Any updates on hiring climate in UT and SL county?

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

Just curious if anyone has any new updates on what the hiring situation is for new grads lately in Utah or Salt Lake county? I won't graduate till next May, but it would nice to know what's going on now so I can prepare myself for it. I know I can ask my instructors classmates when the semester starts, but I like to get as many point of views as possible.

Also, in the spring we had 2 HR directors visit our school and have a Q&A for the students about getting hired as a new grad. I couldn't attend, but I was told someone asked if working part times as an aide or PCT increased a new grad's chances for finding a full time RN position. Their feelings were that it did not, since those who were hired on a part time basis were "pigeon-holed" into part time work and not usually transferred to full time positions. This really surprised me and didn't make a lot of sense. Anyone involved in the hiring process able to comment on this? I could see how this would be a problem if you were wanting to work at the same hospital, but if you were applying elsewhere, it shouldn't matter as much, yes?

Anyways, anyone who wishes to comment, I would really appreciate it!

[MagsMom]

I think it depends. It seems that nearly everyone graduating out of the U find jobs immediately which is why I think it is difficult for an "outsider" to get hired on at the U hospital unless you have some unique skill.

I also was visiting a friend who was a patient at the new hospital and her nurse was a new grad from stevens-henegar (sp??).

I don't know if I agree with being pigeon holed to part time, I think it would be good to get your foot in the door.

I don't know anything about Utah County

[PACNWNURSING]

The job market for new graduates in the Salt Lake area and Utah County is very tight like every where else with a large number of nursing schools. I moved here in April and just now landed a job in Utah county. I graduated from RN school last August. I would definitely recommend getting a job as a CNA in a hospital to get your foot in the door. But in this current climate it will not guarantee a position upon graduation. My advice is to save some money for your job search and be prepared for a very compitetive enviroment which is getting worse month by month because of the fast growing pool of new graduate nurses who are not employed. I have noted that BSN new graduated are getting hired more quickly then ADN graduates.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the responses! Doesn't sound like things are improving at all just yet. I just accepted a position today as a PCA so hopefully that will help me when I graduate. If nothing else I should gain some vaulable experience and I really just enjoy working anyways.