Are nursing grads still having a hard time finding jobs?

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I was considering earning a degree in nursing and even took some pre-reqs and did well in them. I wanted to become a pediatric nurse and eventually become a CPNP, but last year when the economy tanked nursing grads were having a really hard time finding jobs. Also I know a lot of schools are graduating nurses, so I hear there is an excess of nurses out there. So I decided not to do nursing and I'am having second thoughts and thinking that maybe I want to apply for nursing school. Are you all still having a hard time finding jobs? Has the school you went to or the type of degree (ADN or BSN) you have affected your job search? Do any of you think there are too many nurses out there and not enough jobs to go around?

WOW... I'm sorry everyone is having such a hard time, but if you want to be a nurse then this shouldn't stop you. The reality is that there are a lot of new grads without jobs, but new grads are getting jobs too. I recently graduated (May 2010) with a BSN and had a job offer right after graduation. About 75% of my class has jobs at major hospitals in Acute or critical care areas, so it can be done. Your shooting yourself down before you even START nursing school, thats probably 2 yrs away, and who knows what the job market will look like. I mean the country is in a recession and it has hit healthcare. I would recommend that you get a BSN because a lot of hospitals, at least in my area are prefering that degree. Best Wishes to you, but please dont let negativity destroy your goals.

Yes I was thinking of getting a BSN, but I would have to move again. I just moved for culinary school, but Im having second thoughts about it. I like baking/pastry, but sometimes I feel like its sort of a frivolous career to get into. I mean who gives a crap about desserts and bread? Luckily Im not going to some fancy school wasting my money. I feel like If I was in nursing I could be doing something that matters. I could maybe be saving a life or doing something that matters. Plus I really like science a lot, science classes are the only classes that I would consistently get As in because its interesting to me. Its been bugging me lately that I'm not pursuing a nursing degree. I would have continued nursing, but when nurses weren't finding jobs after graduating it severely dampened my enthusiasm for nursing, not to mention the health care bill that passed a while ago. People werent saying great things about the bill. I want to be a CPNP or be a research nurse, because I love research as much as I love kids. Unfortunately where I just moved to the nearest school that has a really good BSN program and that is a public university is 4 hours away. I dont know what to do.

By the way, what area do you live in? I figured in times like these hospitals would prefer nurses with at least BSN degrees. Thank you for the encouragement its much appreciated.

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Yes they are having a hard time. There are no jobs within 100 miles of where I live for new grads. They all say "no new grads will be considered."

Go to indeed.com and type in "no new grads rn" in the search box and you will find thousands of jobs that says this specifically.

The economy may turn around by the time one graduates, but I know a lot of people thought the housing market would have bounced back by now and it sure hasn't.

Yes you are right, I have only seen a few jobs where new grads are being hired.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Location is a major determinant in finding a job. Some cities and states have weak nursing employment markets with too many new grads and no jobs, while other locations still have job offerings for new grads. In addition, many new grad hospital internship programs have been scaled back, reduced, or eliminated in this slumping economy as facilities are looking to save money by hiring experienced nurses who do not need expensive orientations.

I am in Texas and have four years of experience as an LPN/LVN, primarily in the long term care setting. I recently earned my RN license and have only been able to land one hospital interview (they did not select me for the position). Nursing homes and immunization clinics are the only places that are willing to hire me at the present time, so I'll take what I can get. It's better than being unemployed and flat broke.

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I think the new grad job situation has a lot to do with location. I understand that some areas are more difficult than others, but there are jobs out there. Everyone in my graduating class who applied for jobs got a job on their first try and many of them were offered jobs well before we graduated. Are you going to walk into your dream job in a specialty area in Manhattan or some glamorous big city? Not likely. I've seen posts on here from people who are having a difficult time finding a job, yet they are not willing to commute 20 minutes from where they live to a different hospital. Or some people only want to start out in a specialty area like OR, ER, ect. Not that this is the case for everyone and I totally understand that some people are placebound. In this economy, nobody can be picky for that first job. Even if it means living in a small town rural area working at an average hospital or LTC facility for a year or two just to get a foot in the door. Gotta give a little to get a little. It least in this day and time.

For the person who started this thread, if you are considering a career in nursing, alot can change in 2 years or 4 years. If nursing is what you truly want to do then don't let this discourage you. Even after all the hard work in nursing school and coming out to find out that there really isn't a so called "nursing shortage", I do not regret choosing a career in nursing.

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Specializes in LTC, Correctional Nursing.

