[jam2007]

Hi all! I recently graduated and am a Registered Nurse. No one ever told us it would be difficult getting a job after graduation (i'm in Boston) because of the lack of preceptors and the sheer number of new graduates. My advice is make the most of yout clinicals. Try to get into a hospital you would like to work at and network! Get to know the nurse managers and staff. And if possible get a job as a per-diem CNA. Also, many of your professors are working in hospitals and can be good resources as well, so make sure to stop in when they have office hours!

[Freedom42]

Thanks for your post. To what do you attribute the shortage of preceptors? Is it due to the general nursing shortage? Are hospitals unable to make preceptors available, or are nurses refusing to work as preceptors? Can they refuse? I appreciate any light you can shed on hospital culture.

[jam2007]

I don't know for certain, but I believe it is because there aren't nurses that are willing to take on the responsibility.