Unemployed for 18 months now.......

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been unemployed for 18 months now and it seems like every interview I go to, it seems very positive, then a week or two later I get a rejection email or phone call :(

I left my last job as a Public Health Nurse due to an emergency surgery that took my out of commission for several months. I LOVED my position and had only been there 8 months. It was my first real RN position since graduating from nursing school. I function better as a clinic/doctor's office setting nurse vs. hospital.

I am just depressed, expenses are piling up. Any advice? I know the only thing I can do is keep applying and interviewing. Will it ever end?!? :shy:

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Hang in there, something will click for you.

Also, it seems counter-intuitive, but sometimes you have to stop applying for a while. I don't know where you've been applying, but in my area there are only 3 hospital groups and they run all the 20+ hospitals in the surrounding areas. By re-applying to those same companies over and over, my applications were getting automatically passed over because "oh we've seen this name before, they're spamming us," whatever. Even though I was applying at Hospital A one week and Hospital B the next week, they were both being screened by HR for Company ABC! It sucks but it happens!

If there's any alternative companies you haven't applied at, I'd look at those. My last job was at a plasma donation center, now I'm a school nurse . . . thinking outside the "hospital/clinic" box was what got me a job.

Most of all though DON'T GIVE UP, YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!

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Does your resume correctly explain WHY you left your Public Health position after less than a year?

Are you able to explain it during the interview?

Try temporary employment agencies, Kelly, Aerotek, etc.

That will allow you to get the required experience to apply for permanent positions, and may likely lead to full time with the contracted company.

Good luck, keep us posted.

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Does your resume correctly explain WHY you left your Public Health position after less than a year?

Are you able to explain it during the interview?

Try temporary employment agencies, Kelly, Aerotek, etc.

That will allow you to get the required experience to apply for permanent positions, and may likely lead to full time with the contracted company.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Yes they do and I am able to explain it. Thank you for the advice. :)

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check with your local unemployment office. they help with job placement. (time permitting)it's nothing elaborate, but they tend to be well connected with area employers. it helps to be very nice.

you dont have to be collecting unemployment to get the help.. (at least not here)

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I wish you the most luck, that you find a job soon.

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Sending positive light your way.

I actually emailed a quick note explaining my circumstances recently to the human resources director at a clinic near me that I really want to work at, and there is an open position. This was in addition to my cover letter and resume. Director forwarded my resume to the nurse manager and stated that my explanation email was what got me through! I so hope they call me!

PM me and I would be happy to share what I wrote. Maybe it can give you some ideas.

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Ouch. So technically, you have only been a nurse for 8 months. Technically, you are a new grad.

That's why you haven't found a job yet.

The thing is, you are still in a better position than the fresh-off-the-boat new grads are. You are experienced, but you don't have the magical year. Since you've been a paid nurse longer than 6 months, you can't go do a residency. I'm in a similar position but I only have 6 months. Too much paid nursing experience to do any residencies, not enough experience to really do anything else, especially for companies or facilities that have a policy where nurses must have a year experience.

Think like a new Grad: who hires new Grads? Blood banks do, urgent care clinics, home health and hospice agencies might possibly (depends on the company and their policies). I'm not that keen on hospital nursing, but rural hospitals, or smaller hospitals hire new grads with out a residency. All you need is 4 months and you have your magical year. Just understand you are in a better position than your fresh faced new nurses, but you are Techncally, a new grad. Good luck.

PS. I'd try a blood bank. Particularly since you have been a public health nurse. Those positions are always flooded with new grad applicants and since you are experienced, they will probably hire you with out having to pay a REALLY experienced nurse.

That's what I did. I start orientation Oct 7 after a LONG time of unemployment. Once you get your year, the doors will open.

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Ouch. So technically, you have only been a nurse for 8 months. Technically, you are a new grad.

That's why you haven't found a job yet.

The thing is, you are still in a better position than the fresh-off-the-boat new grads are. You are experienced, but you don't have the magical year. Since you've been a paid nurse longer than 6 months, you can't go do a residency. I'm in a similar position but I only have 6 months. Too much paid nursing experience to do any residencies, not enough experience to really do anything else, especially for companies or facilities that have a policy where nurses must have a year experience.

Think like a new Grad: who hires new Grads? Blood banks do, urgent care clinics, home health and hospice agencies might possibly (depends on the company and their policies). I'm not that keen on hospital nursing, but rural hospitals, or smaller hospitals hire new grads with out a residency. All you need is 4 months and you have your magical year. Just understand you are in a better position than your fresh faced new nurses, but you are Techncally, a new grad. Good luck.

PS. I'd try a blood bank. Particularly since you have been a public health nurse. Those positions are always flooded with new grad applicants and since you are experienced, they will probably hire you with out having to pay a REALLY experienced nurse.

That's what I did. I start orientation Oct 7 after a LONG time of unemployment. Once you get your year, the doors will open.

Would a blood bank hire someone who has no experience in phlebotomy? I am applying at " out of the box" places. I know I don't have that "year" yet but in interviews I gave been complimented for having public health experience...which I take as a good thing. I will keep trying.

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Specializes in med/surg, step down, I have seen it all.

Apply for anything bs everything. Not sure if your being picky to a particular job. Also is it possible that your references from your past job may be hendering you employment? I've seen it happen to people. All thouh they aren't suppose to get get real personal with ?'s from people they do. Maybe your last job is not sati g good things. Not that you are a bad nurse or bad at what you did. I hate to hear a surgery took you away from your last job. Also another thought is did your last job let you go bc of the surgery and missed days? If they did and think you may have been discriminated against file a complaint with the EEOCC no comant likes to see them co

Ing. Just a few thoughts. Good lick to you.

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you can try nursing homes but you would basically fill an LPN position. You will have to tell them upfront that you will be willing to take a cut in pay because they usually only hire LPN's....but they will hire an RN at a cut rate. if they hire you, at least you will be working and making a little money..and you can continue to look for an RN position. ..and its easier to find a job while you already have one.

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Specializes in LTC, PACU.

someone told me to go and introduce yourself to people who head the depts, sometimes that may open up some doors in the location your seeking.

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