Are experienced nurses having an easy time finding work?

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Are experienced nurses that have re-entered the job market or looking to change nursing jobs having an easy time finding work, or is it difficult for experienced nurses to make the transition given the current market?

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

I have 23 yrs exp, and can barely get an interview. Never saw things this tight. Even the job searches I use now have 1-3 jobs /day and used to have 30 per day.:uhoh3:

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I moved recently without a job. After getting settled, I started putting in applications.

I had several offers within two weeks. I have less than 5 years experience.

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I moved to Colorado 6 months ago without a job. I have 26yrs nursing experience: ER, PACU, RADIOLOGY, AMB. SURG, ENDO. After numerous applications, I have been interviewed twice, without a call back. I am not sure if it is my age 58, $$ ( able to hire another nurse cheaper) or that I have an AS not a BSN. I thought I wouldn't have any trouble, but I was wrong.

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it depends on location....in texas you can get hired quick....denver has a bad economy....also u ned to go where the miltary bases are....thats where the jobs are

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Almost 2 yrs ago, I re-entered the market and was surprised how difficult it was. Instead of landing a job in the matter of a day, it took me 2 months. I came with in 16+ years as an RN and 20 total (4 as LPN). Also had experience in Med/Surg, OPS and mother baby. The facility I landed at wanted to start me at 8 yrs experience for pay instead of 16. I took a gamble and told them I would not accept that offer and another hospital had offered me the full 16 yr wage (not a complete lie. I did have an interview there). The HR person said she would get back to me. Two days later she said the money was approved. The rest is history. They did the right thing. I have a great job and they have a great employee (if I do say so myself.):D

I think it depends on where you live though. It seems to be a feast or famine kind of thing.

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
I moved to Colorado 6 months ago without a job. I have 26yrs nursing experience: ER, PACU, RADIOLOGY, AMB. SURG, ENDO. After numerous applications, I have been interviewed twice, without a call back. I am not sure if it is my age 58, $$ ( able to hire another nurse cheaper) or that I have an AS not a BSN. I thought I wouldn't have any trouble, but I was wrong.

I dont' think it's your age.

NO, if it's any consolation, I think it's just the fact that there is no shortage of nurses anymore. THe economy is terrible....and for all of the other reasons that have been listed over and over on similar threads. I was at a meeting tonight (I live in South Florida) where a new grad has been looking for almost 2 years and is ready to get out of the profession---but 2 nurses with over 20 years each have been looking for over 6 months apiece. One finally got a per diem position with about 20 hours a week....other still looking. Another friend with about 25 years experience got a position with the CLeveland Clinic after searching for about 9 months. However, she has to drive for almost 90 minutes to get there/and back.

It's very, very bleak.

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Short answer: He|| no.

The economy is beyond bad. I'm now volunteering with an agency I would love to work for - and just found out that they're about to lay off 10% of their employees (due to Medicare changes).

I give up.... not really, but I'm not very optimistic.

The coming nursing shortage can't arrive soon enough!

DeLana

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm working in the Washington DC area and changed my full time job with a pay increase as well as adding a PRN position in the past 18 months. Six nurses I have worked with in that time frame also left and all had jobs lined up before they gave notice. At my new job they hired 3 RNs in the past 6 months.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I dont' think it's your age.

I'm not so sure because one manager I have loves new graduates and inexperienced nurses. They are only paid in the mid $20s (per hour) and an experienced nurse gets around $40. :(

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

It depends on location and timing. My background is general medical for 2.5 years plus charge duties and 1.5 years of LTC.

I just landed a job in another city and this is after interviewing/searching since December. I had actually put in applications (TONS of them) prior to that but in December I began be more aggressive and also got some calls.

The hospital I'm leaving has at least 10 openings. I'm not sure how competitive it is.

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I had assumed that after having at least 1 year of experience, it would be relatively easy to find work, but from the posts it seems that nurses of all experience levels are having a difficult time, hopefully the market gets better soon

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