New grads Need Not Apply

[elisiah]

First, I would like to congratulate all of the new grads who have been able to secure RN employment in this bleek economy. It is a tough market for a new grad RN. A "year experience required" or "not considering new grads at this time" is pretty much the norm. Heck, I even saw a job posting that read, "No new grads or nursing home RN." What?! So, even LTC RN are not wanted.

I have become so discouraged in my Job Search. I graduated this May with an ADN took my boards and passed on the first try, I also have a BA in Psychology. I know there are many of you who have been looking for a chance to get into nursing careers longer than myself. Being unemployed is really no joke. I haven't had a real sustainable job since I lost my full-time job in 2009. It has undoubtable been a very tough time being a single mother to a now seven year old.

Most employers want you to have that one year experience, but if everyone wants it who is going to give it? I say to people that I am an RN and they say, "Oh, what hospital do you work in?" I reply, "None!" People that hear this say they thought there was a great need for RNs because of the nursing shortage. I have to correct them and say there is no such thing. There is only a nursing job shortage.

What will happen when baby boomer nurses start to retire in droves and current new grad RNs with no experience give up on their dreams of being nurses move on to other career paths? Where will these facilities find their new workforce? In my opinion, there will indeed be a nursing shortage. So instead of waiting for that scenario, let them act now!

I have been a part of allnurses.com since entering nursing school. There has been a lot of great threads and comments on this site. I have read through many discouraged new grads postings and feel that instead of complaining about let us band together and make this a real public issue. We can be heard if our voices are numerous and loud.

I hope that I have made sence in this posting. Thanks for any comments.

[Sinman]

Ok She said she was ranting...that means letting off steam and coming some place where people are supposed to understand in order to let off that steam. That does not make her a whiner nor does it automatically mean that she hasn't applied anywhere and everywhere. Fact: The public perception of nurses is that we work in hospitals so getting the question "Which hospital do you work in?" is going to be very common regardless of any place she has actually applied too.

Also being an adult, a mother, a nurse, or a polka dotted unicorn does not mean that we don't all occasionally have the need to complain and scream at the unfairness of it all. This is supposed to be the place we can do that and be encouraged not slapped in the face.

[TamTamRN-RRT]

It's funny trueblue2000 because it sure looks like you were crying for nothing in your thread you started about getting your BSN... Please your negativity is so not needed. We are here to encourage each other.. Seriously.

[Tree5981, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I work in an outpatient facility and it will be closing in 2 months. I only have 8 months experience. I can tell you that the job hunting situation is looking pretty sad for me as well. In response to the previous poster stating that there are more than hospital jobs, this is true. But I can tell you there are far more job postings for hospitals than there are for outpatient facilities...trust me I have looked EVERYWHERE. I have applied at both outpatient and inpatient...even out of state.

It seems to me that its who you know. As someone previously stated, if you can give your resume to a friend that can give your resume to a manager that can help. I've known people who have at least gotten interviews this way. That's what I'm doing now since the 100 places I have applied have not responded.

I agree that this is very frustrating. I feel that there should be some more programs (ex: internships) that help mold and train new grads. The only reason I have a job now is because I landed an internship. It has taught me a great deal and gave me the opportunity as a new nurse to learn in a good learning environment. Unfortunately, it will be ending sooner than I hoped. But the point is, you gain so much experience this way! There needs to be more internships!! I understand it costs hospitals thousands to train people, but in the long run it benefits them.

Hang in there, don't give up, and don't listen to any negativity from people on here!

