Yes, the RN job market is very frustrating! Some things to think about:
No California hospital wants to invest money for a new grad; but they'll pay up the nose for registry. . . kick backs anyone!?!
Or they'll pay mega bucks for overtime - which can result in unsafe outcomes for the patients.
Or, knowingly employ nurses with one or two other jobs - resulting in a 60-80 hour work weeks --> safety anyone???
Not cultivating new grads now - means VERY EXPENSIVE recruiting when the big swarm of nurses retire in a couple of years. Doesn't sound like a good way to drive down health costs.
Recruiters are even suggesting new grads move out of state - I say, let's do it!
For those living in California - don't think it's the ONLY state to live in - it's not!
Let's move forward and not be victims to the California health care job market!
Wake up California - hospital administrations and government are asleep at the wheel.
i agree that RNs are overpayed. we live in a fantasy world... a 2 YEAR ASSOCIATE'S degree and we can make $30/hr, while people with Master's degrees make dirt. Two year degrees need to be done away with. It's not fair to those who have their bachelor's. An ADN should NOT be making what a bachelor's is making, in my humble opinion. It's an insult. I think it's completely backwards.
If we pay dirt to new RNs for a couple of years, we'd weed out a lot of those (and there are a LOT of them) that are only their for the money, and then hansomely reward them with a big fat paycheck after those couple of years.
Most new grads feel way too entitled and end up leaving "for something better" in a year or two. It's a waste of the hospital's time and money to train someone, only to have them go someplace else.
I have a somewhat similar attitude towards it. Not completely alike, but close. In the thread concerning LPNs being fired, I touched on this.
I agree, the educational requirements for RN licensure needs to be established, stop relying on things dreamed up during shortages to make the quota. A law that requires ADN nurses to get their BSN within 10 years of graduation from the associates program is being considered now and makes a lot of sense to me. LPNs and ADNs alike tend to become complacent, over comfortable. They squat on their license, refuse to improve themselves.
With the requirements for an RN license being established, schools could focus better on preparing the students. The license would then be national, not state wide. The benefits are countless.
Two years ago, we had tons of new grads (about 15-20 for the year) start on our unit. Two of them are left so that's about 10% retention for that group after 2 years.
We still hire new grads (about 10 have started recently) and have used tons of travelers this year. We are hurting so badly with leadership and experience out of regular staff than those of us who have it work extra to keep that unit afloat. You can only have so many new grads at one time. And yes, travelers, floats come to work temporarily and are for the most part very self sufficient, bring tons of experience with them and if it's not a good fit, yeah it is a lot cheaper than it is to get a new graduate that doesn't work out. Just stay positive and make the best of it!
Hmmmm at many hospitals where I have applied New Grads actually seemed to be the preferential new hire! I have 4 years experience but had a hard time finding a job!! So maybe it just depends on where you look!
On a side note I do see many new grads finish orientation..work for a few months and just shuttle off to a better paying job somewhere else..this may be part of the problem. Some people have no loyalty! I mean its one thing if you got stuck in a job you hate or need to move for other reasons, but many new grads at my old hospital finished the LONG orientation (RN residency) and then left for more $$$$!
Hmmmm at many hospitals where I have applied New Grads actually seemed to be the preferential new hire! I have 4 years experience but had a hard time finding a job!! So maybe it just depends on where you look!
On a side note I do see many new grads finish orientation..work for a few months and just shuttle off to a better paying job somewhere else..this may be part of the problem. Some people have no loyalty! I mean its one thing if you got stuck in a job you hate or need to move for other reasons, but many new grads at my old hospital finished the LONG orientation (RN residency) and then left for more $$$$!
Hmmmm at many hospitals where I have applied New Grads actually seemed to be the preferential new hire! I have 4 years experience but had a hard time finding a job!! So maybe it just depends on where you look!
On a side note I do see many new grads finish orientation..work for a few months and just shuttle off to a better paying job somewhere else..this may be part of the problem. Some people have no loyalty! I mean its one thing if you got stuck in a job you hate or need to move for other reasons, but many new grads at my old hospital finished the LONG orientation (RN residency) and then left for more $$$$!
Another way to look at this is that your hospital is happy to pay low wages , but not prepared to pay the wages necessary to retain the cream of the crop . As we are always told by CEO's you have to pay adequately to get / retain talent .
As to loyalty employers show little or no loyalty to their employees nowadays , if the bottom line is helped by getting rid of a few nurses , goodbye , don't let the door hit you on the way out .
Another way to look at this is that your hospital is happy to pay low wages , but not prepared to pay the wages necessary to retain the cream of the crop . As we are always told by CEO's you have to pay adequately to get / retain talent .
As to loyalty employers show little or no loyalty to their employees nowadays , if the bottom line is helped by getting rid of a few nurses , goodbye , don't let the door hit you on the way out .
Yeah, most of the time I've seen hospitals turn to a high ratio of GNs, they've decided to settle for a couple years of excessive mistakes and pt. complaints. The level of care goes down, but they are paying a good bit less anyway.
