Are there really enough jobs???

SweetPEI · Jun 26, 2012

While I agree the nursing shortage that was and in some places still being preached, I believe nursing like many other jobs is competitive and all about selling yourself. If there were unlimited nursing jobs out there, that still wouldn't guarantee that one would get a job. Where I currently work, I am guaranteed a position as a nurse (and then as a charge nurse after one year). I was told that they have been watching my performance as a tech, how I've interacted with staff and patients and that they are always getting good "reports" from patients and staff (still humble). They know I'm in nursing school, and that was also one of the reasons I was hired there. Now, to be honest, I would not want my career there, but I know I can fall back on this if I am unable to wow the hiring team when I start looking for a job elsewhere after graduation. So in the end, its all about making those interviewers forget about everyone else and only remember you. Do internships, externships, and volunteering so you can build you're resume. Also, apply to jobs that don't require years and years of experience, that should be a given.

laski · Jun 26, 2012

I just noticed that Esme12 posted the same message on my op regarding the nursing shortage (https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/nursing-shortage-not-747667.html). It is clear this is a topic that will continue to come up time and time again--and I totally get it.

So many people have longed for a career in healthcare and are about to invest (if they haven't already), time and money that are already in short supply. Parents are leaving their babies, quitting their jobs, moving, adjusting their whole lifestyle so it is no wonder they are concerned with the earning potential or lack thereof.

The simple fact is it is SCARY out there no matter what. I was a teacher and had I not left when I did (to care for my newborn son), two people would have lost their jobs! Huh? I suppose I was doing the work of two :) My husband's company, one of the biggest chemical companies in the world, just "released" thousands over the course of the last two years (which helps them stay under the radar since they do it over a longer period of time rather than all at once). The economy is clearly suffering as are job seekers, families, business owners.

BUT, just as life is cyclical, I do believe the economy, thus the job market, will rebound. As many others have said, thinking outside the box (so funny, since this is such a cliche, but apt nonetheless) and going for positions that will enhance your resume and boost your experience is key, even if you ARE able to land that coveted hospital job.

One of the most frustrating things I witnessed as a teacher was that there is the idea of self-entitlement that has creeped into our society--maybe it is the media, celebrity, politicians, reality TV, who knows. The simple fact is nothing good comes easy and you know, it shouldn't.

I remember one student came to me one day and asked me, "Mrs. L, why did you give me a B?" I replied, "What you should be asking is WHY didn't I EARN an A?"

I think for the most part these forums are full of really positive, ambitious people who simply want to realize their goals of becoming nurses, contributing and helping others. That is my very optimistic view, which may or may not be true. If it isn't, I'll just toil around here in denial for a bit. The weather's warmer here

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2012

I just noticed that Esme12 posted the same message on my op regarding the nursing shortage (https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/nursing-shortage-not-747667.html). It is clear this is a topic that will continue to come up time and time again--and I totally get it.
So many people have longed for a career in healthcare and are about to invest (if they haven't already), time and money that are already in short supply. Parents are leaving their babies, quitting their jobs, moving, adjusting their whole lifestyle so it is no wonder they are concerned with the earning potential or lack thereof.
The simple fact is it is SCARY out there no matter what. I was a teacher and had I not left when I did (to care for my newborn son), two people would have lost their jobs! Huh? I suppose I was doing the work of two :) My husband's company, one of the biggest chemical companies in the world, just "released" thousands over the course of the last two years (which helps them stay under the radar since they do it over a longer period of time rather than all at once). The economy is clearly suffering as are job seekers, families, business owners.
BUT, just as life is cyclical, I do believe the economy, thus the job market, will rebound. As many others have said, thinking outside the box (so funny, since this is such a cliche, but apt nonetheless) and going for positions that will enhance your resume and boost your experience is key, even if you ARE able to land that coveted hospital job.
One of the most frustrating things I witnessed as a teacher was that there is the idea of self-entitlement that has creeped into our society--maybe it is the media, celebrity, politicians, reality TV, who knows. The simple fact is nothing good comes easy and you know, it shouldn't.
I remember one student came to me one day and asked me, "Mrs. L, why did you give me a B?" I replied, "What you should be asking is WHY didn't I EARN an A?"
I think for the most part these forums are full of really positive, ambitious people who simply want to realize their goals of becoming nurses, contributing and helping others. That is my very optimistic view, which may or may not be true. If it isn't, I'll just toil around here in denial for a bit. The weather's warmer here

I was responding the OP's question..."are there enough jobs out there..." and the answer is No.. Not right now.

