Are new grads...

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Aug 7, 2011

I believe some new grads don't have jobs because they are picky. Then there are some new grads who are work anywhere and do anything for a job as a nurse.

If someone wants to be a nurse then I think it is a smart decision to pursue nursing. Getting a job is not impossible, as though it may seem like it. Eventually a door will open.

So far as other jobs in demand? Walmart greeters ?

buckheimer · Aug 7, 2011

Become a doctor as in MD. If you're smart, and go-getter, I would suggest becoming an MD as that would be far more stable and respectable job than being a Nurse. The harder it is to become, the lower the supply is and so less headache finding a job. Nurses are dime a dozen now that its pathetic being one. Just my honest 2 cents.

liz0105 · Aug 7, 2011

Become a doctor as in MD. If you're smart, and go-getter, I would suggest becoming an MD as that would be far more stable and respectable job than being a Nurse. The harder it is to become, the lower the supply is and so less headache finding a job. Nurses are dime a dozen now that its pathetic being one. Just my honest 2 cents.

i would have to respectfully disagree with you. Nursing is a respectable profession - if it happens to pay less and get less credit than an MD - does not make it any less respectable. Believe in what you do, provide the best care to your ability, and it shows - that's what earns respect, no matter what the profession.

CharlieTaco · Aug 7, 2011

Become a doctor as in MD. If you're smart, and go-getter, I would suggest becoming an MD as that would be far more stable and respectable job than being a Nurse. The harder it is to become, the lower the supply is and so less headache finding a job. Nurses are dime a dozen now that its pathetic being one. Just my honest 2 cents.

To be polite, curse word, curse word, curse word again. Some other words towards him that I won't say.

liz0105 · Aug 7, 2011

I hear and read that a lot of new grads are having a hard time finding jobs, yet I've seen plenty who turned down jobs because they didn't like it, the pay wasn't "up to par", etc. Do you think new grads are really having as hard of a time finding jobs, or are they just being too picky?
Also, with the nursing field so flooded, is it even a smart decision to pursue nursing? Are new grads doomed to working waitressing jobs and other jobs that are not nursing related?
What are some other jobs or specializations (of nursing, maybe?) that are in high demand?

I believe that some new grads aren't cognizant of how healthcare is not immune to what is going on in today's economy. Their career advisement centers should be very frank with them about the opportunities (or lack thereof) and what to expect in their search. Then again, this may be a trend with many new grads out of college, regardless of the industry.

One HR nursing recruiter told me that she is looking very hard for CRNAs. great demand for them, she said. Of course, that means more school :)

netglow, ASN, RN · Aug 7, 2011

Flat truth. Too many nurses, too few jobs.

For all the grads that become licensed, there simply are not enough jobs to go around. This, will not improve even if suddenly all the nurses who came out of retirement a few years ago decide to quit.

Up to you if you want to gamble. It is a gamble, and an expensive one.

If you have no other prior degree/career, I would suggest getting a bachelors degree in something else, then, re assess nursing in 4 years to see if there has been vast improvement.

If you do not support yourself or others financially, and have no need to work, then it's a lark for you, there is nothing holding you back.

ChuckeRN, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2011

Being a doctor may not be as stable as most people think.

I read a book recently, called: Smart Medicine: How the Changing Role of Doctors Will Revolutionize Health Care.

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Medicine-Changing-Doctors-Revolutionize/dp/0230621155

The author, a MD himself tells a story (one of many in the book) about a cardiac surgeon who is basically trying to find a any job he could just to get by because the medical market has passed his specialty by. Why? Because the heart bypass surgery has now for the most part been substituted by the angioplasty and other less invasive procedures that have rendered the cardiac surgeon redundant.

This is but a small example of how even MDs face a challenging environment much as other healthcare workers do.

So, yes nurses are ubiquitous now with the flood of new grads, but in some instances, so are MDs and DOs. There are no easy or simple answers.

Become a doctor as in MD. If you're smart, and go-getter, I would suggest becoming an MD as that would be far more stable and respectable job than being a Nurse. The harder it is to become, the lower the supply is and so less headache finding a job. Nurses are dime a dozen now that its pathetic being one. Just my honest 2 cents.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2011

I would only become a nurse right now if you are willing to relocate for a job, if needed when you graduate. I graduated Dec. 2009, right when the economy turned to crap. Many of my classmates relocated far, far away in order to start their careers. The lucky ones were able to get jobs working nights in long-term care, without moving from our large metro area.

I snagged an interview at the "desired" magnet hospital in town and actually turned a job down because it was rotating shifts, and I knew this would destroy my health. Picky new grad? Maybe. I remember my classmates were stunned that I turned that job down. I moved for a job, instead. I don't work rotating shifts. Ever. I don't work nights. Ever. But I had to move far away to cut this kind of deal as a new grad.

I don't think most new grads are too picky. I think the economy is just that bad. Supply v. demand. Too many nurses for too few jobs.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 7, 2011

There are also other issues about going MD/DO... and that is time. Think about this: You go through 4 years of Medical School, then 3-8 years of Residency, and then when you're done, you stay functionally poor for the next 10-15 YEARS to pay off the student loans. Someone starting later in life (not in their 20's) will just about get their student loans paid off and they've just about reached retirement age... or they're close to it, so they stay relatively poor to stuff money away for their retirement, or they "Doctor" until about their dying day.

SydneyJo1 · Aug 7, 2011

I'm a new grad, and I think that whether or not it is smart to go into nursing depends entirely on where you live. From reading threads on AN, it is clear that there are certain parts of the country where it is next to impossible to find a RN job as a new grad. However, where I live (WI) I have actually had a fair amount of luck in my job search and have even been able to be a little bit selective. So I think that anyone thinking of going into nursing needs to do some research on the job market where they live (or where they are willing to relocate to) in order to truly make an educated decision. As far as nursing being "pathetic", I beg to differ. Maybe I am still basking in the glow of my new RN license, but I am SO PROUD to finally be an RN. I dreamed of this for almost a decade, worked my butt off in school, and I feel very blessed to finally be part of a profession that MOST people respect and value. :)

snowboardjunkkie · Aug 7, 2011

I agree with many of the posts on here about the job market. I am a new grad also, and I have applied all over the country, as relocating is fine if that is what I have to do. I've looked at residencies all over as well, but they all say you have to be licensed before you start in the state of application, and I'm not sure how long it takes to get licensed by endorsement...Being that I have zero extra money, I cannot afford to apply for licenses in the states I'm very interested in moving to. I have actually applied to "regular" jobs, and some of my classmates can't believe I'm applying to work at gas stations and video stores with a master's degree...point blank, you have to do what you have to do. I went through the CNL program, so I have a BS in Business Admin and my MSN, RN. I've been applying for positions that require associates degrees for business and get a letter saying I don't meet the criteria-I'm over qualified or whatever. I would work for less as an RN if it meant I'd get experience, if that is what I have to do. Bottom line is competency builds confidence, and I've heard from a few other new grads that their self esteem is taking a hit. All I want is to get experience that will help me be the best nurse I can be and do the most good for my patients. I'm sure some of us may be too picky, but that depends on others' perception of the definition. Everyone has their deal breakers, and I think that is okay. It's just a really hard time for all professions right now, and hopefully something will give. Until then, I'm applying at retail jobs for minimum wage and am considering to not even mention I have any sort of degree because it wouldn't be relevant to the position, but then I think about it and wonder if that would be considered false information. I don't know...I really do wish everyone luck in their searches, and try to be positive and believe everything happens for a reason.