Nursing Shortage

Patchouli · Jun 14, 2009

see this is what bothers me about people saying they cannot get a job as a new grad. when often they mean they cannot get a job as a new rn grad doing what they want to do.
people... the much talked about nursing shortage is partly based on the fact that our population is aging in such a way that much larger numbers will require ltc. therefore, more specifically, more ltc nurses will be needed.
on another note my hospital just hired half a dozen new grads but our snfs in the surrounding counties just hired twenty between them.

first of all, it's kind of unfair for you to cast judgement on new grads who have no interest in working in ltc while you yourself are enjoying your hospital job. i was willing to work anywhere in the hospital just as long as i got to work in a hospital. i was trained to be a bedside nurse, that's what i would like to do. yeah, i have certain areas in the hospital i prefer, but to just get into one would be super! secondly, when the majority of new grads are saying they can't find work, they probably mean it! i for one am seeing it first hand.

2BSure · Jun 14, 2009

first of all, it's kind of unfair for you to cast judgement on new grads who have no interest in working in ltc while you yourself are enjoying your hospital job. i was willing to work anywhere in the hospital just as long as i got to work in a hospital. i was trained to be a bedside nurse, that's what i would like to do. yeah, i have certain areas in the hospital i prefer, but to just get into one would be super! secondly, when the majority of new grads are saying they can't find work, they probably mean it! i for one am seeing it first hand.

dear, you have no idea what my experience is and don't accuse me of a self-satisfied attitude because i have a job in a hospital. also, i was not referring to you but the op, who did say that ltc was hiring in his/her area.

if no one is hiring new grads in your area that sucks. i guess you will have to look outside your area or take the alternative of not working for a while.

by the way unless nursing school has greatly changed everyone is trained to be a "bedside nurse" so what is you point?

Patchouli · Jun 14, 2009

Point being, most new grads are not trained to work in LTCs and furthermore, most LTCs are not exactly great places for new grads to start out. You said it "bothers you" that new grads are saying they can't get jobs, well none of us in my class ever did a rotation in a LTC facility, nor were prepped for the environment of a LTC. So by definition of "jobs" I think most new grads thought they were going to do hospital work. I think the statement "getting the job they want" would be more specific to not getting to work in the area of the hospital they wanted or not being able to get in the hospital they wanted. It's really apples and oranges, they are not being picky. Picky would be not taking the Med-Surg position because you had your heart set on Tele. Not, wanting to take a LTC position is a whole other story.

Patchouli · Jun 14, 2009

wanted to add that i didn't mean to offend you, maybe i misunderstood your post. sometimes it's hard to understand the meaning of a statement based on what is written. anyways, for me moving is not an option, and neither is waiting, my family is hungry, and my student loans are gone. i have an interview in a ltc facility that's an hour and fifteen away from me. no, i don't want to work there. bad side of town, staff will probably conspire against me (according to the lady whom did my first interview), but it's a paycheck and it's experience. not really the kind i wanted, not even close, but it is what it is.

NC Girl BSN · Jun 14, 2009

wanted to add that i didn't mean to offend you, maybe i misunderstood your post. sometimes it's hard to understand the meaning of a statement based on what is written. anyways, for me moving is not an option, and neither is waiting, my family is hungry, and my student loans are gone. i have an interview in a ltc facility that's an hour and fifteen away from me. no, i don't want to work there. bad side of town, staff will probably conspire against me (according to the lady whom did my first interview), but it's a paycheck and it's experience. not really the kind i wanted, not even close, but it is what it is.

i think that you will be okay in ltc until a hospital job opens up. hopefully in the near future when your no longer considered a new grad, you will have no problems getting a job in a hospital. i am currently considered a new grad rn. i worked in ltc for 16 months as a lpn while getting my rn. i had no problems getting a job in a hospital and i am in a new grad program. i also am getting paid $2 more than the average newgrad and i am not anxious at the bedside. ltc is pretty routine. same thing everyday. you will be amazed at how your confidence and skill level will have increase when you do land a hospital job.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2009

I think I'd rather uproot myself and move to get a hospital job rather apply for LTC jobs in my city. My concern about LTC as a new grad is that it concerns me to be a brand new nurse and passing out meds for 30 or so patients. It sounds like it would be risky for a new grad as far as protecting that new license. I tend to think a seasoned nurse could work in LTC better, knowing what to look out for and where to cut corners when pressed by time. How the LPNs do it...well, they seriously have my admiration.

shoegalRN, RN · Jun 14, 2009

See this is what bothers me about people saying they cannot get a job as a new grad. When often they mean they cannot get a job as a new RN grad doing what they want to do.
PEOPLE... The much talked about nursing shortage is partly based on the fact that our population is aging in such a way that much larger numbers will require LTC. Therefore, more specifically, more LTC nurses will be needed.
On another note my hospital just hired half a dozen new grads but our SNFs in the surrounding counties just hired twenty between them.

Where I am from, I've tried nursing homes and was told they are not hiring new grads RN's, but will hire a new grad LPN.

I've tried everything, even Hospice and the community blood center to be told the same thing over and over: "you need atleast one year experience".

It really is tough out here for new grads, licensed or not.

ruthere04976 · Jun 14, 2009

Patchouli - I hear you. I never did a LTC rotation either. LTC bothers me because when a new graduate nurse gets a job in a hospital let's say med/surg, you get 6-12 weeks orientation, depending on the hospital. The LTC facilities I've interviewed at give 2 weeks orientation and you get 19 patients on a skilled unit instead of the 5-7 you get in a hospital setting. The lack of orientation bothers me. The other thing that bothers me is that in LTC facilities around here, you don't do vitals or pass meds as an RN - I'm afraid of becoming rusty on my meds.

If you've been a CNA or LPN prior to becoming an RN, you are more apt to get a hospital job than if you are coming from a completely different background or with no work experience.

Patchouli · Jun 14, 2009

They have a subacute and skilled facility as well as long term. I told the lady from HR I was interested in the subacute. She said they would probably start me out in a less intense area till I got accustomed to the daily ins and outs. I for one want to make darn sure that they don't forget that. Maybe I should bring it up again tommorrow at my second interview. Personally, I think the CNAs and other long term staff are going to be hard on me. I also don't like the 8 hour shifts, especially since I'm driving from so far away. Beggars cannot be choosers, but I have to admit I'm just not excited about this at all. It's not anything that I wanted. It's not a hospital, it's not close, it's not 12 hour shifts, it's LTC, it's in a questionable neighborhood that I don't belong to, and I still don't know the rate of pay. That will come up tommorrow at the second interview. I am one tough cookie though. Soft spoken when getting to know everyone and everything, but underneath a real fire cracker. I can do this, I have been through so much in the last seven years that it's a miracle I'm even here. I feel for everyone who like me, wanted to fully embrace nursing. I wanted to buy whatever journal would be useful for my unit, join whatever organization that coincides with the unit I worked on, get extra training and certificates, etc.. Now, I feel like I'm trying to make lemonaide out of rocks.

ruthere04976 · Jun 14, 2009

I feel your pain. Like you, I don't want to settle. I want to use the skills I was taught for fear of getting rusty. If one more person asks me what area I want to work in, I"m going to puke! Like we can choose.

Anyway, we're getting way too negative. Take your job for whatever they offer, knowing that it will give you the year of experience to open other doors I'm going to go beg for a low-paying job, part time and with no benefits at a nearby nursing home tomorrow lol. Chin up, Patchouli.

Patchouli · Jun 14, 2009

ruthere04976 · Jun 14, 2009

Thank you.