I post it over and over and over again......and the same questions return over and over again. 40% of all college graduates can't find work. New grads are being lied to by the "for profit" nursing school mills and they aren't preparing student for the reality of what they will face as a new grad and be thousands of dollars in debt.

Nursing is not recession proof. There is no shortage right now. The OP may not have to worry about whether or not they have to work in the hospital at first ......they may not be able to find a job at all. The shortage will return but the question is to when. This present surplus will get tired of waiting for a job and move on......finally the baby boomer will be too old to work and we will have to retire or like most places have done....force nurses to retire and not fill the slot.....leaving a very large hole.

This has happened before and it will happen again....these poor jobless new grads ill move on and there will not be nurses there when actually needed leaving another shortage and then return of bonus sign on and baylor programs. If you can wait til then nurses will be back on the bargaining chair once more.......but I don't see it til about 2020.

OP....It is usually a requirement for most nursing positions not at the bedside in and out of the hospital to have that 1-2 years at the bedside. If a job wants you to have an RN as a part of the position they are usually looking for some clinical background somewhere in your history.

"Praemonitus Praemunitus......Forwarned is Forarmed.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 27, 2012

I got a job as a new grad ADN. It is LTC/Rehab and I have to drive about and hour. I am so grateful!!!!! A classmate turned down a hospital position on the campus I am on (I interviewed for the hosp position, too) and is now complaining about not having a job (really???). the job I took has great potential for growth and it doesn't hurt that the DON was my clinical instructor my first semester :)

studentnurse50 · Jun 27, 2012

I'm a new grad-RN licensed in February and have moved to Georgia from California. I have applied, volunteered and attended job fairs. All that has netted no calls or interest from any hospitals. I have been offered a total of two jobs since graduating. One in mental health and one in a LTC facility. I did apply to the local VA as well and was called for an interview (still waiting to hear back from them.) In the meantime I accepted a position in the LTC facility which turned out to be somewhat of a nightmare. After two weeks, I came to the conclusion that to keep my license in tact, it would be necessary to resign. Instead of chasing jobs, my next course of action will be to return to college for RN to BSN courses. One more job fair this Thursday, and then I'm hanging it up for a BSN.

Hiring procedures and processes are regional. For example, where I graduated in California, NO hospitals are hiring new grads. Down south (about 8 hours) from where I graduated two or three hospitals are hiring about 10 new grads each. Here, in Georgia, it's hit or miss whether new grads get hired or not. If you are in school right now, make the best impression during clinicals, job offers can come as a result.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2012

Someone please explain to a pre-nursing student how there can possibly be enough nursing jobs to employ ALL of the up and coming new grads. This really worries me. I hear of so many new grads who cannot find jobs, and I would just like to hear what the reality is.

There are NOT. New grads have been having trouble finding jobs since about 2009. Thinking of my old floor- since 2009, there have been at least 20 nurses who have left (12 of them in the past year) and in that time, they've hired about 8. They have NO positions posted now and as far as I know, they have no intentions to hire. They are currently staffed 20-25% fewer FTEs than they were when I started there 5 years ago. How have they done this? Cut staffing and increased ratios... when I started, staffing was supposed to be 8 on nights, it was down to 6 when I left. I know at least another 1/2 dozen people there looking to get out so eventually they will be in a situation where they HAVE to hire (in addition to being down 12 nurses on staff, they've got about 6 pregnant ones), but they'll probably wait until someone dies due to unsafe staffing and they get sued.

