Do you think the job market for nurses will improve by the time you graduate?

Nursing Students General Students

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Lack of nursing jobs is pretty much on top of everyone's mind right now. I feel like it's the biggest issue out there for aspiring nurses. As a pre-nursing student it's made me question my career choice a couple of times, however, I keep hearing about how demands for nurses is cyclical and it will eventually go back to the way it used to be with an abundance of work opportunities everywhere. So for now, I'm holding still and not making any major changes.

What about you? Do you think things will be better by the time you graduate and you're ready to work? Or do you think it'll be like this for a long time? If you don't see the situation improving within the near future, what's still making you pursue this field?

Specializes in Telehealth, Hospice and Palliative Care.

"We currently have 54 openings for RNs- some per diem, some float, some part time, and some full time (looks like a pretty even mix of PD, PT, and FT.) Some are in the hospital, some in home care, some are probably even in LTC. And some are probably really cruddy hours. But we do have them...."

There are many open positions...I believe I have applied for over 200 since December. The problem is, the majority don't want new grads, no matter HOW undesirable the position or the hours.

One of my classmates got a PT hospital RN position. She was told there were 270 applicants for the ONE part-time spot on ortho/neuro.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
"We currently have 54 openings for RNs- some per diem, some float, some part time, and some full time (looks like a pretty even mix of PD, PT, and FT.) Some are in the hospital, some in home care, some are probably even in LTC. And some are probably really cruddy hours. But we do have them...."

There are many open positions...I believe I have applied for over 200 since December. The problem is, the majority don't want new grads, no matter HOW undesirable the position or the hours.

One of my classmates got a PT hospital RN position. She was told there were 270 applicants for the ONE part-time spot on ortho/neuro.

200??!! That's awful.

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Specializes in Telehealth, Hospice and Palliative Care.

I have to laugh...at one hospital I have been kicked out of their computer system twice because I have "exceeded the number of allowed applications within the specified time frame"! I got a total of 6 interviews for my effort.

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Specializes in surgical nursing.

im a nurse from the phlippines and i have been applying for a nursing job there in the states since 2007.until

now i haven't got one because of the retrogression of visa for foreign nurses.

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To - CokeForBreakfast (post #36), or anyone - is it true that no one wants to hire new grads in nursing? How come?

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Specializes in Peds general and ICU/Comm. Disease RN.

Just speaking from my experience here in Missouri...the hospital I used to work for WOULD hire new grads. I just did a quick job search for RN positions available within 50 miles of me......there were over 1000 jobs! That was just one search! I am seeing that it is "LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION"! I feel for my fellow Nurses out West...seems that jobs are few and far between! Best of luck to all of you looking for a job!

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Nursing refresher course meeting had two msn from a good private college, another young bilingual citizen who had senior preceptorship in a burn unit and other good experience, and so forth... not very encouraging.

Don't count on others retiring.I just don't see all these older nurses at any of the hospitals here. There were over a million licensed nurses not working before the Recession. Jumping back in? Don't hold your breath several nurses with lots of experience but over 40 and some not so old.

As for maybe limiting the constant influx of foreign nurses... well that is unlikely to happen either. People are afraid to speak up as it seems mean spirited.

The legislation increasing insurance access was watered down by the party of No. Meanwhile many insurance companies are raising rates as much as 39% so many more will have to give it up.

Meanwhile, tax dollars are being wasted on studies claiming there is and will be a nursing shortage.

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I am a new grad (RN) with no job :crying2: you are talking about a major change?!...well I am thinking in going back to school to study something else. I have to start paying loans next month and have no money, so going back to school is my only choise.

I am really upset :mad: after all the hard work in nursing school, this situation is very frustrating!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I will be starting nursing school in October and I would love to secure a position in an expansion program like the one you mentioned. How do I go about applying for something like that? It sounds like it is something that is offered after your first semester, right? How and when did you find out about the program? Do most hospitals offer programs like this? I appreciate any information/suggestions you have. It sounds like a great opportunity--congrats!! :)

P.S. What state are you in?

I am in Texas. If a hospital offers this type of program it is usually listed on their website employment area or their area for nurses along with the process for application and acceptance (mine requires at least a B average, being in an ADN program or last two years of a BSN program, submission of application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personality test, drug test, phone interview and finally a panel interview. Each step is progressive). The one I applied to will consider you once you have recieved an acceptance letter into nursing school.

I found out about this particular program through the nursing program director at my college. Most hospitals used to offer this. A few still do. A few have gone to "grow your own" programs in partnership with local colleges. And a few don't do it at all. The one I am at used to do it frequently; now they limit it to 10 awards per year. It is a good opportunity and takes one stress off my plate. Thank you for the well wishes. :)

Just look at the hospitals that most interest you - either call HR or peruse the websites. Maybe talk to the director of your program to see if she knows of anything like this in your area. Good luck!

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I am in Texas. If a hospital offers this type of program it is usually listed on their website employment area or their area for nurses along with the process for application and acceptance (mine requires at least a B average, being in an ADN program or last two years of a BSN program, submission of application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personality test, drug test, phone interview and finally a panel interview. Each step is progressive). The one I applied to will consider you once you have recieved an acceptance letter into nursing school.

I found out about this particular program through the nursing program director at my college. Most hospitals used to offer this. A few still do. A few have gone to "grow your own" programs in partnership with local colleges. And a few don't do it at all. The one I am at used to do it frequently; now they limit it to 10 awards per year. It is a good opportunity and takes one stress off my plate. Thank you for the well wishes. :)

Just look at the hospitals that most interest you - either call HR or peruse the websites. Maybe talk to the director of your program to see if she knows of anything like this in your area. Good luck!

Thank you so much for the info on this--I will definitely look into it. I'm in California, and jobs are really hard to come by here right now (much like the rest of the country, I'm sure), so it would be great if I could find a secure position while I'm still in school. Thanks again and good luck to you too! :)

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I personally think that when new grads are looking for jobs they are looking for what they WANT sometimes and not willing to CHANGE to get what they need.

RN's and lack of jobs is a crock of crap. I live in Atl but work in a town 1 hour away from my house (in the country) and go to school even further in the country (.5hr south of my job). The hospital I do clinicals at is looking for RN's - granted, it's in the country but it's 1.5 tops from Macon or Atlanta.

And I've lived in Los Angeles and was an administrator there - while the economy is VERY bad there, you have to go outside of the major cities to find what you need. I call my old company all the time and they still have openings.

Also, look at county jobs, school jobs, ambulance companies everything out of the norm. New grads get so caught up in "I have to work in a hospital or LTC facility". THere is SOOOOO much opportunity out there for nurses and they are not just in hospitals and LTC.

And as a last resort, people, MOVE. MOVE CITIES! people WILL pay for relocation now a days. You gotta do what you gotta do. So this whole i can't find a job whine drives me nuts.

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Specializes in Current: ER Past: Cardiac Tele.

The hospital I work at as a Unit Secretary hires new grads. A lot also has to do with networking and having some hospital experience by the time you graduate.

Most everyone in my nursing school have been finding jobs in what I consider a timely manner. Some of them did have to give up an ideal job and work at an LTC and some became travel nurses. Also, there are travel nurses for overseas too. And quite a number of them went straight into their specialties!

I'm not particularly worried about getting a job. I know that it won't be that easy, but I know I will find one :)

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