NEW GRAD JOB CRISIS!

OBigdog26, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 27, 2014

Hi everyone,
Please provide any tips/connections/feedback you have for new graduate RNs! The job market is tough right now, but especially for new graduates because of our lack of experience. Anything helps! Thank you in advance!!!

I suggest working in an acute care setting and stay clear from nursing homes. You might have to work in an area of nursing that your not interested in and might have to "pay some dues." After about 6 months-1 year transfer to an area of nursing that your interested in. Good luck!

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That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 27, 2014

Move. Get out of where you are at and move to a market that isn't saturated. Of course do your research first.

LifelongDream · Sep 27, 2014

Get to know other nurses through Professional Organizations and network! You'll quickly learn that in most cases, it's not what you know, but WHO you know! Good luck.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2014

Nursing is rough for new grads and experienced nurses. Few jobs relative to the growing applicant pool. Consider relocating to a small city or town. Many small towns are in need of nurses.

Also network with friends, co-workers, instructors. Anyone and everyone you can think of.

Flexx · Sep 27, 2014

Network with anyone you can. You never know who may help you

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2014

I suggest working in an acute care setting and stay clear from nursing homes.

If recruiters and HR staff at acute care hospitals are not calling the new grad, I advise the person to be flexible and keep an open mind.

Many, but not all, of the new grads who find themselves trapped in the long-term unemployment vortex are either too selective ("I would never work in a nursing home!"), too unrealistic ("Working in the ER is my dream and I won't settle for less!"), too special snow-flaky ("I will only work day shift") or too rigid ("I refuse to commute or relocate for work!").

Beggars cannot be choosers, so if no one from the hospitals are calling to schedule interviews, the prudent new nurse will do anything to prevent turning into an 'old new grad' with no experience. This includes seeking employment at home health companies, hospices, nursing homes, physical rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, jails, prisons, private duty, group homes, blood banks, and basically any workplace outside the dream hospital setting.

Non-hospital nursing position = RN PAY + RN EXPERIENCE

Waiting for the hospital job = ZERO PAY + ZERO EXPERIENCE

Don't knock a pathway until you try it. You might actually enjoy nursing roles outside the acute care hospital. Good luck!

duskyjewel · Sep 27, 2014

Move. Get out of where you are at and move to a market that isn't saturated. Of course do your research first.

Yep. I live in Phoenix metro and knew a girl still working as an aide because no one would hire her without a BSN. She finally got an RN job by applying in rural eastern areas of the state where the hospitals weren't as picky because they had a much smaller labor pool from which to choose.

Jazzyjazz · Sep 27, 2014

If recruiters and HR staff at acute care hospitals are not calling the new grad, I advise the person to be flexible and keep an open mind.
Many, but not all, of the new grads who find themselves trapped in the long-term unemployment vortex are either too selective ("I would never work in a nursing home!"), too unrealistic ("Working in the ER is my dream and I won't settle for less!"), too special snow-flaky ("I will only work day shift") or too rigid ("I refuse to commute or relocate for work!").
Beggars cannot be choosers, so if no one from the hospitals are calling to schedule interviews, the prudent new nurse will do anything to prevent turning into an 'old new grad' with no experience. This includes seeking employment at home health companies, hospices, nursing homes, physical rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, jails, prisons, private duty, group homes, blood banks, and basically any workplace outside the dream hospital setting.
Non-hospital nursing position = RN PAY + RN EXPERIENCE
Waiting for the hospital job = ZERO PAY + ZERO EXPERIENCE

Don't knock a pathway until you try it. You might actually enjoy nursing roles outside the acute care hospital. Good luck!

I can speak for the Boston area... new grad = low chances of getting a job. That includes the facilities mentiomed above. I have applied to everything in a 50 mile radius. I have great connections, from nursing directors-chief of nursing and diversity nurse recruiters. Sadly, even of you get an interview, ultimately it is up to the unit manager to hire you. I'm also participating member of nursing organizations. At this point, I will keep in touch with my connections and keep my figers crossed. Keep the faith and hopefully I will hit spme luck soon.

duskyjewel · Sep 27, 2014

This works for school too. One of my CNA classmates avoided the 2-3 year wait lists in Maricopa County by moving just one county north. She's about to finish her RN this semester, and her husband just started his first semester. Had she stayed here, she might be just now getting accepted into a program.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 27, 2014

If recruiters and HR staff at acute care hospitals are not calling the new grad, I advise the person to be flexible and keep an open mind.
Many, but not all, of the new grads who find themselves trapped in the long-term unemployment vortex are either too selective ("I would never work in a nursing home!"), too unrealistic ("Working in the ER is my dream and I won't settle for less!"), too special snow-flaky ("I will only work day shift") or too rigid ("I refuse to commute or relocate for work!").
Beggars cannot be choosers, so if no one from the hospitals are calling to schedule interviews, the prudent new nurse will do anything to prevent turning into an 'old new grad' with no experience. This includes seeking employment at home health companies, hospices, nursing homes, physical rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, jails, prisons, private duty, group homes, blood banks, and basically any workplace outside the dream hospital setting.
Non-hospital nursing position = RN PAY + RN EXPERIENCE
Waiting for the hospital job = ZERO PAY + ZERO EXPERIENCE

Don't knock a pathway until you try it. You might actually enjoy nursing roles outside the acute care hospital. Good luck!

THIS^^^^^^^ about 1.342 jillion times!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2014

I can speak for the Boston area... new grad = low chances of getting a job. That includes the facilities mentiomed above. I have applied to everything in a 50 mile radius.

One of our frequent posters is from Boston and graduated from a nursing program there. After almost a year of job hunting to no avail, she relocated 250 miles away to Vermont to secure her first nursing position.

I am totally cognizant that not everyone is willing or able to move to areas with less glutted nursing employment markets, but the new grads who have relocated to carefully researched locations are usually able to secure jobs.