CNN article on nurses and job growth

Beautiful Mind RN · Jan 14, 2013

This article, for the most part, is wonderfully written and I like how the author brought to light that it is a very competitive world for new grads, considering the limitation on job opportunities. The only thing I question is the numbers and the percentage (43%) that they use.

I would also like to point out, even though most schools are out for money, I believe some are there for the welfare of the student. At least, I can say for the Arizona area. When I did the research when deciding which nursing school I would like to attend, the schools did boast about how there is a need for nurses because of the Baby Boomer generation, however, they also did highly recommend that I start putting in volunteer experience, get certifications (CPR, etc...), and join groups like NSNA to make myself stand out on a resume since they did say, that one of the biggest challenges for new grads is obtaining that first job.

On that note, I attend a for-profit school as we speak and despite their reputation (not the school in particular, but the overall stereotype that surrounds for-profit schools), they have supported their students 100% by giving their students a resource for references (to use on their resumes), clinical teachers help hunt for new jobs and pass on that information to the student body, resume help, and a Capstone program. Not to mention, they always communicate openly with the student body. This type of support has resulted in positive feedback. The 1st graduating class (August 2012) had an 100% passing rate on NCLEX and 80% (8 out of 10 students) have already gotten jobs. The second graduating class (December 2012) already had students being offered jobs.

My point is, that true, in some areas, it is very hard to find a nursing job and the hospitals should be more open minded and less strict about allowing new grads the opportunity to work for them. Not to mention, make the investment in new grads, as I believe most new grads have quite the capability to be awesome nurses, for they were given knowledge in school, now they just need to be oriented(trained) with the right skill set and experience to expand that.

I am optimistic because of my experience thus far. I am so sorry to hear others out there struggling and I hope my little ray of positive light will give you the willpower to keep on trying and searching for that nursing job you worked so hard to achieve.

Best of luck!

kalevra, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2013

What is wierd is I think that some of the general public thinks that new nurses who can't find jobs are holding out for high salaries. What a laugh I had when I read that. One post said new grads were holding out for 6 figure salaries as to why new grads are having trouble finding employment.
Also that new grads should take the lower bottom of the barrel jobs at a hospital and work up to a nursing job. There is another one that shows the confusion. Hey, A new grad nursing job at a hosptial is the bottom of the barrel! I think the other poster thought for example: get a job as a janitor and if you do good maybe they'll let you be an RN one day. LOL.

6 figure salary I scoff at the idea!

I am a new grad RN I demand at the very least a 7 figure salary, stock options, and 3 months paid vacation!!! Nothing less will suffice!

Janitor with an RN license, well things could be worse. I ran into an old high school classmate working at my brothers elementary school working as a Substitute Janitor.

James.Trott · Jan 14, 2013

Hey I know some people out there aren't going to like this, but if you're struggling, I think it's a pretty good idea. I myself joined the Army National Guard in 2007 and it's been the best decision I've ever made. I'm not a nurse, but here's some of what the Army in particular can offer you:

If you already have your RN, you can apply to the Army's Nurse Corps. It's really not a bad deal and you're pretty much going to sit around in a hospital just like any other job. The main difference being you're going to wear ACU colored scrubs and you'll have to show up to PT every morning. I know there's a lot of people who say bad things about how rough the military was for them but honestly it's never been that bad for me. I'm pretty good at doing what I'm told though, and I'm not big on arguing for the sake of arguing. Anyways, here's some of the options.

[h=2]ACTIVE NURSE CORPS PROGRAM[/h][h=3]ARMY NURSE CANDIDATE PROGRAM[/h]This program is open to undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program. It provides:

A monthly stipend of $1,000 during the months you are enrolled in a full-time Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education- or National League for Nursing- accredited nursing program

Eligibility requirements:

RN

Prior enlisted Army Soldiers must have completed all mandatory service obligations and have less than 10 years active federal service at time of commissioning

[h=2]RESERVE NURSE CORPS PROGRAMS[/h][h=3]SPECIALIZED TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM[/h]This program is open to associate degree/diploma nurses currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Recipients receive a monthly stipend of more than $1,900.

Participants incur a one-year obligation to serve in the Army Reserve

for each six months or less of financial assistance.

Enthused RN, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2013

James, you bring up a great point but just recently the Army Nurse corp just changed their requirements so they don't accept new grads either. In addition to a BSN and license, they want you to have 6 months of RN work experience. I contacted them to get a packet going but this is what they told me via email and over the phone. I haven't looked into any of their undergrad programs though since I'm close to graduation. Do you have a specific link for the information you pasted?

I believe Air Force and Navy still accept new grads.

Hey I know some people out there aren't going to like this, but if you're struggling, I think it's a pretty good idea. I myself joined the Army National Guard in 2007 and it's been the best decision I've ever made. I'm not a nurse, but here's some of what the Army in particular can offer you:
If you already have your RN, you can apply to the Army's Nurse Corps. It's really not a bad deal and you're pretty much going to sit around in a hospital just like any other job. The main difference being you're going to wear ACU colored scrubs and you'll have to show up to PT every morning. I know there's a lot of people who say bad things about how rough the military was for them but honestly it's never been that bad for me. I'm pretty good at doing what I'm told though, and I'm not big on arguing for the sake of arguing. Anyways, here's some of the options.
[h=2]ACTIVE NURSE CORPS PROGRAM[/h][h=3]ARMY NURSE CANDIDATE PROGRAM[/h]This program is open to undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program. It provides:
A monthly stipend of $1,000 during the months you are enrolled in a full-time Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education– or National League for Nursing– accredited nursing program
Eligibility requirements:
Prior enlisted Army Soldiers must have completed all mandatory service obligations and have less than 10 years active federal service at time of commissioning
[h=2]RESERVE NURSE CORPS PROGRAMS[/h][h=3]SPECIALIZED TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM[/h]This program is open to associate degree/diploma nurses currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Recipients receive a monthly stipend of more than $1,900.
Participants incur a one-year obligation to serve in the Army Reserve
for each six months or less of financial assistance.

