Depressed New Grad

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I know this is a pretty common statement on these boards, but I am so frustrated/upset/disappointed about how difficult it is to find a job as a new grad nurse right now.

I just finished my pregrad in an ICU, and normally they hire their pregrad students into the NGG positions to orient them and then hire part time afterwards. This year they are unable to because they're laying off nurses on the unit.

The only postings I see (outside of NGG) are for emerg jobs, which I am not qualified for (although I did apply to a bunch of them anyway, because what else can I do). I think I've pretty much applied to anything that is within an hour or so drive of where I live.

My boyfriend and I are looking at moving so that we can both be employed, but his job is a little more limiting. He also makes more money than I will as a nurse so if he can't find a job as well it makes no sense to move. I've applied to Calgary and to the interior of BC. From reading the boards I know that everywhere in Ontario (except for way up North perhaps) is a tough market right now. I had a phone interview for a casual position in the interior, but my boyfriends interviews for that area didn't pan out.

It's extra frustrating to me because the lie I was sold when I applied to nursing was that there was this "huge shortage" and so many jobs for nurses. And this is my second degree, which makes the looming student debt even more terrifying for me.

I'm not really sure why I'm posting this. I think I just need to get it off my chest to other people who are dealing with the same thing. My family just keeps telling me oh its cyclical, it wasn't like this a few years ago. Which is kind of a lie, throughout my degree nurses on the units have been telling me there were no jobs, but I loved being in the hospital so I kind of ignored it.

Here's hoping I eventually get a job here in Onterrible, or get an opportunity to move to Alberta or BC (which I would love to do, beautiful out there).

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Who told you there was shortage and lots of jobs? I think when I was in school they were predicting that thousands would be reaching retirement age and there would be a big shortage. It didn't happen.Seems like they tell everyone the same thing.

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Oh everyone tells us that. Teachers, family members, etc. I'm sure one day there will maybe be a shortage, but the only thing we're short on right now are jobs.

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If I were u, I will check out North of Canada and United States;

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A big part of the problem for me is that my boyfriend won't be able to find a job in smaller towns. And he makes quite a bit more than I will as a nurse. If I was single I would definitely be looking more North or to more rural locations. A bit of a crappy situation, but I am continuing to apply everywhere I can.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
Oh everyone tells us that. Teachers, family members, etc. I'm sure one day there will maybe be a shortage, but the only thing we're short on right now are jobs.

For a true picture people need to talk to people that are actually nurses. People that aren't in nursing always think there is a shortage.

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Have you applied to Long Term Care? It get you the experience that you need.

Alberta and BC are both having issues finding work for their own new grads. AB has a hiring freeze and depending on who you listen to job eliminations in the future. Staff that leave or retire are not being replaced. Every line is being evaluated. One vacancy on my unit got posted as a one year temporary position and there 89 internal applicants.

It's a tough market. We weren't trying to void in anyones' cornflakes when we said really assess if you want to go to nursing school, especially those who were second degree students.

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I definitely understand that the new grads having difficulty finding jobs is an across the board type of thing. Attrition is how they're doing a lot of it in Ontario as well. Plus layoffs.

However, I love nursing. So if I need to work in a part of the field that I don't necessarily enjoy as much for a while to get experience I will do it. I'm giving myself May to see if I can get a job in hospital and to study for/write the NCLEX. After that I will apply for jobs that aren't all that appealing to me.

This post was mostly a boo hoo I'm sad about life type of post haha. I am very glad that I went into nursing as my second degree, and I know eventually I'll end up where I want to be. Even if that's many years from now.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Sorry to hear that you are discouraged, although this is not uncommon for nurses in general. Experienced nurses have been losing jobs for years as a result of layoffs and unit closures. You're not alone.

Consider moving to a small town and working any nursing job you can find until you build some experience. Small towns need nurses, urban areas not so much.

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Yeah, I was speaking to a nurse on my unit (before I finished pregrad) who had moved here from Vancouver in December. She had 7 years of experience in ICU and emerg and it took her over 4 months to find a job. And it's not even like I live in a big city right now. Hard for everyone, and hopefully one of the smaller hospitals I've applied to will need me :)!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I see you've written a couple times about how your boyfriend makes more money than you will as a nurse, but that doesn't necessarily mean you don't deserve the same amount of respect regarding finding a job in your field as he does. There should be some sort of compromise here; you've worked hard to get your nursing education and your starting salary isn't anything to sneeze at. For me, getting an education, being able to count on myself financially and being independent are very important. I would have a hard time just giving that up because my boyfriend's career "trumps" mine.

I'm not trying to be harsh, just a friendly reminder that you and your career is just as important as him and his. :)

Anyway, on the topic of jobs, I just recently got a job in the maritimes. Only Nova Scotia seems to be hiring. I'm not a new grad but it might be something to think about. They do have a new grad program for ICUs as well, but I'm not sure about how difficult it is to secure a position and if priority is given to graduates of local Universities or not. Another option is to apply for casual positions (I see you were offered an interview for a casual job!). At least that way you can get your foot in the door to start applying internally but again, I'm not sure if they hire new grad casuals because of the extensive amount of orientation that is required.

Good luck!

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I'm in the same position! Have you applied to jobs through HFO/NGG? Any luck there. I was going ot wait till after I wrote the nclex in june to apply but see that would be a mistake

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