Bad Job Market? Be a NURSE! (Insert eye roll here)

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a brand new nurse (having just passed the NCLEX June 10th) and am still looking for my first job. The job market here isn't completely saturated, I'm just really trying to get in to a hospital rather than a LTCF. What gets me though, is the perpetuation of the nursing shortage myth, which is NOT true anymore.

THIS ARTICLE has the nerve to point out that "nursing positions are plentiful" and encourages people not to go in to a different field, but instead to go in to nursing. Obviously I think people still need to go in to nursing because if people stop, there WILL be another shortage. That doesn't mean that this idea should be continued or that people who don't WANT to be nurses should be getting in to this field just to have a job.

I went back to school at 29 knowing that I wanted to be a nurse and that there was nothing else that was going to make me happy as a career. Yes, I don't have a job yet but I know it will come and that I'm doing the right thing. If this wasn't something I had a calling for, I can't imagine going in to nursing given all of the things nurses deal with on a daily basis. I know this is talked about all the time but this article really got under my skin. Be a nurse for the right reasons, not because anthropology has a bad job outlook.

I totally get you, and you WILL get bypassed for current employees because that is what is ethical.

But the only reason I know anyone is because of how I stood out. I'm not painting everyone without jobs with one brush stroke, I'm just saying you gotta go out there and get it because it's difficult and jobs are hard to come by.

Good luck!!

It's ethical to hire a current employee who's not qualified in any way for the position other than the same new RN license that I have? Really? What WOULD be eithical is to NOT hire either of us with no RN experience if that is what the job position requires is experience. It is NOT ethical to show favoritism. The ONLY reason the CNA/PCT at the hospital got the job is because they worked there for a short period of time and that is it. I'm sorry, working as a CNA or PCT in the hospital in no way prepares you or gives you experience as an RN. At least I have some sort of nursing experience. I'm am/was an LPN.

But my point of bringing up the CNA/PCT getting the position was to show that its not about putting yourself out there. I was showing a point that even when you did and have put yourself out there, the jobs are still not there. It's not what you know, its WHO you know around here. And like you I 'know' people because I stood out. As well I 'know' people from previous nursing experience and friendships. That still hasn't gotten me a job.

And what's ironic is you telling me you have to get out there and stand out and then in the post below to Bloomgirl you say "And he/she had a point. It's been a month...that's not terribly long. if you have a job within 6 months without knowing people you're doing pretty good, IMHO ". Right there you are staying its tough without having connections.

You are proving the point I'm trying to make. You can put yourself out there, volunteer, shine during clinicals but if yo udon't know people you are going to be hard pressed as a newly licenced RN to get a job.

Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

After all these years I have come to the conclusion that there is more of a selection by employers on who they hire than there is a glut of nurses. Employers can be more selective on who they hire because they want to get the right person for the right position. This doesn't mean they have to have that BSN or tons of experience in other areas. They want people with some experience already, can you blame them? It cost money to train someone and if the nurse comes into the position already with some acute experience, good! I work the OR and we just can't spend months training someone whereas the floors can get someone up and running in a few weeks or more. The job market in all areas of the country, not just nursing, is a cut-throat business where some people will do about anything to get that job. I don't blame anyone for using what they can to get a job, as long as it is legal! Connections, connections, connections. It is getting to the point it is WHO YOU KNOW that gets you the position. Being prepared for the interview, resume in hand, answering the questions honestly (not what they want to hear) will help tremendously. I also know the word, PATIENCE has been used all to often, but what can you do but have........

PS, what I mean by a glut is as long as this country allows foreign nurses to come here and take jobs from US trained nurses there will always be too many nurses in the picture.

Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.
Hey Swellz. Where are you from? I am from Memphis and when I search jobs I see a plethora of jobs open! There is even a hosptial that has several opennings that come with a 10k bonus! But they all want an RN with 1-3yrs experience.

I'm from Philadelphia. A friend of mine (a nurse) is moving from Utah to Memphis so her husband can go to school (for nursing), and she did say the job outlook is better there. My boyfriend's job is here though, so I can't move. Not that I particularly want to; I am definitely limiting my job search by staying in the PA-NJ-DE area.

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Nursing schools have been popping up left and right across the country all tell potential students that there is a shortage for nurses right now. But all they're trying to do is fill their student quota per program year and get you to pass the NCLEX. They get more funding, basically. It's all a business, folks. But of course, you have those professors who do acknowledge there is a tough market right now. The finger can be pointed at the media as well for saying there's a shortage. All of this has to stop. But this starts with us - the nurses.

This is why I kindly discourage those bad cookies who wanted to go into nursing for all the wrong reasons. I can tell who would make a good nurse from the bad nurses as I get to know them. I tell them the truth about the job market for nurses, how competitive it is for a job, the horrors of nursing school, and so on. 99% of the time, they start to reconsider. It works! By doing this, I am helping the real folks out who really want to be nurses. Because the ones who don't care what I say and believe in their heart that they can be a nurse deserve to be one. So by "weeding" out those folks who go in for the wrong reasons, I am helping new grads out by lessening the competition while putting in little by little more effective, hard working and passionate nurses in.

