New Grad RN-->No Jobs, Then what?

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I have been reading through these threads and haven't seen an answer to this question. I know that it is tough to get a new grad RN position and some say they are still looking after a year post graduation. So what happens to those who get no experience and in effect are now "old grads with no experience" when the job market begins to open up again? What do those in the know recommend for those who may not be able to get a job within a year or two of graduation? Do you get more certifications, i.e. ACLS, PALS, etc while waiting for the market to open? Do you volunteer in a hospital? If volunteering, do hospitals allow clinical practice as a licensed RN volunteer? (Of course, there may be union issues with that). Essentially, will a licensed RN with no experience become obsolete since many will graduate and be "newer" when the job market opens again?

PLEASE people understand that acute care in the LTC setting is NOT a fable!!! I have worked in both from midnight nurse all the way up to Administrator of a SNF (that is what they are now, Skilled Nursing Facilities). I have run hospital wings (psych, Med/Surg/Tele and rehab). SNFs have trachs, vents, psych patients, wounds all of the way up to stage IV (no not created there, sent there by hospitals to get healed via wound vacs and extremely dedicated and diligent care). They also have rehab so people can strengthen to the best of their potential via the physical therapy department. Yes, they even do IVs though the LPNs have to be IV certified and under an RN. They have speech therapy as well ~ the old "nursing homes" are where people who normallly would have been in the hospital now go. The hospital is now where most people who would have been dead are. Difference? Patient ratio is usually 6 or 7:1 in a hospital, SNFs are 7:1 on first shift 13:1 second shift and 20:1 third shift (numbers vary from state to state) and they don't hang blood. Nurses also do not have doctors around the corner if there is an emergency like hospsitals do, they have to think and react and call the doc all at the same time while directing staff to do what they feel best. They deserve Kudos and are NOT bottom of the barrel nursing. NONE OF US ARE ~ we just specialize in different fields. One is never better than the other, just different with different challenges. If you're not good at organization a stint in SNFs will cure you of that quickly, it's sink or swim! Hospitals are the same way....

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing, Orthopediacs.

I agree with gemini. I work in an infirmary in prison. Guess what we hang blood there and do everything a hospital nurse does. I am after almost 10 months starting to get interviews at hospitals around here. I have learned to work independently and make decisions quickly because no doctor around at night. At least around here my experience is counting. You need to look out of the box and find something that will give you experience. Sitting around doing nothing is worse than working LTC or at a prison. At least I will be able to talk up my experience.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I agree. Whether or not its the ideal job, home care, LTC, corrections may be the way to go. In this economy, I notice that too many new grads are waiting. The longer you sit unemployed, the less marketable you become. I am also a new grad and I am moving to another Province for LTC, and happy to do it. The fact is, an experienced nurse will often get the job first when jobs are scarce. Nursing is my dream job period, and I don't care where I have to go to do it. This is not a time to pick and choose. Take something and learn to build from there.

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First of all Dsorn, and I do not mean to be rude, but you do not "wait" for a job, you go out and GET one! I know times are tough, I am looking myself after recovery from an 18 month illness. If your husband is trying to make it on a teachers salary, please remember that teachers are VERY needed within the school systems (my son is one ) and that HE is able to relocate and teaching salary is pretty much the same anywhere unless you've been doing it for years and then you lose your seniority (wrong but it's the teaching world and it sucks). Find a city that is possiblly a good place for you to get a job and have him get employed first (he'll probably have to transfer his degree there but shouldn't be difficult ~ he can always sub as they are needed almost every day if you have to move faster). You then can look online while waiting to move. Moving isn't a piece of cake but is much easier to do when the kids are little than in school like 5th grade and have established friendships, hopefully yours aren't that old. Moving is exciting if you look at it as exploring new venues and places to see and things to do. Pick somewhere interesting and go for it! Perhaps you have a friend or relative that can assist you somewhere until you are on your feet. Look at the online newspapers from different places and see whawt the ads say, call the hospitals that are listed in the paper and the SNFs (though I think a lot of people get a job in a SNF just by showing the initiative of showing up there and asking if they are hiring). Remember that not all job openings are in a paper, it's very expensive to place an ad and they usually can get help by word of mouth or reputation. I'm headed for the SNFs next week with resume in hand and hope in my heart. Kind of difficult to find a job with an 18 month gap from illness being over 50 but I know I'm a good nurse and completely recovered now so keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me. I'll do the same for you :) GOOD LUCK and dare to explore !

