[cathleenmermaid47]

My niece is graduating in 20 days as a RN she is told that it is almost impossible to get a job in a hospital as a new grad, is this the norm? She really need to work so she says she will go to ltc even though it is not her preference. I am asking for her as well as me because I am taking pre-reqs to enter nursing school and I scared to death I wont be able to find work. thanks for your imput.

[Imissthefall]

Originally Posted by cathleenmermaid47

My niece is graduating in 20 days as a RN she is told that it is almost impossible to get a job in a hospital as a new grad, is this the norm? She really need to work so she says she will go to ltc even though it is not her preference. I am asking for her as well as me because I am taking pre-reqs to enter nursing school and I scared to death I wont be able to find work. thanks for your imput.

Hello..I am not a nurse yet but live in Maine and have also heard it's hard up here to get work, but don't know for sure. All she can do is try and apply at every hospital. Has she thought of moving out state for a few years to get experience and then she could move back and probably get a job with some exp? I know it would be a huge climate/culture change but Arizona is desperatly in need of nurses in the Phoenix and Yuma areas. Just a thought. Otherwise maybe she could post her resume on monster.com or something like that?
Best of luck!

[RENAISSANCE RN]

I heard that in maine the shortage is severe. I know in Massachusetts it is tough. Tell her to contact recruiters.

[cathleenmermaid47]

Thank you so much for your input. unfortunetly she has 4 sons and is single so moving is not an option but I never thought of recruiters. Thanks again this websiste rocks.

[palesarah]

Originally Posted by Imissthefall

Hello..I am not a nurse yet but live in Maine and have also heard it's hard up here to get work, but don't know for sure. All she can do is try and apply at every hospital. Has she thought of moving out state for a few years to get experience and then she could move back and probably get a job with some exp? I know it would be a huge climate/culture change but Arizona is desperatly in need of nurses in the Phoenix and Yuma areas. Just a thought. Otherwise maybe she could post her resume on monster.com or something like that?
Best of luck!

I live in NH/work in Maine and have heard from several of my coworkers who graduated in the past few years, how tight the job market is for new grad RNs in Maine. Too many new grads and not enough new grad positions. I had no idea, I went to school in NH and there were plenty of new grad positions in hospitals when I graduated. One of my coworkers moved to Chicago for a year as a new grad, moved back and got a job as an experienced RN without a problem.

[palesarah]

Originally Posted by cathleenmermaid47

Thank you so much for your input. unfortunetly she has 4 sons and is single so moving is not an option but I never thought of recruiters. Thanks again this websiste rocks.

If moving is not an option, what about commuting? Not sure where in Maine she lives but if commuting to NH or Mass is an option, she should check it out.

[Freedom42]

In Maine, college officials say students with bachelor's degrees in nursing and accounting are in demand.

Diana Crowell, chairwoman of the nursing program at the University of New England's Portland campus, said 60 students will graduate from the program this year. Almost everyone who has looked for a job has found one, even though they have not yet passed their nursing board examinations, she said. Nurses' starting pay in Maine is about $40,000 a year.

Red-hot market awaits '07 class

[melsanshe]

I live in western ME and had a job waiting for me before I graduated and passed the boards which was great! contact your local hospital and start working as a LNA or CNA... it helps get your foot in the door!

[morgorm]

As a nursing teacher in Maine for many years I have to say that the problem is not getting a hospital job....it's getting a hospital job you want to take. If you are willing to work nights or 3-11 or on a fast paced or heavy duty floor to get your feet wet and learn .....you won't have a problem. If a student is expecting to graduate and work 7-3 , full time on the floor they choose.....yup....it's going to be a problem.

[RNshark]

Hi~ i just graduated in August, and was lucky to get a job in portland...but it was tough. I applied to MANY, MANY jobs, and all the hospitals in the area... if you are flexible, and put your resume out there, hopefully it won't be too bad as a new grad. good luck!!