No jobs for new nursing grads?! Please helppp!

LaceElaine · May 20, 2012

Hmm. Maybe I'm wrong but all I've ever heard is that nursing jobs are in very high demand! It's one of the most in demand career these days. And it's only suppose to go up from there. But, that's only what I've heard. Maybe I'm wrong.

leenak · May 20, 2012

Hmm. Maybe I'm wrong but all I've ever heard is that nursing jobs are in very high demand! It's one of the most in demand career these days. And it's only suppose to go up from there. But, that's only what I've heard. Maybe I'm wrong.

You might want to look around the boards a little. There are many new grad nurses that don't have jobs a year after graduation. It is a tough job market. The only places you might hear that it is an in demand job market are from those making money from it such as schools :)

To the OP, you are in high school and a few years away. Hopefully by the time you become a nurse, the job market will have turned around. You may not get your ideal job at first but that isn't a reason to give up.

loriangel14, RN · May 20, 2012

Hmm. Maybe I'm wrong but all I've ever heard is that nursing jobs are in very high demand! It's one of the most in demand career these days. And it's only suppose to go up from there. But, that's only what I've heard. Maybe I'm wrong.

Have you read the threads on here? Many people are still looking for work a year after graduation.

PRNketamine7, BSN, RN · May 20, 2012

Go for your dream. Hopefully the job market will be better before you graduate. I just graduated last week and I have a new grad job in a pediatric ICU. It is hard to get a job these days but not impossible. Work hard in school, and get good grades. Someone will give you a chance. Working in a hospital as a tech or the like doesn't hurt either.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 20, 2012

Nursing jobs are NOT in high demand in most areas. The belief that there is a "nursing shortage" and that you can get a job anywhere as a nurse is one of the biggest misconceptions I've ever heard."

The truth is that there is a need for EXPERIENCED nurses in SOME areas. There is not a need for new graduate nurses in the majority of places, in fact, there are so many new graduates that there are not enough jobs for all of them. Due to the current economy, nurses who might otherwise leave the field and retire, or seek other positions are keeping the jobs that they have- or holding multiple jobs. Also, some hospitals have been forced to shut down due to lack of funds and others are reducing staff and hiring fewer nurses. That's why you're hearing so many stories about nurses not able to find a job.

But realize that this largely depends on your area. Some areas (typically more rural or developing areas) do have jobs for new nurses. Ask around at local nursing schools and hospitals. How many new graduate nurses are getting jobs right out of school in your area? how many of your area hospitals are hiring new graduates? The answers will give you an idea about the job market in your area and whether you will have a hard time finding a job or not.

Also realize that a lot can change in a few years. Since you're still in high school, you still have at least 4-5 years before you graduate from nursing school (BSN program- which is the recommended degree for nurses) and 6-10 years before you can become and NP (considering that you need RN experience before going to NP school and then training once you graduate). In 5-10 years, the economy could be completely different and there could be a huge demand for nursing.

Finally, realize that the struggle to find jobs out of college is not a problem that is unique to nursing at all. In almost all careers right now, college graduates are finding it difficult to find jobs. The reasons are largely the same- professionals are staying in the workplace longer instead of retiring and companies are laying off workers and cutting back on their numbers of staff.

So yes, it might be difficult for you to find a job in nursing right after graduation. But it also might be just as difficult, if not more so, to find a job in any other career path. But it's very possible that, at the time you graduate, the outlook for new graduate nurses will be much better. If you really want to be a nurse, then that's the route you should take. Deal with the potential problems of finding a job when you get to that point.

Stephalump · May 20, 2012

Hmm. Maybe I'm wrong but all I've ever heard is that nursing jobs are in very high demand! It's one of the most in demand career these days. And it's only suppose to go up from there. But, that's only what I've heard. Maybe I'm wrong.

That was about 6 years ago. Commercials are still airing, recruiters are still saying it, but it isn't true. There a nursing jobs, but there are plenty of people with experience to fill them. WAY too many people jumped on the nursing bandwagon, and hospitals can afford to be selective. Not to say there are absolutely no new grad jobs out there, but it is competitive for sure.

LaceElaine · May 20, 2012

Like I said, maybe I'm wrong. That's just what I've always been told. I'm new to the site and somewhat new in nursing school. I'm

Still learning. This is news to me. This sucks to hear

LaceElaine · May 20, 2012

Why are they telling us that nursing jobs will be in even greater demand in future years? Is it all just a huge ploy? Or just old statistics?

Stephalump · May 20, 2012

Why are they telling us that nursing jobs will be in even greater demand in future years? Is it all just a huge ploy? Or just old statistics?

Nor attacking you.,.just conversing.

I'd actually go with $$$. Nursing schools have become big business lately.

But, yes, perhaps it's only statistics. I don't think the economy plays into old job growth statistics. Plenty of nurses SHOULD be retiring, but they aren't. Plenty of hospitals SHOULD be hiring, but they aren't. Instead, they assign more patients to each nurse. I don't think the stats reflect that.

But $$&, is what I see.

Live.&.Learn · May 20, 2012

I'm sure it depends on where you are, I have known several people who have graduated from nursing school within the last few years and not one of them has had trouble finding a job. In fact, half of the graduating class from my school have already gotten jobs and it's not even graduation yet. I know that at the hospital in the town where I live they are phasing out all LPN positions and hiring more techs, aides, and RN's and I also was told by an employee at the same hospital that they have a large number of RN's who are retiring in the next 2-3 years. It is true that a lot of people are going into nursing but there will always be a need for healthcare and I'm guessing, by the condition of people in this country, that the need will only get greater.

Follow your heart, if nursing is what you want than go for it. I think that Nurse Practitioner is the way to go, with the cost of healthcare constantly rising, and the increase in malpractice insurance for MD's, I'm predicting that there will be a lot of NP run clinics in the future...best of luck to you!!!

leenak · May 20, 2012

Why are they telling us that nursing jobs will be in even greater demand in future years? Is it all just a huge ploy? Or just old statistics?

There could be a number of reasons for it. Employers of nurses benefit when the hiring pool is large. Schools who train nurses benefit from the steady stream of students. The truth is that the economy sucks all around. Some areas are more difficult than others. I know some nurses in my area (BSN) that got hired soon after graduation, while I know others (ADN) that took months to find a part time job or odd jobs. It just depends.

Just do as well as you can in school, try to network, get as much experience as possible, etc.