General Forums >> Ask A Nurse >> Unemployed
Unemployed
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Posted over 2 years ago Since January 2010 I have been seeking for a steady full time position as a Registered Nurse. I earned my ADN November 2009 with receivng license to practice December 2009. Prior to earning my ADN I was a LPN; so I have been a nurse for five years. I have had 4 interviews which one of them was done over the phone and was hired; which was for a agency who only calls if they have a job for you to do, which has been two to three weeks since the last job I did for them; so you cant really say I am working b/c it is not a full time steady position. I have put in applications with cover letters and resumes as well as mailed in cover letters with resumes maybe got a response from 6 out of 50 if not more that I have applied for. What is so frustrating is to be called in for an interview and am told you are well qualify for the position or we do not look at your LPN experience and still not hired or to walk out of an interview and feeling you got the job; but then [might] receive an email telling you we chose someone else. Do I have the right ask why I wasn't chosen? How can I find out if a past employer has put something negative in file? And if so what can I do to have it removed? How can I get employers to look at my LPN experience? Thank you for any response. Teresa |
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| Posted over 2 years ago Teresa, I hear your frustration. You might want to apply for more than one agency job to improve the chances of work for now. Have you applied at nursing homes? or home health? What were your strongest skills and interests as an LPN? Make a list and apply to places where you can really sell your skills in an interview. If you think of any areas where you might need to gain more skill or knowledge look into getting that before you apply to a job needing those areas of expertise. Show confidence and interest in the place where you apply. If you dont have a strong feeling that you are going to like the place where you are applying....skip it. Research the places you are applying to first. Make sure that you think you are a good fit and they fit your needs as much as possible. Then when you go to interview tell them why you think they are the place of choice for you and how you can contribute to their success. These are all tips I have gained along the way through inspirational reading online. I hope it helps you. Patience will truely be a virtue. God bless you and help you in your search for a wonderful and satisfying job as an RN. Congratulations on your success as a nursing student. Please keep me posted. Kathy |
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| Posted over 2 years ago Thank you Kathy. To clarify I am already an RN; graduated November 2009 and received my license to practice December 2009. I was told by the hospitals in my areas doing home health or nursing homes would not get me a position in the hospitals and this is coming from recruiters.
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| Posted over 2 years ago sistk, It will take a while to build a resume that will get you where you want to go, but you have to start somewhere. It seems like a long road to travel but five years from now it will all be behind you and hopefully you will have your dream job. Until then I would say just trust and pray and do your best each day and leave it in the hands of the Lord. |
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| Posted over 2 years ago Thank you Kathy. I am because good Lord knows what is best for me. But I do want to know do I have the right to ask why I havent been chosen for a job? |
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| Posted over 2 years ago sistk, Hi! I definitely understand your frustration. I am a Travel Nurse Recruiter. I hear this same story almost everyday. First, to answer your questions, you have absolutely every right to ask why you weren't chosen. Even if you get a generic answer like, "We just found a better candidate," ask them why so you can improve your skills or take a different approach the next time there is a job opening. Ask for suggestions to improve. Especially if you're dealing with recruiters, they should be honest with you and tell you why you weren't chosen. Regarding your experience, most hospitals won't take RNs who have less than 2 years experience. They normally want nurses that don't need training and can jump right into things. I definitely suggest you apply to hospitals located near colleges and universities. They normally have a connection with the schools and offer programs especially for new nurses. Good luck! |
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| Posted over 2 years ago Thank you tweathers for letting me know; to be honest I thought that I did and yes each time I've asked my rationale that I would tell them for asking is to know what I'm not doing correctly in the interview process or to improve myself. The way I find out that I was not chosen is of course through emails and I have responded back thanking them as well as asking why I they did not select me and no one has responded back and yes that is frustrating. I also understand why employers are doing what they are doing, but I am not a new nurse with no experience or knowledge. I have worked 4 years as a LPN, granted not doing a lot of things that RNs did, but I do have knowledge, skills, and experience. And as one employer did tell me in an interview "If we recognize your LPN experiences, knowledge, and skills then that means we will have to pay you more for that and with our budget being like it is, we just cannot afford that." Which of course like I explained to that employer, I fully understand, and agree to what you pay RNs with no experience, knowledge, and skills just so that I can start building the base as a RN. But their reasons for not hiring me is because they chose the PRN nurse who wanted to work full time. Yes I do have my frustration moments and talk abt looking at Wal-Mart for a job; but I am quick to say no God will open that door up for me and He will bless me with that right job. So please just keep me in your prayers and maybe one day we can meet in person. Teresa (sistk) |
