a job like the ones we dream about with someone they know--someone who has connections--in mind before they even put it up. I know this because it happened to me once; a job was created for, description written for, and application posted for ME way back when. They still held interviews and everything, and poor applicants showed up not knowing my rear was already in that lab seat.
There are tons of baby spots out there, and nothing will come easy. You have a lot of passion, but what you unfortunately need in this unfair world is connections. Network as much as you can in another area, and maybe one day the baby job will fall into your lap when you least expect it. Many things require patience--especially the things we desire most.
I wanted L&D so badly and was so discouraged when they didn't hire me. I sent 75 jobs apps in less than three weeks, only got one job interview for Peds Onc. It has been the biggest blessing ever. Now I can't even imagine working L&D. I wouldn't give up my job for anything. So hold on! Maybe what you thought was your dream job isn't what you need or you are just needed somewhere else. Keep your chin up!
Just a thought, but I went from pediatric home health to NICU. NICU is a family centered care environment as is pediatric home health. Also, during my time in peds home health I worked with countless NICU discharges and children with rare genetic disorders, as well as uncommon conditions I wouldn't likely have seen otherwise. While NICU and peds home health aren't one in the same, the family care experience is invaluable and you'll gain some skills that you would use in a NICU environment.
I know you're really disappointed. I was gutted each time I was rejected from my dream job, but that didn't keep me from trying. A little determination went a long way for me. After applying to the same program three times, I finally got in.
Hang in there, consider your options and don't give up on it if that's what you really want. All the best.
I know you guys are right. I just had connections to this unit and I thought everything went so well. I guess I was just blind-sided by the fakery that is management.
*Sighs*
I have applied to other nicus, picu, pediatric oncology, float pool, cardiac icu, pediatrics cvticu...I am at a loss as to what I should do. I honest to god hate Med-Surg and don't think it would be right to apply to a unit I have no intention of staying at for more than a year.
So what's your other option? Just to sit at home 'for more than a year' with NO job, just waiting? Like other PP have said, you need to start somewhere.
And to Fiona59 & Meriwhen - there's also deference to Veterans Preference. Vets ABSOLUTELY deserve that first hot opportunity. But it still does hurt, too.
Getting a job right out of nursing is challenging, but getting your "dream job" is even more so challenging. Twenty five new grads interviewed for a NICU position that HUNDREDS applied for. Of the twenty five, only five positions were available and four of those were going to the techs who had worked there during nursing school so that left one position. Did I make it? No. I got the number two slot in case the more experienced nurse didn't take it. Do you think I'll apply next year? You bet I will! I'm currently on a med/surg floor and it's somewhat enjoyable. You won't die working med/surg. The managers know it's not the new grads dream position but you'll grow exponentially. Hang in there. Network and get to know people. Grow as much as you can as a nurse until you can reapply. Stay positive.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I'm sorry, PrincessBride. I know how much this position means to you and your future plans.
I really truly believe that there are no mistakes in life, and things happen for a good reason. Try to hold onto that thought, and consider that you were not meant to have this job because something better is around the corner.
I really truly believe that there are no mistakes in life, and things happen for a good reason.
I totally agree. I can look back now at my career and see where certain jobs that I didn't like at the time definitely served a purpose for me to get where I am today. Not just career wise but in my personal life, too.
When things don't go my way, I obviously am disappointed too....but try and remember that everything happens for a reason. Maybe you weren't offered this job because you would have ended up not enjoying it there. Something new, exciting & even better is coming your way...don't give up :)
Funny that you should mention the float pool. I just received an email regarding an interview for med-surg float pool. I am worried that this may not be a good fit for a new grad. However, float pool new grads start off making more than a three-year nurse and one cannot beat the flexibility.
I have accepted the interview, but oh man. Float pool as a new grad? Med surg? Night shift? Uh oh....
I started in the float pool. The way my orientation worked was I did 6 full weeks of dayshift on one unit to get oriented to the hospital, its policies and how a floor worked. I then did 6 full weeks of nights floating to each department I would be expected to work in. 3 days here, a full week there - depending on the availability. I did that for several months and its great! You don't get involved in unit drama, you go to a unit work one night, maybe 2 in a row and thats it...you really get to leave your work at work and not bring it home. Also part of our float pool was taking care of couplets on the mom/baby unit. So if you impress someone, or if you wind up going there a few times a week because of need you'll gain experience - valuable experience. Take advantage of getting ACLS,
PALS, NRP (or STABLE depending on your hospital) - they will PAY for you to get the certifications so you can go anywhere in the hospital - it makes you a hell of an asset AND you get paid more to float. Win/Win!
I started in the float pool. The way my orientation worked was I did 6 full weeks of dayshift on one unit to get oriented to the hospital, its policies and how a floor worked. I then did 6 full weeks of nights floating to each department I would be expected to work in. 3 days here, a full week there - depending on the availability. I did that for several months and its great! You don't get involved in unit drama, you go to a unit work one night, maybe 2 in a row and thats it...you really get to leave your work at work and not bring it home. Also part of our float pool was taking care of couplets on the mom/baby unit. So if you impress someone, or if you wind up going there a few times a week because of need you'll gain experience - valuable experience. Take advantage of getting ACLS,
PALS, NRP (or STABLE depending on your hospital) - they will PAY for you to get the certifications so you can go anywhere in the hospital - it makes you a hell of an asset AND you get paid more to float. Win/Win!
I wish that the float pool would allow us to float in some of the specialty areas. But it is only Med-Surg, no mother-baby.
I do like that I won't need to be involved in any drama of the unit. And I will definitely take advantage of certifications. :)
I am a year in to my first job as an RN. I didn't get the job I wanted when I graduated, and others (who I KNEW were complete idiots) got the jobs instead. I was heartbroken. It still stings.
However, I ended up on a crazy amazing unit. I love my co-workers, and my supervisor. I work on a monitored med surg unit that has tele, renal, hepatic, stroke, and you name it patients. I'm learning a lot and I look forward to going to work. This experience has ben really great for grounding my practice. My friends who got the dream job are still struggling, hating their supervisors, and crying all the way home because they had such hard shifts.
I know it's hard to believe, but you'll be in the right spot for you soon.
I hated med/tele but I had amazing coworkers and got amazing experience. I went into nursing wanting ER/trauma. I ended up also loving l&d. I was the top student in my class and could only get med/surg but at a good hospital. Now I am starting an ER job in a level 1 trauma. When I got the call I literally shrieked on the phone I was so excited. All I can say is it could take time, but be as positive as you can be about the experience you will gain along the way. Good luck!!
nisoJ
4 Posts
Aww, don't be so hard on yourself! Take it from someone who had to leave their dream bio job behind and pursue nursing to do clinical research instead for job security. 99 times out of 100, people post the a job like the ones we dream about with someone they know--someone who has connections--in mind before they even put it up. I know this because it happened to me once; a job was created for, description written for, and application posted for ME way back when. They still held interviews and everything, and poor applicants showed up not knowing my rear was already in that lab seat.
There are tons of baby spots out there, and nothing will come easy. You have a lot of passion, but what you unfortunately need in this unfair world is connections. Network as much as you can in another area, and maybe one day the baby job will fall into your lap when you least expect it. Many things require patience--especially the things we desire most.
Keep your chin up--sending you good luck vibes :)