Is my future bleak in NYC / NJ?

[cosmicnurse]

Hi, I am a cuny nursing student in a highly competitive program and recently completed my associates. I have zero work experience, and I am working toward my bsn which I will complete next spring. My question is, should I be planning to move state once I graduate in order to find a job, or is there hope for a decent job in NYC or even NJ / PA? I have been told the fastest way to a job is through an agency. But I have read very discouraging things about agencies ( they take a huge chunk of your pay and there is hardly any training for a new grad which could jeopardize an RN license). I know I am getting ahead of my self at this point given I have not taken the NCLEX yet or completed my BSN which I know is a MUST, but I just want to know, is my future as an RN in NYC bleak? Are agencies as bad as they are made out to be? What states are best for new grads these days?... Really appreciate any advice on the truth of the situation.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Agencies are not designed to place new grads. They are for experienced nurses. You have a slight advantage with a BSN. But the metro NYC market is extremely competitive with hundreds of nurses applying for a single job posting.

You are thinking about placement agencies. They charge the employer more than they charge the potential employee

[cosmicnurse]

Thanks for taking time to reply. Yes, I wont even try till I have my BSN, I fought to get into this nursing program. Worked so hard to stay in it and get good grades. Its upsetting to think I will struggle to find a job when I finally graduate after all this. I see what you mean about agencies being ideal for experienced nurses. Thanks again.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Agencies are not for new grads. They are either staffing agencies to place experienced that need no orientation and the facility pays the fee. Headhunting agencies seek experienced specialty nurses for hard to fill jobs. There are hundreds of not thousands of inexperienced new grad nurses seeking employment. There is no value for an agency to place a new grad. If an agency offers to find you a job for a fee run away.

Do well. Make an impression during clinical placements. Impress your professors. That's how new grads in impacted areas secure coveted new grad placements in facilities.