Best and worst states for new grads?

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Hello everyone! I am currently a nursing student in Montana; if all goes well I *should* be graduating in bit more than a year. I am 22 years old, married with no kids or pets, and plan to leave Montana after I am done with school (we are originally from Massachusetts). So, what are the best states (right now) for new grads to find jobs?

I'm in upstate NY and I know of plenty of my classmates (including myself) who are now working after just graduating in May. And places are still hiring....so just keep looking, work is out there. Good luck!

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New England is pretty tough right now. Full time jobs in New England for new grads seem non existent. I went to school in upstate NY and a lot of people who stayed there got jobs. I would try there.

I think determination is key! I was determined to get a job in NH and I was lucky enough to land my dream job (per diem) but I took it anyway because I know how tough it is around here. Good luck to everyone!

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I think using the state as the determining factor risks being too broad, except possibly for those states that are geographically small and largely urban/suburban such as RI, DE and NJ.

In PA for example, the prognosis for jobs for new grads is poor in the SE part of the state (Phila metro area), which spills over into large parts of DE and NJ. The situation seems to be quite different in the smaller, more remote cities and in the more rural parts of the state. From what I've seen posted, this type of situation (mixture of best/worst areas) is common in many larger states such as California, Arizona and New York and perhaps to a lesser extent in states like GA and TX.

The question should probably be: Which areas in the US are the best/worst for new grads?

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I travel around and meet with a number of nurse recruiters. They report that the toughest areas for new grads now are in the Eastern Corridor (DC thru Boston), and in the major cities in the West Coast (San Diego, LA, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle).

One hospital in DC received 1300+ applications this year for 50 new grad slots. 800+ of these applications were from those with BSN degrees, and only BSNs were interviewed.

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SW Fl pretty bad!! All want 2 years/ACLS/IV CERT They list having Grad nurse programs BUT none are running any now!

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I travel around and meet with a number of nurse recruiters. They report that the toughest areas for new grads now are in the Eastern Corridor (DC thru Boston), and in the major cities in the West Coast (San Diego, LA, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle).

One hospital in DC received 1300+ applications this year for 50 new grad slots. 800+ of these applications were from those with BSN degrees, and only BSNs were interviewed.

Did they say where the outlook was good?

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Unless it is an area that is super super desperate for nurses right now, I think ANYWHERE you move with no connections is tough. I just moved from VA to Minneapolis and am having a horrible time finding a job...every nurse recruiter I've managed to talk has told me the same thing..."we're getting hundrerds of applications for each position posted that doesn't require experience and we give preference to current employees and students that did clinicals at the facility." Meanwhile nearly all of my classmates back in VA have jobs lined up (many of these are people with no healthcare experience at all that landed a job at a major teaching institution in specialty areas such as L&D and NICU!).

My 2 cents-it's all about the connections. If you move to a brand new area you're probably going to have a tough time as a new grad no matter how steller your resume :(

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Definately Michigan in my opinion....It is hell trying to find a school, but super easy for new grads, and good pay....I moved from Michigan to Virginia for school, but I am definately going back home. Virginia is excellent when it comes to schools and programs, but they only pay half of what I would start at home...New RN's start off at $30 easily...Lpn's $25.

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I graduated from school in Philly this past May and many of my classmates have jobs already lined up at local hospitals. I also want to point out that many of them worked as externs at the hospitals which definitely helps.

I'm so happy to hear this, since I've been worried sick about finding employment after graduation next year. I'm in an ABSN program, so an externship is pretty much out of the question, but it still gives me hope!

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What part of VA are you referring to??

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Central VA, Charlottesville specifically. I'm not saying that this a place to relocate to though.... I think my classmates did so well in getting some great positions because of connections they made during clinicals. Without those connections I think the market here is much like everywhere else-tough.

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KATRINIA--

You're in Philly?? What school did you go to? I'm supposed to be moving there in Aug. but I've been hearing such horrible things about finding a job there so I was contemplating just staying in Miami! They have 5 schools here that offer 2 year contract positions with Baptist hospital which also pay for your entire tuition! I dont know if I want to move to a city where there is nothing like that, where i'd be struggling to find a job after I graduate. (while paying back all my loans!)

But if you're saying this, it makes me feel better about going!

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