Are you having difficulty finding work?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2013

Certain cities, metro areas, and states have difficult nursing job markets. Many people from NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, and other Eastern Seaboard areas post on these forums about their inability to find work. Numerous other people post about their difficulties in California, parts of Colorado, and Las Vegas.

I live in Texas and have been gainfully employed in nursing throughout the past seven years that I have lived here. I have been trying to return to my home state of California, but my prospects have been bleak so far. With seven years of nursing experience I have been unable to find work in CA, and I am not willing to relocate without a job offer.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jan 19, 2013

thank you, I thought it was me and my paranoia about getting to be a seasoned nurse!!! I lived in a rural area, Vermont for 2 years, it was no bargain there either....part and per diem jobs only, one place was closed down by the state that I worked in. However being the jobs were no where to be found, I returned to NJ, foolishly thinking that its an overpopulated state, I will try again to find work and not be discouraged. Its been a long haul since I got back, seems like all my time is spent on the computer putting in resumes that will just get lost in cyberspace. I noticed you didnt mention Virginia, any hope with that state with LTC or Sub acute jobs? Thanks, I thought it was me all the while. S Lind

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2013

I have been an RN for over 20 years and I cannot find a new job! I dont even get interviews anymore. I am not old but I am feeling that way LOL.

I live in NE Ohio

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jan 19, 2013

I have 17 years experience in sub acute/LTC, also experience in some hospice and home care.....I am a seasoned RN and have try diligently to get work anywhere in NJ...is this just me or is this a pattern around the country???? thanks for your input guys.

thanks guys, just down and out now cause my best friend of 30 years just left me high and dry in a big rental home. and I only have 2 piddly jobs now. one is a cashier and one is a caregiver...NOT EVEN NURSING. and I have applied virtually all over the place. so frustrating. thanks for lending an ear. sometimes, family and friends get tired of hearing you.

navjotgill · Jan 22, 2013

Hi i just pass nclex rn in bakersfeild ca,plz help me which area is better to start,hospitals or nursing home and anything else important for new nurse thax

duhitsbrielle · Jan 30, 2013

Oh it's not just you...I just graduated from a BSN program from University of Central Florida with a good GPA (3.5) and got my FL RN license and cannot get a job. I have been called for a few interviews for new grad programs in the area but they are both at least an hour away. My local hospital will not hire me I have applied 56135816385 times and it's very very very discouraging and frustrating especially because I KNOW they have hired many new grads. It's almost like nurses in higher up positions cannot remember that they were once a new grads themselves and they are only where they are today because someone gave them a chance. It's honestly BS.

Whitewlf00 · Jan 30, 2013

Im in same boat....I graduated with asn from Seminole state and I am three months from getting my BSN at UCF. I work as a tech at ORMC and no luck finding a job. ORMC isn't really hiring GNS, got into florida hospital gn program to interview for one position and didnt get it with more than a year of experience as a tech. Seems like actual hospital experience doesnt seem to matter. So I am branching out to the east coast. Might have to drive quite a distance for a year or two to accumulate experience. Plus it doesnt help that the hospitals I the area seem to be very cliquey. Its all about who you know.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jan 31, 2013

sometimes I honestly think that if you arent already working in a facility at some kind of low paying job and have ear shot of whats going to be available its almost impossible at times. My dilemma right now is waiting for my Inactive RN license to go through with the Board of Nursing in NJ....they seem to blame the retarded process (no joke intended, just seemed like the appropriate word to use) on Hurricane Sandy and everything got backlogged. I love computers, they make everything so easy....NOT!!!!!!

KristeyK · Jan 31, 2013

I know my aunt who's been a nurse for 20 years cannot find a job. She's luckily still employed, but constantly getting cancelled for her shifts. :/ She lives in the Phoenix area.

duhitsbrielle · Jan 31, 2013

Seriously. I had interviews at ORMC and with FL Hospital Orlando and neither of them hired me of course. I went to the local HR department at FL Hospital and the nurse recruiter basically told me that its all about who you know and to keep my eyes open for any new grad job postings on their website. I'm seriously over it its BS that I can't get a job. I have a degree and I have a license and I have many loans and bills that are due and I'm working at a retail sore in the mall. It's frustrating because many of my classmates were hired at ORMC and FL Hospital. Maybe I'm bad at interviews because I'm nervous but that is something they should understand....I'm a new grad how could I not be nervous.

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 9, 2013

I have 17 years experience in sub acute/LTC, also experience in some hospice and home care.....I am a seasoned RN and have try diligently to get work anywhere in NJ...is this just me or is this a pattern around the country???? thanks for your input guys.

No, it isn't just you and you're not alone in NJ trying to find work.

NJ Nursing Students Stuggling to Find Work