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

Nursing students, prospective students, graduates, new RNs, please understand a fundamental truth about the nursing profession: it is broader than hospitals. Only about 60% of RNs work in acute care settings. This means that roughly 4 out of every 10 new graduates WILL NOT GET A HOSPITAL JOB! Sorry, that is the reality, and it will get worse as health care keeps moving away from acute care to home health and outpatient facilities. What makes you think you are entitled to work in a hospital? Your degree is Associates Degree in Nursing NOT Associates Degree in Hospital Nursing. Your qualification is Registered Nurse NOT Registered Hospital Nurse. Let's embrace reality and stop equating RNs with hospitals. It is living in fantasy land to do otherwise. I am tired of new grads ******** about not getting hospital jobs. Not everyone will. It does not mean there is no nursing shortage all it means is that there is no acute care nursing shortage. Also, do you think you are ready to hit a hospital floor and manage an assignment of 5 patients? Hell no! No new grad is and by a long shot. They have to train you before they let you loose on the floor. Do you know how much it costs to train a new grad? My hospital is spending nearly 80K in training costs for each of its new grads in its residency program. Not every hospital can afford that. You can't really blame hospitals when choose not to hire new grads. You say you are a mother, an adult, but your post sounds very immature and to me, like my niece crying she didn't get her favorite Christmas toy.

Spoken like a new grad who got one of those coveted hospital jobs? (Or at least a "nurse residency" per your other post.)

[LaceyRN12]

Also, do you think you are ready to hit a hospital floor and manage an assignment of 5 patients? Hell no! No new grad is and by a long shot.

First of all, working at a nursing home or SNF means taking care of ~20 patients. So working at a hospital to take care of 5 patients is A LOT more appealing. Plus, you get a great amount of experience in that kind of setting.

Second of all, not only does your entire post sound immature and insensitive, but you sound like a nurse NO ONE would ever want to have... no empathy, no hint of concern or well-being for others...

[soxgirl2008]

First of all, working at a nursing home or SNF means taking care of ~20 patients. So working at a hospital to take care of 5 patients is A LOT more appealing. Plus, you get a great amount of experience in that kind of setting.

This. Many of the nurses I work with have said they'd be much more terrified to work in LTC as a new grad than a hospital. One of their daughters is a new grad RN at a nursing home and had a week of orientation before she was on her own with 20+ patients she was responsible for. Many nights she is the only RN in the entire building. That is much more unsafe IMO than a new grad having 5 patients in a hospital.

And to trueblue... This is where people come to vent. Just like you vented about how it's unfair that you are doing the same job and treated the same as ADNs. Perhaps some people are tired of hearing people complain about that? Many of these students have been told time and time again "there is a huge nursing shortage you'll have no problem landing a hospital job!" Yes, people should look outside the acute care setting but they are still allowed to be disappointed and vent about it on a message board

[Roxy518]

OP please do not be discouraged I completely feel your pain I really do...I graduated in may 2010 and I had such a difficult time finding a job...i had one job which didn't work out and I thought my career was over but allnurses helped me stay positive and I kept applying and landed a job outpatient not my ideal place but I couldn't be picky it took me a little over a year to find my first real job and it was tough...everyone wants hospital experience but unfortunately we all can't get one it really sucks why apply if u won't be considered..I've gone to job fairs where I was told they didn't even want my resume because I was a new grad it sucked and it made me depressed but please don't give up please I almost did...sorry for the long post n please don't listen to negative posts like true blue2000 your negativity isn't needed on here!!

[schmkr23]

First, I would like to congratulate all of the new grads who have been able to secure RN employment in this bleek economy. It is a tough market for a new grad RN. A "year experience required" or "not considering new grads at this time" is pretty much the norm. Heck, I even saw a job posting that read, "No new grads or nursing home RN." What?! So, even LTC RN are not wanted. I have become so discouraged in my job search. I graduated this May with an ADN took my boards and passed on the first try, I also have a BA in Psychology. I know there are many of you who have been looking for a chance to get into nursing careers longer than myself. Being unemployed is really no joke. I haven't had a real sustainable job since I lost my full-time job in 2009. It has undoubtable been a very tough time being a single mother to a now seven year old. Most employers want you to have that one year experience, but if everyone wants it who is going to give it? I say to people that I am an RN and they say, "Oh, what hospital do you work in?" I reply, "None!" People that hear this say they thought there was a great need for RNs because of the nursing shortage. I have to correct them and say there is no such thing. There is only a nursing job shortage. What will happen when baby boomer nurses start to retire in droves and current new grad RNs with no experience give up on their dreams of being nurses move on to other career paths? Where will these facilities find their new workforce? In my opinion, there will indeed be a nursing shortage. So instead of waiting for that scenario, let them act now! I have been a part of allnurses.com since entering nursing school. There has been a lot of great threads and comments on this site. I have read through many discouraged new grads postings and feel that instead of complaining about let us band together and make this a real public issue. We can be heard if our voices are numerous and loud. I hope that I have made sence in this posting. Thanks for any comments.

