Has the job market gotten better for new grads?

Nurses New Nurse

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I haven't been around this site for a while, but I remember a few years ago, new grads were having a heck of a time finding jobs. Has this gotten better?

(I have been a nurse for 20+ years, and have a stable job so haven't been paying attention to the trends....)

Specializes in General Surgery.
Curious about the "no thanks on Stockton"....are you referring to the newly opened CDC/CDCR/DSH facility on Arch Road? How come?

No, they have a very high crime rate due to cutbacks on police force and homicide rate is ridiculous. Probably an interesting place to work at for traumas but I'd rather live/work somewhere a bit safer. Just my opinion.

Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

I live in the greater Philadelphia area and it is super competitive for new grads, but it feels like a lot of people in my class already have jobs. We graduated in May, so it hasn't even been that long! Those of us who got jobs right away worked at the hospital we were hired on at, or moved an hour or so away to where the demand was greater. Then again, the two nurses who were hired before me on my floor were out of school one year before they were hired. I am hearing that is not uncommon, unfortunately. I do see a lot of postings for homecare in the suburbs. All the job postings at the hospitals request a BSN.

Specializes in Psych/OR.

I live in Los Angeles and I'm looking to graduate in 2016 as a new RN grad if I get accepted into an ADN program I just applied to. I hope the job market gets better by then because I surely don't want to go through some of the situations people have gone through. I want to work in a cardiac unit when I graduate and I hope I can land a job there :D

From the SF Bay area, the answer is a resounding NOPE. I think one person out of my (BSN) class of about 65 has a full time acute care job. The other 7 are basically on a relief schedule. One took a SNF position, and I think one is at a clinic. The rest of us are still applying all over the state, region and country.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

SoCal's market still sucks. My facility's new grad program turns away tons of applicants--even internal applicants--because there's just so many new nurses applying for so few positions.

Specializes in Perinatal.

I'm in the California Bay Area and have finally landed an acute care position 15 months after graduating and hundreds of applications later...

Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I am in Wyoming. A lot of new grads from The west coast states are coming here, working for 1-2 years to get acute care experience and then return when they get a job back home.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

My best friend just graduated from a BSN program & had an offer before she passed her NCLEX. She is moving to San Antonio.

I am applying to an ADN program & I really don't have any fears for getting a job when I graduate. There are always ads in the paper/online for RNs.

My best friend & I live in south Texas.

Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

South Texas is not a highly desirable place to live so there are not going to be as many applicants and probably higher turnover. What are the working conditions like there?

It also depends on what kind of nursing you want to do - some specialties are more competitive than others. And keep in mind just because there are "ads everywhere" does not mean they want new graduates or if you do not have a certain type of experience. That is what MANY new graduates are running into.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
South Texas is not a highly desirable place to live so there are not going to be as many applicants and probably higher turnover. What are the working conditions like there?

It also depends on what kind of nursing you want to do - some specialties are more competitive than others. And keep in mind just because there are "ads everywhere" does not mean they want new graduates or if you do not have a certain type of experience. That is what MANY new graduates are running into.

I don't live by the Mexican border, I'm not THAT south. Lol. I live closer to San Antonio. :p

Well the working conditions I've had have been fine, some were worse than others. LTC was LTC. I have loved PDN & I'm just starting to do home health. I also worked in corrections & that was exciting!

The hospitals here still accept LVNs & RNs with ADNs. Yes I know they will probably want me to have my BSN & I will get it but I am not afraid that I won't be able to get a job. If I was able to get a job as a LVN I don't see it any differently as a RN. I use to only work in the hospital but after working in so many areas as a LVN I know the door will only be opened so much wider to me as a RN.

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