how in the world do i find a job?!?!?!

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I am one month away from graduating with an RN degree. I live in a very rural part of northern minnesota. there is a hospital here (only 16 beds though) and virtually no demand for nurses. And, i'm afraid, if a job ever does open up, it would clearly be given to someone with experience. So. I need to find a job elsewhere. The closest next hospital is 2 1/2 hours away (in Duluth) with the Cities being 5 hours away. I am willing to commute if I could find a part-time job with consecutive hours. But...my next problem is...there aren't very many openings at any of those hospitals either and all of the openings REQUIRE at least one year of experience. SO...how do i GET that experience? Especially from way up here. We can't move right now...we just bought a house and my husband really can't' quit his job. So I can't really do a graduate nurse internship in some other state because i can't commit to worker there for 2 years. I am desperate and getting really worried. ANY ideas/thoughts/advice would be VERY VERY appreciated. thanks in advance!

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Hello did anyone graduate from an lpn program and work as gn in south carolina. if so could you tell me where. Thanks..... arrow_up.gif

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Unfortunately, I think many nursing students are sold the idea that just getting your nursing license will lead to plentiful job offers. The media doesn't help, as it just does more of the "recession-proof" bull related to nursing.

Nursing students and new grads need to look at their careers like a new business major grad might...it's competitive out there. You've got to have a nice looking resume, excellent interview/job search skills, and contacts. There are jobs out there, but for ex, you won't find a cruise ship job out in Nebraska (haha not funny, but point, you've got to go where the jobs are). A lot of new nurses are really disappointed because they believed all the hype that even nursing instructors give out-that you'll have your pick of jobs, etc.

I am a new grad LPN, and commute an hour to my job. I accepted a role as an aide/nurse extern at a nursing home (yeah, not even a hospital!) in December, before I even graduated. I was on a wait list for a regular ADN program, and did the LPN while waiting. So, now I'm about to finish my first semester of my RN (which I started right after the LPN). In my RN, a lot of students don't believe that jobs might be hard to find when they graduate. They don't work in health care (many), and don't volunteer, etc. or even consider the need for building a solid resume. I try to tell the people I know to at least work as an aide, as my LPN has taught me a lot regarding the value of experience. Anyway, do what you can-even consider work for a short time that you might not otherwise-long term care, etc. Think of it as your internship or something...just a step in the direction you want to go. Even volunteer. I did for hospice while in school, and it got me my LPN job. Good luck to you. And, godspeed this recession to get over with, because it's affecting everyone!

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Specializes in LTC, Medical/Surgical, Telemetry.

Keep your head high and don't give up hope. It is unfortunate that they (media/instructors/recruiters) make it seem like you will have health care facilities knocking down your door the second we walk across that stage but as in any other profession we have to fight for our positions and just like everyone else the economy truly is effecting us too. I agree about getting a job in a LTC facility in your area should you have that option. Do you currently work anywhere healthcare related? I started out my career as an LPN in a Nursing Home never wanting to have to work in a nursing home but ended up loving it. Ultimately I didn't stay but the experience it gave me was indispensable. And for the time being its income and experience. And as my dad always said, jobs get jobs. Good luck to you and again, don't loose faith something is bound to come up!

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