Why so hard to find a hospital job?

I graduated in 2010 and found it difficult to get into a hospital, even if they had a GN program (got turned down from one), so I took a job in a long term/rehab facility where I have been for the last 18 months. I've done exceptionally well, and was promoted to charge nurse in July, 2011 for both units. Once I hit a year of experience, I really wanted to move into a hospital, where I could get more experience and I can't break the barrier to even get an interview. All of the hospitals here in Jax, FL use online systems and I have applied to more than 50 positions, made phone call after phone call to recruiters, sent them emails, called on my classmates and other friends who are 'inside' and can't even get a chance to interview. I did have 2 interviews for the same job I didn't apply for and didn't get it (I wasn't qualified and wasn't sure why they even considered me-they pulled my resume from other applications). When I tried to find out why I can't even get my resume considered, one contracting firm said it was because of where I work: sub-acute. Really frustrated now and can't help but wonder if its an age issue. I had a 27 year career with Blue Cross Blue Shield (so I have a ton of customer service, technology and management experience), but decided to pursue a nursing career after going through a 2nd 'downsizing' in 2008. Any advice out there?
Time, it's beyond the economy, without time at the bedside nurses are not getting hired. Take your current position and keep trying for a floor nurse job. take it with the crappy pay, night shift, holidays and all and move to a telemetry floor. I am sorry to say, no one cares about your past experience, it means squat in the world of nursing... you have to work your way up, doing jobs you swore in nursing school you would never do and then in time (maybe 3-5 years) be marketable for a recruiter to call you. It all depends on the area. I moved from NY to NC to get in an ICU... from there my career took off and now I am golden. we had to sacrifice $$ to do so, husband stayed home with the kids for a year, lived on mac - n- cheese, and now it is easy for me. this was back in 1997. Times are not that different, what one is willing to do to short cut success and achieve goals isn't either. There are few if any easy transitions to preferred places of employment, let alone salaries. Do a search on the boards here to help you feel you are not alone.It takes sacrifice to speed up the process, not everyone is willing or able to make that leap. If you can't, you'll have to continue the hard way locally, but don't ever give up, it will happen. It simply takes more time than you want it to.
I don't think it has anything to do with your age. I think they are being 100% forthright when they say subacute is the problem. We didn't want nurses from subacute backgrounds either, they simply just took too long to train and were never worth the trouble when there were better candidates out there.That said, IIWY I'd stop looking for a FT position and look at PT or prn. Any way to get your foot in the door. You might have to work a FT and a PT position for a while, but if it is really what you want, it should pay off in the long run. Years back I wanted to do flight nursing, and it was impossible to get a FT position on the crew, even with the 10 years top critical care and trauma experience and certifications out the wazoo that I had. I took a per diem position and was offered a FT position in about a year, but I had to accept a lot of really crappy last minute night, weekend and holiday shifts first, lol.
not your age. I have a friend who is 24, she did the same thing you did, worked LTC and was promoted to Supervisor of the facility...never could get a job at our local hospital... It is the sub-acute care that is the issue. It's hard to get around, and I think that it may be just as hard to get Part time or PRN because they will see you as someone who will need a total orientation to the hospital. Plus, you'd have to be able to work a lot to try to get in the door. There may be a few things you can do to help yourself further.I know that now you have nursing experience, but have you called the recruiters and asked if you could be considered for a New Grad type orientation/job? I know you were turned down for one, but if I could get a nurse with experience and be able to put her through the New Grad orientation, I'd think it might be a bonus...since you do have experience...Keep trying. It will eventually happen!