I graduated in 2009 and shortly after achieved my RN license....no one would hire me as well because I was a new grad and only worked in long-term care (CNA/LPN). How can someone gain experience if no one will hire. I joined the military and will be getting out soon to return to nursing fearing I will be in the same trap. I have taken a RN refresher course I hope this makes me marketable.

[StaceFace1122]

As people have mentioned, apply for anything and everything! I pass the NCLEX in July and felt like I had applied to every single nursing job in a 50-mile radius at least twice. I took a coordinator position at my current job in the meantime and that, along with applying for jobs that weren't just full-time or part-time, allowed me to finally get callbacks. I think having the supervisor experience helped, and also being willing to take a PRN position in a SNF. I'm doing pre-employment screening for one job and will get a decision on another job in December. I'm not thrilled to be doing PRN work, but a classmate of mine did it for roughly 3 months and was able to land a full-time job with the experience so it might be something to consider if you haven't already? Someone pointed out that in an LTC or SNF facility, you don't have doctors, pharmacy, IV teams, etc. as readily available as in a hospital so you learn to function a lot on your own. That really appealed to me, and even though you have more patients, it seems like you can really learn a lot... at least I'm hoping I will!

[RNEMT-P]

Apply for everything. Most hospitals' application systems will copy the last app you submitted, so worst case you have probably wasted 5 minutes. On the other hand, the definition of experience is sometimes quite subjective. I just got hired for an ICU position that required 2 years nursing experience even though I'm a new grad. Fortunately, the unit manager saw 12 years as a paramedic and figured it was close enough. She told me she will look at people who have any healthcare experience, even if it is as a unit secretary or veterinary tech. So, apply, worst they can do is say no.

[Tess RN BSN]

All of these suggestions are great. After being a nurse for 28 years and still working full time I have learned that you must market your skills and talent because no one else will. Start by making an account on Linkedin and making connections with people you already know and people and companies you would like to get to know. So many hiring managers are looking on Linkedin as well as jobs posted. Even after you obtain a job always continue to keep connected for future reference. These are life long connections. Also, research all the webcasts you can that are free regarding how to write a resume, how to interview, etc. These are so helpful to even seasoned professionals. You want to learn how to stand out from others. One of the biggest search engines I have used and referred others to in all occupations is Indeed.com a great website for jobs in healthcare. Go to your local unemployment office and learn everything you can that is available for free to market yourself. Its not enough to be a nurse today. You have to have great computer skills including internet, outlook, EMR, word, excel and others. Using your time wisely to learn new skills will be invaluable now and later. Hunting for a job is a full time job so every day for 8 hrs or more you should be doing something pertaining to the hunt. Market yourself to supplemental agencies even if its for per diem or part time. At least its a start. Don't limit yourself to full time etc. Just get started. You may even have to consider working as an MA or an LPN job while hunting just to use it as a skill. Be open and flexible and you will find a job. Most of all stay positive because all the experience in the world doesnt help if you have a negative attitude. If your heart is truly in nursing you will find a way to do what you love. Don't give up.

[RABillingsley]

New grads should not overlook smaller hospitals, especially in rural areas of the country. Not only do will they get focused, individualized orientation plans, but will be able to gain needed experience in a more community-oriented environment. Our new grads are able to work along-side experienced nurses, making the transition from student-to-professional easier and less-stressful.

Our community, located in rural Arkansas, is very supportive of new grads, and is willing to hire and orient them with an individualized orientation plan, allowing these new grads to get the experience they require to be successful.