Denver jobs for new grads

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2010

Shouldn't you get a job before you move?

I hear it is really bad out there... but who knows.

verklempt · Mar 9, 2010

Well...that's the idea: to get a job before I move. I'm just wondering what it's like out there for BSN grads in particular who have experience in an area other than acute care.

JenniferSews · Mar 9, 2010

It's not great, that's for sure. Check the local hospitals and you'll find hundreds of listings, but if you read 99.999% say 1+ year experience in acute care required. If you're in TX I'd strongly consider staying there for a year and gaining some experience. Many from my class in December (ADN though) are still looking. Even some of those who have worked as CNA's in a hospital for 3+ years are still looking. I finally got a call for a hospital (although not even an interview yet) after dozens of applications, and it was prefaced by "these few spots are extremely competitive." Start applying right now, and hope for the best.

jen12345 · Mar 9, 2010

I am sure you looked online already, but there are a lot of Denver nursing jobs posted on job boards like denvernurses.com. I would also suggest that you try calling hospitals and apply to as many jobs as possible.

Good luck!

e.lindsey · Mar 14, 2010

maybe the situation will be different from mine, but as newer grad with about 6 months of experience, the market is terrible...so bad in fact that I'm apply to positions in Texas and if I am offered a job, I'm leaving...no questions.

jen12345 · Mar 15, 2010

I had no idea it was that bad out there. Everywhere I look the consensus is that there is a nurse shortage in Denver. Supposedly the shortage is way worse then the national average. Here is an article about why there are not enough nurses in Denver. Also there seem to be a lot of Denver nursing jobs on job boards, careerbuilder.com and monster.com seem to be full of positions too.

Maybe it's because everyone is looking for experienced nurses, so the recent graduates are having a hard time? It's been a while since I looked for a job, so I don't really know the answer. Keep looking and good luck!

Penny8611 · Mar 16, 2010

I had no idea it was that bad out there. Everywhere I look the consensus is that there is a nurse shortage in Denver. Supposedly the shortage is way worse then the national average. Here is an article about why there are not enough nurses in Denver.

I'm not even in nursing school, so I could be completely wrong on this, but...the job market for new grads is dismal here. The link above is to the "Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence" which, as far as I can tell, is funded largely by the hospitals in the area. I hate to be so jaded, but it's in the hospitals' best interest to make it look like there are not enough nurses here.

I've done some research while biding my time on the wait-list for ACC, and it truly does look like there are jobs available...for BSNs with experience. For brand new grads...it's not pretty. Also, I've heard repeatedly that many of the jobs posted on the hospital websites are only POSSIBLE openings, not hard-and-fast actual jobs that are actually open right now. I could be wrong, and frankly, I hope I am, but in the metropolitan areas of the state, it's not good from what I can see.

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2010

There's a shortage... everywhere except Colorado. In Colorado from all reports I've seen, there is such a glut that they are demanding experienced nurses for what might otherwise be a new grad position solely because they can due to the over saturated market.

JenniferSews · Mar 16, 2010

Maybe it's because everyone is looking for experienced nurses, so the recent graduates are having a hard time?

Exactly. Although I've talked to experienced nurses who are having a harder time as well. The myth is still out there that there is a nursing shortage, but it's not reality.

hope3456, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2010

I'm not even in nursing school, so I could be completely wrong on this, but...the job market for new grads is dismal here. The link above is to the "Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence" which, as far as I can tell, is funded largely by the hospitals in the area. I hate to be so jaded, but it's in the hospitals' best interest to make it look like there are not enough nurses here.
I've done some research while biding my time on the wait-list for ACC, and it truly does look like there are jobs available...for BSNs with experience. For brand new grads...it's not pretty. Also, I've heard repeatedly that many of the jobs posted on the hospital websites are only POSSIBLE openings, not hard-and-fast actual jobs that are actually open right now. I could be wrong, and frankly, I hope I am, but in the metropolitan areas of the state, it's not good from what I can see.

Penny8611 - I commend you for doing your research and looking deeper into the issue. You make a good point about jobs only being POSSIBLE jobs. For example, I worked for a northern CO hospital and I overheard my nurse mgr talking about interviewing RN's for an 'opening.' There were several PRN RN's there who would pick up shifts as needed so it wasn't like we were really short staffed. Anyway, my NM said she interviewed 3 RN's but none of them were a 'good fit' for the unit. So yeah, the hiring mgr can afford to be really picky.

Penny8611 · Mar 18, 2010

Penny8611 - I commend you for doing your research and looking deeper into the issue. You make a good point about jobs only being POSSIBLE jobs. For example, I worked for a northern CO hospital and I overheard my nurse mgr talking about interviewing RN's for an 'opening.' There were several PRN RN's there who would pick up shifts as needed so it wasn't like we were really short staffed. Anyway, my NM said she interviewed 3 RN's but none of them were a 'good fit' for the unit. So yeah, the hiring mgr can afford to be really picky.

I have to be honest...I was ready to dive in head first and it was only the wait-list at ACC that slowed me down. I was going to get my credits together to apply to CU, but the wind has kind of gone out of my sails. The more I look into it, the more it looks like it's going to be a while before the market here really recovers.

I have a good friend who is an RN in the Dallas area. She worked for seven years on one floor and decided it was time for a new challenge. She applied for one of two positions on another floor...and was one of 70 nurses who applied for it. A number of the applicants were experienced nurses who already worked at her hospital; the new grads who were applying didn't stand a chance. (She did get the job. She rocks. ) It's really difficult to know what to do. I've been told by ACC that I might get a letter inviting me to show up for orientation this fall as an alternate, but...if I get that letter I believe I will pass and wait until my number actually comes up. Maybe by then I'll have a clearer idea of what to do. It's kind of a mess!