Why are there no nursing jobs available for new grads? What is going on??

[vab229]

I just graduated from an ASN program in May and I am about to take the NCLEX next week. I do currently have a temporary new grad license...

But I just want to know why are there no jobs available? I live in Rhode Island and the employment here is horrible. Almost every single hospital that does have positions available wants at least 1-2 years of med-surg experience. How are we ever supposed to get experience if we can't get a job?? Even the few and far between positions for nurses at clinics and doctor's offices want 3-5 years experience, plus specialty experience. It is downright depressing.

One of the reasons I chose the health care field was because "there would always be jobs available." That is such a lie. Whenever I tell people that I just graduated and will be an RN they always say, at least you will never be without a job! That is so false.

When I spoke with the nurses at the hospitals where I did my clinical rotations, they said they felt so bad for us and how back in the 80's hospitals were begging them to take positions and even offering sign on bonuses.

I just feel like it will be so long before I ever find a job that I won't remember half of the stuff I learned

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

But wouldn't it be smarter for the hospitals to lay off or offer early retirement to the older RNs and hire new RNs who I am sure will get paid a lot less than what RNs who have been working for 30+ years make, plus all their sick/vacation time they have accrued? Whoever is running the hospitals doesn't seem to be too intelligent.

They're intelligent enough to not flagrantly violate federal law.

Why would they fire highly competent, talented nurses for novices? Cheaper doesn't always translate to less expensive

How would you feel putting in 20-30 years, then get fired in 2035 just so they could hirer new grads?

[lilibelle]

Thanks HappyWife77. You hit the nail on the head. I AM venting out of extreme fear and frustration. If we can't do it here, then where?!

[lilibelle]

Thanks so much, obesity33. Excellent points. It's easy to criticize someone's "bad attitude" when your not in any danger of having your phone turned off and having panic attacks because you're worried about that 5th overdraft fee this month. Seriously, if Anyone here feels I lack humility, show me some of your "sprinkled" with some of that empathy you nurses are supposed to be so famous for.

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

Thanks so much obesity33. Excellent points. It's easy to criticize someone's "bad attitude" when your not in any danger of having your phone turned off and having panic attacks because you're worried about that 5th overdraft fee this month. Seriously, if Anyone here feels I lack humility, show me some of your "sprinkled" with some of that empathy you nurses are supposed to be so famous for.[/quote']

I think the PP point was that you are not coping effectively. You're upset and angry at your situation BUT there is no one to blame here. Simply because the ones unemployed are in the minority. Most people get hired within 6 months, but for every new hire there are probably 20 applicants that don't get hired.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

To be honest, it kind of seems like the luck of the draw when it comes to jobs and new grads. I had two job offers before I walked in December and I am getting phone calls even now due to my resume. We had another girl back in July who had no job after she graduated and not because she wasn't a good worker, it was just because we didn't have a position. Another girl was hired in full time back in early 2012.

[MarisaHU]

I don't see anything wrong with expressing your frustrations on the new grad plight. I feel the same way. I spent four whole years of my life sacrificing time, relationships and busting my butt to enter a job market that doesn't want me. Its been seven months and I apply to jobs like a FT career and still nothing. It is frustrating as I have bills like everyone else.

"You'll always have a job." Biggest lie ever told

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

How would you feel putting in 20-30 years, then get fired in 2035 just so they could hirer new grads?

Happens all the time in other industries. I cant tell you how many people have told me "I had 29 years in and I got laid off."No retirement. Nothing.

Health care is no different than any other industry.

My previous non health job offered buy outs so they could hire new hires at 1/3 the salary of the old hires.Why would health industries be any different.

With the nurse excess, we are just warm bodies. So what if there's a novice - if they screw up, it's THEIR fault, THEIR license. Not the facilties problem. Don't you think they know that?

Cheaper staff=more profits. No shortage of "customers" from what I see.

[loriangel14, RN]

They can't do this where I work. If you get laid off they HAVE to call you back instead of hiring new people.They can't force you to take retirement packages.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

They can't do this where I work. If you get laid off they HAVE to call you back instead of hiring new people.They can't force you to take retirement packages.

Is this union? I believe most places are not union, and are at will states. They can do whatever they want.

[loriangel14, RN]

Yes we are unionized.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Happens all the time in other industries. I cant tell you how many people have told me "I had 29 years in and I got laid off."No retirement. Nothing.Health care is no different than any other industry.My previous non health job offered buy outs so they could hire new hires at 1/3 the salary of the old hires.Why would health industries be any different.With the nurse excess, we are just warm bodies. So what if there's a novice - if they screw up, it's THEIR fault, THEIR license. Not the facilties problem. Don't you think they know that?Cheaper staff=more profits. No shortage of "customers" from what I see.

Laying people off, even with30 years experience, as long as it is in a non discriminatory pattern, is legal.

Offering a buyout, then hiring lower paid workers is legal. Forced buyout is not.

Yes, quality matters. Reimbursement is being tied to HCAPS and outcomes. This will increase more in the future.

And the institution IS responsible if you screw up. You may lose your job & license, but that doesn't absolve them of responsibility regarding their employees.

[nursel56]

Frustration and anger are a perfectly normal response to the new grad job situation...I just feel that attacking those who offer suggestions by telling them to just stop is directing fire at those of us who want to help. I'll brainstorm anything that pops into my head if that turns out to be the spark in someone's mind that leads to a solution. Contrary to what we hear from some, many of us are distressed by the situation. We aren't out to crush your dreams.

If you're angry - direct your fire at those organizations and individuals who knowingly promote false information about the existence of a nursing shortage.

A few weeks ago my state was literally blanketed by a coordinated media blitz lying about the supposed shortage. It's almost impossible to refute this kind of well-funded and well-connected campaign of misinformation other than each one of us as individuals making our voices heard.