Any new grads having major employment problems?

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2012

Of course not, job prospects are great, has said no new grad since 2009.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 11, 2012

I wish they would put you on the news so people would really know the reality.....

lsid16 · Oct 11, 2012

I love nursing, I really do, but honestly if I knew the job prospects were like this, I would have chosen another major.

perioddrama · Oct 11, 2012

I'm almost hitting the 2 year jobless/unemployed mark as a new grad in CA.

allnurses Guide · Oct 11, 2012

Other majors are having just as much trouble.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Oct 11, 2012

I think too many new grads with majors (not just in nursing) depend way to much on their degree being some sort of magic wand that will land them a job. Far more important is having an "in" somewhere by having worked there as a CNA or something first. Or having an "in" in the form of knowing someone in HR. So you have a nursing license. So what? So does everyone else applying for the job. Not trying to be harsh, but as long as unemployed new grads think along the lines of "I have a RN license, therefore I should have a job" they will likely continue to be unemployed.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Oct 11, 2012

As for being "overqualified" for a temporary retail job or something, well, just don't tell them you went to nursing school and are a RN. You are under zero obligation to do so. It's none of their business.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2012

50 jobs is nothing. I applied to 150 jobs before I stopped counting because it was depressing. Network. Go to meetings of nursing organizations. Volunteer with the red cross. Try finding per diem jobs with flu clinics. Keep pounding the pavement.

GeneralJinjur · Oct 12, 2012

One of my friends sent out over 400 applications before she quit counting. Here's an interesting story about her. I was able to get her hooked up with a PRN gig at my psych hospital. She remained persistent and continued to apply everywhere because psych really wasn't her thing. Recently, a NM recognized her name from her many applications and called her in for an interview. She has now moved to that hospital and is doing exactly what she yearned to do.

When I hear about "old" graduates who aren't having any luck, I wonder if they are using their fellow graduates as a resource. Some of them are employed and could be a referral, which helps get your resume out of the pile and may give them a bonus. Are you hooking up with the local nursing association? Does everyone who knows you know that you are looking for a nursing position and that you will take anything? My kids' orthodontist's receptionist gave me contact info for the hospital where her husband was getting chemo. It didn't lead to an interview, but she was a resource I had never considered. With 50 applications under your belt, you are off to a nice start. Good luck with your job hunt!

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2012

Just this past week, my local newspaper printed an article about the mythical "nurse shortage" and how people should go to nursing school so they can get a job. Under the comments section, several nurses had posted that there was no shortage of nurses, but there was a shortage of available jobs for new graduate nurses. Judging from the rest of the comments, it seems the general public believes there is a severe shortage of nurses! Most people think we are "short-staffed" due to a nurse shortage, not staff cut-backs. A couple of nurse friends of mine just obtained jobs in clinics, and both of these jobs were "word of mouth" with no posting or advertisements of these jobs being open.

itsmeRNkt · Oct 12, 2012

I'm almost hitting the 2 year jobless/unemployed mark as a new grad in CA.

ouch. I'm sorry. I am not as far along but feel as though i'll be there eventually.