Lack of new graduate jobs

Nursing Students General Students

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I have heard and read (nursing staff, admin., nursing managers, CNN & US news report) that new graduates (entry level RN) are having a very hard time finding jobs. Is this true?

I know most jobs require 2 years experience, but are new nursing graduates really finding it tough after passing the NCLEX in the job market? I will be applying to Broward College in mid-December. It's strange because all you hear is that there is a 'shortage', so I was wondering if any of you have any stories you could share please. Thanks.

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.
Even here in saturated NorCal, there are new grad jobs... Some great jobs... There are just far more people wanting them than there are spots for them.

Some people are fortunate enough to get hired.

Sounds tough. Hopefully luck will be on my side by the time I come around to it. Thanks.

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I find that people who worked as aides or even other positions in hospitals during NS tend to have a better chance since they already know the hiring manager. I saw it at my hospital when I worked...aides graduate NS and get hired. it may not be the most ideal jobs (night shift, or part time only or per diem only) but it's still a foot in the door, and once hired, they're able to move to other areas after 1 year on the job. hell one of the guys worked in housekeeping while doing NS and got hired. I also think a lot of people are looking for that ideal M-F 8 hr job or the people who want the 12 hour shifts and say something like 'work part time and get paid full time' (which I disagree with - been there, done that, your 4 days off are spent sleeping, not worth it IMO), so sometimes it's not as dire as it appears.

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SoCal is saturated with new grads! But a few jobs are out there for new grads in SoCal if you have your foot in the door already, know someone works there already who can recommend you, or you get lucky! If you are willing to relocate, there are jobs more readily available. Good Luck!

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I agree with the other posters. Job opportunities probably rely heavily on location. I worked as an executive assistant for the nursing administration at a hospital here in south Florida and they had tons of openings for nurses. They would call in agency nurses a lot because they were short staffed and for some reason couldn't fill the positions.

My advice will be to apply everywhere and get in where you fit in. If you limit your search to a certain demographic, floor, or setting you may find it much more difficult then it would be if you leave all options open.

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Southern California is saturated with new grads

Understatement lol, the job market here is HORRENDOUS for new grads.

My advice to any nursing student or new grad having trouble finding a job is find a hospital that will hire you as a student nurse, patient care tech, patient care assistant, CNA (whatever they chose to title this role) and get your foot in the door. Most of the hospitals near me do hire new grads but they are ALWAYS from within. New grad who doesn't know your hospitals at all vs a new grad who had worked there 6 months, a year or more, really there is no question about who would get the spot.

I'm finding even new grad nurse programs aren't always helpful, I've met people who did a program and still had to take an aid roll for a few months to get into a hospital. Its bad.

I have friends in the Tampa area and it sounds like clinic RN jobs are much easier to get than hospital. My friends who took clinic jobs got hired within a few months. My friend who waited for a hospital position waited 8 months.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

You need to go on your own to hospitals where you want to work and ASK them if they are hiring new grads. There are parts of the country where they are understrength and parts where they are over. No one here can tell you whether you will get a job or not. If you really want to be a nurse you may have to move to an area where they need new grad nurses or take a job in a LTC facility. Or you may be in the right spot and get a job right away.

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I know several new grads who have gotten jobs in acute care in my area with their ADN, then I know of people who graduated with their BSN and had a rough time getting a job. I think the key is getting some sort of acute care experience in nursing school. Also relocating to an area just two hours away might help a lot. Usually rural areas have jobs available, but the pay is really low. I know of several places north of me that will pay 3-4 dollars an hour more then what I make now as a nursing assistant for new grad programs.

It's not that bad though, I plan to start working on my BSN right away to defer my loans while getting experience. I know in other area's its really hard to get a job period, so I feel pretty fortunate! Just keep your head up and keep moving forward!

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Also relocating to an area just two hours away might help a lot. Usually rural areas have jobs available, but the pay is really low.
This is how I got my start in nursing. Rather than relocate, however, I simply commuted the 200 miles to work, stayed there during my rotation, and then commuted home. It was brutal but was really the only practical option that I had. It took me three years before I finally slept in my own bed between shifts. Ultimately, though, the sacrifice was worth it.
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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

Thank you so much for your feedback. It really helps me look at the brighter side. I will certainly look into my BSN as soon as I am done. Just completed my application and HESI 1 week ago. My final grades for my prereqs aren't in yet, so they will have to wait for that before they notify me of anything. I am hoping to start nursing school in May 2015. I am absolutely okay with making less money in the beginning, as long as I have a job! Thanks again :)

It's not that bad though, I plan to start working on my BSN right away to defer my loans while getting experience. I know in other area's its really hard to get a job period, so I feel pretty fortunate! Just keep your head up and keep moving forward!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

Oh my! Well done to you for having the strength and courage to do that! I am looking forward to nursing school (kind of....gives me the heeby geebies!) and would be happy to work in a bit more of a rural location actually. We're not planning to stay in S. Florida anyway, so happy to relocate or drive further away for the job. Thanks for that, it's really helpful to know that someone else has done it and survived! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

That is brilliant advice! Thank you. I am really open to the field right now as I don't think I know enough about the specializations to make that choice right now. I would be more than okay with taking on a position that is less pay and less prestige certainly. I am not really interested in the profession for the prestige it gives, so happy with that. I am very nervous about nursing school and the fact that there are so many individuals interested in this and pursuing this- I mean really how many nurses do we need??? I guess the marketing vs. the numbers of shortage concerns me. I finished up my prereqs this week and took the HESI last week. I have applied to nursing school and hopefully should hear back by Jan? Feb. Looking forward to it, but as I said- scared. Thank you so much for your insight, it's really helpful :)

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