NursingLink

I dont know where all the new grad jobs have gone.  It must be the economy.  I didnt get picked up for new grad job.  I graduated May of this year, took my nclex a few weeks ago and am an RN now.  California is pretty tough right now.  I have a BSN, but I graduated from Hawaii.  Could this be why Im not getting any bites???  Ive applied everywhere (Radys, Scripps, Sharp, Kaiser, Alvarado, UCSD) and am now branching outside of San Diego.  Anyone else having the same trouble????

Hey April,

Yes, I'm having the same trouble your describing, also living in SD. It's the economy, the hospitals can't afford to hire new grads like they used to. Most of the openings I'm finding require experience, and I'm getting a little frustrated as well. I tried applying to correctional facilities as well, and am considering outside of SD, as long as I stay in CAL where I have my license. My dream job with the VA never opened a position, but both of my friends got hired with out any issues the year before and just at the begining of this year.

Keep your head up high, this is bound to boil over soon, but right now in SD there is no "nursing shortage" so us new grads are being challenged at finding positions.

 I'm definitely having the same frustration!!!!  I passed my NCLEX, have my PA RN license and am awaiting approval for my Florida license.  I've probably applied to 100 jobs in the Fort Lauderdale area.  I am relocating from PA because where I come from there aren't any jobs either.  I need my FL license asap but I went ahead and got ACLS and PALS certified just to get an edge over some of the other applicants.  I really don't want to look outside of a hospital setting as a new grad because I feel it is career suicide.  I know I'll probably get offers for med/surg floors on the night shift and nothing else but at this point I just want to start my career already.  Every person I talk to tells me to go online and apply, which is all I seem to do these days.  I feel all new grads pain in the hunt for a job, stay positive, they need us they just can't afford us right at this moment.  We have to stay strong and not let the system pigeon hole us into a career choice that may jeopardize our future plans.  

aprilnewRN says ...

I dont know where all the new grad jobs have gone.  It must be the economy.  I didnt get picked up for new grad job.  I graduated May of this year, took my nclex a few weeks ago and am an RN now.  California is pretty tough right now.  I have a BSN, but I graduated from Hawaii.  Could this be why Im not getting any bites???  Ive applied everywhere (Radys, Scripps, Sharp, Kaiser, Alvarado, UCSD) and am now branching outside of San Diego.  Anyone else having the same trouble????

I live on Long Island, Nassau county.  Graduated in June took my NCLEX in July, have applied everywhere, including Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and NYC, and nothing.  Everyone wants at least one year experience.  How do we "new grads" get experience when no one is willing to hire us.  I am very discouraged.  Don't know what to do or where to apply.  I fear I will lose the skills learned.

That sounds correct. I know for a fact, that alot of RN's are doing that. I heard one supervisor say, that she still is not hiring the voluteers, even if they do volunteer, alot of nurses are taking  3 furlougs here in California, which mean the hospitals are very slow now.

theala,

Your suggestions are also good for RN's out of the field and trying to return.  I've taken a refresher course, have an MSN and a bounty of good experience.  It so far is not getting me anywhere.  But the advice you offer is still appropriate.  I was told by a Managerial recruiter that because of all the applications/resumes they could afford to be "pickier."  I have seen NO research, evaluative studies, or case studies that indicate that an RN returning to practice is impaired in getting through an orientation and working as is any other nurse.  Quite the contrary I would speculate.  Nurses leaving the nursing field did not go into stasis.  Many of us took computer classes, continuing education, volunteered (which is supposed to count), and took on major caretaker responsibilities all of which would give us additional empathy, insight and skills.  I do not see nursing as having changed so much in what a nurse does as that the acutity level of the patient is higher.  In fact, in reviewing many of the procedures, by book, DVD, and observation when in a hospital, what I see is greatly improved equipment and supplies.

I believe the biggest driver is the economic one in which it's just easier to find a person who is already working, whether they really want to be a nurse or not but can certainly get "x" number of tasks done and in some cases the quality of the care and tasks should be evaluated a bit more.  There seems to be some notion that a LOT of extra time must be spent with a returning RN.  This is not evaluated on an individual basis.  I certainly do think it is appropriate and fair to give new graduates an internship.  Again, all new graduates are not equal and a little more time in evaluating the experience level might help to bring in some exceptionally qualified new RN's.

