• Name: Stacy d'Arcy, 29
• Place: Langhorne, Pa.

I graduated in May and decided to skip getting a temporary practice permit to focus on studying for the NCLEX, the major licensing exam for registered nurses.

I passed on the first try in early July and unleashed my résumé on just about every hospital, nursing home and homecare agency in the area.

My husband was considering going to schools in different cities and states, so I was even applying for jobs in Pittsburgh and Raleigh, N.C.

At the end of November I received two callbacks about part-time jobs in nursing homes -- one of which I will be starting this week.

It's not my ideal situation, since I also have to work a full-time job to pay bills and keep my health benefits, but I'm hoping this will allow me to land a full-time nursing position since I will now have some experience on my résumé.

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