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.
While I agree that it might be a little harder for a new grad to get a job there are still a lot of places hiring new grad. Put your time in a LTC and work your way up. You can't expect to get the "dream" job when you are competing with an experienced nurse.
In my experience it goes against you to work LTC and then try for acute care jobs - although there seems to be mixed opinions here on allnurses.
How come you aren't applying for your dream job? Are there just no openings, or do you want med-surg experience first? I'm just curious. I've heard no one leaves L&D and it is hard to break into. My good friend got right into L&D in Pittsburgh, but she had to stay in Pittsburgh to do it, rather than come back to Philly.
There really haven't been any openings in my area that I could apply to, which is the main reason. Also, I have spoken to the nurse manager and she said that they usually like to see at least a year of experience before transitioning into L&D or Mother/Baby (those are all within the same department in the hospital I'm most interested in). There is a part of me that would really like to get a more varied experience for my first year or so before going in to a more specialized area. Of course if a L&D position opened up I would apply and jump in with both feet if offered a position. :-)
In my experience it goes against you to work LTC and then try for acute care jobs - although there seems to be mixed opinions here on allnurses.
I have definitely heard some people who subscribe to that school of thought and that's one reason I have avoided it at this time. That's not to say that in the next month or so you won't see me with a "yes, I have my first nursing job and it's in LTC" post here (I mean, I do need to have a full-time job and SOON), I've just been taking my time, as I have had that luxury this summer. My kiddos start back to school next week and that's pretty much going to be the deciding line. If I haven't heard from even one position that I've applied for in acute-care, it's going to be time to focus on making a living and getting experience in LTC.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Exactly and I never said I was looking for my dream job right now. I assure you, the jobs I've been applying to are on Med-Surg floors and anywhere else except my dream job (L&D). I understand getting experience and paying my dues.
I think for most new grads, ANYWHERE in an acute care facility is a "dream job" - including M/S
hope3456, ASN, RN
1,263 Posts
In my experience it goes against you to work LTC and then try for acute care jobs - although there seems to be mixed opinions here on allnurses.