Why does every job say you need to have experience?

ctnurse84 · Aug 14, 2012

I was part of that same circle. "need experience to get a job but need a job to get experience". One thing I said at an Interview that got me hired without experience is that I know how to utilize my resources. I told her if I didn't know that answer for something I know where to get it. I also discussed everything I did in school. The person I interviewed with at that time seemed to really like that answer and offered me a position.

cindirella3 · Aug 15, 2012

Hello, I've been in your situation for almost two years. I got my license 2011. I've applied to numerous LTC facilities, medical groups, Home Health agencies and nothing!! I don't have experience! How are you going to get it if no one is willing to do it. I was told by my school to volunteer but I don't I don't know how that is going to help me get comfortable with meds, charting, wound care. If you don't use it, you lose it. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm really losing hope.

Bigmaine33 · Aug 16, 2012

Im in the same boat it doesnt make any sense. They really should understand that some have the potential to be great nurses if given the chance. Ive been a cna for 7 years and they tell me that counts for nothing, I mean I have all the skills required to do the job. Im making a list of all the agencies that shut me down so when I do get experience ill make sure they give me top dollar or im going to tell them they dont pay enough for my services and see how they like that.

FaithGurl93 · Aug 16, 2012

I think we just need to stay positive. God makes ways out of no ways and gives us favor with man. He answers prayer. Sometimes it gets me down to the point I'm applying to mcdonalds and walmart just to have an income but I just have to be patient and know that God has that perfect position for me to work at. He didn't bring me through that ENTIRE program, answering my prayers to pass my nursing courses just to leave us unemployed. He can do it. And I believe in JESUS name.

SinikRN101 · Aug 20, 2012

I felt the same way, I just kept applying like it WAS my job. Also pay attention to WHO you see in these facilities.. as it turns out the person who recommended me was the receptionist because she said I was the only one who walked in with a smile and was polite and she could see me working with her. It helped that I was willing to work in the worst-looking LTC facility in town while accepting the lowest pay.. but you gotta do what you gotta do to get that experience.

FaithGurl93 · Aug 21, 2012

Do you think it's a good idea to look for other jobs outside of nursing just to get some experience? I've been applying for other things like receptionist or assistants or any kind of office or secretary positions they have in the hospitals as well. Gotta have some money in my pocket while im in school right lol

ctnurse84 · Aug 22, 2012

If you do apply for jobs outside of nursing just be prepared for the question of why are you not working as a nurse and are you going to leave this position when you find a nursing job.

newnyclpn · Aug 24, 2012

how can someone that just graduated and is getting ready to take boards get a job but hasn't had alot of past work experience. They say oh sorry you don't have enough experience but how can i get any experience unless you hire me??!!! Frustrating lol. Did anyone feel like this or is still looking for a job?

i totally agree, im in the same situation, i am in nyc and i graduated last september, and i took my boards in nov, i am still unemployed, but actively looking for work. The interviews i been on they would say you dont have any experience, ask me all these skills that i have not physically done on a live person more than once, but wont give me an opportunity, even though i was the valedictorian who is very capable. It is so so so frustrating. I honestly dont know what to do. I know exactly how you feel

LVN/RNBridge · Aug 25, 2012

Yes, this seems to be an issue for new LVN's and RN's. In my local area, there are hospitals that offer internships, but this is limited to the RN grads and from what I understand; it is very difficult to get in because too many apply. Personally, I graduated a year ago and took NCLEX in November. In California, it takes weeks just to be able take boards. Since then, I have had no luck. Having tons of experience (I'm in my forties) in management, education, health and fitness; I'm finding LVN positions hard to come by. I was hired by a company for the flu season for which I was excited and grateful, however; once I logged in to create my schedule, all shifts had been taken. So strange, because I literally logged in five minutes after receiving my e-mail with my training course and log in information. Although getting a nursing job has been frustrating, I am extremely blessed to still work in the fitness industry. I love what I do, but nursing fills my heart in a different way. My wish is to continue doing what I do and add a per diem nursing position in the mix. I do wish all of you the best of luck on your journey!

wilsonbl5150 · Aug 28, 2012

When I got out of school I would focus on what I had done in my rotations. Anything I had participated in was experience and I used all my selling skills to promote myself.

