A little premature, but will we find a job after nursing school?

Fireman767 · Jun 23, 2013

We would need to know what program your entering (is it an LPN or an RN), in addition what area of the country you are in. Certain areas (california, New York, Florida, etc) have so many nurses that there are just no positions open and high new grad unemployment exists. however, if you live in a rural area or smaller town there are higher chances of employment. near me in pennsylvania there are over 30 RN jobs and they hire mostly ADN (its because most people out there stop at ADN). But if you live in a larger city, a BSN is probably going to be the minimum to get a job. So tell us more about yourself.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2013

We would need to know what program your entering (is it an LPN or an RN), in addition what area of the country you are in. Certain areas (california, New York, Florida, etc) have so many nurses that there are just no positions open and high new grad unemployment exists. however, if you live in a rural area or smaller town there are higher chances of employment. near me in pennsylvania there are over 30 RN jobs and they hire mostly ADN (its because most people out there stop at ADN). But if you live in a larger city, a BSN is probably going to be the minimum to get a job. So tell us more about yourself.

It is a rural area in Virginia with only one community college in a tri county area. So I am in an ADN program, and will be continuing with an online BSN through ODU (we do have a satellite school for ODU in my CC so possible I will be taking some BSN courses on site). The nearest BSN school is an hour away or more. There are two hospitals in this tri county area. MCV is an hour away in Richmond (Medical College of Virginia hospital). Several more big hospitals in the Newport News/Norfolk area if I want to commute an hour to an hour and a half (which I have no problem doing if it means getting a job!) My ultimate goal is trauma nursing anyway so I will need to be in a trauma hospital in one of the larger cities further away from me.

MommaTy · Jun 23, 2013

I work in a magnet status teaching hospital. I am pretty much guaranteed a position as an RN once I graduate :) So that is one way to get the job you want. Get a position even if its per diem at a hospital and they will see how well you do and will make sure you get a secured job with them when you graduate. They know I'm in an ADN program. My hospital hires ADN and BSN. If you go to the website of the hospital you are interested in applying to once you are a nurse the webpage will tell you if they are accepting new grads, how much experience they want you to have, if they hire BSN/ADN.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2013

I work in a magnet status teaching hospital. I am pretty much guaranteed a position as an RN once I graduate :) So that is one way to get the job you want. Get a position even if its per diem at a hospital and they will see how well you do and will make sure you get a secured job with them when you graduate. They know I'm in an ADN program. My hospital hires ADN and BSN.

But what kind of position? I am not a CNA, should I volunteer there?

MommaTy · Jun 23, 2013

I'm a PCT II which is a CNA that has extra training. You can volunteer but that may not be looked at as much as a Per Diem CNA position would be.

eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA · Jun 23, 2013

I'm a PCT II which is a CNA that has extra training. You can volunteer but that may not be looked at as much as a Per Diem CNA position would be.

In my hospital, I'm volunteering a few hours per week but I come in an hour early and leave an hour late. The Medsurg and PCU directors have noticed and have told me that if I can pass the NCLEX they would be happy to have me as part of their team. When I asked them if it would be better to get a PRN job instead of volunteer, their reply was "they get paid to be here, so they come. You don't get paid, and you work the floor just as hard and sometimes harder than they do."

That's just my experience with my hospital, but it goes to show that sometimes volunteering can be better than working for the hospital... Plus I get to float everywhere and meet all of the charge nurses, RNs, and techs, which is nice :)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2013

I did just go to the website of one of the larger hospital employers in the area, it has several hospitals, home health, rehab and nursing homes in the area. They have alot of listings for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs. Most of the RN positions say BSN preferred and experience preferred, but not all. There may be hope. :nailbiting:

ambitiousBSN · Jun 23, 2013

I work in a magnet status teaching hospital. I am pretty much guaranteed a position as an RN once I graduate :) So that is one way to get the job you want. Get a position even if its per diem at a hospital and they will see how well you do and will make sure you get a secured job with them when you graduate. They know I'm in an ADN program. My hospital hires ADN and BSN. If you go to the website of the hospital you are interested in applying to once you are a nurse the webpage will tell you if they are accepting new grads, how much experience they want you to have, if they hire BSN/ADN.

I second this. If you can get in with any hospital that will help you with your tuition, chances are you will get hired after you finish your program. Also, check with your nursing program (and state BON) because usually you are eligible for CNA certification after your first semester of nursing school which will help you get a CNA (or Nurse Extern) job at a hospital which = your foot in the door! :up:

readyforachangenow · Jun 23, 2013

I would recommend checking for to see what positions are now available in the job market right now. Even though the job market may change atleast you have an idea. For example I looked into radiology technology, respiratory therapist, RN. I can tell you the first two I mentioned only had 3 job available for the hospital systems I looked it at. So why waste my time.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2013

I would like to know what the different options are for new grads in a tough job market.

Some new grads have their hearts set on a certain area or specialty, whereas others are more open. Your chances at finding employment will be best if you are one of the more open-minded grads. Keep in mind that everyone and their mama wants a hospital job, so be willing to take a job outside the hospital in an area such as home health, hospice, private duty, long term care, psych, rehab, etc.

What does "signing with an agency" mean?

Temp agencies usually want experienced, highly skilled nurses who can hit the ground running with virtually no orientation. The agency sends the nurse to a healthcare facility to fill a staffing need. Some assignments are very short term (read: day to day) whereas other assignments can last for a few weeks or a few months.

What is a travel nurse (is that the same as being in a labor pool or PRN?)

A travel nurse 'travels' from location to location. Her permanent residence might be in a place such as Kansas, but she takes 12-week assignments at hospitals in different states (Arkansas, North Dakota, etc.). It is usually an agency that specializes in travel nursing placements that sets up the assignments, pays the nurse, and makes housing allowances.

Does nursing school teach you about the job market for nurses or do we need to learn this on our own? Thanks for your input!

In my experience, many nursing schools do not paint realistic pictures about local job markets. It will be up to you to obtain the most accurate information.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2013

Thank you, TheCommuter! That helps alot! I am wide open to anything when I graduate, I won't be the least bit picky about where I work or even for how much, I just want to get some experience! BIG PICTURE= Trauma nursing eventually! :yes: