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Why Can't New Nurses Find Jobs?
Featured Author:
Kathy Quan, RN, BSN, PHN
Kathy Quan, RN, BSN, PHN, has over 30 years of experience in home health and hospice care. Teaching patients, caregivers, and other nurses has always been a passion of hers. She also loves to write and has several websites and blogs for nurses, caregivers, and patients. Kathy has also authored four books about nursing, the health care field and caring for aging parents.
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Kathy Quan | NursingLink
What’s happening with the nursing shortage? Why can’t new grad nurses find jobs? The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics still lists nursing as one of the most in demand careers, and yet finding a job as a nurse remains elusive.
The Good Ol’ Days
Just a couple of years ago, nurses could demand huge sign-on bonuses and dictate salaries, perks, and benefits. Today, those kinds of rewards are unheard of. Nurses take what they can get, while hospitals have the luxury of demanding more experience, better education, and specific skills.
In 2008, students beginning their nursing education felt certain they would be able to walk right into a high paying job upon graduation. So what happened? Simply put, the economy tanked. Between 2008 and 2009 over 2.6 million people lost their jobs and their health care coverage. In recent months we have seen the beginnings of a recovery, but unemployment remains high and continues to adversely affect the health care industry.
Many nurses poised to retire have delayed their plans, while many of those who weren’t working have returned to work driven by economic factors (like 401Ks that essentially disappeared as the bottom dropped out of the stock market).
Can’t Afford Health Care
Of course, no matter what the economy is like, people continue to get sick, but they can’t always afford appropriate health care. Keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads has become much more important than seeking health care, even for the chronically ill. Those who haven’t lost their jobs have seen hikes in health insurance premiums and copays, as well as a decrease in covered benefits. This has taken a toll on elective procedures, treatment, and care that can be delayed.
Fewer Cases of the Flu
In spite of the threat of a pandemic from the H1N1 flu virus, we’ve seen milder flu seasons over the past couple of years. A cash-strapped and frightened public educated themselves and heeded public health efforts. They learned about controlling infections, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning surfaces properly, and washing hands frequently. The public stayed healthy through the course of each flu season, leaving hospitals with empty beds.
Account Removed
over 2 years ago
Finally, an article that sheds light on this issue. I'm a new grad almost a year out of school and haven't found a thing either! Glad to see I'm not the only one in this boat. It reminds me of being 16y/o again and trying to get that elusive first job....it is a pain because it seems like no one will help, a real contrast to what I heard starting out in school.
stscholasticaRN
over 2 years ago
2 comments
I'm a new grad RN with 3 internships, volunteer experience, current ACLS, NRP, PALS, and still can't get any thing, while my student loans are going into repayment. What are we suppose to do?!
princesskhym
over 2 years ago
516 comments
At last! This article.... I'm a new grad RN and I've been looking for jobs everywhere and still haven't found one.
avdohol
over 2 years ago
2 comments
At Last! An article that says it as it is. I'm a new grad RN n this is my 5th month post graduation n i'm yet to find a job! Any job! I never dreamt it would be this way. Its true. I get pissed when I still see nursing shortage adverts, there is no longer a shortage. Most institutions now regard new grads as liabilities n i'm hopin n prayin that I can get something soon. Anything! Its a tight market out there. Upcoming new grads don't be decieved. Take what u get as soon as u get it!
kgarrison
over 2 years ago
20 comments
This is so nice to finally see an article that validates what I and so many of my nursing friends have been going through. What's frustrating is the advertisements and the schools continue to tell students and prospectives the old stats and telling them that nursing is much more in demand and lucrative than it currently is. I've had 2 students turn their noses up at what I get paid ($24.50/hr) and say that their school has told them to expect much more. At this point, most new nurses are happy just to find a job!!!
lralkhatib
over 2 years ago
2094 comments
after economic crisis its difficult for every body to get new job.
MooCow
over 2 years ago
2 comments
I am an exerienced cardiac/telemetry nurse with 18 years experience and receiving unemployment. This has been now over a year after being terminated. I still can't find a job.......and sick of unemployment/poverty wages by the Obama administration......