allnurses Guide · Jun 27, 2012

While I agree the nursing shortage that was and in some places still being preached, I believe nursing like many other jobs is competitive and all about selling yourself. If there were unlimited nursing jobs out there, that still wouldn't guarantee that one would get a job. Where I currently work, I am guaranteed a position as a nurse (and then as a charge nurse after one year). I was told that they have been watching my performance as a tech, how I've interacted with staff and patients and that they are always getting good "reports" from patients and staff (still humble). They know I'm in nursing school, and that was also one of the reasons I was hired there. Now, to be honest, I would not want my career there, but I know I can fall back on this if I am unable to wow the hiring team when I start looking for a job elsewhere after graduation. So in the end, its all about making those interviewers forget about everyone else and only remember you. Do internships, externships, and volunteering so you can build you're resume. Also, apply to jobs that don't require years and years of experience, that should be a given.

You are very lucky you work in a facility you can trust to keep their word. I've read this same scenario in too many cases where the facilities did not, and the shock of the trusting new grad is palpable I'm not mentioning this to dispute this advice- because it's great advice. You need to be just as proactive as you've described to make yourself stand out. The job landscape at present is unlike anything I've ever seen for nurses, even in past recessions, since the mid-1970s when I got my first license. I really believe the rules of fair play have deteriorated badly among potential employers since then.

SweetPEI · Jun 27, 2012

Oh no I'm not the naive type of person. Furthermore, it is a contract. I didn't go into detail, since it was unnecessary when giving the OP advice. It was an example of selling ones self. The bottom line is that one cannot get defeated by the competition in the nursing field. Making yourself attractive is what it is all about. Even if you have to gain experience in places you don't want to stabilize as your career (i.e. My situation) at least you can gain experience and/or have something to fall back on while you work towards what you really want.

NurseyPoo7 · Jun 27, 2012

It always amazes me, all the new grads want to work at the hospital. What do they *think* is going to happen when they apply at the same place all the *other* new grads are applying at?

I have been a nurse about 5 years.

This is what we were TOLD to do.. "get med surg experience" they said.

Merlyn · Jun 27, 2012

Someone please explain to a pre-nursing student how there can possibly be enough nursing jobs to employ ALL of the up and coming new grads. This really worries me. I hear of so many new grads who cannot find jobs, and I would just like to hear what the reality is.

In most place they'er not. Nursing schools don't train you because there is a job waiting for you. They train you because that is how they make their money.

allnurses Guide · Jun 28, 2012

Oh no I'm not the naive type of person. Furthermore, it is a contract. I didn't go into detail, since it was unnecessary when giving the OP advice. It was an example of selling ones self.

If you have a contract it's not an example of selling yourself because you've already sold yourself. A contract that guarantees that a tech will be hired as a nurse and become a charge nurse in one year would be very unusual, so that particular detail is one that changes the entire scenario you are presenting. Explaining to the readers how you secured a contract like that would've been a better description of selling yourself, if it was something different than the standard selling yourself advice you mentioned.

My intention is just to add a more complete picture of the various experiences someone might have when they believe that managers who tell them they are "guaranteed" a job after they've worked as a tech and earned their RN, for other, possibly unknowing readers of this thread.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2012

...Nursing schools don't train you because there is a job waiting for you. They train you because that is how they make their money.

This here needs to be perm posted right under the allnurses.com logo. Word.

If you have a contract it's not an example of selling yourself because you've already sold yourself. A contract that guarantees that a tech will be hired as a nurse and become a charge nurse in one year would be very unusual, so that particular detail is one that changes the entire scenario you are presenting. Explaining to the readers how you secured a contract like that would've been a better description of selling yourself, if it was something different than the standard selling yourself advice you mentioned.
My intention is just to add a more complete picture of the various experiences someone might have when they believe that managers who tell them they are "guaranteed" a job after they've worked as a tech and earned their RN, for other, possibly unknowing readers of this thread.

nursel56, the crusader of wisdom and truth - able to unmask total BS, and save us from evil!