Hi:

I am so sorry  and a little bit surprised to hear so many negative news about difficulties with finding a jobs by new graduates.

i am a new graduate too but I did not hear about such a problems with finiding a job as a grad in my area. I live in NEW YORK CITY and I never heard about anyone having problems with fingding a job.

I graduated in May 2008. Before my graduation  I went for a job fair in Madison Square Garden/NYC where I left few of my resumes. One day after my graduation I got a phonecall with job offer in one of the hospitals. They wanted me to come to open house cause they were hireing. I obviously did not have experience and I did not even get a chance to take my N-CLEX and they were already offering me a job. I could not take a job at this time so lady from recrutment gave me a phone number and ask to call her as soon as I will get  my licence.

I did not start working tin 2008,  got back to school in the fall 2008 to continue with my BS degree. It got busy at school and I had some complications in my family so I even did not take my N-CLEX right away. I took my N-CLEX exam this August and few weeks later I already got a seasonal RN position that I wanted.

All my friends got a jobs in the hospitals  in NYC in no time, shortly after they got their RN licences. I am also seeing some advertisments in nursing magazins where there are jobs where new grads are welcomed.

I do not know how is in other states but when it comes to NYC I did not noticed that there is a big problems with getting a job as a new grad.

How can these schools continue to lie to people telliing them that they will have their pick of jobs and will be making 25.00/hr right off the bat? Who would believe that garbage anyway? Like I said before where I live there are 4 schools  in town cranking out RN's and 3 schools cranking out LPN's and an additional 2 schools cranking out RN's within 30 miles. There were over 400 new grads entering the market in May of this year. The market has been glutted just like teaching  and anyone that believes that there will be hundreds of people retiring evey year obviously has their cranium in the gluteus maximus.......

The nursing schools aren't lying to anyone.  The jobs are out there.  Some areas may have tightened up but that will be strictly temporary.  When the economy recovers, the older nurses who have put off retirement will feel more secure, and hospitals will again start screaming for new grads.

And even now, the jobs are there for anyone who wants one. 

I just checked usajobs.gov.  822 RN jobs in the Federal Government.  Nurse.com, over 11,000 job listings.  RNInsider, lots of jobs (numbers not listed).  MedHunters, over 4000 jobs.

You can't tell me ALL of these open positions won't take a new grad.  The jobs are out there.  You have to be willing to move to where the job is, and you have to be willing to look outside the box of "run down to the local hospital and leave my resume at HR."

A year ago, I went to Phoenix AZ as a traveler.  Technically, I was in a per diem program not on a travel contract though the company paid my travel, transportation, and lodging expenses the same as they would have if I'd been a traveler.  But because I didn't have a contract, my shifts were subject to cancelation.  I got canceled almost every day, including the first 4 I was there.  In 2 weeks, I worked 4 shifts at three different hospitals, and two of those were not the ER shifts I went there expecting to work.  My coordinator was perplexed.  The hospitals had been screaming for nurses just before I arrived.

It was the economy.  The stock market was tanking, and the big scare was really getting on a roll.  Hospitals were decreasing their use of travelers and temps because we are very expensive.

I was upset, but that wasn't the agency's fault.  I told the company, "if there's no work in Phoenix, can you move me to where there is work?"  They said, "How about Houston?"  I said, "Houston here I come!"  I got full time work right away.  I tried to sign up for more shifts than full time, and the ED manager wanted to let me, but the administration said no overtime for temps--too expensive.  But I can't complain--I got full time work, and a great working environment (staff at the two hospitals I worked at for the four weeks I was there were fantastic).

So I don't understand the complaining.  The jobs are there.  What is the problem?

Contratulations on your interviews.  Hope you are able tog et a job you want.

Thank You Theala and Pearlferret, for your encouragment.

I got hired at the Homecare company actually after I got there and started the interview I found they don't consider themselves a homecare place. They do more private duty type of positions. each Nurse works 12hr days with only one patient. I start on Wednesday, and to tell the truth I am nervous. I mean I will be working with a child which I want, but think I am just nervous because it is a new job, but it may also be that I will be performing cares on a client who has a trach and only time i have worked with a trach was in clinicals. But I guess being nervous is better than being overly calm.  Oh and I have to drive 1hr to get to the client each day and once I move back to Des Moines I will be driving 1hr 15min. each way. but not complaining at all. And yes I wanted this position, but it was'nt my first choice, it was my 2nd choice. as I said before want to be a pediatric nurse and at this position I will be working with a child. And I will get great experience with this company, And the days and hours I will be working will allow me the time to continue on getting my BSN.

