• Name: Bonnie Edner, 32
• Place: Brooklyn, N.Y.

The reality of the job market hit me after attending a nursing convention in New York City.

Hundreds of inexperienced nurses waited on every line. My résumé qualified for the "new grad" cardboard box. Online ads require a bachelors and/or one year of experience. I graduated in May 2012 with an associates degree.

I thought to myself, "New Jersey will hire."

But New Jersey had the same requirements. I looked for mentorships, externships, anything "-ship". I looked for any nursing position all over the U.S.

Desperately, I did something against all advice. I complained on LinkedIn with hopeless, sad things. I cried so much because I was saying goodbye to nursing.

Then something happened. I read other posts about people who volunteered as I have, traveled cross country, and are in debt in order to pay for more nursing certifications.

I made a petition on the White House website asking President Obama to help new nurses out. I wanted to send a message to all the nurses in despair. We should not give up. We are registered nurses!

Now it has more than 500 signatures.

NEXT: Even with experience, I can't find work