Job competition between student nurses

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Hi I'm a new member that is graduating this May, and I've been lurking here on allnurses for three years. I wanted to know how others are handling the backstabbing and horrible competition between students over jobs.

I used to love my classmates but now I can't stand any of them because it's become very divisive. I knew it was coming but it's still a shock to see how students who once worked together are now out to get each other......oh did I mention the ones that already have jobs lined up that can't keep their mouths shut and gloat constantly? Yes I'm envious but I can deal with it better with out having it rubbed in my face.........thanks I feel better now :)

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I'm having this same problem regarding SNA positions. in the end, your classmates are your competition. Sad, but true.

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I would not wait. I waited and I am still looking. A good chunck of my class started looking now when we graduated in June. More than a few were hired before even taking the NCLEX. Having graduated in June the girls that waited are still looking. So I wouldnt wait I thought it would be easier but its much much harder..

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how far in advance can a nursing student start looking for a job?

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Since there are a dozen schools around mine, I always told my classmates "we are not the competition for each other; as a team we can make each other look good which will help all our chances; it's the literal 1000 other graduates not from our school that are the competition." Our class has been very friendly.

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In real life after school, people who know each other apply for the same job openings all the time. Unless there are more than two positions open, only one of them is going to be hired. It is up to the individuals to act gracious or keep their glee to themselves when they get hired over their "competition".

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Hi everyone,

To answer some people's questions, yes, a person can get hired before taking the NCLEX if he or she has an interim permit (IP). I am not sure if all states offer IPs or equivalents but basically they allow nursing school graduates to work as an interim nurse for a limited period of time before taking the NCLEX. I am in Southern California where the job market is particular fierce. The only interim nurses I know who got jobs were very familiar and connected the employers that hired them. Some formal new grad programs do accept IPs but I am not sure how many of them actually do make the final cut. A cold caller job applicant with an IP is usually at a huge disadvantage.

Also, I am of the opinion that applying for jobs happens way before you even hand your resume in. Start looking at the job market the minute you start school. Treat clinical rotations as if they were interviews. Learn and help out as much as you can. Be on your best behavior, even when you think no hiring manager is around. People talk, and nurses are no exception. Jot down names and contact information. Keep in touch. If you come across a facilities you really like, take the the time to know their charting system and some of their policies and procedures. When graduation time comes, you may find that no one remembers your name but people do remember a warm, caring and hardworking student from long ago. Tell them you're already familiar with XYZ computer charting system and know what sort of ABC procedures are done in the unit. You'll have a foot in the door and can hit the ground running when you're hired.

Good luck everyone!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's bound to happen: all of you are entering the same job market at roughly the same time, so unfortunately your classmates will be your competition. How everyone handles this situation is another matter.

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I also think that it is a bad idea to wait until you take the NCLEX to look for a position. That is the worse move you could make in this current economy. I started looking for positions about a month before graduation. In my cover letter I letter them know all of the great things about me and to consider me as a Graduate Nurse until I take and pass the NCLEX. Trust me it put more pressure on me because in order to keep the job I have to pass the NCLEX or I have to stop working immediately and then everything is going to be for not.

Some of my classmates thought I was crazy for applying for positions so early but 4 weeks after graduation I was offered a position and 2 days later offered another. They aren't full time but they are perfect for me, especially since I came to realize that I didn't want to do full-time right out the gate and preferred PRN or Part-time positions.

Now some of these same classmates have taken passed the NCLEX but they aren't working as nurses. And a couple have taken to asking me to pass along any positions that I come across. Of course I obliged, but I sent them the ones that I was rejected for or haven't heard from in two months. I know it is a bit "shady" but in this job market I have to worry about my rent getting paid on the first before I can worry about someone else's well-being.

I say ignore the nay-sayers and focus on these last couple of months of your program honing your job hunting craft.

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Keep plugging away, your job is out there. Good luck!

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I'm also going to graduate in May, and people in my class are friends and supportive but no one talks about jobs or job interviews. I would say it is out of respect; eliminating the stress of hearing about other people getting job offers while you don't is the way to go. Sure, your close friends will probably tell you if they get a job offer, but there shouldn't be any gloating. My opinion is that you should take the high road here. Apply for any jobs you want and ignore their gloating; all they are doing is making themselves look selfish and insecure. Focus on yourself and share your joy with friends and family once you get a job (I know you can do it!).

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Specializes in psychiatric.

I have continued to apply after taking a day off and not thinking about it. I am taking a lot of the advice here and I'm just not going to discuss it with people. The ones that are blabbing, well, good luck to them, I am a firm believer in Karma. I am so excited about becoming a nurse and I love everything about it. I'm sure something will come up and it will probably be the right fit at the right time.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

When my class was job hunting, we didn't discuss it among ourselves as a whole. Of course, my closest friends and I swapped horror stories, scouted leads and stormed the Bastille with resumes in hand. We all ended up at different places though.

I did compete for one job with one close friend...she won, but I was fine with it as that job wasn't really what I wanted. It wasn't really what she wanted either, but when we graduated the job market had just tanked so we couldn't really be very finicky. And she was better suited for it than I was, in all honesty :)

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