Re: New Grads with No Job...Back to School???

I am in Maryland and I have my associates. I am also a new grad (May '09) with no luck finding a new grad job. In my area, it's mostly the lack of experience holding me back, but I did hear from a hospital who was not willing to take me because I do not have a BSN, and they are magnet status. If you are an associates degree nurse you may run into that problem if you apply to hospitals that are currently seeking magnet status as well. Maryland has several hospitals pursuing magnet status, but I am not sure about your area. Something to look into though. Good luck to you, and all of us unemployed new grads, BSN and ADN alike

Re: New Grads with No Job...Back to School???

Thanks everyone for your great comments. I am going to think about school in Fall 2010 part-time study. Right now just focusing all my energy on networking, filling out apps, etc..Good luck and many prayers to all of us!!!

Re: New Grads with No Job...Back to School???

I just wanted to give my two cents here. I am a new grad nurse practitioner and regardless of how much education you have, unless your experienced they don't want us. I graduated in May 09, have not even been able to get an in person interview. Same with most of my classmates (those that knew people got jobs). I apply to a job, see it reposted month after month but they never called me? Why? It costs money to train a new grad (regardless if your LPN, associates RN, BSN, MSN). With the economy the way it is and no telling when it will get better companies just won't make the investment in new grads. Plus, lots of experienced nurses are out of work and willing to work for new grad wages, so the new grad jobs go to them.

I too am thinking of going back to do a post master's in psychology (1 year program) or an RN first assist course just so the gap in my resume does not look so bad. I guess the worst that can happen is I owe even more money a year from now and still can't find a job.

I tried getting an RN position but as soon as they see I'm an ARNP they won't hire me because they know I'll be out the door the second I get an ARNP job. I would say if you are an associates RN that advancing to BSN is not a bad idea.

So what happens when the economy does get better? My theory: There will probably be hundreds of thousands of nurses that have been new grads for 2 years and never got a chance to work as a nurse, those will get picked over for "fresher" new grads. There will also be a backlog of nurses needing work so wages will probably drop (as they have already), competition will remain firece and things won't smooth out for several years. You have to remember that at least twice per year thousands and thousands of new nurses graduate and look for work.

It's a terrible time for new grads. I'm going to try and keep my skills "fresh" and stay busy doing some more education. It's only time and money right, lol.

Re: New Grads with No Job...Back to School???

I probably will. The openings are so few and far between. Better to continue to be educated.

Whatever your dream is go for it. I had had plenty of boulders alony my path, but not even the current job market is going to stop me from my dream. I will get there one way or another.

Just my

Re: New Grads with No Job...Back to School???

I graduated June of 2009 with my associates. I'm hoping to go back to school Fall of 10'. I say a higher education is always better no matter what.

Re: New Grads with No Job...Back to School???

I have a BSN and I don't think it has helped at all. I think hospitals are using the BSN only as an excuse not to hire ADN nurses. I was thinking about going back to school for something (to help me stay "fresh") but I want experience before I decide on doing anything. I am worried that all the people graduating in Dec will make it so much harder to find a job. Who would want to hire a nurse who graduated 6 months ago when they can hire a newer grad? I know who I would pick...