Help! New nurse with questions!

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Hello,

I am a new nurse just getting ready to graduate. I have been hearing a lot of remarks about hospitals not hiring nurses and new nurses having to apply for jobs in multiple states. But, I also hear that there is a shortage of nurses due to a large aging population. What is true? What have you noticed in the hiring of new nurses?

Also, what can I do to make sure I do get hired? I have been practicing interview questions but what tips can you give me to help me get hired? Anything will help!

I am frustrated and scared for when I graduate and apply for jobs. My husband and I are moving when I graduate to Portland and I heard the nursing market is saturated there. I put in so much money and time into getting my degree and am scared I won't find a job!

Thank you so much!

Callie (graduating with an associated in registered nursing) (getting my bachelors online once I graduate and pass the NCLEX)

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

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

There is NO nursing shortage right now. It Is difficult to find a position with some areas of the country more affected than others.

Nursing Career Advice

No Nursing shortage

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/no-nursing-shortage-752411.html

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

In ATL one hospital hired 500 positions, not sure of the total RNs in that one, and my old hospital is offering a $2K referral bonus for experienced RNs. Kinda of all depends on which side of the fence you sit on. New grads are still pretty limited though.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Also, what can I do to make sure I do get hired? I have been practicing interview questions but what tips can you give me to help me get hired? Anything will help!
Be sure to not turn your nose up at non-hospital nursing jobs. When the major acute care hospital rejects one's application, the various nursing homes, hospices, home health companies, private duty agencies, clinics, LTACHs, rehabilitation hospitals, jails, prisons, and psychiatric facilities are often more welcoming toward new nurses.

Remember these equations below. . .

1. Nursing job outside the acute care hospital = RN pay + RN experience

2. Unemployed & waiting for the hospital to call = No pay + No experience

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Most people say there is not a nursing shortage but I think it depends what area you live in. I got hired 2 weeks after passing NCLEX and my hospital is short staffed. We get pretty big incentives to work extra shifts. I am off orientation this Thursday and my NM already asked if I want to pick up extra shifts this weekend. Since I would almost be making double time, I probably will pick up those extra shifts!

Good luck to you!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

I agree with previous posters - there is no nursing shortage. But things do seem to be improving, or maybe I just think they're improving because I have gotten the magical experience that everyone wants!

Bottom line - don't be picky when it comes to your first job. I started on a skilled floor in a nursing home (SNF, LTC), and transitioned to a LTAC hospital after one year. Now I'm coming up on 2 years of experience and I'm again looking to transition to an acute care hospital. I do wish I had gotten a BSN but eventually I'll have it, and I think taking the long way has made me more appreciative of my career opportunities.

Good luck! Not sure which Portland you're moving too, but I love Portland, Maine!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Yikes, PDX is a very difficult market for new grads right now, especially if you do not have a BSN. Be sure to investigate non-hospital options as well as outlying facilities. Best of luck to you.

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Most people say there is not a nursing shortage but I think it depends what area you live in. I got hired 2 weeks after passing NCLEX and my hospital is short staffed. We get pretty big incentives to work extra shifts. I am off orientation this Thursday and my NM already asked if I want to pick up extra shifts this weekend. Since I would almost be making double time, I probably will pick up those extra shifts!

Good luck to you!!

Where ru working?

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Where ru working?

I live in NE Iowa. Lots of jobs around here for new grads. I work on a medical unit in a hospital and love it!

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Specializes in Infusion.

Agree with the posters saying think non-hospital. The Legacy, Providence, and OHSU systems will all be wanting BSNs. If you don't mind a long commute, you might be able to find a hospital position at a more rural hospital. Best bet is home health, LTC, and SNF. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, Pediatrics.

I think that the idea of a shortage vs. no shortage really applies to specific areas. By far the distinguishing factor is new grads vs. experienced nurses (the dreaded "1 year experience"). The biggest challenge for new graduates is having no hospital experience (CNA, tech, etc.) prior to graduation. It seems to me that those individuals who have never worked in healthcare in any capacity, and only have their clinicals to relay as applicable experience, have the most difficult time finding a job.

I am a recent grad (December 2012) and I had a job secured before I even graduated, in the ICU, which was my ultimate goal. This was because I worked in a hospital as a CNA and later an ICU nurse extern. My hospital is actively hiring new grads and 3 of us Dec. 2012 grads were hired at the same time in the ICU! Our unit is definitely short staffed right now and in need of more nurses, but we have so many internal applicants that the nurse managers do not need to go outside the walls of the hospital to find candidates. Girls that I went to school with who chose not to work in a CNA/tech or other related job during school are still searching for jobs 4 months later with little luck. Others who worked in hospital/LTC settings had no problem getting jobs right after graduation.

My advice would be to realize that you cannot be picky and need to apply to all different types of jobs, as mentioned above. Also, if you are moving it may be difficult to secure a job prior to the actual move, as there are so many available candidates in nursing right now.

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