What else to do with nursing degree?

U.S.A. California

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I am one of many new grads without a job. I graduated in June 2009 and still no job. Very few jobs out there, and am beginning to realize the situation might not turn around as soon as I had hoped. I have done all the ACLS, PALS, etc to enhance the resume (all new grads are doing that so really doesn't help me stand out much).

Any ideas of what else to do with a nursing degree?? I worked so hard to get where I am but need to realistic. I have a mortgage and student loans.

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If you can not get hired even as a CNA, then I would start looking in your fall back line of work. Go back to what you did before nursing. Or one of the other survival type jobs, such as serving in restaurants. A nurse I met recently said she pays her rent with her waitress job, which she kept because her part time nursing job is unstable.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I'm guessing you're down in San Diego from your other posts, which is really rough for new grads....well the whole state is. I would go into your previous line of work as the other poster said.

I'm assuming you exhausted all options including nursing homes, clinics, group homes, etc. And moving isn't an option d/t most people being upside down on their homes right now. :uhoh3: Not really a great time to be a Californian. Some mortgage companies are actually doing loan mods depending on your current employment status and hardship. You may want to look into that as well and possibly get a break on your ho use.

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I am in San Diego. You were right...I do have a house and a husband. My husband has a good job down here (thankfully), so moving is not really an option. I have applied at nursing homes and clinics. Because of this market they basically can have their pick of who they want to hire.

Not exactly what I had pictured when I started nursing school, but need to pay the bills somehow!

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Do your best to get with a reputable refinance company if possible. Be careful with those companies. Some of them run scams. My brother got caught up with one that, instead of lowering his payments, tripled them! My brother's family moved out of the house and he walked away from it, letting it go into foreclosure. That is if you feel you should refinance. I would go into waitressing at an upscale lounge, if possible. I worked with a CNA once who said she made excellent money at such a place and the male customers were not allowed to give her a bad time. She made good money. While working elsewhere, you can continue to search for a nursing job. Maybe get a part time nursing job like my acquaintance did. Good luck.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Yeah, watch out for the scams. My stepmom was going through an "agency" I figured it'd be safe when I tried to redo my loan as well, 2000 dollars lost....and the company got busted. :mad:

Just if you find something legit definitely look into it.

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Specializes in Corrections,Med/Surg, Infectious Disease.

Did you apply to the new grad programs in San Diego like at UCSD, Scripps or even the Naval Hosp or VA Hosp? I used to live in San Diego up to 2009. Check Craigslist(be careful though), check Google for State or Govt jobs.

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