Heads up to all nursing students, from recent grad.....

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Specializes in telemetry.

Hello Everyone and congratulations to those just entering nursing school, those about to graduate, and everyone in between. You worked hard to get here, congratulate yourself for getting to this point, wherever that point is for you. I just wanted to give you a piece of advice from the perspective of recent graduate. I wish someone had told me, or perhaps that I had heeded the warning. Here goes...

If you have not noticed, acquiring a job for new graduates is unbelievably difficult right now. In fact, even getting AN INTERVIEW is rare these days. I graduated in May 2012, ASN from a very competent school in my area. I FINALLY got a job 2 weeks ago! Some of you have already started saying, "Well, I shouldn't have that problem because I am getting my BSN, or I have a 4.0, or etc, etc." Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news because odds are YOU ARE WRONG AND IT DOES APPLY TO YOU TOO! You would be surprised at the credentials, achievements, gpa, and other amazing facts that some of the unemployed new graduates have, that still do NOT have a job up to two years post graduation.

I didn't come here to be Debbie Downer, ruin your day, or discourage you. I wanted to give you guys a humble piece of advice, that I didn't heed or perhaps hear. You guys are busy, and I know that just about EVERYTHING except matters pertaining to school are a luxury, so I will move on, and try to be quick. In your "spare" time, how about hopping over to the career section of this site, under the First Job Hunt Assistance section and reading some of the threads if possible. Regardless, If I could say one thing to a nursing student to help guide the journey into the world of nursing employment, I would say, start your career care plan NOW. I don't care if you just started school, in fact that would be beneficial.

So here is what you do: Network, GET A JOB IN ANY HEALTH-CARE FACILITY IF POSSIBLE (housekeeping even, ANYTHING), if you can work as an ACP/CNA that is even better, Network, research these job boards regarding first job hunt tips, research your state regarding new graduates and employment attainment, network more, and start planning NOW. Do your grades matter? Well it seems they do, if you are applying at a facility with a new graduate program where you are doing clinicals/precepting. Should you get 800 or even 1 letter of recommendation? Sure! Does that mean you are a shoe in? NO, NO, NO. Should you plan to seek out the areas of nursing you dream about? Sure, but very few new graduates sniff the coveted hospital areas in their first year of working.

What I'm trying to say, is be prepared to be humble, flexible, and probably disappointed. I was, and many new graduates are too. While your achievements thus far are commendable, the past does not pay for the present or future. Mortgage companies, loan companies, utility companies, or hottest shoe store does not care about your amazing achievements. Promises, potential, and goals do not issue paychecks. While your aiming for the sky, don't lose your head in the clouds. It is very hard to get a job these days. Please keep this in mind BEFORE you graduate or odds are you will be frustrated, possibly broke, and likely disappointed. Unfortunately, as unfair as it is, the world of employment is frequently about who you know and not what you know.

I wish all of you good luck. Some of you have survived for awhile and some of you are just beginning, but all of you are should be proud to be in nursing school since many others did not get the opportunity.

p.s. sorry about the typos, grammar errors, or whatever. I didn't have time to edit, have to hurry to my new job at an 500+ bed amazing acute care facility in the OR (which is one of the last places of my desired list of places to work, but I am darn grateful, and super lucky to have my job)

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Excellent reality check and advice. The students should thank you.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Thanks for the advice, good insight

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Very well said!!!!!!!!!!!

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I agree 100%. I applied to about 20 jobs a day for two months before I got the first interview. The hospitals want experience. I found a job I love outside the hospital with more pay, better hours, and I was not an area of nursing that I thought I would like. Keep your minds open and unless you KNOW that you hate a specialty be open to it!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Excellent advice. Thank you, lilarox.

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Great advice, that is why I became an LPN first.