Yeah, I'm crazy but I don't care. You just don't sweet talk lazy, money-eyeing folks to go into nursing. We're getting the wrong type of people I never thought imagined could go into nursing. And I'm known to be lenient and open minded. That's saying something!

Who are you to decide who is deserving of going to nursing school and who is not? People go into nursing for a variety of reasons. As long as they provide good patient care, it's of little matter what their motivation was for going to school.

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
First I was a "cry baby" and "whining", now I am ignorant. I think ignorance is having a stable job and knocking other people for voicing their frustration that they can't seem to find one. That's great for you that you'll have a job you dislike for 20 years. Congrats and best wishes.

She never said she hated her job or patients. You're putting words in her mouth.

My CNA instructor was an 80 year old RN (who was still working, by the way) who got into nursing during the Great Depression in order to support her young children.

She got into it for the money.

She was a great nurse! Some people do go into nursing for the money, but that doesn't mean they'll be bad nurses.

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
It's ethical to hire a current employee who's not qualified in any way for the position other than the same new RN license that I have? Really? What WOULD be eithical is to NOT hire either of us with no RN experience if that is what the job position requires is experience. It is NOT ethical to show favoritism. The ONLY reason the CNA/PCT at the hospital got the job is because they worked there for a short period of time and that is it. I'm sorry, working as a CNA or PCT in the hospital in no way prepares you or gives you experience as an RN. At least I have some sort of nursing experience. I'm am/was an LPN.

But my point of bringing up the CNA/PCT getting the position was to show that its not about putting yourself out there. I was showing a point that even when you did and have put yourself out there, the jobs are still not there. It's not what you know, its WHO you know around here. And like you I 'know' people because I stood out. As well I 'know' people from previous nursing experience and friendships. That still hasn't gotten me a job.

And what's ironic is you telling me you have to get out there and stand out and then in the post below to Bloomgirl you say "And he/she had a point. It's been a month...that's not terribly long. if you have a job within 6 months without knowing people you're doing pretty good, IMHO ". Right there you are staying its tough without having connections.

You are proving the point I'm trying to make. You can put yourself out there, volunteer, shine during clinicals but if yo udon't know people you are going to be hard pressed as a newly licenced RN to get a job.

It's totally appropriate to give a job to a current employee. Their work ethic is known and they have proven themselves. I think it's great when a facility shows some loyalty to its employees.

Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.
It's ethical to hire a current employee who's not qualified in any way for the position other than the same new RN license that I have? Really? What WOULD be eithical is to NOT hire either of us with no RN experience if that is what the job position requires is experience. It is NOT ethical to show favoritism. The ONLY reason the CNA/PCT at the hospital got the job is because they worked there for a short period of time and that is it. I'm sorry, working as a CNA or PCT in the hospital in no way prepares you or gives you experience as an RN. At least I have some sort of nursing experience. I'm am/was an LPN.

You seem to be sort of oblivious to the way work environments work, no offense!! If you work for a company, and then you get a new license/qualification (RN) and a job opens up, why, as an employer, would you pick someone outside the company as opposed to inside the company? This is common practice and is favorable for employee satisfaction. You know... like starting in the mail room and moving up in the company? Not sure why you feel entitled to be chosen for employment over a current employee, I've never even heard of that perspective.

But my point of bringing up the CNA/PCT getting the position was to show that its not about putting yourself out there.

Working as a CNA at the organization where you want to work = putting yourself out there.

I was showing a point that even when you did and have put yourself out there, the jobs are still not there. It's not what you know, its WHO you know around here. And like you I 'know' people because I stood out. As well I 'know' people from previous nursing experience and friendships. That still hasn't gotten me a job.

I don't know what your point here is. Obviously if there are no jobs available for you to apply to, you won't be getting one. If you stand out and important people take notice of you because of how valuable you would be as an employee, you will be chosen over someone else who has not done so. Maximize yourself and sell yourself...if you do that, your chances of getting employed are a lot higher than if you didn't. Not sure where the confusion is...

And what's ironic is you telling me you have to get out there and stand out and then in the post below to Bloomgirl you say "And he/she had a point. It's been a month...that's not terribly long. if you have a job within 6 months without knowing people you're doing pretty good, IMHO ". Right there you are staying its tough without having connections.

When did I say it wasn't tough to get a job without connections...? My point is that you make those connections by standing out and putting yourself out there. If you don't do that, and your mother isn't friends with someone or something, good luck looking hirable.

You are proving the point I'm trying to make. You can put yourself out there, volunteer, shine during clinicals but if you don't know people you are going to be hard pressed as a newly licenced RN to get a job.

