Getting first nursing job in this economy

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 3, 2009

You are right. A lot of new grads this year are not going to get hired into nursing. Some will get hired, but will have to settle for a job that they would not have even considered 2 years ago. Only a few will get that "ideal job" they expected to get when they entered school a couple of years ago.

Everybody needs a "plan B." This year, you should also have plans C, D, E, at least. Some people may have to move back in with their parents and get/keep their part-time jobs as waitresses, etc. and do anything to bring in a little income while they wait for the job market to improve. People should be making plans as to what they can do to keep themselves "in" the nursing field even if they can not find that first nursing job. For some people, their best chance to land an RN job may be to move to another area of the country where they have a better chance of finding employment.

This is a topic that would be a good one to be addressed by a school's nursing student group, etc. -- to offer a seminar on the local job market and suggestions for people who can't get jobs right after graduation.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2009

Its hard and you are going to do alot of leg work.

I am a big advocate of talking with managers because that is what got me my position in the first place.

Plus I agree with everything llg said.

Saifudin · Mar 3, 2009

In my 30 plus years we are in uncharteredd waters so its hard to say but as our colleagues said, all new grads will have to be open-minded and I will add aggressive (in hunting for work) and a big dose of patience.

Economic forecasts are bleak and anyone who talks about the future as if they know the future is foolish. One cannot predict a stubbed toes let alone a turn around of our current chaos.

There are areas where work is more plentiful so if you are able, consider a move. Get moving because graduation season is coming so the hunt for work will intensify.

Jules A, MSN · Mar 3, 2009

There is work out there for new grads! As others have said it might not be in your perferred speciality as new grads in the past few years were lucky enough to have gotten. Start early and I'd suggest contacting nurse managers on a floor where you did clinical, enjoyed it and hopefully made a good impression on a nurse or two. Good luck.

beckyu04 · Mar 3, 2009

I'm a new grad in May 09 I have gone on lots of interviews and was offered 4 positions that I really wanted and picked a 6-month long fellowship in the ICU/cath lab. If you work hard, do your research and stay open minded you will find a job.

c_white1 · Mar 3, 2009

I'm a new grad in May 09 I have gone on lots of interviews and was offered 4 positions that I really wanted and picked a 6-month long fellowship in the ICU/cath lab. If you work hard, do your research and stay open minded you will find a job.

Thanks, Becky! It's good to hear some actual good news on this front. Would you mind sharing what area of the country you are in? I'd be curious to know.

lizmatt · Mar 3, 2009

It really depends on where you are. I graduate in May and have been applying since November with no success. I have applied to at least 15 hospitals and have had 2 interviews. One hosp. said def. no and the other I am waiting to hear back about. I even had a hospital farther south offer to fly me down there only to say a week before the interview that they can't and they are not sure they have space to interview me. If I don't get some more interviews by next week I am going to start applying to LTC's and Rehab hospitals - not my first choice my first year out of school because I feel I need a strong orientation program, but I need to find something so that I know where I will be moving in 2 months.

Many of my classmates are really putting off the job search and I don't think they realize that it is difficult - I had no idea until I actually started applying.

cebe385RN · Mar 3, 2009

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AggieQT · Mar 3, 2009

I am set to graduate with my BSN here in 2 months and the Houston area has a pretty bad job market for new grads. Due to the economy and more pressing Hurricane Ike (which practically shut down a major county hospital/ Level I trauma center- sending hundreds and hundreds of experienced nurses into the job market) Many of the hospitals around here said that this time last year they were hiring 100 new grads, and this year they have spots for like 5-15. Though many of my classmates aren't having an easy time looking for jobs, every day someone else gets an offer... I have actually already received 1 offer in my 1st choice specialty area and have a 2nd interview with another hospital in the same area (better pay and orientation) so all hope is not lost! I started applying in January, and I kept calling to let them know I realllllllly wanted the position... and it paid off so far! Good luck to you all!

ToxicShock · Mar 3, 2009

I HATE how everyone keeps saying that new nurses will be able to get a job without trouble, when obviously that is NOT true everywhere. It's just so ignorant, and gives new nurses unrealistic expectations. :twocents:

Jdl2002 · Mar 3, 2009

I go to school in WV, and of my class of 84 only ten people or so have not received job offers. Most of those are people applying to hospitals out of state. Hospitals around here started interviewing in December for May grads.