One to gain experience, and two to already have a job in health care.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

Very well written!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I appreciate what you are trying to say but it does get tiring hearing this. I graduate next semester. I'm not changing career paths. I go to a great school, am getting my BSN, I am lucky to have several personal contacts that have already told me to come see them as soon as I'm ready or about a month before I graduate, and yes I still am concerned but I have a lot of opportunities. I get the point you are trying to make but I just don't see the point. Anyone hear that is smart is going to have a plan and anyone dumb that doesn't have a plan are just going to look at this and say "well no not me." These may be students like the ones going to a local school by me. They have the largest intake of nursing students and graduate about 50% of them. They tell them they are teh best program in our state and gurantee them that they will have jobs and this and that and then surprise they arent getting hired. More hospitals by me are not hiring ASN's, I mean some are but the majority are moving towards BSN. But my point is these students aren't going to amke any changes after reading this either. Everybody is already too vested in where ever they are right now.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.
I appreciate what you are trying to say but it does get tiring hearing this. I graduate next semester. I'm not changing career paths. I go to a great school, am getting my BSN, I am lucky to have several personal contacts that have already told me to come see them as soon as I'm ready or about a month before I graduate, and yes I still am concerned but I have a lot of opportunities. I get the point you are trying to make but I just don't see the point. Anyone hear that is smart is going to have a plan and anyone dumb that doesn't have a plan are just going to look at this and say "well no not me." These may be students like the ones going to a local school by me. They have the largest intake of nursing students and graduate about 50% of them. They tell them they are teh best program in our state and gurantee them that they will have jobs and this and that and then surprise they arent getting hired. More hospitals by me are not hiring ASN's, I mean some are but the majority are moving towards BSN. But my point is these students aren't going to amke any changes after reading this either. Everybody is already too vested in where ever they are right now.

If the board weren't inundated with new grads crying about being unemployed, people like OP wouldn't have to create such a thread in the first place.

You have a job? Great, so do I.

In fact, I have two (as of today) and I'm an 'baby' LVN of 4 months (technically) with no degree.

LOL

I'm older and had no illusions about anything nursing related. However, there's an awful lot of people on this board with no life experience...people with 'young minds' and they're in need of direction.

Reality orientation.

That's what this board is for, isn't it. It's not about spurring anyone to total change. It's about dispelling myths and getting people to take a second look at their situation.

OP was correct to put it out there.

There are plenty of smart people with no common sense and plenty more smart people who miscalculate. It happens. Different people...work different-ly.

... and you can't speak for all people. Just yourself.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
If the board weren't inundated with new grads crying about being unemployed, people like OP wouldn't have to create such a thread in the first place.

You have a job? Great, so do I.

In fact, I have two (as of today) and I'm an 'baby' LVN of 4 months (technically) with no degree.

LOL

I'm older and had no illusions about anything nursing related. However, there's an awful lot of people on this board with no life experience...people with 'young minds' and they're in need of direction.

Reality orientation.

That's what this board is for, isn't it. It's not about spurring anyone to total change. It's about dispelling myths and getting people to take a second look at their situation.

OP was correct to put it out there.

There are plenty of smart people with no common sense and plenty more smart people who miscalculate. It happens. Different people...work different-ly.

... and you can't speak for all people. Just yourself.

My point was exactly what you said. Those people that have made it this far and have never heard or thought of this are not the brightest and are not going to read this either. So what I'm saying is there are also just as many similar threads about the poor job market and there will still be just as many people on the new grad section complaining. Dumb will always be dumb, the blind will stay blind. No matter how many times these kind of things come up. See for yourself if there are less new grads complaing in that section in the next year or so, my guess is it won't chnge much. I wasn't downing what the OP was trying to say, I just don't really feel like it's going to make much of a difference. Obviously I rubbed you the wrong way but I'm allowed to ahve my own opiniona s are you.

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Iluvpatho....i think you bring up a valid point but the way you articulate it comes off as very demeaning. Out of my class of 100 grads only about 5 got jobs within the hospital. Most started looking for jobs 6wks before graduation and worked on hospital floors. I think the OP just wants new nurses to prepare. I had personal recommendations and references from charge nurses, doctors, and clinical instructors and still had problems landing the interview. The last floor I was on...charge told me to apply and I should have no problem getting in. that did not happen. I had 2 classmates that were promised jobs but then a month before school ended the offers fell through. Some areas are flooded with nurses and others not. I think the op was aiming more for the new students who are all starry eyed about getting into their choice specialty with no problem. I agree it wont change people in school but maybe realign the realities of idealists which are not necessarily dumb. I think we all went through the idealistic stage at some point in or before school.

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