No new grad jobs now what?

I am in Southern California, I passed NCLEX last July, I had problems finding jobs as a New Grad in every single hospital that I applied. Always I wanted to work n L&D but I see that probability almost remote. Now I am working as a PHN, I like so far but I still trying to get a job in a hospital. While I was in the nursing school, always I hear the shortage of nurses, now I believe that the shortage is of experienced nurses because all of the new grads like me are out there not having the opportunity to get the experience. The nurse recruiters should be reading these forums to hear our voice.

we're on the same boat. I passed the exam last sept and right now,Im having difficulty in looking for a job.my friend who just passed last dec has been hired in centinela..She doesnt have any experience as a nurse just like me..

Hi, I pretty much went through what you're talking about. I graduated nursing school in June 2007, and I started working that November. However, I had problems with my NCLEX and I had to resign. I passed my NCLEX last august, but I didnt get hired till recently. I applied to a bunch of hospitals in my area, but they all had very small new grad positions. It seems like it was alot easier to pick up a job last time around. My advice is expand your search farther than just the IE. Have you tried hospitals in the LA area?

Just wait till the economy is improved!
People lost their jobs and health insurances!
In the old days, people will come to the ER for a minor chest pain; now, without health insurances, they are "thinking twice."
Federal and Calif State are facing deficits! The L.A. County Medical Center is not even hiring!
Good luck!

CA received money to train additional nurses, and they did just that. When the new programs got funded and the schools even added in additional slots for students, there was a shortage all over the place and all over the US. But then came things in a downward spiral with the economy and nurses that had been expecting to retire have continued to work full-time as well as nurses that got into other fields of nursing have returned to the bedside as well, or are picking up extra shifts at another facility in their area to meet their expenses for their own household.

When a hospital hires a new nurse, and more importantly, a new grad; it costs them quite a bit of money to do so. The nurse is receiving a salary but is not counted in the staffing for the day as they are not usually on their own, but under a preceptor after they finish their preliminary training with the nurse educator for the facility. Salaries need to be paid to the educator as well as additional hourly pay is given to the preceptor in most cases.

Add into it, the number of new grads that are finishing programs in any one area; and even without the economy being poor, there are many more grads than new grad orientation programs.

Sure, one does not need a specific new grad program if the facility does not offer one, but please make sure that you get a proper orientation and it should last minimum of six weeks if not longer. If it is not offered, then please look someplace else. There is just so much to learn that you have never seen while you were in school that you will be quite amazed. And it will all be under your license now.

The state is under a major financial crunch at this time and you may actually wish to consider other states to gain at least a couple of years of experience and then return to CA. Wisconsin is hiring all over the state, also check out the forums for other states as well. Iowa is also trying to hire as well. There was just something in the news about them yesterday.

Best of luck to all of you.

"there are many more grads than new grad orientation programs", if nurse recruiters are aware of this situation, why they post nursing jobs with "at least" one year of experience, where a new grad can get the experience if they don't let them start?. If this is a financial issue, they should design a different strategy to solve this problem. It is not because the financial crisis accross the board, I believe is because a poor management of recruitment in the health care institutions.

How are all these inland empire new RN's doing? Just wondering cuz I took boards yesterday and am awaiting results.
You are very correct Suzanne about the new grad situation. I don't care about a full new grad program. I've been an LVN for three years, if they'll do a decent orientation that's enough for me! I am unable to relocate due to having a house, that is currently worth half of what I bought it for. I don't want to ding my credit that bad and short-sale it.

Anyway, I wish you all the best of luck, and if you know of any places hiring please send an e-mail my way.

My friend and I Inquired to all of the hospitals in downtown LA.They told us that the new grad program will start between June-August.My friend decided to apply in a skilled nursing facility.Thats what Im doing too,apply in a skilled nursing facility rather to wait for next next next month for the new grad rn program.hehe