MedChica · Aug 30, 2012

1. You wouldn't have passed Boards or made it through school if you hadnt' known the material. You could've prayed all you wanted and that school would've tossed your prayin' and failin' butt right on out of there.

LOL

You can have the faith of a mustard seed. Doesn't matter...and God has little to do with it. It's good to keep your god in mind for motivation, but...success and good fortune usually goes to those resourceful types who know how to create an 'in' for themselves. I totally 'get' the whole 'believer thing'. No disrespect. I was raised in the church and attended private school, too. However - we live in the real world, so let's get realistic. Unemployment is not a problem that can be solved by simply praying... harder.

2. "How can something that just graduated and getting ready to take boards get a job?..."

Working 32-40 hours a week as an aide while attending nursing school F/T.

That's how.

Being an aide and rec'ving Employee of the Month, 2 weeks before finishing school. I'm not one for praise but this recognition pretty much cemented my spot.

That's how.

The bottomline: Most places won't touch you until you have that license. A GVN/GN slot is something that you usually have to work for and your way into.

3. The bit of sympathy that I might feel for unemployed new grads has more to do with the fact that some of them might be young. 18, 19...21?

When you're young? You don't know, what you don't know. They've never truly worked in the real world. They lack life experience. They don't know how to play this game. So, they're feelings on the matter make sense. They didn't know what to expect.

I feel sorry for THEM.

But...new grads over 25 and my age (31), especially?

No - they need to cut it out.

Why? Some have a legitmate complaint. Most don't. I say this knowing that I'm going to tick a lot of people off, but, it is what it is.

You know as well as I that a good number of these people really DIDN'T do everything possible to secure their spots.

- They didn't do CNA/PCT work.

- They did not network. Relationshipe matter. This is nothing new.

- They did not research issues related to the nursing field...which is why they're surprised to find that the hospitals in their area won't touch LVNs.

Well - duh. You're an LVN. You'll likely be in the LTCs, agency and hospice. I can't understand why any would want to work in the hospital, anyway. They don't pay crap and though I crave experience...I won't do the job of a nurse for pennies.

Point is, these people would know about the LVN/hospital situation if they'd done the research to begin with.

The lack of research also explains why they usually don't know until they're 3 mths post NCLEX and unemployed (for instance) that there is no TRUE 'shortage'.

More like an inability of the field to retain it's vets. More like a surplus of new grads...and if there is a 'shortage' in different areas? The surplus of newbs doesn't even begin to solve the problem.

Mighty funny that the shortage just up and disappeared in areas when some states adopted Pt-Staff ratios...or when housing collapsed and the retired vets re-entered the field.

Then, they come on AN lying, "I did my research and my research told me th--"

No, they didn't.

Here's what they did: They looked at the want ads. Saw the openings and concluded that there was a nursing shortage. They went online doing research on the shortage and ignored the counterpoints.

That's research...?

It's ridiculous. There are exceptions, but you know as well as I that the vast majority in any grad class will wait until the last possible minute to look for work. Heck, let's be honest: They'll wait until after graduation to even research their local job market!

This is life. No one is going to 'spoonfeed' you anything.

But these people just jump into nursing, not knowing anything...then they graduate being totally surprised by everything. The difference? They, as new grads, expect that the jobs would just fall into their laps or something.

Granted, situations will vary from region to region. For instance, I've heard from many new grad transplants from California that it's rough. I believe it.

...but, besides those like the Ca nurses, if those who complain about not finding a job who didn't put in the time and effort to research the field or market themselves from the get-go?

I don't feel sorry for them.