Chicago job market for new RN-BSN grads?

U.S.A. Illinois

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Hello everyone,

I currently live in Philadelphia and I am considering moving to Chicago if the job market for new graduate RNs is better. I really want a staff nurse position in a reputable hospital. I am licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and have applied to approximately 150 - 200 tier 1 RN positions at hospitals and have received very little response at all.

I have a BSN, went to a good nursing school and received very high grades. My former work experience was as a veterinary technician for the last 10 years (medical, but not human medicine). Unfortunately, the Philadelphia area generates something like 1100 new graduate nurses each year.

New graduates or veteran staff nurses, please let me know your opinion about the Chicago job market and your experiences with acquiring your first staff RN job. Thanks so much!

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I graduated last December, and moved to Chicago in June. I haven't heard anything from the countless applications I have submitted. There are quite a few nursing programs here as well. There is a lot of competition for very few jobs. To be safe, I wouldn't recommend moving until you get a job.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

IL as a whole has few jobs. I live in central IL and in Peoria, there are four nursing schools and many of those grads are still looking.

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Chicago metro and North to SE Wisconsin is really bad. Many BSN/ADN programs have flooded the market. Unless you are politically connected, don't waste your time.

It is Illinois, you gotta understand...

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It is possible that you will need to look further away for the type of job you want. If you are up to moving, why not check in all states just to see what you may find elsewhere.

I am in a LVN/BSN program currently in TX. I searched last year for government nursing jobs and found a site. I get monthly emails with openings all over the states. You can try http://www.governmentjobs.com/ or http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/search.aspx?q=Nurse&where=&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y

good luck with your job hunt.

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Specializes in Psychiatry and Substance Abuse.

Hey!

You can try NY Presbyterian I have seen so many postings for them over the past 18 months. Also, try a hospital that is opening a new wing soon. Virtua and Capital Health in NJ will be opening be facilities very soon. So will Princeton Medical Center. Don't feel bad about the job situation in Philly. I work for Penn and have been having trouble trying to switch from Psych to Med/Surge. It's rediculous! Just keep trying. Also, make yourself more marketable! Take an ACLS and PALS course. They are usually taught by people who have connections. Go to job fairs and beg! It's degrading but the industry is very, very political! Remember it costs upwards of $100,000 to train new nurses. You have to be worth the investment for the company!

GOOD LUCK!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg-Psych-Vents (same unit!).

five months post graduation, countless applications to every hospital for any job, including places and jobs i never would have considered when i thought i had a choice. so far one blanket rejection letter. friends from nursing school not faring any better, except one who had a connection. of the rest they are working in nursing homes. i even met with a nurse recruiter at a prominent teaching hospital and she was nice enough to show me why my applications went nowhere (e.g. she received almost 700 applications for one of the jobs i applied for). that i was able to meet with her is a story in and of itself because not one of the recruiters i've left messages for (forget reaching a live person) has returned a call. i was only able to see her because i showed up in person to drop off a resume and she felt bad she hadn't returned my calls. i would tell you "don't even think about it" but i don't know you and hate to rain on your parade. my story is mine, not yours, you might have better luck and i wish that for you wherever you are/go. but i have to agree with other poster that if i were you i wouldn't move here without a job unless you are prepared to possibly wait for months without an RN job or are willing to take any other job in the meantime. good luck!

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

No idea about Illinois but have an e-friend there who is LPN and in RN program and had 3 LPN offers out of 3 applications and already has RN offer lined up. But he is middle age and a male!! Not fair but it is what it is!

I have helped a few new grads who have posted similar posts to yours. Upon further investigation ..it seems new grads have poor resumes. I do not know this seems to be real problem for BSN grads. I have helped two write a professional resume. They seemed happy but never wrote back so I do not know if it helped. But seriously the resumes I have seen when I was a Director/Supervisor where not great but new BSN's I have seen are the top reason no jobs, no interviews and even no ..no thanks letters. I will be happy to look at yours or anyone's and try to make suggestions, just contact me. Or get local help from someone with experience of several jobs or a resume service specifi9c to nurses. You could also try reaching out to an Asst Nurse Mgr in the area you are interested to see if they might be willing to take a peek, Best of luck to you.

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I graduated last May with my BSN...I have been unsuccessful, as far as finding a nursing job in Chicago. I have countless rejection emails. Every position seems to require at least 6months-1year of experience, but I don't know how I will ever get experience if I can't get a job! It's been a frustrating experience and I have only had one interview, but I was not offered a position.

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