Can't Find a job!!! This wasn't supposed to be this hard!

[Frustrated in Cle]

So there is a nursing shortage, is there not? Why can't I find a job? Has anybody else experienced this? Is the economy this bad? Granted, I am only an LPN and I literally got a license number yesterday. The thing is I have been applying for jobs since September in preparation for graduation and I'm not really even getting any calls back. Maybe they passed over my application becuase it had no license number and now it will get better? Most of my friends have been able to get jobs already, though. I graduated number 1 in my class from a good PN school and got into an even better LPN to BSN program which I am starting in the Spring so I can't understand why I can't even get anyone to call me back. I'm starting to think that there must be something that I am doing wrong. Please let me know if anyone is having/had a similar experience, has any ideas about what I'm doing wrong or what more I can do, etc.

[mswhite]

thanks for your input. i am willing to work anywhere, for a year or so. just for the experience

[blackdogm3]

This has been happening in Philadelphia also. I'm in nursing school, and I know few of my friends who already graduated and got their RN since this summer, and still can't find jobs! All the hospitals say they don't hire new grads. So finally one of my friend got a job at the prison, and the other at home health. I guess sometimes you have to keep options open other than hospitals. I don't get it either. They say that there's a shortage, but it doesn't seem like it when you graduate and can't find a job.

[emilysmom,RN]

My class graduated May 08. We all got jobs. I live outside of Philly. Most of us accepted our jobs before we graduated. My interviews were in Jan and I started end of Aug. Most hosptials start hiring new grads in dec and jan. I would start looking now and jan and feb. I would call nurse recruiters at all your local hospitals and ask them when will they start hiring new grads this year.

Good Luck

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

This we work around by using insane amounts of orientation and shadowing and other resources. We have been successful in this aspect.

This is something we have had no answer for. Ultimately though, at least in my view, long term employment at LTC ultimately makes you lose skills that are used elsewhere.

I can't see how any skill in LTC translates to other field except maybe Med-Surg. Admittedly I am not educated concerning ALL of the other fields so I may be WAY off base.

My DON does think this is part of the problem though. In the end, RN's are left without a job and we are left without RN's...

They already know I intend to pursue a hospital but are already offering me all kinds of incentives to stay on at least part time.

Of course the other problem is some places are offering such high incentives that it is impossible to compete with them and they aren't getting RNs either.

I have a different assessment on skills lost etc, while in LTC....I feel my assessment skills have to be on "fine tune" as there is a communication barrier in dementia, LTC etc...... very similar to pediatrics........ reactions to UTI etc., for more severe, the picking up on a behavior change, might warrant a UA???? Years ago I would have told you thats nutts..

LTC and versions of it is going to be the fastest growing area of health care demand delivery, with "us baby boomers" boomering in to the system..........hang in there.

Regardless, back to the topic, make your own experience, take a job in an area you might not consider... IE "LTC" for a year or so.... then you will be experienced.

Good luck, and I seriously an thrilled that you have joined the nursing profession, besides what you may feel right now; WE NEED YOU!!! :heartbeat

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

I took all of STANLEYRN2B advise. the only calls i've received, were the ones telling me that they are not currently hiring new grads. my student loan is due in January. I know that the economy has a lot to do with this. im even thinking of relocating.

If you do re-locate, come down south, WE NEED YOU!!!

[mswhite]

thanks everyone for your input. and yes, i am looking everywhere. as far as looking into hospitals now for Jan and Feb, that makes a lot of sense. I was told by someone that most places rarely hire nurses this time of year. hopefully, i'll find something real soon.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I have an interview at a LTC Monday. Right now, I'm willing to relocate anywhere but Saudi Arabia.

[Sean 91]

Man, what state you in? In my state a way down South, they grinding out lots of LPNs from schools and it's nothin' to get a hospital job. And doctors' offices and clinics won't even look at RNs because it costs too much. Maybe you just in the wrong state! Hoohee!

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I'm in KY and I'm running into the same problem of lots of RN jobs, but hardly any for new grads. I too am considering relocating if the one (that's right one) interview I managed to get doesn't pan out. The problem is where? I've been researching places all over and a lot of them are not hiring until Jan or Feb. So now I'm competing for a very limited amount of jobs with December grads as well. And I have experience as an LPN which you would think would count as something, but it doesn't....except to calculate my pay rate.

[mswhite]

i live in maryland. I too am thinking about relocation but with kids and all, im trying to wait till feb to see if my luck changes. yesterday, i had a phone interview and next tuesday, im going to an open house with all my credentials on me.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I recently found this website www.aftercollege.com It actually lists New RN jobs/internships. Thought I'd share :hrnsmlys:

[Golfguy72]

Hey,

Go to Tampa General Hospitals website in Tampa, FL. they must need 2 dozen RN's.

B