For those of use New Grads not getting jobs, what do you suggest?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Everyone is my class is starting to freak out because the vast majority of us are not getting jobs in this cruddy economy, does help that I am in the northern part of the country were jobs are the most scares from what I am reading. (I am graduating Cum Laude, with Nursing Honors--sigma theta tau, did two extra curricular preceptorships, ACLS, NRP, some past medical experience--CMA, Certified Doula--, write CEU articles, lots of volunteer work in medical community...and still can not get a job) What would you suggest to those of us who are not getting jobs to do? I do not want to loose my nursing skills waiting for this economy to turn around and jobs open up....they say "it you don't use it you loose it" its seems like this would be particularity true to new nurses who haven't been doing it as long as those more experienced.

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Unfortunately, moving to an area still experiencing a nursing shortage is about all you can do. Relocating for a year or two may be the only way to work as a RN. I feel for all of you that have dedicated so much time to school, only not to be employed.

When I first became certified as a paramedic I ended up working almost 300 miles roundtrip til I had some experience under my belt.

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Specializes in Med-Surg; ER; ICU/CCU/SHU; PAR.

Hi,

It's got to be disheartening, with all the great stuff you clearly have on your resume! You're caught in the middle of a really wierd situation right now. Trust me...there IS a nursing shortage! And it IS going to get worse. The problem seems to be that, like every other business around, hospitals are having to make the same gut-wrenching budget cuts as everyone else. because it's really hitting so many areas of nursing right now...students, faculty, schools, hospitals...everyone is affected by the current economic situation. Hospitals, whether they're short on nurses or not at the moment, are dealing with a cash-crisis. A brand new nurse, fresh out of school--no matter how many articles you've written above and beyond, no matter how many volunteer/student-work/extra-credit hours you've logged--a brand new nurse will take close to a full year to mentor and precept into an independent RN. They will spend tens of thousands of dollars on you, above and beyond the salary they pay you, just to get you to the place where you actually "earn" that salary. Don't be offended...the hospital typically knows that you are a great investment!!! These just aren't typical-times.

I know you may not believe that right now, but most of the skills of nursing are learned after you get out of school! In school, you are learning the "science" of nursing, the "theory" of nursing. Upon graduation, you will learn how to apply that science and theory in the real world of nursing. Your clinical rotations were not the real world. Nursing requires judgement skills; judgement skills are the result of experience backed by the theory and science you learned in school. It just takes time.

OK, so...what can you do? First, recognize that you DO have options:

1. Realize that your first job is just that...it's your first job. Few new grads, whether they're nurses, lawyers, engineers, or architects, land their dream job right out of school. When you say that there are "no jobs anywhere" in your area, is it really NO jobs? Or have you limited yourself in any way by not considering jobs in, shall we call them, "less than desirable specialties?" I really disliked my first year of nursing! But you know what? It was only my first year. Once it was over, I was the "experienced RN" that hospitals were crying out for! I named all my future positions, where and when I wanted them. But that first year, in what amounted to a "glorified nursing home" was not what I had EVER imagined for myself. So...have you really looked everywhere???

2. Let's say you really have looked at every hospital, every nursing home, every assisted living center in your area, and there are NO jobs. You have a decision to make. I tell my kids this all the time: you can either choose where you want to live, and then work at whatever you like best that is available there, or you can choose what you want to do, and then go wherever you have to go where you can do what you love. It's just that simple. If you wait long enough and are willing to do what it takes at first (probably not too long, but be ready for a year or so), with a career in nursing, you'll probably be able to have BOTH.

Jobs ARE out there. Go where they are, get your feet wet and become the experienced, independent RN everyone's looking for! Do what it takes! It's WORTH IT!!!:yeah:

Best of luck to you,

Lori RN

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Since summer is coming up, I know that there are summer camps and finding nurses to work these temporary positions can be challenging. It might be worthwhile to look into this.

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Specializes in Pulmonary, MICU.

Consider this a golden opportunity! MOVE. Put your finger on a spot on the map and start calling hospitals..or browsing HR websites. There are jobs available all over the place...just pick a place you would be interested in living and move there. Somewhere near the ocean, near the mountains..Alaska. Whatever. You are at an exciting point with some pretty exceptional freedom. Take advantage of it!

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Specializes in MS.

JUST like all the PP have said, MOVE. I had to move 420 miles to get a new graduate job (graduated Dec. 2008). I start orientation this Sunday night.

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I agree with all above.

Move to where they are hiring.

Sometimes, you go to do what you got to do

You can always move back home later, and you will have experience then....

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Being flexible about the position your willing to accept is helpful. I was looking to go into critical care directly from school. I have experience as an EMT, CNA, unit clerk so I figured I would at least have a chance. I was interview for some positions but they all said that they weren't hiring new grads. I was offered a job on a M/S ortho unit which was definitely not a possibility I had ever considered. But at least I was offered a job many of my friends who don't have any hospital experience can even get interviews at this point.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
Consider this a golden opportunity! MOVE. Put your finger on a spot on the map and start calling hospitals..or browsing HR websites. There are jobs available all over the place...just pick a place you would be interested in living and move there. Somewhere near the ocean, near the mountains..Alaska. Whatever. You are at an exciting point with some pretty exceptional freedom. Take advantage of it!

This is easier said than done. I am married and my husband owns his own business. It is going to be hard for me to just pack up and move.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If I don't get hired right away, I'm going to volunteer at the local free clinics while I continue the job hunt. The free clinics are practically screaming for nurses (among other things). They'll get me, and I'll get experience.

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Maybe you could volunteer or work as a clerk or something in a unit/hospital you like and then when a position opens up the would already know you. I know not the best suggestion but that way you would sill be in a health care setting.

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My daughter is going to do camp nursing this summer while looking for a permanent position.

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