Advice?

Lizzie21 · Sep 23, 2010

The job market is horrible anywhere you go. I am a new graduate as well and my ideal job would be mother/baby or NICU. Right now I'm doing float pool at my hospital. I would suggest just trying to do anything you can to find a job. It might not be my ideal job at first, but it's a good way to gain experience and get your foot in the door.

I would look into ICU or critical care, because most EDs here look for that when you apply. Just keep trying! Good luck!

greenfaery · Sep 23, 2010

Thanks Lizzie. I'm actually surprised you got hired in a float pool, as the hospitals around here don't hire new grads to float, or even part-time or PRN. I'm willing to do anything besides LTC (I refuse to start my career with a 1:38 Rn:PT ratio), but unfortunately this entire region is VERY over-saturated with new grads. Some have been looking over a year now (for ANYTHING). Congrats on finding the job, that's awesome! And I hope you can make it to the area you want soon :)

Lizzie21 · Sep 23, 2010

Thanks love! I know LTC isn't ideal, but remember you wouldn't be there forever. keep looking and trying. if you know any connections at any hospitals or if you call any of your old clinical instructors could really help you getting your foot in the door.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Sep 23, 2010

Plenty of ER jobs in New Mexico and West Texas, new grads, lots even use EMT B, I, P's.

In many areas the market is cyclical, and currently many are not hiring. Good luck.

greenfaery · Sep 23, 2010

Plenty of ER jobs in New Mexico and West Texas, new grads, lots even use EMT B, I, P's.
In many areas the market is cyclical, and currently many are not hiring. Good luck.

Thanks, New Mexico would be my first choice if I had the luxury of moving, but I'm kind of stuck here And I don't even want to start in the ER, but I can't find a job willing to hire new grads in any dept or physician's office in this state! I was thinking I could possible get my EMT and at least find a job doing that in the meantime, but If those jobs are also scarce for new grads there's really no point Sorry to sound negative, I think the job hunting is starting to depress me. I wish I could move.

GreyGull · Sep 23, 2010

If you have the opportunity to continue your education now you might consider this. The job market may also improve during that time. I don't see the market continuing to be depressed for much longer. The experienced RNs who came back into the profession or picked up FT status during the recession for economic reasons in their family will eventually return back to PRN status or whatever they were doing before. Retirements that were put off due to the uncertainty of the economy will also increase. Hang in there.

As for EMT opportunities, my hospital gets between 200 - 300 applications for every ER Tech position which are also rare. EMT is an entry level job which requires very little training and it can often be completed in 3 - 8 weeks. There are many private tech programs that have been cashing in on the unemployment rate from other industries and have been running "easy entry job training" programs churning out 100s of EMTs every few weeks. Even for Paramedic there are not that many job openings especially if the area is largely Fire Based EMS.

greenfaery · Sep 23, 2010

Wow, thanks for the insight GreyGull. And I do appreciate your positive outlook.

wee_oneRN · Sep 23, 2010

Isn't Paramedic school 2 years? And EMT's really do not make very much money. Going back for your BSN/MSN is a good idea while you job hunt.

Don't be too quick to judge LTC's. Many have sub-acute care where you will take care of only 8-10 pts, much like med-surg! I did subacute for a while and it was very good experience in giving meds via G-tube, suctioning trachs and even in assessing the pts.

GreyGull · Sep 23, 2010

Isn't Paramedic school 2 years?

No. I believe at this time there is only one state, Oregon, that requires a 2 year degree and it may not even need to be in health care. The other states require between 600 and 1100 hours of training. Texas is 600 and there may still be a couple of states that require less hours. This is how FDs can make everyone of their FFs become Paramedics. In fact there are few to no prerequisites except for having the 110 hour EMT certification for entry in most places. Each state is different and not all take the same certifying exam.

There will be changes in a couple of years but not necessarily to the length of the programs. The change will come with programs required to be accredited by CAHEEP/CoAEMSP in order for students to take the National Registry exam. However, not all states use this exam and their unaccredited schools may still be safe. The unaccredited programs generally include the backroom programs at FDs, ambulance services and the private votech programs commonly called "medic mills" which can churn out many Paramedics in a very short time.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 23, 2010

My paramedic education did come with an associates degree (I went through a local community college's paramedic program), but as GreyGull says, that's not always the case. A lot of the paramedics I know work for companies that do interfacility transports, and the money isn't bad. Most of those people move on to other opportunities, like eventually getting hired into the area counties' fire and rescue divisions. RN-to-paramedic programs do exist out there, which might be something to check out. I'm an RN and still an active paramedic as well. :)

DCtraumarn · Sep 23, 2010

Where are you looking? DC has many jobs available at many hospitals. We are almost recession proof in terms of available positions. Limited number for new nurses - but they are out there.