I talked to some of my fellow classmates and they said if you worked as an LPN while finishing with your RN then it is easier to get a position as an RN. Most of them have jobs now (even the ones who didn't work as LPN). most are working in Nursing Home settings, Home care and a few in Hospitals. If you are willing to relocate to small towns then job prospects are better but they pay less. or if you are willing to drive.

Pearlferret says ...

Thanks for the info, and best of luck in that interview, I hope it went well!

I am considering moving outside of CA, once I am done with a temp job for flu shots. I will take a job where ever I can. So far I've applied to the VA here in SD, and I'm trying up in Sacramento too, that's where I'd love to start out. If not, then I will consider moving but I'm unsure of the licensing process so that's something I will have to look into if it happens.

If you currently have a nursing license, you simply need to submit an application for licensure by endorsement.  You will pay a fee for the license, it is the same for licensure for examination in that state.  You may have to undergo a criminal background check (state regs vary); the BON in the state you want to go to will have instructions on how to do this as part of the application process.

California is not a compact state, so you will need to apply for a new license where ever you are.  However, most states will give you a temporary license while the application is being processed; this will allow you to work.  California isn't giving out temp licenses anymore.

Here's a suggestion, if it is doable for you.  Look in a compact state.  That way if you don't like the state and want to move, all you have to do is move.  You can work in a state that is part of the compact until you declare residency in that state (you usually have several months to do this), at which point you must apply for a license by endorsement.  The compact is great for travel nurses.

good to know...thanks ladies!

In case I do find a job out of state and end up moving, I know it's possible if necessary. I'm thinking by the holidays if I haven't found something permanent yet... my $ situation will have dwindled down so low I will have to push and shove into some other area so I can find a new grad job.

I'm curious if any of you new grads worked at your "employer of choice" while going to school? 

I recently decided to pursue a nursing degree so I have a few years before I'm in your shoes.  I live in San Diego and plan to get my ADN through Grossmont.  Grossmont college partners with my employer of choice (Grossmont hospital).  The clinicals are done there and they do hire new grads, although, spaces are limited. 

If you are currently enrolled in an RN program, you are eligible to work as a NA and they currently have MANY NA job postings.  I plan to work as an NA on a part-time basis while in school so I can learn how the hospital runs, network with the staff, etc.  Hopefully, during that time I will have made them fall in love with me  and I'll be "guaranteed" a position in their new-grad program.  

I have read several posts on here from other new grads who said those who worked as assistants got in - those who didn't, looked hopelessly for jobs.  I'm wondering if this is true for you or did you put in your time as an NA and still can't find work?

lucky for you! i have NY license and ive searched everywhere- they all need at least one year experience. i've been looking for 2 months already...i am beginning to get depressed...

Joannabp says ...

Hi:

I am so sorry  and a little bit surprised to hear so many negative news about difficulties with finding a jobs by new graduates.

i am a new graduate too but I did not hear about such a problems with finiding a job as a grad in my area. I live in NEW YORK CITY and I never heard about anyone having problems with fingding a job.

I graduated in May 2008. Before my graduation  I went for a job fair in Madison Square Garden/NYC where I left few of my resumes. One day after my graduation I got a phonecall with job offer in one of the hospitals. They wanted me to come to open house cause they were hireing. I obviously did not have experience and I did not even get a chance to take my N-CLEX and they were already offering me a job. I could not take a job at this time so lady from recrutment gave me a phone number and ask to call her as soon as I will get  my licence.

I did not start working tin 2008,  got back to school in the fall 2008 to continue with my BS degree. It got busy at school and I had some complications in my family so I even did not take my N-CLEX right away. I took my N-CLEX exam this August and few weeks later I already got a seasonal RN position that I wanted.

All my friends got a jobs in the hospitals  in NYC in no time, shortly after they got their RN licences. I am also seeing some advertisments in nursing magazins where there are jobs where new grads are welcomed.

I do not know how is in other states but when it comes to NYC I did not noticed that there is a big problems with getting a job as a new grad.