How can you possibly shine during clinical hours and volunteer/put yourself out there and not know people?

It can be concisely summed up: Do everything within your power to be hirable and employable, and your chances of landing a job as a new grad are going to be greatly enhanced. Go out there and do what you have to do.

I'm sorry if I somehow rustled the jimmies of the people this hasn't worked out for. Keep trying and good luck.

Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.

It's totally appropriate to give a job to a current employee. Their work ethic is known and they have proven themselves. I think it's great when a facility shows some loyalty to its employees.

Yeah, I think it would be unethical to overlook current employees for an outsider.

Isn't that the status quo ​everywhere?

This post reminds me of why I never visit this site anymore, because it's become a venting stage for unhappy nurses and anxious students. Ugh.

I earned my BSN after a career in another field. I've been an RN now for 7 years, the last five in the operating room. I love my job, currently making about $105,000 annually for a 48-hour work week (40 at my "regular" job, and another 8 at another local hospital).

I get job offers via email from recruiters and travel companies, for positions all over the USA. I get job offers in the mail from other hospitals in my state, and sometimes from hospitals in other states. When I look at job sites, like indeed.com or AORN or similar sites, I see hundreds and hundreds of positions for OR nurses, in every state in the country.

My hospital hires a new class of nurse residents every year; we're thinking about starting a second residency. We have 36 ORs, and are building new ones; we have to hire travelers because we can't get enough staff. From my perspective, I can get a job just about anywhere. I occasionally will choose a hospital at random, in another state, and search their career site for vacancies in the OR. I've not found one hospital yet that didn't have an opening.

I'm sorry you're having such trouble finding a job, but in the large metro area I live in, hospitals are hiring, and so are agencies and travel companies, and not just for positions in the OR. I think your view is slightly myopic, and I'm not trying to sound harsh, but new grads are being hired ... is there something you're not telling us about yourself ?

Specializes in CMSRN.

I'm sorry you're having such trouble finding a job, but in the large metro area I live in, hospitals are hiring, and so are agencies and travel companies, and not just for positions in the OR. I think your view is slightly myopic, and I'm not trying to sound harsh, but new grads are being hired ... is there something you're not telling us about yourself ?

Not to assume anything, but was this directed at me? I can't quite tell given your comments but I will respond.

I think the entire point of my post has been distorted and forgotten. I really only posted because the article I saw made no sense to me. It was encouraging people who are interested in Anthropology to go in to nursing because it's a better market. I couldn't put those two things together to make sense given the responsibilities and duties that nurses have that have nothing to do with being interested in people.

I thought I was very clear in my first post but apparently I wasn't. I am NOT upset about not having a job yet. I'm currently working part-time in medical billing and doing volunteer work. I would love to work as an RN but I am being patient to find the RIGHT job.

I know someone assumed I've only looked for a job for one month. I've actually been applying for over four months, as it's encouraged around here to apply before graduation. I have applied to the two acute care facilities in my city and MANY facilities within an hour drive. I have submitted 100+ applications. I don't have hard feelings about this. I know it's not the world's best job market and I will keep applying until something changes.

So far the only people I know who have gotten an acute care position were already PCT's in the acute care environment. My other fellow graduates are working in LTC, which I am hoping to avoid. I don't feel above that or as if I don't have to pay my dues, I just know I would like something in acute care a lot more and I'm hoping patience will allow that to happen.

There are two universities in my city and that equals a lot of graduates in the Spring for only two acute care facilities and we are NOT a large metropolis. Our market can support it but there certainly are other new grads and experienced nurses looking for jobs right now. I have also been applying in my surrounding cities including a LARGE metropolis approximately an hour away and so far that hasn't lead to anything.

I have absolutely been putting myself out there. I did excellent in clinicals, have fabulous recommendations from my instructors, was active in nursing club, participated at hospital events, have contacts at the hospital, am volunteering as an RN, and am doing my best to get my ACLS certification soon. I'm not sitting around doing nothing and hoping to get a job.

I didn't include all of this information about my job search in my first post because that wasn't the point of the thread. Yes, I completely understand that there are some markets that have open jobs like crazy and nurses walk right in to positions. That wasn't my point at all. The article just didn't seem to be really connecting majors that made sense and I was wanting to discuss it. Thank you.

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
This post reminds me of why I never visit this site anymore, because it's become a venting stage for unhappy nurses and anxious students. Ugh.

Yes, that is partially the point of why we are here. I wish there had been a site like this when I was an anxious student/new nurse and thought I was the only one who had feelings like that. If you visited this site more often maybe you would realize people come here to share the entire spectrum of emotions. There is lots of joy and celebration here, too.

I'm sure no one begrudges you your success, but it's a bit myopic to assume that hundreds of others must have something wrong with them if their experience isn't what yours was.

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