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

FurBabyMom, MSN, RN · Jun 26, 2013

There ARE Nursing Jobs out there. Just not where or what you "want".

Original poster - out of school since May with no job yet? Over two years ago I was out of school MUCH longer (6 mos or more) without a job. Some of my classmates, WAY longer than that even. I started applying for jobs, internships/new grad residency programs, something ridiculous, like October of the fall before I graduated! At one point, I was applying to 25+ jobs per day as a new grad. I applied all over half the US. The options that bit first, were not my "ideal" job. But I interviewed, interviewed some more, and interviewed again. I got a job offer! And moved hours away from home to work. It wasn't perfect, wasn't my "fit". I knew it relatively soon after starting work that I would not make a career of it. I went to work, did my best to take care of my patients to the best of my ability and learn as much as I could.

It's the economy. It's that certain regions are SATURATED with qualified experienced nurses and/or more highly qualified than you. Other new grad candidates may have a BSN, or have worked in the hospital system, or have other skills/experience that makes them seem more attractive on paper. I say that because the qualifications on paper doesn't always mean a good option.

Calm down and check the attitude like now would be the other thing I have to say. It may not be easy, not everything will be in life. If it was, there would be no incentive to try. I wasn't a huge fan of my first job, but I did it. And I did it well. I didn't talk back to coworkers, I didn't run my mouth about having a BSN (vs others who did not), I didn't act out in any way. I went to work, handled my business, did my best, asked questions...and it worked for me. I helped others, and treated others the way I wanted them to treat me.

For what it's worth, I learned SO VERY MUCH from my experienced nurse coworkers! I STILL DO. They've learned things from me too (not as much, but a different perspective provides ways for everyone to learn or teach something). I've recently been given several assignments that included precepting someone (one was a nurse with experience, the other was a new grad). It's nice knowing that (according to the bosses/our charges/our managers) I know enough and practice safely enough to help educate someone newer than I, but at the same time, I feel like there is so very much for me to learn! My assessment of myself isn't what others say (today a supervisor said something to me about how well I handled something that experienced nurses don't always handle well).

I would take a fine tooth comb over my resume and cover letter. I would make sure to either take thank you cards with you for interviews or mail them (if you don't have the address a follow up email can express interest and gratitude). Sell yourself well. The attitude displayed in some of the posts I have seen in this thread from the OP - you need to make sure you sell yourself as a team player and willing and eager to learn. When you have interviews, make sure you have practiced thinking through answers for potential questions and can articulate yourself well, that is your chance to sell yourself!

For what it's worth - the comment about needing a magnifying glass to read labels/pass meds? I find it offensive. I'm in my mid-20s. My vision, uncorrected, is BAD. Corrected it's not perfect, but workable. I'm thankful my vision corrects as well as it does. Some people aren't so lucky! I once had perfect vision (it's been probably 15+ years since I had vision that didn't need corrected), but as it's gotten worse for me, I have learned a great deal about how important sight is and can better empathize with my patients...

Also. Loans. If you work with your bank, they are understanding of the economy, struggle to get/find a job. But you have to put the effort in. It won't just fall into place.

megan005 · Jun 26, 2013

First I just want to say there are Nursing Jobs out there, maybe not in specialty areas or even in hospitals but they are out there.I'm a new grad I graduated in April and every day since my last exam I put at least 8 hours a day into looking for jobs, filling out applications calling unit managers and going to job fairs and I found a job.

Finding a job for anyone in this economy is hard, but the nurses who already have jobs and have been working for 20 years its not their fault New Grads can't find jobs.

If anything hopefully the new grads now will learn from this and start putting 10-15% of their paychecks away for their own retirement and learn to live off the rest... we're learning the hard way what the effect of living outside our means can have on future generations lets not do the same to our children.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2013

Unemployment is definitely regional - most of my graduating class has jobs. We graduated last month. Now, the people who don't have jobs are the people who didn't work as CNAs during nursing school or who can't move. Those of us that have jobs are typically people who worked as CNAs and who applied out of state when in state hospitals didn't call us back.

Point being: if you went out of your way to get experience in school you have a leg up and if you are willing to move you have a leg up. The place I got hired at hired me for my dream ICU job, but it's in the rural South in an area I never would have dreamed of moving to in a million years. They also happen to be building a brand new ICU tower and doubling the size of their ICUs... sometimes you have to make sacrifices, especially in a field like nursing. The question just becomes what exactly you are willing to sacrifice - are you going to sacrifice your location for a dream job, or are you going to sacrifice your job and stay unemployed so you don't have to move? It's up to you. The jobs are out there if you're willing to chase them.

