No new grad positions in Boston hospitals

I am an new graduate (BSN) from Maryland, and I have to move to Boston in August because I am getting married and my husband will go to MIT for grad school in the fall. I have never worked as a CNA because it is not neccesary in order to find a job here and many of my friends had bad experiences, but I have worked at a hospital. I have applied to most of the hospitals in the Boston area with no luck. I feel like I have no chance because I am a new grad that is out of state, and I am getting really discouraged. The job market is so different here. Most of my friends had jobs before graduation with a sign-on bonus in very specialized areas. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to find a new grad job in the Boston area?

I work at one of the larger suburban medical centers in the Boston area. Recently I submitted the name of a new grad acquaintance through our staff referral program. I was told that the only new grads we are hiring at this time were those already working here as CNA's. They said they would be hiring other new grads in the fall.

MIT has a large clinic, with an inpatient unit

http://web.mit.edu/medical/services/s-inpatient.html

I would give them a call and ask them if they have a position or where to go.

I work as a float PCT at a Boston hospital, just graduated with a BSN, and was told that there will not be enough jobs for even the working in-house new graduates. I have applied everywhere (have been since March) and get the response that "your resume will be kept on file..." I call, call again, and email. Out of 30 in my accelerated BSN program, only 12 or so have jobs (they worked as pct's before even starting nursing school) and everyone else is trying with everything they have. It has been very discouraging, but we have to hope that it will turn around. I think with the economy the way it is, it will probably take awhile. For those of us in-house at the hospital, we were told to considering moving out of state. Some of us can't because we have homes here (spouses with jobs, kids in school...) but some of us may have to. I did not expect this at all when I finished school, so it's been quite depressing. Good luck to those looking, and if you're studying for NCLEX, just concentrate on that for now.

heartMA, what school did you go to? curry accel?? if so, do you recognize me from the name?

Hi "HeartMA":

I have been reading this thread with interest and dismay. I am scheduled to enter the BSN program at UMass this Fall, and I'm having second (and third and fourth) thoughts. At my age, I would in no way be able to afford a prolonged period of unemployment..or a "forced" relocation upon graduation.

What did you mean when you referring to "working in-house graduates" in your post? And may I ask which hosp. you're a PCT floater at?

I'm sorry things are so dismal, but at least know that sharing your experiences on this forum provide readers like me with invaluable information.

What's the situation like for hospitals outside of Boston? Are new grads finding the same problems finding positions in these hospitals as well or is this mainly a Boston only problem?

Hi,
I am a Boston native who is finishing up nursing school in Maryland and I'm experiencing the same difficulties trying to find a job back in Mass. As far as your question, Wicked Wahine, I have spoken to nurse recruiters at a few hospitals north and south of Boston and the situation is the same (they are able to fill all the positions with internal applicants.)

There are no jobs north of Boston, either. Pretty much the only people in my class with jobs are the ones who were already employed by their hospitals. I never expected it to be this bad. I thought I'd at least have a chance to interview (and not necessarily get the job) but that hasn't even been possible, with hospitals only considering their internal applicants. It's really looking bad. Friends and family don't believe me, they think I'm exaggerating. I'm so tired of people telling me not to worry, that I'll find a job. What are we to do?

It's bad in the Worcester area as well--there are lots of positions posted but most of them seem to be looking for experienced nurses, unfortunately. How are we supposed to get experience if nobody is willing to hire us as new grads? I don't have the option of going to another state right now as I have one more year in an accelerated MSN program here, so I have been applying at eight different places in central MA and, in case I don't get the position I interviewed for last week, am getting ready to put in applications at another hospital that is even farther away than some of the ones I've already applied at. So no, it's not just a Boston problem. As for western MA, I don't know what the situation is there--maybe it's not as bad but I know it's a longer commute than I am willing to make with gas prices being what they are (and even if gas were reasonable I still wouldn't want to drive that far!).