What shortage?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all -

I'm a new grad from this past May, and I am getting mighty discouraged. I've been on 4 interviews with area hospitals for new grad med/surg jobs, and been rejected from all of them. Hospitals tell me the competition for a new grad position is fierce, that in years past they would hire 40-50 but this year are only hiring 4-5. I'm so tired of hearing "Nursing shortage"!! The only grads who are getting these types of jobs from my class are those that "know someone" in a hospital. My goal is to become an ER nurse, possibly even flight nurse, so I do not want to go into LTC.

My questions are: is there anything I can do to make myself more marketable? I've been a nursing assistant for a year, thinking that might help me, but it was at a rehab facility.

What am I doing wrong?

I'm in southern NH - and I've interviewed at 4 different hospitals, from Mass to NH to VT, even as far out as 1-1/2 hours from where I live. I agree - I will go to ANY department in a hospital (but I would prefer m/s at first), just to get my foot in the door.

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Specializes in ER.
Yes, I do agree that the nursing shortage is one of experienced nurses. And, I very much understand that hospitals cannot have a large number of new grads on the floors... but then why the push on getting people to go to nursing school if the jobs aren't going to be out there when we graduate? What are we here for? LTC? That's not why I went to nursing school.

I do think part of the problem I am having has got to be d/t the economy. When I am told by hospitals that they are really cutting back their new grad programs, that's got to be the economy talking.

I AM trying to get a job on the med/surg floor first, but am quite honest in telling hiring managers that my dream is to work in the ER. Is this a problem? Should I just lie and say, oh no, med/surg is where I want to be forever?

um, where in New England? I'm in Massachusetts and there are LOADS of jobs...

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ok, so how do i handle the question of "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" at interviews - so far I've been honest in telling them ER, but should I say something vague like 'well, I'd like to do med/surg for a number of years' or something?

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um, where in Mass? I've even applied down in Worcester -

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Specializes in ER.
ok, so how do i handle the question of "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" at interviews - so far I've been honest in telling them ER, but should I say something vague like 'well, I'd like to do med/surg for a number of years' or something?

I would tell them that you will continue to grow and learn professionally, take charge positions - expand on your knowledge base, taking classes..... Whatever you have to do to get them to hire you!!! :D

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Specializes in ER.
um, where in Mass? I've even applied down in Worcester -

South Shore hospital in South Weymouth - llooooooots of jobs.

Brockton is hiring as well - their ER is hardcore, by the way. I would love to work there for their traumas. I think downtown Boston is out - Mass General (would love to work there above all others) isn't hiring in their ER, but look at their site, Brigham-Women's, Boston Mass... they're all hiring in huge amounts.

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that sounds good - darn! DOn't know why I'm thinking I have to be so specific...

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thanks, MassED -

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

LogCabinMom-

Any luck in your job hunt yet? :)

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