Finding a job... should I be worried?

tokidokifantasy · Jul 12, 2010

Many threads here addressed your concerns before. I have read a thread before written by a RN, who suggested net working and volunteering while you are in school. I am not sure how your GPA will get you hire, but I know experiences matter a lot to hospitals. I am learning from all nurses in this site to just start net working and making friends with people where you volunteer at. I am sure by that time, you will find a job. Also, I was told that by the time we all graduate, economy will pick up. I hope that is the case.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jul 12, 2010

You best course of action is to get into a student internship at a hospital as soon as you get into your med/surg courses. This is helpful to many students in landing that hard-to-get job after graduation. The internship that I'm in right now (going into my senior year of nursing school) is pretty much guaranteeing me a new grad position, as long as things continue to go well. Definitely don't rely on the economy to suddenly improve-- network and get yourself out there and into a hospital. Good luck! :nurse:

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2010

sadly, nursing internships/externships dont necessarily guarantee you a job either. Mine didnt. That and, I know at least in my area, even those are hard to come by. The economy really stinks and as hospitals are making cuts and nurses delaying retirement, it is really hard for a new grad to get a job. Even for those who work in the very same hospital as a tech/CNA.

I hope it turns around here soon because having a license that I am not able to use right now does indeed suck. I have faith because these things are cyclical. It has to pick up here again soon.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jul 13, 2010

I never said it was a guarantee, but it certainly can't hurt. Most of my friends that I go to school with have landed intern/externships, so I think it depends on where you live. Either way, the economy does suck and doing anything you can to get experience is pretty crucial right now.

Good luck to everyone in getting through NS and finding a job. :nurse:

css62 · Jul 13, 2010

Thanks everyone!

I'll be checking out the nearby hospital about volunteering and seeng what types of other programs they have for students. Maybe just knowing a bit about what happens and what to expect will help. Good luck to everyone.

Sorry about the repost, I went thru several pages and didn't find anything that fit the bill of my concern so I apologize for repeating a question.

racquetmom · Jul 13, 2010

My comment is that this is a nursing forum so everything is related to such. If you were to go on engineering forum or teacher forum you would be reading the same concerns about finishing school and difficulty finding jobs due to economy and not having experience. I'm not saying not to worry about it, but it is something we have no control over. As students, all we can do is what people have said, volunteer, grades, internships, etc. Those are things that need to be done anyways no matter what shape the economy is in. I am trying to take the approach one step at a time and my first step is starting Block I.

BellsRNBSN · Jul 13, 2010

I was just on another site for nurses and ran into a page about all of these new graduates who were having such a hard time finding jobs. Now I am incredibly worried. I start my nursing program in the fall and had thought that as long as I was at the top of my class or close to it a job would come easily. Now, I am reading all of these posts from new graduates who have gone like a year or more without getting anyone to hire them. Some of the excuses that they are hearing is that the jobs require experience. Is anyone else afraid of this?

I share your worries! With the economy the way it is, I never thought that getting a job as a new-grad RN would be EASY, but I thought I'd at least be able to choose where I want to live and be able to get a job within a couple months after passing the NCLEX. However, I have been learning otherwise here and other sources. I have been hearing the same things you have. I start nursing school next month and my parents and friends keep telling me not to worry about getting a job until after I'm done with NS, but my program is only 12 months long and is very expensive, meaning I'm going to have some serious student loans to start paying back 6 months after I graduate, so I can't be sitting around unemployed for any longer than that. :smackingf

At this point, I feel like I'll be willing to take whatever RN position is offered to me once I'm certified. I'll work nights, I'll relocate, I'll work in LTC. I hear that once you get that first year of experience under your belt, you'll have a lot more options. I'm also trying to start networking NOW. With the accelerated nature of my BSN program, I'm not sure if I'll have time to volunteer/do an internship while I'm in school. I'm going to work really hard to get good grades and impress my clinical instructors. I want to jump at any task they offer, even if it's changing a diaper or bathing a patient. I want to be the student they come to first! Any RNs or experienced nursing students out there have any more advice on how to stand out (in a good way of course!)???

In any case, I say we try to stay positive and use these worries in a beneficial way to push us to excel in NS. I love love LOVE this entire forum and the support you get from nurses and nursing students all over the world! :nurse:

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2010

I never said it was a guarantee, but it certainly can't hurt. Most of my friends that I go to school with have landed intern/externships, so I think it depends on where you live. Either way, the economy does suck and doing anything you can to get experience is pretty crucial right now.

Oh I know. It wasn't my intention to put words in your mouth, I swear. I just wanted to give the OP the heads up though. Either way, its great experience any way you slice and dice it. As to whether internships/externships will help you land a job, that remains to be seen.

allnurses Guide · Jul 13, 2010

There is a difference between being worried and being proactively aware. Don't ignore the fact that there is a severe dearth of nursing jobs for new grads, but don't let it paralyze you or change your career plans either. Just use every opportunity to build networking connections and yes, get a job in a hospital however you can. Externships and Internships are competitive, but you still have every reason and right to try for them and you should. I know the hospital I have my externship at doesn't open its doors to any new grads except those that either work there or have an externship there - with externships being given priority in hiring. I just finished my first semester and start my second semester in August. It is never too soon to start building those bridges.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jul 13, 2010

Externships and Internships are competitive, but you still have every reason and right to try for them and you should. I know the hospital I have my externship at doesn't open its doors to any new grads except those that either work there or have an externship there - with externships being given priority in hiring.
This was the point I was trying to get across... for some reason it didn't come out, lol!
The hospital I'm working in as a VALOR student (at the VA) and other internships that I was offered, all explained to me that they no longer hire new grads that have not worked for them as an intern. So, I think it's an invaluable thing to have, but especially now when new grad jobs are scarce.

RileyJess06 · Jul 14, 2010

RhodyGirl makes a good point. I have heard the same thing that local RI hospitals - IF - they are hiring new grads at all, it's from their nurse intern pool only. At this point I'm glad I'm going part time and graduating "late". Hoping things turn around in our profession within the next few years....hoping anyway.

RhodyGirl I'd love to hear about your experience in VALOR. I tried emailing you, but not sure if it went through. Maybe went to your spam filter?