Anyone having luck with jobs?

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I'm applying to an ADN program for Spring 2011 entrance. I have no illusions that finding a job will be easy as a new grad after my ADN, but there must be some successful recent grads that are employed, right? I guess as with anything, for those that are doing well, there's no reason to write about a tough situation. Just looking to hear if there are some success stories out there. I have an additional question. I have the luxury of current employment and if I'm still employed when I graduate I won't need to find immediate full time work. Are there more opportunities for people that can work part time without benefits?

I applied for two jobs at the large teaching hospital I live near and was offered both positions, both of which are day shift. Don't lose hope that there are good jobs out there for new grads. One of the things I really think helped me was that I have held a job in a clerical position at that hospital for almost two years and they are required to consider internal candidates before external. If I were you, I would try to find a part time job at the hospital at which you think you want to work. I am in a BSN program, and although the pay isn't much different, it is easier to get a job at this particular hospital with a bachelors. Part of a manager's bonus is based off the percent of BSN nurses they have, so it is a big incentive for them to hire from my program rather than from the local community college. That being said, I know my friends with ADN degrees have usually gotten jobs as well.

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Specializes in clinical, nursing home.

I just graduated with my ADN on March 19th, passed the NCLEX on the 23rd and had a job at my local hospital on April 2nd. So think positive!

As mentioned above though it really does depend on where you are. I live in a rural area in Oregon which helps. BUT...our pay is very competitive with larger cities (starting wage is $27.50/hr). And remember if you are able to go to a smaller area the experience you gain will only help you if you decide rural living is not for you after a few years. And going on to get your BSN will help even more. Or so I am told, I am starting on mine this fall. Who woulda thought, I swore 3 weeks ago I never wanted to see a textbook again, now I am having withdrawal. :bugeyes:

Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

As others said, it is location. I am in California, the hot mess state for new grads right now! I did obtain a job, but it took a little longer than I expected. I graduated Jan 09, took boards Feb 2nd, found out I passed Feb 6th. That day I applied to a TON of places, and I had been keeping in touch with nurse recruiters prior to graduation, just to keep me in their head. I had a great cover letter, took ACLS, had 3 years experience as an LVN and graduated top of my class.

By the end of march I had secured a position and started in April. So it took me about a month and a half, which isn't bad considering the economy.

Now, I think the competition is so stiff in California it's really almost like a winning lotto ticket for those who make it.

As others said, get a part time job as a tech or student nurse or anything to show experience. And start networking before graduation. You may have more luck too depending on where you live. And who knows how the economy will be when you graduate, hopefully better. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am interviewing next week for a position at a hospital. I am first semester, ADN program...they pay my schooling in exchange for two years of work for them after graduation. If I should discover I don't want to work there I will simply pay them the money back. I see it as a student loan with the added benefit of guaranteed work after grad, so if I DO have trouble, I have this to go to. But I will still interview when the time comes.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

hmmm...no job for me as yet...graduated in January. Still looking. Congrats to all those who got jobs!

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Specializes in NICU.

^^ i'm with ya, graduated in december. no job.

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You could consider working in a sleep lab until a suitable RNI position opens up. It's not as in depth as Nursing, but sleep labs are always clamoring for techs. If you have HCE, they will usually train you, and if its a sleep lab in a large health system, that could give you an in to a hospital job. I've been a registered sleep tech for 5 years now and the pay is not bad (23.34/hr for night shift in central Pennsylvania). I plan on working part-time as a sleep tech through nursing school and using that as an in to get a pt care tech and eventually a GN postion. Good luck and godspeed to us all! XOXO future nurses!

-Rae

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Specializes in stroke/telemetry.
I am awaiting 2010 acceptance. And I applied to a local hospital who allows a decent stipend, one day a week work, and pays for nursing school; I have an interview scheduled. In return, I have to give them 3 years full time as an RN. I am worried about this; anybody have any advice? I want to do my Bachelor's, but the local community college has the BSN classes, one at a time, online, so I think when I graduate from the ADN it will still be possible to contine with school? Or am I crazy. I would love to choose what department, which is not really possible with this, they tell you where you will have to work, everything from position to department. BUT, I would have a gauranteed job upon graduation, so I'm up in the air on what do if offered a spot in the program (their program goes along with the school I applied to). It is supposed to be a great program, it's the hospital where everyone says to get a job, but I'm scared to give them 3 years in return . . . any opinions?

I didn't mean to mess up your post, OP, but I think if it's possible to get a job before nursing school, in this economy, it might be safer than waiting for new grad openings, and I'd love to know what people are running into as far as jobs; should I snatch this up or wait til I graduate? I don't know much about the economy, if "they" say it's going to be better in two years.

Anyway, check with your local hospitals; you might be working sooner than you think!

In my opinion I would snatch this opportunity up. You are gauranteed to graduate with no debt and graduate with a job, which thousands of new grads don't get for months. I wouldn't worry about the three year committment b/c you're only agreeing to work for the hospital for 3 years, not a specific department. You will probably be able to transfer to different departments within the same hospital in case you don't really like the one you got assigned to. You may have to work there for 6 months to a year, but after that it shouldn't be too hard to transfer. I know a lot of people that did that at the hospital that I work at and it has worked well for them. I was really envious of these people when I was looking for a job myself, but now all is well bc i found one too. Hope everything works out for you.

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