Anyone attended Samuel Merritt and not get a job right away

[Kellijoseph]

I have heard very good things about Samuel Merritt's accelerated bsn program. I am applying in about a week. I am extremely worried that I won't find a job after I graduate and spend nearly 70k on tuition. I am applying because I have taken all their prerequisites and now I am in panic mode about whether this will turn out good. I know new nurses are having a tough time finding jobs. Has anyone experienced joblessness after graduating? For how long? Is there anything that will increase my chances of getting w job afterwards?

[essT]

I graduated in November 2012 and was working in NC by mid-February. Many of my classmates looked for a long time and some are still seeking their first hospital positions. I don't have statistics, but I would venture to say that the majority of us who started working in our desired positions immediately did so because we were willing to leave California.

I fully understood the financial implications when I decided to attend the program. Barring any major changes, I will be able to pay back my loans within the 10 year mark by living modestly. That being said, I do not know if I would make the decision to attend the program if I could do it over. It is quite a heavy burden. However, I will say that the education I received was excellent. I felt very well prepared by the program to step immediately into a critical care environment.

You can find lots of information on here about ways to make yourself more marketable after graduation.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Ease of employability is mostly going to depend on how flexible YOU are when you job search, not the school you went to. If you can't leave Cali you will likely face the same dire unemployment rates all other cali new grads are facing. If you are willing to move out of state, you will have better chances.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Right around 50% of new grads in California will still be unemployed (as nurses anyway) when the next year's graduating class turns out. It's a TIGHT market for newbies.

Look around AN to see what States are more welcoming for new grads, and you might consider moving there.

[mrnightinggale]

Yes, my wife. She finally joined the Air Force.

[Littleguccipiggy]

Uhh, yea! Don't believe the hype they tell you when you go to information sessions or from the teachers. I graduated in 2011 and found a job in 2013. (I had also traveled the world and thankfully didn't quit my first job when I started nursing school). SMU graduates are treated just the same by people in HR as any other school. Their reputation will not give you an advantage in finding a job. About half the people in my cohort found jobs pretty easily after graduation (family/friend connections), the other half had to find jobs out of state. Find a CNA job or some other hospital experience. That will really help your chances.