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I have a question for anyone in this thread who would be kind enough to answer :) I am just starting my schooling to get a nursing degree, and I was wondering- is the job market only this difficult if one wants to get into a hospital job?

I'm wondering because I've worked at a hospital in the past (I'm a CNA but have been doing one-on-one long-term care now for ages), and to be honest, when I get my RN... I don't want to work at the hospital. I'd be really happy working in LTC or in a doctor's office or school. Is the nursing job market easier in those areas?

I'm concerned now cause if it's this hard all across the board, wow!... I'll be really discouraged. It took tons of sacrifice and finagling with grants/loans/time to even be able to attend college at all, and I'd hate to think it is going to be for nothing!

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Specializes in subacute.

Hi all,

I cant say im happy right now. i don't have any1 to share my long time of frustration of not getting a job as a new grad rn. I almost feel that I did nursing school for nothing. 4.0 GPA, honors and such really doesn't matter. People have told me its who you know and who you blow. I've sent out over 100 resumes. I sat for 1 interview. Bills keep on piling up and I think its time to just give up.

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Man, reading all of this is really making me depressed. I was encouraging my son to become a nurse because he is barely hanging on and is usually in the hole every month after working a fulltime job (no, he doesn't overspend, his ex-wife gets the money) with no hope of a second job where he is. He is a people person with tons of compassion and would make a great nurse he is also a teacher but there are no jobs in that field either. I am a BSN and now have to enter the workforce after an 18 month time off because of cancer and the death of my other child. Just what I need....no job possibilities ~ great. Now I can be depressed for my only remaining child AND me. Good luck fighting the good old US of A related to foreign nurses ~ there's another losing battle.

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Look as I sit here with tears welling up in my eyes I am saying to my self "its over" This is a losing battle. unless you know the CEO

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Nurses we are not hiring

Some humor to help us make it through

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StrawberryVanilla: If you like working in LTC you're probably going to be just fine. I've been in it pretty much since 1995 and last week I had my job interview ~ my first one ~ as I have been off work for 18 months now (see prior post above) and was hired as their DON. I'm soooooo happy! I start tomorrow. With the exception of a few Nurse Manager stints in hospitals it has mostly been LTC / SNFs for me, it's my passion and sounds like you already have a heads up on what it is like to work with our senior citizens. We need people who love older people. Stay with it and keep in it after your RN, if you've worked the floor as an LPN then apply for charge nurse / unit manager / or ADON positions next and after that you're a sure winner for DON. Salary isn't bad either but you'll earn every dime. Good luck!

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Hello All,

I've recently graduated from nursing with my BSN. A majority of my fellow classmates DO NOT HAVE JOBS! The only ones that do were the ones that were working in hospitals as PCTs or CNAs during nursing school. ( ok... one of them got a job because her boyfriend's dad was the hospital's CEO) I graduated in May 2010. And like all other normal new grads, it took me about 6 months to get even a call back! But it did happen, I was pretty patient, but super broke now. I went on an interview at a hospital near my house. As I was walking into HR, there were 2 other people sitting in the waiting area, all professionally dressed, all applying for the same position, all NEW GRAD! It looked dim for me after that, One of the candidate had his MASTERS degree! not only is it competitive for BSN graduates, I'm starting to think that ADN (associates degree nurses) will no longer stand a chance in a few years. I spoke to the board of directors about how hospitals are trying to improve their care and her answers clarified it for me. They are trying to hire more BSN and up, and hiring less ADN. They feel that a more education equals improved patient care ( evidence based practice). So to sum it up, Yes, it is competitive, EVERYONE wants to be employed in healthcare now. YES, all the schools will have new grads graduating at the same time, making the market more competitive. NO, associates degree will no longer be good enough ( unless you have experience or reliable connections) Yes, if it is your passion to do nursing, you should go for it.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry/PCU.

Some more humor =)

Can you relate?: New Grad RN Job Hunt (video, 2 min 25 sec)

Nurses we are not hiring

Some humor to help us make it through

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