BRN Survey Response (New grads unhirable)

[Stale Grad]

My letter to the Survey:

"I am writing to respond to the BRN New Grad Survey I just took online. I just wanted to point out that the survey fails to grasp the true “impact” of society’s complete disregard for RN new grads. To my knowledge the majority of my class (2010 CSUEB BSN) and the class before me have been unable to land RN jobs. The majority of those who went through the additional unpaid internship offered through the school fared no better.

I hope you have heard of the term “Stale Grad” because this is what I and my fellow classmates and 1000’s of new grads have become. A stale grad is one who is deemed too far out of school to be considered hirable…as if we ever were in the first place. It is impossible to compete with new grads fresh out of preceptorships.

The impact for me is substantial. I have lost everything. My prior career is gone while my new one is a never was. I was told (literally) by counselors and instructors about my future in nursing and how it was unlimited in options. I planned on going for my masters for NP. Well as it turns out I have zero options. I can do NOTHING without acute care experience. Higher degree in nursing?---NO! Admin RN work?---NO! SNF??---NO! Anything nursing related?????---NO! Must have 1-2 years acute care experience to do anything! So you know, I was not picky. I applied to everything I could find--was willing to move—work any shift—any floor—any specialty/setting—would take anything. Even tried to get into the armed forces but was denied. So now, at 35 Y/O, I have to start over again from scratch knee deep in debt. Where does one go from here?

I am at a complete loss. I put everything on the line and passed my RN courses with flying colors and great letters of recommendation which I will attach for you to see. It was all for nothing because everybody turned me down. I am now in debt (school loans) and about to default. It should also be noted that the BSN is a completely useless degree outside the realm of nursing—a complete waste.

The true impact (which your survey will never demonstrate) is that going to RN school destroyed my life to the effect that I may never recover. I am in financial, occupational and mental ruin. My license expires today; I am not renewing. I am not chasing this ghost anymore. I can not afford to financially or mentally. Seriously, how much dedication, time and money does one need to devote to have job today? I guarantee you my story in not unique.

I find it sad, disgraceful and embarrassing that I am considered incompetent and unemployable after spending 3 years in a dedicated RN program. Perhaps that is the problem. The educational system is fundamentally flawed, inefficient and a complete disservice to most who waste their time with it. I have lost all faith in our educational systems and find the curriculum to be laughable at best. The question begs: Why is CSUEB spitting out 150+ new grads each year when everyone knows the bulk of future grads will never become RNs? At what point do we come together with a class action lawsuit against the RN schools for encouraging enrollment with false promises of practically guaranteed high-paying RN jobs?"

[NewGrad518]

WOW this is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO true!!!!! I appreciate your honesty.

[bluemartian, BSN]

I can certainly appreciate where you are coming from. I almost started my own stale grad thread, I am still chasing that ghost after graduating BSN in 2007, I finished a refresher in April 2012 and still nothing. I wish I could speak to someone who could tell me if im just chasing ghosts. If thats the case I'll stop because every application i submit , i feel that i fulfill the definition of insanity. Please help....

[mrshernandez]

Wow! To read this thread from 2011, I feel duped by the BRN survey request I received this past weekend. Here I am in the same position as the 2011 graduating nursing class, but fast forward to October 2015. It appears nothing has changed. I was unpaid for my externship, so it's not considered "experience" by many hospitals; however, I list it on my applications. I have a previous background as a case manager and in risk management, thinking I could integrate my new career in nursing with my past experience, but to only be told by various organizations that I need bedside experience of 1 to 2 years. I personally feel that I have been duped by the nursing program and nursing industry that continuously advertise, "nursing shortage". My friends and family continuously send me job openings for various nursing positions throughout the state, but I have explained numerous times that I am not classified for the those positions since am labeled as a "new grad". Recently, I read an article that 43% of new grad RNs in California are unemployed. It's hurtful because I truly, like a good majority of us, entered this profession to help patients through their illness.

I have also applied out-of-state, but to be notified by various hospitals that I must pay out-of-pocket for their 2nd and/or 3rd interview process along with various online tests (no skype offered to eliminate or reduce my expense). With a student loan payment that I continue to put into deferment, I must contemplate returning to my previous employer, and start eliminating the debt accrued through this journey of becoming a registered nurse.

[_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I was a new grad a year ago. My entire class found jobs within about 10 months. So it is still possible. I suppose you could get in as a case manager per diem maybe at a place that hires new grads and then be top priority for an opening?

Oh also a few people in my class got hired out of state just over the phone or one in person interview. Most moved first and then found jobs in their area via applying and volunteering. Don't lose faith, it just takes time and you may have to take a different job for the short term.

For those not hired after more than 6 months, what have you tried? Have you looked for other jobs in the hospital or setting you want to work? Have you volunteered in a setting that could hire you? Have you gone to meet nurse supervisors and ask for advice? How picky are you being? BSN or AN?

Maybe consider PA school, Med School, Dental School, Chiropractics, etc instead. Better to keep moving forward if you are truly stuck on this RN thing. You may not even like being an RN honestly.

[mrshernandez]

Thank you firefly. I appreciate your kind words! It gives me hope, and I will try to not lose faith.

[AcclrtdBSNstudent]

Im not even graduated and have soft job offers already. I hope you keep the faith, keep pushing keep trying. It sounds like you are in a tough location with a lot of RN's.

:)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.

[IVStat77]

Now I'm getting scared too. Im waiting for my Att & recently graduated the LVN to RN ADN program. I never stopped working as an LVN(8 years) even while in school. Worked in SNF, Wound care, & now Flu clinic LVN in Kaiser. Im not sure if i will even have placement in acute care setting or even in urgent care. I have high hopes. For now pass my Nclex. Wish me luck😑