Are there any jobs for a nurse in Hawaii?

Im also moving to Hawaii this winter because my boyfriend is going to work at Tripler Medical Center and I'm having a hard time finding openings, I'm also a BSN and have been working on a medsurge floor for about a year now. Sounds like were in the same boat...

I recently moved here with my husband. I have had a hard time in my job search. I am really hoping it doesn't take to long. I have been on my search for a month now, have not recieved one call back yet. I know that these things take time. Good luck and let me know if there is anything you all need help with

yes, I will confirm for you it is tough to find a job here. Have you considered part time agency work so that you can get your foot in the door at a few facilities? It is a great way to feel out a place to see if you would want to work there full time.

I was told by a recent BSN grad from UH that only 5-6 students in his class of 50 have jobs as nurses. Of that, half left Hawaii to get a job. Apparently, many recent (licensed) grads are working as ward clerks at places like Queens to get their foot in the door, with the hope that when a job opens up, they can fill the position. I'm not sure how much leverage you'll have with six months experience, but hey, it can't hurt, right?

Please refer to the previous 6 dozen threads over the past year or two extolling the struggle of nurses in Hawaii to land a job.... especially newer nurses.... especially nurses with no connections... especially those from the mainland.

"a recent BSN grad from UH that only 5-6 students in his class of 50 have jobs"

Yep. And that's the school with the best reputation!

Slobgob, THANK YOU for your post. It's REALLY NICE TO HEAR some reassurance that it's not just me.

I am a new nurse (new grad LPN).
I arrived with zero connections.
I am from the mainland. (We moved here because my husband was given a job here.)

It's been 9 months, and I can't find a job.
I can't even find volunteer work related to nursing.

Let me say that again for clarity... for the mainland new grads who want to move here... I have contacted 10 facilities, told them that I'll do volunteer work, that I'll do simple stuff, do computer work, file, answer phones, work as a receptionist. Will work for free, just to get experience. NO ONE was interested in talking to me. For me, Maui is full of sun, snorkeling & paddleboards, but it's also full of no s, closed doors, and rejection.

We are living on my husband's income. I'm going back to school in January, full-time to get my RN. I'm hoping that by the time I get my BSN, the economy will turn around. I hope...

My classmates back on the mainland told me, 40 people graduated in their class, 40 people got their RNs, only 5 are working. There’s just no money to train new grads.

Slobgob, thanks again!
Lisa ;-)

Lisa :

Message me. The state has a few part time jobs that pay around $ 17. hr. Not as Lpn but they are partial to nurses.

Okay, no sugar coating.
There are very few jobs for inexperienced RN's here and virtually none for LPN's (another poster's dilemma).
If you are a new grad here and do get a position it will most likely be because of who you know not what you know. From your post I would assume that you know no one of influence in Hawaii.
You would not be considered for the relocation bonus position at Queens. If they hire anyone who needs relocation to Hawaii it would be for a very specific position and for a very uniquely experienced nurse, whatever that position might be. That mention of a relocation bonus has been on the Queens site for many years despite the fact that there has not been a "desperate need" for RN's in Hawaii for quite some time now.
BSN's are a dime a dozen here and the fact that you have only been working as a nurse for 6 months is, well, not so great. There are many nurses with far more experience (and local experience, which means something in Hawaii) who can't find jobs here.
Some folks say "things will change in a few years" for new grads but frankly, I doubt it. The new grad nurses of today who went to the mainland will start coming back to their families and they'll be bringing some good solid experience with them. Not all of them will return, of course, but I think many will. They are just waiting for the right time. They'll be the favorites as new hires and the then-new-grads will be pushed out again.
IMO it's going to be a very tight job market here for a very long time.

Dear Winward Oahu RN:
I value what you write. Seems that you know what you're talking about. You wrote, some folks say things will change in a few years for new grads but frankly, I doubt it.

*argh* I hope, in this one case, you're wrong. Gosh, I can't imagine what I'll do if there aren't any new grad programs in 3 years, when I get my BSN. Will I have to choose between: (a) living on Maui, having a wonderful, happy marriage or (b) moving to the mainland, getting work experience. Tough choice!

Thank you, always, for posting. A hui hou!

Lisa ;-)