Well, I work for the state, so they have an option called "educational leave of absence," basically, it says when I come out as an RN they can get my back in there. I would more than likely be working at the Health Dept. unless I get lucky and get back into school health. Right now, I work 2 jobs. I work as a CNA for a staffing agency and then work during the day Mon-Fri as a Health Support Tech in a local elementary school. I love my job and I love working with the kids. My plan is to stay in contact with my supervisors ( I have like 5 of them, I mean, it is the state...) and when I come out, they can get me back in there. I know a lot of nurses in high priority positions. My mom is the main care coordinator at a facility for the mentally handicapped, I know several DONs in the area of nursing homes... so I am hoping that with all the people that I know, I can find something when I get out of school. If I can land anything, I will be grateful and take it. I can always keep looking for something better.

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I think the new grad job situation has a lot to do with location. I understand that some areas are more difficult than others, but there are jobs out there. Everyone in my graduating class who applied for jobs got a job on their first try and many of them were offered jobs well before we graduated. Are you going to walk into your dream job in a specialty area in Manhattan or some glamorous big city? Not likely. I've seen posts on here from people who are having a difficult time finding a job, yet they are not willing to commute 20 minutes from where they live to a different hospital. Or some people only want to start out in a specialty area like OR, ER, ect. Not that this is the case for everyone and I totally understand that some people are placebound. In this economy, nobody can be picky for that first job. Even if it means living in a small town rural area working at an average hospital or LTC facility for a year or two just to get a foot in the door. Gotta give a little to get a little. It least in this day and time.

For the person who started this thread, if you are considering a career in nursing, alot can change in 2 years or 4 years. If nursing is what you truly want to do then don't let this discourage you. Even after all the hard work in nursing school and coming out to find out that there really isn't a so called "nursing shortage", I do not regret choosing a career in nursing.

Thanks Jen I'm still considering it. Oh I totally understand having to work in a place or an area that you dont really want to when just starting out in the profession.

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Specializes in med surg.

What other career choice were you considering? I don't think there is any field where you will have an easy time getting a job. If the only reason you want to go into nursing is the money, then no, don't go to nursing school because it is hard work.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

If you want to be a nurse, I say go for it! I don't know of anybody who is graduating college and getting a great paying job right now.. in any field.

You have to start on the bottom and work your way up in just about any career.. I don't think you should see nursing as any different. In 2-3 years everything could be different. One thing I think ALL nursing students/grads/etc. can count on is that the field will not become obsolete so there WILL be jobs now and in the future. Will you have to work nights and weekends? Probably! That goes with the territory. You have to be willing to start at the more undesirable positions and work your way up.

I think that the media, nursing school recruiters, etc. have done a lot of students a huge disservice by pimping nursing as a degree that will offer you ANYTHING you want when you graduate. Life simply doesn't work this way.

Good luck..

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"Are nursing grads still having a hard time finding jobs?"

Does a bear **** in the woods?

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The point of going to school to be a pastry chef isn't really supposed to be about others love of desserts, it should be yours. My husband is in culinary school for food and pastry. He just loves to cook. He was in school for forensic science, yet he would never watch any shows about forensic science; he was glued to the Food Network. He had been cooking since he was 14 and needs the degree to be eligible for certain jobs. He has the talent already.

I don't think any career is really frivolous. If it's something you love doing, that's all that matters. I see pastry more as an art nowadays. I mean, I walk by the pastry workshops at school and I am amazed at the artwork they put on cakes and other things. It's quite incredible, I think. I think Pastry Chefs can touch hearts too, just in a different way.

Do what your heart tells you to do. If you go for the BSN, there is a good chance the economy will bounce back by then. But by all means, if you want to bake, then bake your heart out!

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I think it is important to be realistic about the job market, but not let the current negativity stop you from going to school. I just graduated in May with a BSN and was able to get a job in the ER. There were 16 people in my graduating class and every person had a job secured by graduation. The hospital I work for hired around 150ish new graduates this spring.

Moral of the story, there ARE jobs...it just depends on where you live and/or if you're willing or able to relocate.

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If you want to be a nurse, I say go for it! I don't know of anybody who is graduating college and getting a great paying job right now.. in any field.

You have to start on the bottom and work your way up in just about any career.. I don't think you should see nursing as any different. In 2-3 years everything could be different. One thing I think ALL nursing students/grads/etc. can count on is that the field will not become obsolete so there WILL be jobs now and in the future. Will you have to work nights and weekends? Probably! That goes with the territory. You have to be willing to start at the more undesirable positions and work your way up.

I think that the media, nursing school recruiters, etc. have done a lot of students a huge disservice by pimping nursing as a degree that will offer you ANYTHING you want when you graduate. Life simply doesn't work this way.

Good luck..

All of my jobs have been in the hospitality industry I know how it is working long hours, nights, weekends, holidays so I don't mind that at all. Thank you for the advice and yes you are right about the media and nursing school recruiters. Shame on them.

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