when i started nursing school in the winter of 09, they were screaming for nurses...now i have just graduated after working so hard to get my license, and now have my license, and there is no one hiring unless i have at least a year experience. i was really looking forward to working at the correctional facility, but they want at least one year experience. i was at a few rest homes yesterday and they said they had lots of nurse applicants. feel discouraged and deceived.

It is very safe to say that hiring for healthcare workers has significantly slowed down in the SF Bay area due to the state of the economy, and those with no experience often get left behind. To get that first job, it is of the utmost importance that a new grad have inside connections. It's not about what you know; rather, it is about who you know.

Good luck to you!

A good assumption and valid observation.

as I told my former students, sometimes you are going to have to drive a bit out of the bay area. I know of one of my former students whose friend is a brand new lvn grad and got hired on at a hospital in Salinas. They are out there, but there truly is no nursing shortage in this area...even for experienced nurses its hard.

A month ago I was feeling exactly the same way. Im in the central valley, but all the jobs seemed to be in the bay area.

Im completing my 3rd week at the county jail. A HUGE change from the hospital work Ive always done (as a CNA), and more specifically Labor & Delivery where I spent the last 5 years.

While I have to agree somewhat to the "its not what you know, but who you know", dont let that discourage you! I moved here last fall from WA state and knew NO ONE! One of the things I did was apply for jobs regardless of that "one year experience" thing. I have a strong medical background, and I just held onto hope that that would push me above the rest. It worked! I got called for my current position, interviewed, and was hired all within 2 weeks. Theyve now got me almost all the way trained (go out on my own on Monday! ) and they are still interviewing other LVNs, some who DO have experience. Im honored and priviledged that they chose to put me at the front of the line. And I LOVE my work!!

Just hang in there and keep trying. Unfortunately it takes time, and at times it makes all that hard work in nursing school seem like it was for nothing. But youll get something!