So, you graduated Nursing School and you can't find a job?
You sound pretty discouraged right now, don't be! I worked as an aide for
about 8 years before I became an RN in different settings, from nursing
home, private duty, home health and Hospice. I thought with my vast
experience, it would be easy for me to get a job when in fact, it was quite
difficult.
What type of setting do you want to work in? Are you holding out for this
particular job? If you are, don't. Take any job you can get for now. I
know what you are thinking: The hospital where you worked before will hire
you right?......yes, but you must get experience first.
I worked for Hospice for a year as an aide because this is the type of
nursing I wanted to do, only to find out......they wanted me to get
experience first!
My suggestion to you is to take the first job you can get. Keep putting in
other applications with the job you have as a reference, you will be
surprised how many doors will open once you don't need a job!
I took a job at a nursing home and called the other job that I work for
every week and a half, finally, 4 months later, they called me....now, I
work two jobs! I still want to work for Hospice though, who will not hire
me until I have two years experience, but when they do, I will have a great
resume! Of course, I'll still keep my other job too!
I think that nursing jobs are hard to get in general. Here, in the States,
there are a lot of layoffs and merging going on as well. I think it boils
down to the almighty dollar. It is at times like these, that we as nurses
need to stay focused on why we wanted to become nurses in the first place,
not to be rich but to intimately touch the lives of the people around us in
a special way. Right? Yes, it may be difficult to find a job, but you have
to be strong......remember, you are an RN now!!!!! You worked darn hard for
that!!!!!
In your interviews, do they ask you what do you think your strengths are
and what are your weaknesses?
If they do, don't answer the question about what you think your weaknesses
are. Let them find that out for themselves. Believe me, they will find
them.....only answer the question about the strengths. Because you are a
new grad, you have to make yourself marketable. You have to make them want
you. You have to give them something to think about. Never leave them with
any kind of negative information about yourself. Since they can be picky
and pick and choose who they want--they will. Remember, you are an RN. You
are the greatest thing since sliced bread right? Let them know this in the
interview by a positive attitude about yourself!
I know right now you do not feel like an RN because you are not out there
in the field, I felt the same way. This feeling will pass believe me. When
you get your job, you will be amazed how much you know compared to the
other people around you then, there will be a lot of people who know more
than you only because they have been there longer. I takes about a year to
start to feel comfortable with yourself as an RN because there is so much
to know in our profession. You can't possibly know everything. When you get
your first job, you may have (not forgotten) but be inexperienced with
certian procedures....I see nothing wrong with asking for help. If you feel
you can't do this, carry a procedure book and put it in your locker and
refer to it. I did this when I first started, I carried around my 3 by 5
cards from school. (example, where to give IM shots, ect.) Refer to these
resources as you go. There is nothing wrong with this. I see you did well
in college but this is the real world where performance is everything, I
think you are a little scared you may have forgotten. You may or may not
have forgotten. Either way, its okay, just look it up.
Please do try and cheer up my friend.. You are an RN and you will probably
make a darn good one as you know! But for now, we have to wait and let some
lucky employer know this....Cheer up okay. I know I felt the same way when I first graduated.
Things will be better for you! Keep your chin up!.......
Come on.......let me see a smile......okay?
(see you look happier already!)
Jobseekers have passed through since June 7th, l999
