Are nursing jobs plentiful anywhere?

Nurses New Nurse

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I have been browsing this forum and it is downright depressing. No jobs north, south, east, or west it seems. I just recently graduated from a well known school (ADN and passed my boards) and have been having a hell of a time finding work. My heart really goes out to a post I just saw who graduated back in December of '09 and just started working. Is the market just becoming flooded? People are still getting sick last time I checked. My only guess is that hospitals are stretching one RN further doubling the duties. So much for the nursing shortage...and hearing as a male nurse you will have no problem finding a job.....yeah right.

P.S. I saw a few posts saying how some RNs hate their new jobs, tell me when you quit so I can apply. Worse than having a job you hate is having no job. Student loans coming due and I can't pay them, that sucks.

I think the locations of jobs are more focused. An entire state (and certainly geographic region) may not have plenty of positions but certain cities or specific areas may have positions while other spots are saturated. I've seen several posts recommending rural areas as spots with more positions.

I'm in WV and while the state as a whole may not have openings everywhere, I know my area does (assuming one wants to work in the hospital or LTC, clinics and offices are more scarce).

Specializes in NICU.

I'm one of those Dec '09 grads that just got a job. I haven't even started working yet. I must say that while I never expected a job to be presented to me on a silver platter, I NEVER expected it to be so hard even to get an interview.

I don't recommend coming to New England. It's definately an uphill battle to find emplolyment here. Even the LTC's are hard to get an interview with.

From what I understand we are in a bubble right now. The economy has caused older nurses to postpone retiring, and has put many hospitals in a bind where they are in hiring freezes for all nurses, not just new graduates, despite being understaffed. At least that's what the case here in PA.

I'm in the same position as you right now, I passed boards and can't find a job. At first I wanted to stay local, but after about 80 applications all around the world (I even applied to some jobs in Australia), I've decided the first place that offers me a job will be my new home.

As for where there seem to be more jobs, I've had luck out in the mid-west (Texas, Oklahoma, etc.) more so than either coast area. Good luck and I hope you find a job soon!

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

My heart goes out to all of you who are having such a difficult time starting your careers. My advice? Look toward the areas of the country that are experiencing population growth - this usually causes an increase in the number of hospitals & other healthcare facilities. Here in Houston, we are definitely growing - with new hospitals opening in most suburban areas. Like everywhere else, most organizations want experienced nurses but there are still jobs for new grads. Nursing Jobs are available in rural areas of many states also.

Note to soccer25 - Texas is NOT in the Midwest - that would be Kansas. Our state extends from 'South' to 'South Central' to 'Southwest' - any of those terms are acceptable, depending on what area of the state you may be describing. And there is actually a 3rd coast to the US. Those of us here on the Third Coast are very well aware of this, especially during hurricane season!

Best of luck on your job hunt.

It seems that there are some parts of the are where new nurses can get jobs, but no place is having a nursing shortage from what I can see. It is a scary time to be a new grad!! Most of the hospitals I am doing clinicals at are on hiring freezes :(

Specializes in Geriatric Nursing.

I know that Australia is hiring more nurses now.

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