It has indeed been a tough job search for mine as well. Finished nursing school with all A's except one B. 2 years' experience as a CNA, working while in nursing school, with multiple peer awards. Everybody around you, "There is a nursing shortage. You will have your pick."
Can't even get in the door at the hospitals she targeted. One hiring manager mentioned most hospitals are hiring half the new nurses when compared to previous years. Seems they need nurses but are unwilling to take on the burden of training new nurses.
Even worse, she has to watch some of her lesser performing, fellow graduates get the jobs she wanted all along. The jobs she didn't even get in the door to interview.
Maybe the resume sucked. Maybe she interviews poorly. Hard to say. Hiring is an imperfect process. February and March were long months.
Final capstone rotation, current nurses working with her wondering aloud why she isn't going to work there after graduation. Some fellow graduates who will work there are lazy and entitled, much to the chagrin of current staff. She applied. Never even got an interview.
Held her, let her cry. Build her up. I had to table the no nonsense side of me, the side she was probably expecting to hear from as I had made that mistake previously. You want to make them feel better with "life isn't fair. don't take it personally. blah. blah." but sometimes you just have to listen and let it hurt.
Honestly, it hurt me too. I wanted this for her. She hasn't caught many breaks over the last few years, through no fault of her own. People are always taking advantage of her, then tossing her aside. Too often, she doesn't feel valued, and I worry where that could lead.
But, she is resilient and strong.
At the end of the day, she has a job that is acceptable. It will pay her more than most new graduates. The recruiter was wonderful, gave her support and affirmation. She even claimed to have fought to get her an extra signing bonus. She did settle a bit, but not completely. She will learn all the skills needed to transfer to the department she wants in the future.
Signed for her first apartment.
Bought the furniture.
All while hobbling on a new ACL, after having ACL surgery this month due to soccer injury.