Im having trouble finding work

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2008

It is common knowledge that many new grads must accept 'undesirable' evening and night shifts if they wish to get their feet into the door. The 'preferred' day shifts tend to go to the nurses with the most experience.

In addition, the slumping economy might be a factor regarding difficulties in finding employment. Until recently, there were several hundred thousand inactive nurses who served as housewives, worked in other fields, or were semi-retired. Jobs in other fields are disappearing, and peoples' retirement funds are withering away, so many of these inactive nurses are returning to the field in droves. This new surplus of experienced nurses is causing difficulties for new grads who would like to work.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Oct 2, 2008

Day shifts are highly coveted and if you insist on only working days then you can expect to be looking for a while longer. I had to take the worst shift 3-11pm at a SNF/LTC and it's only now almost a year later that I am able to get some day shifts. Guess what? I don't even want them at this point because when I see my paycheck I really miss my 10% differential.

missi30 · Oct 4, 2008

Hi.

I'm a recent LPN grad and almost every LTC facility I go to I am told either, "we are not hiring or come back next month for orientation ( I need employment NOW I have bills and I mortgage to pay) or you have no nursing exprience we are looking for someone that has experience (duh! I just graduated of course I have no experience, give me a chance!) or call us back in two weeks". What the bleep is going on? One facility just hires their nurses strictly through an agency to save money, but the agency usually wants you to have experience before applying with them. No one wants to train you. Oh! btw, I am in NYC as well.

Missi

LPN825 · Oct 4, 2008

Hello Beans526, I am a recent LPN graduate and I also had difficulty finding a job. Someone suggested to me to go on www.nyhealth.gov to get a list of all the nursing homes in my area (Long Island). It took alot of leg work but I got called last month. So maybe you can tryout the website to look up some hospitals in other areas maybe that will give you some luck. Don't give up hopefully you will find something soon.

loricatus · Oct 4, 2008

I have heard that Jersey laid off a lot of nurses. This may be why NYC & LI may be limiting the new grad positions now. Just might be a glut for the moment.

Also add in those that have to return to nursing to make ends meet in the terrible economy in NYC and LI-it seems like you should take whatever they may be offering & feel lucky you are able to get a new grad job at all.

BTW, the initial training for a new grad is on days & then will go to nights after the orientation period of anywhere from 6 weeks to six months (depending on the facility). Plenty of time to get used to the idea that you may have to work nights for a while.

Kosmonavt · Oct 6, 2008

And I would like to add that it is very possible that during the orientation a day-shift position may became open and you will be able to transfer to a new position even as an orientee.

SueNYC · Oct 6, 2008

Beans-

Which places did you apply to that offered you evenings/nights?

Im in your same boat. When I was in nursing school, I was told by almost every nurse during clinicals that when I graduated I'd have my choice where I wanted to go. What a joke!!! Granted, Ive only applied to places in Brooklyn but Ive only received one call back for a per diem float position with only 4 wks orientation,mostly classroom. That sounded unsafe, I declined. I only regret it because i NEED to work and want to get in a hospital already. Like a previous poster mentioned, by the time your orientation is over, there might be a day position available. But even if not, if you want to start working already, you shouldnt decline a place just because of shift, if its in a hospital where you like, because you never know when a day shift can open up, you may only have to do it for a short period of time.

As far as a LTC facility. Ive worked in one as an LPN and I was told by a co-worker who was working as an RN that when she wanted to make the switch to a hospital she was flat out told by three different ones that prefer not to hire RNs from LTCs. Has anyone else heard this ?

And again, above question, which places did you apply to that offered you evenings/nights?

Good luck!

AWanderingMinstral · Oct 6, 2008

Day shifts are highly coveted and if you insist on only working days then you can expect to be looking for a while longer. I had to take the worst shift 3-11pm at a SNF/LTC and it's only now almost a year later that I am able to get some day shifts. Guess what? I don't even want them at this point because when I see my paycheck I really miss my 10% differential.

While I don't LOVE, LOVE, LOVE working steady nights, I DO love the extra $$$. As long as I can work three in a row and have multiple days off, I'll take nights over the chaos of days! Amen!

1lollipop · Oct 7, 2008

I graduated this past year with an A.A.S in Nursing and thought it would be a piece of cake finding work. Especially here in NYC. I've been looking since June and everywhere I turn no one calls or either there is a freeze:crying2: or only available shifts are night and evening. Im just getting soooo discouraged :cry:with the situation Does anyone know which hospital is hiring new grads and what are the shifts and pay like. You can tell me about the ones in the city. I would also like to know some in Brooklyn that are definately hiring.Thanks in advance.

Maybe you should also look into the rural areas like Upstate if you need a job asap or other high need areas. Apply to the hospitals you want while working. Take any shift they offer even if it's the night shift; it even pays more. This way, you can cover your bills in the meantime. I'm a student myself, but I hear all the time that new graduates must take anything in the begining, but afterwards, you'll have much better luck. I would consider all areas.

soon2btesttaker · Oct 9, 2008

I graduated in June and I also had the same problem up until recently, and what do you know, now that I have accepted a Baylor position everyone is calling me now to work for them..........I DON'T THINK SO, HEY YOU SHOULD TRY THE NIGHT SHIFT, IT MAY BE YOUR CALLING!

GOOD LUCK! :nurse:

Aquamarine · Oct 9, 2008

I graduated this past year with an A.A.S in Nursing and thought it would be a piece of cake finding work. Especially here in NYC. I've been looking since June and everywhere I turn no one calls or either there is a freeze:crying2: or only available shifts are night and evening. Im just getting soooo discouraged :cry:with the situation Does anyone know which hospital is hiring new grads and what are the shifts and pay like. You can tell me about the ones in the city. I would also like to know some in Brooklyn that are definately hiring.Thanks in advance.

Maybe you will have to work nights for 6 months and then go for a day job with experience.. Nights isn't so bad but I know tough to get used to. That way you can get your feet wet without all the bosses and doctors hanging over you which adds to the confusion. I know it is the same everywhere, they say nurses can get what they want but it isn't true entirely. Good luck.