Colorado New Grads- Do you have jobs?

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I am graduating in May from UCD and I am curious how recent new grads are fairing in our great state. I am hearing horror stories of people not being able to get jobs and working in waitressing, grocery stores, etc. Who has found a job? Who hasn't? What has worked for you and what hasn't? I am not attached to any one hospital, but would like to stay in the Denver Metro area.

Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

So the job market must be better in the grand junction area?

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

Just to let any new grads who don't have jobs currently. I found out that Lutheran Medical Center is doing a November new grad class this year. I would check the exempla website to see when it gets posted. I hope this helps!

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there is only one sure way to get a rn job in colorado......know someone at the hospital that can get you an interview with the nursing manager on the floor. sadly, it's not what you know; it's who you know. when i was a nursing student it was driven into us that the nursing school did not recommend us students working while in their program. i feel that nursing schools are so set on focusing on "their nclex scores" from their nursing students that they are not very helpful at all in helping "their students" find employment. sad isn't? i also feel that it should be the clinical placement person's job to be in touch and know which hospitals hire and which ones don't. why would you place us nursing students in hospitals that don't take on new grads? nursing schools need to be in touch with the real world. while you are in nursing school they should encourage you to take a cna job versus telling us not to work. just my opinion...

out of work nurse

:nurse:

sadly? this is just how the world is. it's how it's always been. my husband got a job while still active duty stationed in ca by "knowing someone". anybody can find a job opening on the internet so everybody has access to it. i've never known any other way to "get" a job. i don't think it's sad at all, just a fact of life.

to comment on some of the responses from posters discussing nursing schools "churning out new grads," there's no jobs out there right now period, nurse or otherwise. schools are "churning" out people with business degrees, law degrees, etc. etc. etc. and saturating the market. you'd think with a higher population in our area, they'd need more healthcare employees but i guess it's past that. when people decide to become a nurse, they should already know the scenario and be aware of the struggle for work after they graduate. i'm one that decided i would go for it even after knowing what the scoop was. i became an ibclc to make myself more qualified than just "a new grad". i think getting qualifications on your own (working on neonatal resuscitation now) make you stand out. but again, it's always been like this, being more qualified and making yourself stand out than just having a bsn or whatever is pertinent to finding work.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

you make good points littletonjen, what makes me angry is that nursing is still portrayed by the media as a 'recession proof job.' They arent telling the whole story - especially concerning new grds

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

The number I heard, according to some regional nursing education professional organization, is that there are over 500 unemployed new grad RNs in the Denver area at the end of Q3 '10. This suggests that ~50% of new grads do not have jobs.

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The number I heard, according to some regional nursing education professional organization, is that there are over 500 unemployed new grad RNs in the Denver area at the end of Q3 '10. This suggests that ~50% of new grads do not have jobs.

The Denver area doesn't necessarily reflect the rest of the state, though. If those Denver grads were willing to move further south or to more rural areas, they'd find lots of jobs.

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The problem with me is I have absolutely no connections in this area. I graduated in NY, and moved to CO in July. I still have yet to find a job, which puts me in a difficult situation. When I contacted a medical temp agency, they told me they can't get new RNs jobs, either. The best they could do for me is get me a job as a CNA, and hope I can work my way up after awhile. Am I the only one that thinks this is just crazy??? I feel like I'm doing everything in my power to get a job. I've applied to well over 200 positions, and have only had a total of 2 interviews.... one, I didn't get the job, and the other one I just had on Monday so I'm still playing the waiting game. However, the woman interviewing me said she had over 200 applicants and is only looking to fill one spot, so I'm not getting my hopes up. I just feel so aggravated. It's really hard coming from out of state. :uhoh3: I'm not sure what else to do at this point except keep trying everyday. I got ACLS certified in hopes that that would help, and I am currently going for my BSN.

Good luck to everyone else still looking!! :rolleyes:

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Why on earth did you up and move to Colorado with no experience and no job offer??? That is crazy! Good luck!

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Haha...I just wanted to try something new since I wasn't being tied down by school anymore. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I didn't think it'd be this hard. I was working briefly with adolescents with substance abuse issues and behavioral disorders, but found that that wasn't for me. I do have a 2nd interview for a job on Monday. And tomorrow I have an interview for a PRN position in a nursing home. So I'm hoping something will come out of this!! :)

Thanks :)

P.S. Colorado is beautiful.:o

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JP- I would love to work with Adolescents with behavioral and Substance abuse issues! I think I may know of the position you are referring to. I too am a new grad, any tips for applying/ interviewing for the Psych position you spoke of? I would really appreciate any more info :-) thanks!

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I actually believe that they are looking for a weekend overnight nurse right now, if you're interested. What I've found to help is instead of using e-mail or fax, go and bring your resume in in person. That way, they're kind of "forced" to take a peek at it...it won't just sit in their inbox. As far as interviewing, just be yourself and be honest. When I interviewed there, they didn't ask too many questions. Some interviewers just kind of like to chat I've noticed, and let you know about the details of the facility.

Good luck to you in your job search. :-)

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I went to ACC so I graduated with an ADN. Sadly I believed their threats and warnings about working while you are in the school the first year. Hospitals weren't hiring nurse interns when I was trying to get a job second year. If you're a nurse intern at DH you have a very good chance and I wouldn't worry too much. I'd start talking to your nurse manager now! If you're in the float pool, find a way to talk the manager on every floor where you float. Concentrate on DH and don't let that opportunity slip away.

I'm starting ACC in the spring- any words of wisdom? I am really nervous...

-kt

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