Feeling like a failure and hopeless everyday due to not finding a job post grad

[SushiRose09]

Hi Beyond Blue forum!

I am writing this as I have recently finished up my bachelors degree in nursing and have not landed a job as a FT registered nurse. This has been weighing heavily on my mind and emotions as I constantly compare my self to others in my cohort who have successfully landed a graduate position where as I have not. Everyday I break into tears have a feeling of doom when thinking about my future as I hate the uncertainty about it all. I had my whole future centered on gaining a graduate position  after finishing uni - for context I was waitlisted and could be contacted up until next August, but the waiting game is hard and as the days go by I give up hope on receiving a position. I was wondering if anyone had any good coping mechanisms as I feel like I should be proud of myself but I dont, I feel like I wasted years of my life on a degree to not even land a job. My mind is just stuck in a negative cycle of telling myself that I did not do good enough in life. 

[just-a-Dad]

dont beat yourself up, this is common amongst new grads.

sometimes its luck of the draw, sometimes its because your peers had more Carisma in the interviews.

be strong and keep at it, take any job you can get at the moment and do your best.

get some life experience and job interview experience,

you have come so far and you should be proud, life sucks sometimes but it gets easier.

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Guest,

A very warm welcome to the forums..

Congratulations on completing your bachelors degree in nursing…You should be so proud of your achievements…Well done..

Please don’t be so hard on yourself, be kind and gentle towards you…after so many years of studying a little time to rest is okay before you start your full time career…I am certain that you will find work soon as nurses are the backbone of every hospital….and are needed especially out in the country areas….just a thought about if you have a preference to where you want to work or if you’re flexible in different areas…..

Wishing you every happiness and hope your future will be bright…Nurses are awesome people….

Please talk here anytime you feel up to it…we are here for you the best we can be…

Thinking of you with kindness and care…

Grandy..

[RainbowCuddle]

Dear member,

Please rejoice in the completion of your nursing degree! Good job! My parents retired as RN's so I know the hard work you all put into your studies!  I take it, you must have done very well to get your piece of paper as well as the placement/s you undertook. In the meantime, please look after you! Good eating, Good forms of exercise whether it be walking, enjoying nature, being surrounded by people who uplift you, healthily balancing social media platforms (so you are not seeing the comparisons). Perhaps considering some volunteer work in the meantime in a caring field might be a good way to keep busy and active during the waiting time.

Take care x

[MoodedOut]

I can really relate to this when I first got out of university too, I felt like a failure who kept on applying to grad jobs, but everyone else I knew seemed to get one so easily.

It's definitely an awful feeling that you feel you're not being valued by society. What I will say is once I got my first job (not a grad job), things got much better for me and after some meh jobs, decent jobs, and downright awful jobs, I feel I am finally in a good place.

I hope this helps in some way. I am hoping for you too

[sbella02]

Hey, thank you for reaching out and welcome to the forums. Well done for finishing your degree, firstly.

I too am a recent graduate of a degree who has been unsuccessful in landing the same kinds of roles that my peers seem to be getting, despite trying. I graduated a year ago now. It does make you frustrated. It becomes internal - you start to wonder what you're doing wrong, or what you may lack. In truth, it's not anything to do with you or what you have/have not done in your life. 

Finishing a degree is a very big accomplishment, and you've undoubtedly learnt so much in that time and come such a long way since the beginning. In my experience, some roles may be highly coveted and rare to score unless you're really lucky, but most of the time the role is either filled by somebody internally, someone with connections, or somebody who's been in the role before. Or as Just-a-Dad has said, sometimes it really is just luck of the draw. 

Keep applying, keep putting yourself out there, keep making connections. Add people on Linkedin who have similar goals, experiences, and interests to yourself. Keep looking on websites like Seek for new positions that you may be suited to. You could even ask your peers how they landed their roles - how they found them, what they did, perhaps interview advice if necessary.

Where possible, you may like to reach out to companies you'd like to work with even if they don't have advertised positions online, as they may have roles available that they aren't going to advertise, aren't advertising yet, are similar to what you're after and can help get your foot in the door, or they'll simply keep you in mind for future roles, having gauged that you are interested in working there. Interest and enthusiasm are appealing to prospective employers - particularly in the health industry, passion for what you do is so important.

RainbowCuddle has also suggested volunteer work in the meantime, which may be a good idea if you're not already involved. 

I hope this helps, please feel free to reach out again and chat some more if you need more support, we're here for you.

All the best, SB

[Croix]

Dear Sushirose9~
I’m answering here as it seems the best place as you have others here too.

As you have been told completing your degree says lot about you, academic ability, determination to finish what you have started and succeeding. Nursing is a career that has all sorts of different paths, from blood-bank to midi to ER to contract to training. There is no doubt you will find one that suits you. Reaching out and contacting organisations and hospitals even when they have not advertised is an excellent strategy.

Working as you are a with aggressive people with dementia is just about the worst place to be, and that would make anyone feel down. There is no real answer no matter how hard you try and any victories you have tend to be temporary. On the bright side when applying for a position saying you have been doing this difficult task will gain you respect. Hopefully your next position will be well away from this area. It may be worth turning down a similar job just for your own welfare.
You miss your partner, and that goes to show the close relationship you have, a blessing really. When you gain proper employment hopefully you will have shifts that allow time together.

You asked about strategies and I can suggest two. The first is to do something where you will be praised and encouraged. Volunteering can offer this if you find something that interests you, be it assisting at a museum, helping the Red Cross or walking dogs from the animal rescue center. It does not have to be dull or tedious.

The other thing is handling the job situation without it taking over your life. If you spend part of each day regularly devoted to job applications and similar matters -perhaps in the morning -then draw a line across the day and spend the rest of it well away from that soul-destroying environment doing things for you (and you partner). Things that take your mind well way from applications, waiting and answers. I’ve no idea what your interests are (volunteering can come in useful here) but try to include some activity, gym, walking, friends, whatever.

Post graduation is a hard time for most people, you will get what you need but have the difficult task of living though the interim -you will make it

Croix