FLNurseGuy · Jun 26, 2013

The hospitals are the big dogs. Right now and in this economy the big dogs can have their way. The really big hospitals that buy out other area hospitals to include them in their own system can for example,...decide to change the name of the from "XYZ HOSPITAL SYSTEM to XYZ HEALTH SYSTEM....at a cost of millions and then cut RN pay across the board a dollar an hour to pay for it. Not to mention cutting nurse education programs to educate and train new grad nurses or requiring bachelors degree for staff nurses or masters degrees for nurse managers. Not too long ago things were different and sign on bonuses for even new grads were out there. I hope things will change very soon for us new nurse grads. It's not the fault of the older nurses. It's the economy and current hospital administration priorities. The older nurses have a huge wealth of experience that I would give anything to be able to learn from. A lot of those older nurses are tough. They hung in and stuck with it when a lot of younger nurses couldn't hack it. Once I'm lucky enough to find a job....give me an older RN preceptor! To all of us new RN grads looking for their first job.....GOOD LUCK!

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 26, 2013

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.

*** The job market for nurses, in particular new grads, was terrable before you even started your program. How much did you look into the employment prospects before you chose to invest your time and money into becomeing a nurse?

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 26, 2013

In the immortal words of Bill Clinton, "It's the economy, stupid.".

*** Really only part of the story. The bad economy didn't creat the glut of nurses, it only moved glut day ahead a few years. The glut of nurses was intentionaly created by those who stand to gain financialy from a glut of nurses. Whats worse in my view is that they used nurses tax money to creat the glut. They lobbied state and federal goverment for tax payer funds to greatly expand the available seats in nursing programs.

allnurses Guide · Jun 26, 2013

For what it's worth, I learned SO VERY MUCH from my experienced nurse coworkers! I STILL DO. They've learned things from me too (not as much, but a different perspective provides ways for everyone to learn or teach something).

Your entire post was really astute so I can see why your managers felt you were ready to handle the responsibilities of precepting. I just wanted to highlight this particular point you made as how rarely it's mentioned in discussions like these simultaneously amazes and appalls me. Thank you so much.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 26, 2013

With cut-throat thinking like that though, I'm sure you'll have a fast-track to management... and will probably be scratching your head about why nurses join those nasty, evil labor unions.[/quote']
*** LOL and LOL! again. Well said.

HippyDippyLPN · Jun 26, 2013

Honestly everyone hopes the economy is going to get better...and not to be a downer but I don't think it will. I graduated HS in 2006 became an STNA a short time later and this job thing has been ****** ever since I've been a working adult. I don't see a turn around anytime soon or any big shortage of nurses so I suggest you apply everywhere and be willing to move anywhere because that's about what it takes now. It sucks but this our generations reality, we are paying for the mistakes made before us (I don't mean for this to offend anyone by the way) and we will be the rest of our lives.

LemonAide · Jun 26, 2013

What about long term care? I worked as a CNA in LTC through school and am currently 20 days from taking my NCLEX test and have been working with the grad license as a GPN since the day I got it. Long term care needs nurses and its a good way to get your foot in the door.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jun 26, 2013

You lost all sympathy with your rude comments to layoff the old nurses just so you can have a job. Since your mom is one of those old nurses I bet she's real proud of you! Why don't you show her your great idea and tell her how you want to get rid of the older nurses who have back problems from all the lifting and need reading glasses because they hit 40 years old! You should really be ashamed of yourself! Why don't you ask your mom to give you her job and then she can retire and you can support her and see what she has to say!

But unfortunately some hospitals do lay off their older nurses focusing only on saving money as you suggested. Those hospitals will be private, non union with poor staffing and the bottom dollar trumps all. But why don't you find one of those hospitals, but just remember your turn will come too. Remember you can expect to have back problems eventually from the nature of the job, surely your mom warned you against becoming a nurse or at least let you know the many problems to expect if you work in nursing!

The only people getting early retirement these days are govt employees such as police, military or teachers. Private companies only give early retirement to the CEO's not to the regular working stiff. Hospitals are no different! If the nurses got early retirement it was probably because they were a govt hospital. Haven't you been reading the news! Many of the older baby boomers lost their retirement savings, home equity and were laid off with the bad economy. How can they retire? They are lucky to have a job and may be the only one working in their family. Also many of them are paying off student loans they took out for their children such as yourself. I bet your mom has some parent plus loans or even cosigned some of your student loans that need to be paid off, but you are suggesting older nurses like her be laid off so you can get a job. Just think what you are saying! I sure hope you don't ever become a manager because its obvious you lack ethics or perhaps even a conscience.

