Anyone starting non-hospital jobs in this bad job enviroment?

[luvmyguys]

Hi new grads! I, too, am a new grad-disheartened by our job opportunities. I was wanting to know how many new grads are taking rn jobs elsewhere-not in the hospitals??

I think that I might have the opportunity to do private duty nursing-my excitment is overwhelming-I have been looking for a job since december.

I know that many people say to do "a yr in med/surg" before doing anything else. I think that that is very wise advice and that was the goal-however, for many of us, we have to be honest to ourselves and realize that that isn't going to happen.

I, personally, need a job asap-as we are bad off financially. And I know that we didn't have clinicals in private duty and that I have a lot of learning to do ahead of me-but I am grateful and excited for the opportunity just to be considered for employment.

Well, how many more are out there and where are you going, or what are you trying to get into besides hospitals??? Good luck to everyone!!

[shellpsychrn]

I also wanted to start in med/surg, but all of the area hospitals are not hiring new grads, and they have been very direct about this. I got a job in LTC as a RN supervisor. This was not my first choice, but I also needed a job. I was very frank when I got hired that I would need training. I am working part-time nights. It has been easy so far. The LPN's are great, and they are very helpful when need be. I think starting in med/surg is ideal, however you have to get hired to do so! I am staying positive. Because of the schedule, I will be going back to school. I am also going to keep looking for a job that has more patient contact. This is what I love about nursing. I think new grads have to think outside the box and be open to other opportunities. Yes these opportunities may not be ideal, but we have loans to repay.

[beautsbelle]

I am actually considering applying to other positions. Sad to say, but this is not a good time to find a job in any market. Heath care is not excluded.

I wonder, can I apply for an MA position? (Medical Assistant).

[nursejoy23]

I too have been looking everywhere... all over my state with no luck. I'm really considering going to an outpatient clinic which I'm comfortable with because I was a medical assistant for 4 yrs. I really wanted to start in a hospital but the timing is just not right.

[nursejoy23]

Being a medical assistant requires a different certification all together. Plus as an RN, you would in a way be demoting yourself. RN's supervise MA's.

[beautsbelle]

Being a medical assistant requires a different certification all together. Plus as an RN, you would in a way be demoting yourself. RN's supervise MA's.

LOL, true, but RN's with jobs supervise MA's. Just talking out loud. I just need to work. I feel like I am loosing my mind filing out applications and in 30 minutes getting a 'no thanks' email. Agghhh.

[luvmyguys]

LOL, true, but RN's with jobs supervise MA's. Just talking out loud. I just need to work. I feel like I am loosing my mind filing out applications and in 30 minutes getting a 'no thanks' email. Agghhh.

I feel the same way. I have spent 6 months filling out applications all over the country and have gotten one post card in the mail and one email saying thanks for applying, but, yadda yadda. I have stopped. I was getting depressed and stressed about it. Everyone keeps saying "you need to get on in a facility to get experience"-well, if that were possible I would be ALL over it.

What I am NOT going to do is tell anyone giving me an opportunity to have a **potential** job "No"-that would be stupid! I don't care what people say, the whole "you're a new grad, you need to be here, or you shouldn't do (fill in the blank).....is out the window!!!

[beautsbelle]

I just put in a blind call to a LTC facility this morning, and the nursing director called me back and I have an interview scheduled on Tuesday. Farther than I have gotten in DAYS of internet applications..... so there might be some hope! She sounded awesome and I can't wait to talk with her.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'd like to start off in a hospital...I've got some wiggle room left to look a bit longer, but pretty soon that's going to end and I'll have to take whatever I get.

[lilruRN09]

Yeah i feel where yall are coming from..... passed the NCLEX this past week and have been looking for a job in hospital since i graduated in May with no luck..... so i have accepted a job at the nursing home i am a CNA at. Money is Money! especially with the economy the way it is...... Still plan to continue the hospital search while at nursing home though... hopefully something will come up!

[kcksk]

I did. I have been working as a CNA in a local hospital for a while but with the economy, they are waiting for positions to open to fill them instead of running their new grad program. For the last 3 months or so, there has been a floor closed more often than not due to low census so they aren't rushing to fill any positions. I looked for any jobs on monster.com etc and found one in a pediatrician's office. While it was not where I saw myself starting, it will give me experience as an RN, pedi experience, flexible schedule, etc. Passed the boards, and start my new job this week. Now the hospital doesn't want to lose me so they asked if they can keep me posted as positions open--go figure! Everything happens for a reason and I am thankful for this job in this economy.

[natrgrrl]

I am lucky to have gotten an LPN job last summer at a nursing home and they will keep me on as an RN when I pass my boards. I hope to encourage other nurses applying to places that aren't hospitals. SNF have a bad rep for whatever reason but not all of them are bad places to work. I really do like my job. It's not med/surg or PEDS or whatever you might want to do, but it is a good place to be if you can't get to the area you are hoping for.

:tinkbll:Good luck everyone (and me, too)!