Oh you're a Nursing student?

[happyinmyheart]

Oh you're a Nursing student? That's wonderful. You'll never have to worry about unemployment or a low salary.

*Sigh*

Sometimes it just isn't worth it to explain that there is no Nursing shortage and salaries tend to not be so great.

Do you just smile and nod? Or do you take the time to explain? :)

[unicoRNurse]

I have a criminal justice degree (bachelor, from a real and reputable university), and I'm grateful I do, as I am comfortable and employed while I struggle to find that elusive first nursing job (for which I will take a pay cut).

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

I explain -- especially when it comes to the idea that the shortage really is for staffing the unit and not that there are none to hire.

[RunBabyRN]

Is this recent?

This was in July. Remember, I'm a new grad. :)

[RunBabyRN]

$8 AN HOUR? Is that some kind of horrible joke? How long does training last?

I've never thought of that. I just kind of assumed I would at least make it in the double digits when I started out. I know pay wouldn't be fabulous, especially as a new grad, but really?! Minimum wage?

What a rude awakening I'm in for.

This is something that varies very widely. This was for an agency, and anything you do that's in the office is at minimum wage. The training was, I think, a day or two. The $9/hour is CA minimum wage, and that was for my hour of filling out paperwork. Even the pay there isn't great for the area, $20, for the San Francisco Bay Area. Thankfully they're easy to work with, and the work is low key. It's more supplemental at this point than anything else, and it's something on my resume that I've been doing for a few months now. My other jobs have paid at the full wage for training (better wages than $20/hour!).

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This was in July. Remember, I'm a new grad. :)

that is what I thought....it is illegal to pay under minimum wage unless it is met with tips or other compensation to minimum wage..

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Here is my perspective on the matter.

IF you know how to market yourself correctly, you won't have trouble finding a job. Not only have i secured long lasting friendships with different high standing individuals in various companies, i work in marketing. When i graduate nursing school I already know i have one position i can get 100%. With all that said, CONFIDENCE!

I have to disagree with you. And don't be too sure about the bolded sentence. Like you I was pretty much told I had a job waiting for me when I graduated.

I have several friends who are NM in several hospitals (and a few hospitals i have 2 friends who work on different floors) who do the hiring for their floor/dept. I also became very friendly with a few of the NM during my clinicals. All my friends and several of the NM told me to be sure to apply when I got my license. All were more than willing to hire me. Well, I graduated and passed my NCLEX a week after graduation.

All my friends and those NM who wanted to give me a job no longer could...firing freezes and/or layoffs. While they really needed nurses on the floors. They weren't able to give me a job, b/c they weren't hiring.

My lack of a job for a long stretch after graduation had nothing to do with my lack of networking nor a lack of confidence on my part. It DID have to do with the fact that many of the hospitals in my area just weren't hiring..not just new grads...anyone.

I really do hope you have a position when you graduate. But please don't paint us all with one broad stroke and say you won't have trouble if you know how to market yourself. I'm 45 years old..'this ain't my first rodeo' and I have a lot of confidence in myself and I network and market myself.

[RunBabyRN]

I have to disagree with you. And don't be too sure about the bolded sentence. Like you I was pretty much told I had a job waiting for me when I graduated.

I have several friends who are NM in several hospitals (and a few hospitals i have 2 friends who work on different floors) who do the hiring for their floor/dept. I also became very friendly with a few of the NM during my clinicals. All my friends and several of the NM told me to be sure to apply when I got my license. All were more than willing to hire me. Well, I graduated and passed my NCLEX a week after graduation.

All my friends and those NM who wanted to give me a job no longer could...firing freezes and/or layoffs. While they really needed nurses on the floors. They weren't able to give me a job, b/c they weren't hiring.

My lack of a job for a long stretch after graduation had nothing to do with my lack of networking nor a lack of confidence on my part. It DID have to do with the fact that many of the hospitals in my area just weren't hiring..not just new grads...anyone.

I really do hope you have a position when you graduate. But please don't paint us all with one broad stroke and say you won't have trouble if you know how to market yourself. I'm 45 years old..'this ain't my first rodeo' and I have a lot of confidence in myself and I network and market myself.

YES. I had the same problem- politics led to an offer made in March being rescinded when I got licensed in June. I'm not the only one who got screwed in the deal, but thankfully I was still looking because I know NOTHING is 100% certain until the documents are signed, and even then, things happen. I was able to find other PRN work fairly quickly, thankfully, but in still looking for acute care. That job was with a great manager at a hospital I like in a unit in which I want to spend my career! I was devastated when it fell through.

[leonard_huh, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

just smile and nod folks just smile and nod, its just how this world is built where people ask the same questions over and over again.

[RookieRoo]

Terrifying for those of us who will be facing the job market in the coming year or so...