What should you do to find a job? Go back to where you had your clinicals and see if any of the nurses there could put in a good word for you with their boss and let you know when a job is available, don't mention the nasty comments you wrote on all nurses, though or you won't get any help! Do some research on the area hospitals and find out who the directors our for the various units and seek them out personally to get your foot in the door. Ask your mom to put in a good word for you where she works. Do what the other new grads are doing apply at many places even if you don't have experience and write a good cover letter explaining your enthusiasm to work there and what you learned from clinicals. I don't remember if you said you had your BSN or not. If not finish your BSN. You can study for CPR/BLS healthcare provider and ACLS and get those certifications while your waiting. Be prepared to relocate if necessary to find a job.

I reread your post and see you have an ASN so I suggest you work toward a BSN while your waiting. Look for the cheapest RN to BSN program you can find and enroll. Keep your grades up and then when you graduate you can put on your resume you got a 3.6 or 4. Network with the professors and clinicals during your BSN. Take advantage of the breathing space a BSN will provide you so that hopefully by the time you graduate the economy will have improved and more jobs will be available.

If you had read other new grads struggle to get work, many took 6 months to over a year to find jobs, some relocated to other states with a shortage. I've read Texas has openings or North Dakota, try Florida. California and Colorado are saturated. New York is saturated. East coast is probably harder to get jobs because their are so many colleges out east and you are competing not only with your classmates but all the other BSN grads in the area.

Many hospitals won't hire ASN's anymore, especially magnet hospitals. The trend is to demand a BSN because they can and because magnet hospitals have a goal of 80% BSN's by 2020. I've read of nurses with the ADN getting hired as RN's under the stipulation they get their BSN by 5 years.

Since you are young and in a highly competitive region, finish your BSN. Do your absolute best! Soak in and learn as much as you can! Avoid private student loans, stick to govt loans only, try not to depend on your mom taking out student loans as she needs to prepare for retirement. Govt student loans have income based repayment options that have just improved since President Obama came into office! Your mom's parent plus loans do not have these options. Just realize your poor mom could be seeing her social security garnished to pay off her student loans if she doesn't pay them off on her own before retirement.

Also take a class on personal finance while your in school. Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson is a very good all purpose book. Deal with your Debt by Liz Weston of MSN money is excellent for how to use debt as a tool and how to properly pay it off to maintain maximum flexibility.

While your in BSN school try to get a intern clinical in a specialty field like ICU. Schools have these like an extra clinical that will give you experience and an opportunity to network with the nurses and nurse manager, but you have to apply for them. They are above and beyond just a standard clinical. I hope these ideas and others mentioned by all nurses will help you calm down and find a way to get the job you want eventually. It will take patience and persistence, just don't give up!

PS Don't forget to pray for a job! Ask God to help you and asked your loved ones to pray for you for a job to open up! My dear grandma always prayed for me and when I graduated with an ADN we were told if we didn't have a job lined up by February we wouldn't get a job. I didn't have one. I didn't apply till after graduation. I went on one interview and was hired and I do believe it was my grandma's prayers that helped me get the job. We were in a bad economy then, maybe not as bad as now, but some of the nurses that were hired as new grads even relocated from another state.

St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, is often prayed to for intercession in difficult situations. The Holy family had a difficult life, having to flee danger and find work in another country. St Joseph and the Blessed Mother are powerful intercessors in prayer! Prayer can make a difference!

AZ_LPN_8_26_13 · Jun 26, 2013

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

I am tapping into this discussion thread a bit late so it's probably already been mentioned, but a lot of this seems to be location - you may end up having to relocate. I am in Arizona and the hospital I work at (I've been an aide there, I just graduated) has recently hired a bunch of new nurses - exactly how many of them are new grads I cannot say. But I can tell you that here in AZ if you are a nurse you really can find employment here because of the large population of retirees and elderly here. You might not want to work in a nursing home or a SNF, but hey it's work and it's nursing. I myself am looking into eventually getting into home health care which is really big here. I went to a job fair here recently and talked to a few of these home healthcare companies and they were ready to hire LPNs and RNs right on the spot - not exaggerating. I think it boils down to where you live and what niche you are looking to fill