Is anyone out there having a hard time finding a job?

I've been looking for a new job myself. My employer cut some of the hours of the nursing staff which changed some of us to part-time status a while back. Some of the staff fought this through outside agencies and were given the shifts back to maintain their full-time status. When this hour reduction took place I was already inclined to think that it was time to consider a move. Because I did not have an explicit need for the additional hours or the health coverage at the time, I was simply glad to be relieved of the obligation of working an additional day at a job I had grown to dislike. I also don't have a lot of faith in the "system" as far as fighting something management has decided to do without feeling the repercussions in some form.

Things have changed for me since then and I do have a need for additional hours (not overtime just a full 36-40/wk) and I could definitely use full benefits. Now I could get additional hours once again at my original job and most likely be moved back to full-time but I really do not want to go there with them since I'd most assuredly have to finish another 90days to be benefits eligible again and always wonder when they may decide they feel like cutting the position once again. I've been looking to replace my job with a full-time one elsewhere. While I've not had problems finding a job offer; I have yet to be offered anything other than a part-time or PRN position. So at this point I am juggling shifts with three employers to work full-time hours and of course I have no benefits. When I realize my hours for the week are what would be overtime if I worked for only one place it frustrates me.

The medical help wanted ads for this city are a fraction of the size they were a few years ago. Perhaps companies are advertising less to save money with the economy as it is. I definitely think I am seeing a pattern with what seems to be "stacking" PRN and part time positions to avoid having full-time employees to pay benefits out to. It looks like the next step for me in trying to locate a F/T position is going to be venturing out of my comfort zone a bit.

I am(LPN) in California but planning to move in Michigan for the reason of not finding a job here. I have relatives there and invited me to try.

It's not you Howdie. I am from AZ also and had a heck of a time finding a new job. It took me about 5 months. It looks like the most opportunities are offered at Banner health to me.

Good luck to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! god bless!!!!

Yeah the job market for nurses is not good at all.

There was a time when the hospital used to beg us for overtime. There was a nursing shortage.

Not anymore. Since last year, the hospital hired way too many nurses. Now when the census is low 1 or even 2 nurses are cancelled almost every shift.

So it is not only the economy, but also the fact that now there are 2 many nursing grads coming out of nursing schools q year.

We did not see this coming. Did we???

Hopefully this will get better, though it will take some time.

I am on my second low census day in a row! No, we did not see it coming! I remember a couple of years ago I was begged to work overtime - and that was for time and a half with an extra $300 bonus an overtime shift too.

Where have all the patients gone??? Economy with a big E.

We go through low census and then boom they come worse then ever! Even with low census patient acuity is very high. I guess they wait at home until hospitalization becomes unavoidable.
This makes the 8 or 12 hours extremely gruelling for the nurses. For sometime now I am leaving 15-20 minutes late. I come home totally depleted.
Also for the past month or so; there are more patients with drug/alcohol addiction
Sad. Isn't it.

" I remember a couple of years ago I was begged to work overtime - and that was for time and a half with an extra $300 bonus an overtime shift too".

I guess the glory days are over for now. The same management that literally begged nurses to pick up more days/shifts tells us we cannot have overtime. There is definitely an indifference on their part. i wonder if the management is affected by it. I guess not.

Good luck with that. Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the U.S. right now.
http://www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm

It def is not just you. I am a new grad and I am having a heck of a time trying to find a job. I am trying not to get upset about it but it really takes a toll on you after a while. Good luck!!! I really hope you can find something.