Are there nursing jobs or not?

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2009

I found out yesterday that my hospital system is looking for internal candidates first and will only hire outside if ABSOLUTELY necessary. They would even prefer to pay OT to nurses who want to float to other units or hospitals for make up for their staffing issues.

I believe it is a temporary situation.

allnurses Guide · Aug 16, 2009

I don't think anyone can tell you what the economic or hiring situation will be like in 2-4 years when/if you graduate a possible degree. There are jobs available some places, and none in other places. There are more jobs for experienced nurses than for new nurses who need training. It is of course a tight economic time and hospitals are businesses - they are clamping down on expenses, one of the main budget items is staffing. This too shall pass.

angelwingsamy · Aug 16, 2009

My hospital has hired new grads recently. They hired the ones that worked for us as nurse techs. I was told that most hospitals around me (detroit area) are not hiring new grads. I was also told that the hospitals around me didnt hire new grads last year. Well I applied at two places last year as a new grad and was offered a job at both. None of my friends from school seemed to have a problem finding a job either. Sometimes I think people like to just talk. With no truth behind it.

They also told my husband not to go for teaching because there was a hiring freeze on teachers around us. So he listened to the school and opted out of teaching. Guess what... on the day he was supposed to graduate there were many teaching jobs.

Dont listen to anyone. Listen to yourself. Even if it is hard to find a job there will still be somewhere hiring. All you have to do is stand out against your competition. Living in the Detroit area jobs are scarce. Any job. Not just nursing. And all you have to do is just look better on paper than your competition and you will get the interview. Brush up on interview techniques and you will nail it.

I say GO FOR IT!!!!! dont let anyone tell you that your dream is out of reach. related to the economy or any other reason.

GOOD LUCK!

krenee · Aug 16, 2009

It would be helpful if you would say where you live. In Northern Virginia, not so many jobs!!! They aren't impossible to find, but I understand a lot of new grads are having trouble.

Kelly

PMFB-RN, RN · Aug 16, 2009

here is one in wyoming in ob that does not require experience:

p.s. i live in wisconsin and have no association with this hospital at all. i just ran across this job and noted no experience required and posted here for the benifit of new grads looking for work.

be a part of a fast-paced team at memorial hospital of sweetwater county! as a registered nurse – o.b. – this position under the supervision of the director of the women’s services assists in planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating the activities occurring on the women’s services unit by providing nursing care utilizing the nursing process, standards of nursing practice, and standards of patient care.

must be a graduate of an accredited school or college of nursing. current licensure with wyoming state board of nursing or licensure application in process as indicated by telephone confirmation with state board of nursing. must have current bls certification. no experience required beyond that obtained in school of nursing. ability to collect data, contribute to the plan of care, and implement patient care as assigned. knowledge of diverse needs of patients of all chronological and developmental ages. also has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within this field.
applications are available online at www.sweetwatermedicalcenter.com -...

Christen, ANP · Aug 16, 2009

The problem is that there are plenty of jobs for experienced RNs, just not for new grads. New grads are expensive to teach and train and a lot of facilities just don't have the resources. There are over 40 - 50 positions for experienced RNs at my facility, but there were only 40 or so new grad spots for the most recent class of graduates. The best thing to do to ensure you have a job upon graduation is to work in the hospital you want to have a job at as a secretary or a nurses aid or whatever - just something to get your foot in the door so that the people who are going to hire you two years down the road know you.

meluhn · Aug 16, 2009

You may not be able to land your dream job but I am sure you will eventually find something. If this is what you really want to do, I would encourage you to go for it.

amjowens · Aug 16, 2009

I think this economy helps to separate those who want to be nurses from those who want to go into nursing just for a "good, stable" job.

sugarbush · Aug 16, 2009

The hospitals in our area are grabbing up all the new grads they can get every year from the 5 local nursing programs. I know two brand new grads that got hired straight into ICUs. I don't know of anybody coming out of nursing school and not already having a job lined up.

rngolfer53 · Aug 16, 2009

I am a new member, and have, until now, thought that nursing was my calling...
I am trying to make a career change, and have always wanted to do this, but could never afford to until now.
However, after reading all the scary "There are no nursing jobs anywhere! Run for the hills!" posts, I am seriously second thinking it. I want to, but not if I literally can't get hired anywhere?
So are these folks exaggerating at all, or are there really no available nursing jobs to be found anywhere?

Oh, I think there's always some exaggeration, be it in good times or bad.

The region you're in makes a difference. Some are in tougher shape economically.

Obviously, if you have family obligations, you have to be more careful about jumping at a bad time, into nursing of anything else. BTW, what's the outlook in your current field?

One way to stand out among new grads is to highlight your employment hx--assuming it's favorable. Employers like to find people who know that you have to show up to work everyday, don't change jobs at a whim, have some skills for functioning w/people you like and those you don't. Most of us develop these in our first job or two out of college.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 16, 2009

In the Balto./DC area there are jobs available. My unit recently hired a new grad as well as an experienced nurse. Its not going to be as sweet as it was a couple of years ago but imvho if you aren't expecting your dream job right out of school nursing is still an excellent career choice. FWIW I wouldn't quit your job and rack up thousands of dollars for living expenses while "focusing on school" in any economy but especially a tough one like we are seeing now. School and work are very doable for most people. Good luck and if it is more than just a career move go for it!