Nursing degree disaster

[Rye0179]

AIBU to feel really fed up and disheartened?

I’m about to qualify as a registered mental health nurse. One of the main reasons I chose this degree was because I was told it offered strong job prospects. Even during my initial nursing interview, I asked about employability and was reassured I’d have plenty of options to choose from.

But now that I’ve started looking for jobs, there’s absolutely nothing out there. Not a single position I can apply for. All the Band 5 RMN jobs require someone with experience and post-preceptorship, someone who’s already worked in the role.

I’m feeling really disheartened. After completing 2,300 unpaid clinical hours and working hard to maintain good grades (around 75% overall), it looks like I might finish qualified but unemployed. Even more frustrating is that areas are not staffed well, but trusts have hiring freezes due to budgets and have apparently over recruited international nurses, leaving those who have trained here struggling for jobs.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for alternative career paths where nursing skills might transfer well?

Could you work as an HCA in an associated role until vacancies arise that you can apply for? That would count as experience.

Most trusts won't let you work as a HCA if you have a Pin as its a conflict of interest/abilities

It's a really shitty situation and I really feel for anyone in this position. I remember a similar thing happening in a certain disciplines after the recession.

These things are cyclical, there will be jobs eventually. It's just going to be a bit tough until something comes up.

I never understand this the nhs especially the mh side is so understaffed which is why they spend so much on agency staff then when they have newly qualified staff to actually fill these roles their not interested.

You may have to look for roles outside the NHS (such as Cygnet for example)

Still apply for B5 roles you might not have all the desirable skills but if they have minimal other applicants they will recruit you ( we have recruited newly qualified staff over experienced staff when they have interviewed better!)…. But I agree there should be a better more coordinated approach to getting newly qualified staff in to suitable posts.

As another poster mentioned - a lot of trusts do not allow you to work below your grade once you have a PIN - I think as there is a conflict between professional responsibilities and working below that level. But I’ll have to work something out as I cannot afford to be unemployed for months waiting for a suitable RMN role!

It’s bizarre isn’t it. Most of the wards I have had placements on are crying out for nurses; yet somehow there’s a hiring freeze.

I would still apply for the post that requires experience. You never know!

I still definitely will - but even those are very sparse. I set my search criteria for +30 miles and it came up with one single band 5 RMN job.

You may need to look outside of the NHS. Cygnet, Elysium, Coniston Care, Exemplar, Priory Group... are a few off the top of my head but it'll depend what is in your area

This has been a long standing problem since the early 00,s newly qualified RMN,s struggling to get jobs and as you say wards are always short staffed is there anything going in the private sector ,?

Just apply for the Band 5 posts. I have always applied for jobs even when I don’t have 100% of the desired criteria and been offered them. I say I can do it as development etc…
you can also look at private sector to get started off. Will give you that initial experience and preceptorship also. Just do your research as private provisions vary immensely!

You may need to expand your search. I have no idea of your personal circumstances but those staring out generally have more luck with flexibility such as relocating to where the jobs are vs. waiting for a job to open their area.

I’d look private

As others have said I’d still apply for those that require experience. You never know, plus surely all your placement hours count as experience etc. maybe not proper paid experience but you’ve done enough to qualify.

Im not a nurse but I’ve definitely applied for jobs that require more experience than I have and at least got an interview if not the role.

Keep looking, maybe look in wider areas. Not all health trusts have recruitment freezes, maybe you might need to be prepared to travel for your first job. Even trusts that have current recruitment freezes will need to pause those at times to recruit as there will be vacancies as people leave and there will need to be a certain level of clinical staffing.
Also have you considered agency work? I know some trusts are cutting back on agency workers but not all.
Hang on in there, it is a tricky time right now but you will get something sooner or later

Add this to the list of why the NHS doesn't work.

Contact your MP and ask them what they think of the situation you find yourself in.

Also agree with the posts saying apply to jobs anyway. There is a chance of getting them even without post qualifying experience

And as others say, consider private. Cygnet and other hospital providers often recruit

It’s so frustrating. We are short staffed all of the time and NQN’s can’t get jobs!

I agree with applying anyway, apply for everything. Also agree with going private, those already mentioned but also nursing homes etc. A student of mine was in the same situation and has spent the last year working as an RMN in a nursing home and loves it.

I would agree with a previous poster and say try the private sector. There will be hospitals near you

I'd assume the following would ask for experience too, but worth looking at other options too:

-Custody nurse within a police station
-Prison work
-Youth offenders services
-Clinical research
-Private hospitals with MN wards/services
-Homeless/asylum seeker services

I'm afraid I don't know enough about it, but could you apply for regular band 5 adult nursing roles, or does your degree just cover MH?

The Op will be a trained mental health nurse it's a separate qualification to an adult nurse.

Whats he/she gonna do?
Create a vacancy?

Have you thought of applying to nursing homes: excellent experience to be gained in nurse led settings.
You won’t look back.