Now I am an LPN and I was hoping if someone could explain this to me, but if you are a new RN can you get experience in a nursing home and then want to work at a hospital are you still considered a "new grad" to them? Does the hospital use the term new grad for those who are newly licensed or those who have never worked in a hospital setting? I'm just wondering how many people out there who refuse to work anywhere else except for their dream job at a hospital. Any new grads out in California who have had luck with LTC or home health positions or is it there just absolutely nothing out there?
Now I am an LPN and I was hoping if someone could explain this to me, but if you are a new RN can you get experience in a nursing home and then want to work at a hospital are you still considered a "new grad" to them? Does the hospital use the term new grad for those who are newly licensed or those who have never worked in a hospital setting? I'm just wondering how many people out there who refuse to work anywhere else except for their dream job at a hospital. Any new grads out in California who have had luck with LTC or home health positions or is it there just absolutely nothing out there?
For me I use the term GN for someone who has not taken the boards and "new grad" for someone who has passed boards but is still very new (first few months of nursing). Thats just me though.
I know a girl who is trying to go from LTC to hospital and its not going well. Its not going well at all. She has been a nurse for over two years and............its just not going well. She'll tell you that too, so I'm not making fun of her.
It seems here in PA, there are still a good many home health jobs available. But they all require experience. Some even want critical care experience.
I am not a new grad..... I got hired in the Peri OP as a tech ,and I am in the process of obtaining my degree through the hospital they will pay for my education they would rather invest in there own instead of an outsider who is a an NEW grad !
It seems you have misrepresented yourself. From this email it appears that this time you are not an RN, have not passed NCLEX and not completed your education as an RN. And I find it difficult to believe your employer is paying for your entire education - but if they are. . .congrats to you! Yes, your are right hospitals do like to invest in their own. My advice is don't get too arrogant with what seems to be a "I already have the job" attitude. Several hospitals can not offer RN positions to those employees who have now obtained their RN license - yes the NEW grad. I have been in health care for over 25 years (hospital and med group operational administration); nursing is a second career for me. I have seen cut backs a couple times before, in my management of staffing departments, and I have significant understanding about the decisions to open positions - and who gets selected. The orgainization I worked for has returned to not hiring new grads - they like to have other hospitals etc. do the initial training. The unit were I precepted (not at the organization I used to work for) wanted to hire me - but all new grad hiring was and is non existant (the slightly more experienced nurse gets the job).
There are several residency programs outside of California - and at prestigious facilities. New grads should be taking advantage of these opportunities. Your advice of moving out of state - looks like a real possibility. I will finish the graduate protion of my education - and I do have my RN - and pursue those opportunities.
I love nursing and have been recognized as delivering excellent patient care and having excellent communication with those that I work with speific and multidisciplinary.
I never said I was an RN first of all I explained my situation that I am a tech receiving financial aid and supprt from my hospital that has programs for there employees to obtain a higher education . Just because I have a job doesn't mean you need to bash me and accuse me of misrepresenting myself I am NOT an RN and never said I was . I am a nursing student there is a clear difference and obviously you missed that information in my post.
I never said I was an RN first of all I explained my situation that I am a tech receiving financial aid and supprt from my hospital that has programs for there employees to obtain a higher education . Just because I have a job doesn't mean you need to bash me and accuse me of misrepresenting myself I am NOT an RN and never said I was . I am a nursing student there is a clear difference and obviously you missed that information in my post.
The posted years of experience for you are 1.5 years. I did not mean to bash you - merely stating my impression. Perhaps you should reread your first response to me.
excuse me but I just got a hired at a California Hospital and its a teaching hospital, there is always new grad jobs available maybe your not looking hard enough or your just not qualified for some job positions .
Maybe you should move and relocate .
This is your first response. No mention of you not being an RN in this email, and indicates in the post info that you have 1.5 years experience.
My experience is in M/S, Telemetry, ICU, Peds, Post Partum, L&D and the OR: over 1000 hours. My grades have been and are excellent. As far as applying to positions, I'm "not qualified for" I haven't applied to any positions outside of these areas, unless indicated that the experience is considered for a position in another area; AND I only apply for positions indicating a minimum of 6 months acute care experience. The barriers I am coming up against in the current job market is not unlike the rest of my classmates.
Yes, the RN job market is very frustrating! Some things to think about:
eriksoln, BSN, RN
2,636 Posts
I have a somewhat similar attitude towards it. Not completely alike, but close. In the thread concerning LPNs being fired, I touched on this.
I agree, the educational requirements for RN licensure needs to be established, stop relying on things dreamed up during shortages to make the quota. A law that requires ADN nurses to get their BSN within 10 years of graduation from the associates program is being considered now and makes a lot of sense to me. LPNs and ADNs alike tend to become complacent, over comfortable. They squat on their license, refuse to improve themselves.
With the requirements for an RN license being established, schools could focus better on preparing the students. The license would then be national, not state wide. The benefits are countless.