Columnist · Jan 14, 2013

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MeganRN9 · Jan 14, 2013

This article is great. I am not really a new grad because I graduated in December of 2010, however, it took me 10 months to get a mediocre job as a nurse in a retirement facility. The job pays well, and I am part time and eligible to go full time, however, I had to go back to school for my BSN d/t all the hospitals in the surrounding areas ONLY accepted bachelors program degrees and at least a year experience. Talk about the frustration. I definitely know how that goes. All I can say is hope and pray, and if you have to complete a job that is out of the ordinary, just try to get anything and everything. The economy sucks, as we all know, but sometimes you have to take what you can get. Keep the faith new grads! We all will get our dream jobs someday soon! I promise!

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 14, 2013

Im happy to see it on the front page, 2nd main article. Gets the word out. Maybe more people will see this and stop flooding the market.

joliverlpn · Jan 14, 2013

I graduated in March of 2011 as an LPN. It took me one year to find a job as a new grad nurse. I worked at the job for 2 months, and everyone there loved me and my work ethic. A different company took over the place I was working at, and that company would not hire me because they said I did not have enough work experience as a nurse. ( I believe they should have atleast gave me a chance before they let me go, but who I am to say that?) Ever since then I havent been able to find a job. It's crazy. If given thew opportunity, I would send back my license so clear my student loans. I feel like nursing school was a big waist of my life.

~CraftyNurse~ · Jan 14, 2013

This article just scratches the surface of the problem, it is NOT the root of it! There are PLENTY of nursing jobs available, as a recent New Grad I know...I have done the legwork! I have put in over 200 applications and FINALLY landed a job, but had to uproot my family and move out of state to find it. The MAIN problem is that hospitals don't want to pay the money to train a New Grad. Statistically, New Grads do not stay in their first job (we will talk about why in a minute) and it costs a lot to train them. In times when managers are forced to run a department on minimal staffing (unsafe ratios are now the norm!!!) they want an experienced nurse who can jump right in and fill the hole, not a New Grad who will not be ready to be on their own for a few months (weeks is usually all they are given, in all honesty). Often New Grads are forced into a position you don't really want, just to get that all important "Golden Year" of experience. I was told over and over to look into working at a long term care facility (nursing home). That isn't the type of nursing I want to do, but more importantly supervising LVNs and CNAs for often 50+ patients is not a safe position for a New Grad. That is just common sense to me! I have a significant work history in EMS, both prehospital and in the ED...but I want told to go to the medical/surgical floors to "better my organizational skills". I was opposed to this at first. I did not feel it was fair to the staff who training me on the med/surg floor because I know I was not going to stay. As soon as I hit that "Golden Year", or even 6 months, I would be out of there. I would no longer be a "New Grad" and no longer require a lengthy (seeing the trend here...money!) orientation to the unit I really want to work for. I am lucky. I found a health care organization that took the time to listen to my skills, what my wants and future plans were, and what hours I wanted to work. I was offered three positions, all for the hours I wanted, and I was allowed to choose. I have the hours I want, the department I want, and an extensive 6 month critical care internship. I don't plan on going anywhere, because a place that takes the time to listen to what a "lowly" New Grad wants is a place I want to work.

As an ER nurse I work 12 hour shifts, I am lucky to get a lunch break, sometimes forget to use the bathroom for hours, have been punched, spit on, verbally abused by patients and staff...all for $21 an hour! I love my job. I can't imagine doing anything else, but it is time the public knows how hard it is to be a nurse! When I am not in your room I am not on my cell phone (if I am, I am looking up a medication...not playing a game), I am not loafing in the break-room, or smoking a cigarette...I am in another room helping another patient.

Nightingallow · Jan 14, 2013

Hey, A new grad nursing job at a hosptial is the bottom of the barrel! I think the other poster thought for example: get a job as a janitor and if you do good maybe they'll let you be an RN one day. LOL.

Out of seriousness, I applied for housekeeping. Luckily or unluckily I got the flu so couldn't get to the hospital to followup. Nothing wrong with being a janitor if you are very fit and have lungs of steel, my boyfriend used to be one, but got very sick from it. Only thing is that I honestly don't believe it will lead to a rn position. It's possible but jobs are competitive inhouse as well. This is from my experience btw in NY but there might other experiences elsewhere.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 15, 2013

Out of seriousness, I applied for housekeeping. Luckily or unluckily I got the flu so couldn't get to the hospital to followup. Nothing wrong with being a janitor if you are very fit and have lungs of steel, my boyfriend used to be one, but got very sick from it. Only thing is that I honestly don't believe it will lead to a rn position. It's possible but jobs are competitive inhouse as well. This is from my experience btw in NY but there might other experiences elsewhere.

That was my point :)

MrsStudentNurse · Jan 15, 2013

My husband sent me this article. Very honest article and balanced. I think it's more of people aren't able to move or don't want to move where there are jobs. For instance North Dakota. Rural locations. Regardless give it five years and nurses will be getting bonuses thrown at them from every which way. Give it time.