Advice to current Nursing Students

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As a December grad with honors who has already passed NCLEX and is finding it challenging in the job market, I wanted to give a little advice. I wish I had followed this path!

If you are currently in nursing school in NJ, make sure you get into a PCA or safety sitter job with the hospital - part time. full time, PD - whatever before you graduate. The only people from my class who got jobs after NCLEX already had an 'in' with the hospital. And you should do this before your senior year. I saw the writing on the wall in my senior year and was rejected from the many PCA jobs I applied for because they knew I wouldn't be there more than 6 months before I passed NCLEX.

I went the route of getting the highest grades possible instead of getting the part-time job and although it did pay well in scholarships, I'm unemployed right now! Hospitals don't give a care in the world what your GPA was - they want to know if you passed and have passed your NCLEX.

Also - if you are in an Associates program right now - try to transfer into a BSN program. I've applied to over 100 jobs in the last 2 months from more than 8 different hospital chains and even nursing homes. EVERY ONE asked me if I have a BSN in the 'screening form' in the back of the application. I have a degree in another field and no one cares about that. NJ is an all BSN state right now, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Some colleges will let you transfer from ADN to BSN - might be a little extra work but worth it in the long run. At minimum after you graduate with ADN it is another full year of full time study or nearly two years of part time study to get your RN-BSN bridge. I'm in that boat and it seems like another long ride.

Hope this helps someone. I got into this field blindly from a passion I had for nursing and now realize I should have done some research and should have talked to more people with experience before I jumped in to my community college program.

Love and blessings to you and to all of us new RN's waiting on the call!:redpinkhe

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Which begs the question "Why didn't you do your homework earlier?" Why is it that nursing students, generally, are clueless about the tight job market? What makes them think "I have my diploma, I passed NCLEX, now gimme my job!" It doesn't work that way, and nursing schools are not going to advertise that there's someone out there just waiting to hire them when, in fact, it isn't the case. I'm also from NJ, and I'd say about 70% of nursing students/graduates are NOT MEANT TO BE NURSES because of maturity issues, entering into the profession for the wrong reasons (i.e. $$$$$), or they only care about themselves an no one else. They deserve it, in my opinion. And if anyone graduates thinking they're "entitled" to a nusring job, then it's time to wake up to reality.

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Wow, that was a harsh response.

Well here is a little about me Tyler77 before you judge me. I am a middle aged woman who has a Bachelors in Biochemistry and Computer Science from Rutgers. I've worked for Fortune 500 companies and consulted for Ivy League schools. My first son was born weighing 660 grams - 1 lb and my whole life turned around. I spent 6 months in the NICU and 6 months in the PICU and became a home health aid to be able to take care of him at home for the next 4 years. I gave up a very well paying job to switch careers because I believed I was called to go into Nursing. I have no other ambitions but to use the experiences I have go through to help others and to heal.

I think one of the reasons the new class of nurses cannot get jobs is because the older and burnt out nurses can't and won't retire because they have mismanaged their money and retirement funds all these years. Now they are forced to work, when clearly they have lost their passion for nursing.

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Specializes in Currently: Certified School Nurse.

RN_Mama,

I hope you find a job very soon. The profession needs smart, compassionate people like you. The very best of luck to you in your search.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

RN_Mama...don't pay any mind to Tyler77. He's known around these parts as being ornery and always seeing the negative side of something. I've gone through some of his posts and have yet to see an inspiring one.

Now, you're speaking the truth. I got a job as a nursing assistant on a cardiac floor here in NJ the month I started my program. A year and a half later, I'm a PCT in the Emergency Room at the same hospital. While I'm hopeful that i would be able to get a job there, nothing is guaranteed. And I'm not even looking to stay in Jersey. So, the key is..if possible..move! There are jobs out there..may not be your top choice..may be thousands of miles away..but they are out there. Just not in Jersey...lol. Good luck to you!

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RN.Mama- I wish you luck in your search. I think what you wrote is constructive and is helpful to the students who need to know the truth or just need to have some personal insight. I often find it amazing that they still say there is a nursing shortage and there is this great need for nurses ....

Now in regards, to Tyler's comment about money.... the money that is made in nursing is pittens compared to what nurses deal with. As far as I'm concerned.. starting out at 47-50K (or less) in the nursing field is hardly making alot of money, especially living in NJ, where the cost of living is so high and taxes are through the roof.

The job market is not only tight for nurses, but it's tight for everyone. I see ppl on here having issues with finding a job and venting about it but not because they feel they deserve a job, but because they can't find one and that is a scary prospect for some since they now have loans to pay back!!!

I think that there are ways to deliver the truth in a constructive manner....

No one said this road was going to be easy, but you will find a job and you will excel. The market will pick up eventually and times will get better...

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Dear RN Mama,

Well good for you. I'm glad you have an impressive resume. With all that worldly knowledge, why are you here kvetching avout not finding a job?

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Thank RN mama, your advice was straightforward and well needed!!

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