DC Area Job Opportunities

backinwonderland · Nov 28, 2010

The job market here is much, much better for new grads than the rest of the country. Or at least it has been, I'm can't really say what it'll be like after you graduate. I know that Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown have been hiring tons of new grads (I was part of WHC's February 2010 cohort). I do know that WHC is hiring a cohort for Feb 2011, and if they continue how they have been the next group would be July 2011. I don't really know much about Georgetown lately...

Good luck!

denicu · Nov 28, 2010

the market in DC is a little better than most places because of so many hosp in a small geographic area. However, I am not clear-Are you in a nursing program now because your post said "I am thinking of starting Marymount univ and will grad in 2011"

Conan the Nurse · Nov 28, 2010

I am thinking of attending Marymount for its accelerated program. So if I do attend I will graduate in May of 2012. (Sorry, I got the years mixed up.)

denicu · Nov 28, 2010

ok that makes more sense. Good luck.

Conan the Nurse · Nov 28, 2010

Thanks for the info.

SunshineRN79 · Nov 29, 2010

Here it is for the rest of the country. Nurses we are not hiring

RNBSN88 · Jan 15, 2011

I just graduated Dec 11, 2010 from University of Central Missouri with my BSN. My husband and I got stationed in DC in July and I went back to school for my last semester in Missouri. I am now back in DC and have been applying for jobs here since November. I have not got a single phone call or interview and I've applied to every hospital within driving distance, and I don't think the reason I have not got a call back is because of my qualifications....I think there are way too many people applying for a small amount of positions available. I applied to WHC and Georgetown and I heard WHC had way over 1,000 applicants. I graduated with honors, am a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, have various awards and scholarships, some volunteer service, I even got CNA of the year where I used to work. I have been a CNA for 5 years ...but only worked 2 years as one. I have held three previous jobs all with an excellent work history, one was even a veterans home ran by the state. I know a lot of ppl are having a hard time finding jobs here as graduate nurses.....although there may be more opportunities than other areas there are also a lot more people applying for them. So the answer is no, it's not easy to attain a job as a graduate nurse here. I wish I could of stayed in Missouri....I graduated with a group of 36 and all but three have jobs. And the three that don't, moved out of state (me included).

whodatnurse · Jan 15, 2011

There are jobs in this market but unfortunately not nearly enough for everyone who wants one. I graduated in 2009 and more than a few of my classmates have been forced to return to their old careers because they couldn't get their foot in the door anywhere as new grads.

SAHMStudent · Jan 16, 2011

I got a job, just graduated last month with my ASN. I consider myself very lucky. The problem with this area is that while there are a lot of medical facilities, there are also a lot of RN programs. Both BSN and ASN; about 15 total within an hour-1 1/2 hour of D.C. There is a glut of new grads, limited amount of new grad programs. Two hospitals I'd applied at and had set up interviews, sent out letters stating they'd canceled their programs for the time being.

Marymount is a good program; GL and hopefully when you graduate you will find something quickly.

SunshineRN79 · Jan 16, 2011

Katiemarie, you just graduated in December. Almost everyone I know who did end up getting jobs including myself graduated LAST year. Your journey has just begun. I too graduated with honors and magna cum laude. Well the truth is there are hundreds more that did as well. The best bet for everyone is to befriend a "higher up" in which ever hospital you can. Unless you are a CNA at that particular facility the chance of you getting hired before 8-16 months of having graduated is low. The market is saturated and the economy is the worst its been since the great depression. Take certification classes, get another job, and don't forget you can defer your school loans if you have economic hardship. What has happened to us is unfair, however the fact that eventually there is a possibility of finding a job in our field puts us above say a business degree graduate. I should be celebrating one year as a floor RN however I will only be celebrating one month. We will all have stories for our grandchildren about this time so store the memories well. Good luck everyone!

RNBSN88 · Jan 16, 2011

I got a job, just graduated last month with my ASN. I consider myself very lucky. The problem with this area is that while there are a lot of medical facilities, there are also a lot of RN programs. Both BSN and ASN; about 15 total within an hour-1 1/2 hour of D.C. There is a glut of new grads, limited amount of new grad programs. Two hospitals I'd applied at and had set up interviews, sent out letters stating they'd canceled their programs for the time being.
Marymount is a good program; GL and hopefully when you graduate you will find something quickly.

Definately probably helped that you actually went to school in this area. I think not having graduated here and not knowing anyone....or having any inside connections is my problem. At this point I can't think of any reason for employers not wanting to hire me. I believe my resume is pretty darn good.