No new grad positions in Boston hospitals

What a total mess. I've been reading all I can about this situation going on in Mass right now because there is a strong possibility that my husband (Mass born and raised) and I will be moving out there within the next year. I'm due to graduate (universe willing!) in December, so I may end up being yet another new grad applying for the handful of positions that seem to be open right now.

I was checking out the nursing assocation website for Mass and read over their latest newsletter. There was an editorial where the writer talked about the issue of new grads not finding jobs right now and how dire the situation is getting, all while the hospitals are still claiming that they can't adhere to the numbers quoted in the safe ratios bill because they can't find enough nurses to hire!

Anyways, perhaps if this safe ratios bill passes the senate, the situation will change dramatically for RNs in Mass and new grads won't be faced with the situation of relocating vs unemployment.

Edit: Here is a link to that newsletter if anyone is interested: http://www.massnurses.org/mass_nurse...8/may_june.pdf

To all who can leave MA to get a job...I certainly would. I remember last May after I finished my 1st semester in a 2 year community college RN program..I took the CNA exam and applied almost everywhere...multiple times...I couldn't get anything...(I think..at least in my situation...my resume was somewhat higher-end as I am a career changer...J.D....M.B.A from a top 5 b-school)...anyhow I redid my resume and downplayed some of my accomplishments and focused more on what I did on my school clinicals and where I did them an for what..i.e. Brigham and Womens....what unit...which rotation...what I did...etc. I finally got 2 jobs in Novemeber.
I finished my 3rd semester this spring and am now a GPN (temp LPN license in NH) MA doesn't allow someone in a RN program to sit for the NCLEX-PN. So now I am working with my temp LPN license...will sit for my boards in a month...and am making more than double what I was making as a CNA in MA.

Moreover...I contacted several hospitals around the country and went to Los Angeles for two interviews. I received and accepted an offer from a hospital in Los Angeles (one of the best in the country) and will be starting in January 2009 in their CVICU both on the surgical and the medical side. Then it's off to anesthesia school!

Takeaway: I was pretty disheartened by not even being able to get a job as a CNA just last year. Now I received several job offers as an LPN( I accepted one and am working) and one offer as an RN...background check done and drug screen clean (as of today!). SO i am locked, loaded and ready to go!
Try and plan EVERYTHING in advance. Be AHEAD of the game...phone hospitals and ask to speak to nurse recruiters and...if you can...move to an area that needs nurses...get 1 or 2 years experience...then move back and have THEM kiss your *** instead of the other way around.

I know the cleveland clinic in ohio is hiring. (one of the best for cardiac care...they have a weekend visit program....yale is also hiring...as well as duke in NC).....I've researched so many hospitals across the country. Make a plan and be FLEXIBLE. If you can't move...that's another story....then ask friends, professors....anyone that can help..to do just that. If you are professional and competent...demonstrate that in your resume, cover letter, manner of speaking with the recruiter and manner of professional dress if granted an interview.

One of the distinct advantages I see that I have is that I have used my business acquired skills and have approached the job search as I did after I received my MBA. When they told me on the phone with the hospital that hired me in Los Angeles that I was very early in the process..I jokingly said "I apologize for being ahead of the curve." They always laughed and appreciated the fact I developed a plan and was executing on that.

Anyhow...I wish everyone the very best of luck!

Thank you for your very informative post. I will be starting a 2 community college rn program this fall and have started doing the same research you describe. I do not expect to be able to compete with BSN grads for Boston hospital positions despite a similar high-end background that you describe. You mentioned CVICU - were Cleveland Clinic, Duke and Yale also willing to hire new grads directly into CVICU or do you feel that your experience as lpn might have made the difference. I am considering doing the lpn as well after the third semester and going to New Hampshire although people on other threads did not feel that this was an effective use of their time. May I ask if you were hired into a hospital or LTC in New Hampshire after getting the GPN license?

I am working in a SNF (a skilled nursing facility) where I am doing basic treatments, assessments and obviously passing meds. I am learning a great deal about meds.

As far as not being worth someone's time...I was traveling almost 45 minutes in traffic to work as a PCA in MA. Now I am driving less than 40 minutes to NH to work as a NURSE for the last half a year before I graduate and get my RN....as well as doubling my salary.

What's the situation like in RI for new grads?

No idea...there weren't any hospitals I would have considered working at in RI so I didn't considered that state.

here's an interesting article on the MHA website. It confirms what other people have already said:

http://www.mass.edu/currentinit/currentinitNursing.asp

This is all so discouraging. Has any external new grad heard good news?

I havent heard any dire stories...everyone that I know that graduated found jobs immediately.... I hear the hospitals are deperately looking for new grads........

Tiny Tessa, did you go to school/do you work in RI or Boston? Where?

Thanks!