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

[lilarox]

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)

[nursel56]

One thing I really liked about lilarox's post is that it comes from a recent grad instead of one of us who graduated during the Carter Administration and thus would have more immediacy and perhaps more credibility.

You never know when just the right combination of words or the way someone communicates is just the thing someone needs to really get a concept they merely heard the words of prior to that point.

We as nurses have to repeat concepts over and over to people we know don't care/aren't listening or have heard before. I look forward to work a little more if I tell myself there is always a chance the seeds of advice we give to less experienced nurses or patient education will one day fall on fertile soil . .and sometimes the person you wrote off will surprise you, too! :-)

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

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.

You are probably right, as far as the way I wrote it. Truthfully, I have had a really hard crazy week and, probably TMI, but some serious pms..

I am very lucky to have several family connections as far job prospectives and my area and recently graduated friends all have gotten jobs within 6 monthes but even with that and previous medical and other life experience of course I have lot of anxiety about making sure I find a job after I graduate. At the same point obviously I am not going to drop out of school or change my major when I graduate next semester which is very soon since this semester is almost over. I get the point the op is trying to make I just don't think its going to change anything except everytime I read one of those, which is all the time, it causes me more anxiety on top of too much anxiety school is causing. The same way there are two rip off unaccreditted schools by me where you only get your ADN and it costs a bazillion dollars and so on. I've complained and written trying to make it known about this school and you know what? They have more students then ever, their waiting list has doubled. So I just figure my energy is better spent on the ten million things I have to do all the time or my 10 page paper due, studying for my next 2 exams, studying for NCLEX, being a mom, being a wife, or something I don't know....... I mean most of the comments on the op were from nurses not really the intended audience.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

I graduate in 5 weeks. I already have a hospital job lined up in my area of interest. I worked at least part time (sometimes full time) all through school. I think a lot of post graduation stasis can be avoided by keeping yourself in the healthcare field and working or volunteering while you are in school - even if it is just a few hours a week. Every ounce of experience you can gain before you graduate is going to help your foot into the door.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Well I'm just starting out, I have no unrealistic views when i graduate in 2014. For my previous schooling in my non-nursing field electronics years ago, it was the same story. At the time everyone was getting into the field and when we came out, no jobs. So its not just nursing areas that are affected by this. I took contract jobs, odd jobs, apprentice jobs that pay next to nothing, just anything to keep my resume going with experience. I think what is important for new grads to know is What Will You do With the Time While you Wait for a Job? That is the big question we should be asking. Its important for new nurses not to have huge 2 year gaps on your resume. I'd like to see more conversation on steps to take to close resume gaps and more encouragement for those who are still waiting as there is a real need for this. I believe most employers always wait to see the election results before they start hiring..it eases their uncertainties. Once elections is over, I'm sure in January things will be more positive as we move forward...lol ok pun intended.

[pco8]

thanks for the post and the warning!!! gahh i have 2.5 years and i'm hoping that the economic climate will change. I wonder if this varies from state to state or if this the general process for new grads?

any insider tips from new grads/hires is always appreciate!

[MusicalCoffee]

This does sound discouraging. Before I entered nursing school, all I heard about was the desperate need for nurses. Now it seems all I hear is how many graduated nurses can't find work. While I still have quite some time until I graduate, it scares me.

[TheAmazingMrsA]

I don't mean to be rude, but do we seriously need another thread about how we're all screwed for jobs? The program I'm in has excellent job prospects, with almost all of the current graduating class having jobs lined up. Maybe take your location into account before unnecessarily freaking people out or being downright discouraging. Yes, the economy is bad... we all know that. Yes, getting ANY job right now is hard. But YES... you can all do it. You can get the job you want. You can work in the field you want. You can be the nurse you dreamed of being. I reject the "reality" that I have no prospects, and instead, I stand on faith that I will be exactly where I need to be.

[nguyency77, CNA]

I don't see anything wrong with a reality check. Too many of my friends think that they'll magically get hired into L/D or peds... RIGHT out of school, without any experience. It's not impossible, but it's also somewhat unlikely. You can try, but the other several hundred new nurses in our area will probably be trying for those areas, too. Not to mention there will always be experienced nurses in the applicant pool. Because nearly everyone likes babies or "wants to work with children."

I was looking at an old textbook my aunt gave me from her nursing school days. There were several chapters about the "Nursing Shortage," and projected growth for the field, etc. These studies and papers were cited from the year 2000...over a decade ago. If all that were true, we wouldn't have so many people here on AN struggling to find work. It's better that the OP, a recent grad, is telling us this rather than someone who doesn't know first-hand. Thank you.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

I posted almost exactly the same thing and got zero response. It seems many students continue to labor under the mistaken impression that upon graduation, institutions will be lining up to offer them jobs.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/single-most-important-777517.html

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

I think this is a good post to give folks a reality check, because until recently, all I heard was "Oh you'll have a job as soon as you graduate!" Not true. I graduate in December and have several classmates that are looking at graduating with no job. The hospital slots have all filled up, there aren't any jobs left. One of the local hospitals here is actually having to lay nurses off because they are doing so poorly, the other is only hiring internally. I am VERY lucky in that I have a friend who is best friends with the VP of nursing at a local hospital. It's the only reason I managed to get a new grad job offer in the ED. In this area, the one thing that really gives you a good leg-up is working as an extern first...most departments will hire their externs before they consider even interviewing anyone else.

[geminiBSN75]

This is an excellent thread!!! I am also a May 2012 grad. I just got a job and start tomorrow!!!

I did want to add to this as well. I live in NE Ohio and like most of the country we are saturated with nurses!!

Even though I graduated in May, I did not get an interview until I passed my NCLEX which was in July.

All calls I receieved or online applications wanted to know if I was a current RN. I think that maybe they didn't want to waste time on interviews with someone that hadn't even taken the NCLEX yet......

Good Luck to all nurses at there that are looking for jobs. Lets stick together and support one another!!!!!!

[katydids]

Three years ago when my daughter first started looking for a RN program we visited 2 and 4 year colleges as well as hospital programs. In the end she chose a hospital based program. They will hire their own nurses first, and they have 4 times the clinical hours than the colleges had. I am so thankful she did choose that program. She graduates in a month and has already been offered a position. And trust me, we were very worried about her getting a job. Most of the graduating class before hers that finished in the summer all got jobs as well. If you live in an area that has hospital based programs you are competing against those nurses who are coming out of there. But my daughter also worked jobs while in school, did mentorships, and worked in the healthcare field. I think all of that helps. I lot of new young nurses coming out of school may have stellar grades, but they sometimes lack job skills as they have never worked before. They don't have life experiences either. I believe this can contribute to not being as marketable either. Reality is that it is a tough job market for all careers right now. Those careers, such as nursing, teaching, engineers, etc. are finding that you just cannot walk into those jobs like you could 4 years ago. It has to get better, right? You all have worked so incredibly hard and I feel very confident you will find jobs! And by the time the job market and economy gets better you all will have worked hard, have some great job experiences and will have some great opportunities for career moves and advancement. You will be the top in your field. Best of luck to you all, hang it there. Success is waiting for you!