Honest thoughts on Job Market

Dixiecup · Jul 17, 2010

Gosh, I feel so bad for all the new grads. It must be so disheartening. Back when I graduated, 23 years ago, almost every person in my class had a job secured one or two months before graduation.

I just can't imagine going through all that hard work and not being able to find a job. I'm praying for everyone!

AnneS · Jul 17, 2010

No offense Dixiecup, but those sort of comments/observations aren't really helpful in the new environment of job searches for new grads and its really frustrating when we have to read such platitudes.

Out of my graduating class in Dec 09, about 50% have found jobs, and this is a small improvement over the May 09 class. Overall I believe the job opportunities are improving for new grads, but it is slow going and dependent on area. I am in southern California.

wezzie, RN · Jul 17, 2010

No offense Dixiecup, but those sort of comments/observations aren't really helpful in the new environment of job searches for new grads and its really frustrating when we have to read such platitudes.
Out of my graduating class in Dec 09, about 50% have found jobs, and this is a small improvement over the May 09 class. Overall I believe the job opportunities are improving for new grads, but it is slow going and dependent on area. I am in southern California.

Well, I'm new May 2010 grad here, 41 years old and getting sick of hours online to get a computer generated reply back "thanking" me for my interest in such and such conglomerate for such and such position and there's no need to contact us at this time.. aka don't call us, we'll call you.. All the while knowing full well they've gotten probably 200-300 applications for it. I haven't even applied for a job since the inception of the internet until now and all this online applying stinks!

It is tough but I read Dixiecup's comment before this one, gave her kudo's and appreciated her "platitudes". I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. I can understand your frustration, but it shouldn't be due to reading "such platitudes". It was a nice, sincere, caring gesture.

Maybe I'm just old enough to know life isn't fair, the world owes me nothing and been through enough to find a kind word comforting. Anyways.. just my :twocents: ..good luck to you Anne, you're not alone.

pedicurn, LPN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

Well, I'm new May 2010 grad here, 41 years old and getting sick of hours online to get a computer generated reply back "thanking" me for my interest in such and such conglomerate for such and such position and there's no need to contact us at this time.. aka don't call us, we'll call you.. All the while knowing full well they've gotten probably 200-300 applications for it. I haven't even applied for a job since the inception of the internet until now and all this online applying stinks!
It is tough but I read Dixiecup's comment before this one, gave her kudo's and appreciated her "platitudes". I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. I can understand your frustration, but it shouldn't be due to reading "such platitudes". It was a nice, sincere, caring gesture.
Maybe I'm just old enough to know life isn't fair, the world owes me nothing and been through enough to find a kind word comforting. Anyways.. just my ..good luck to you Anne, you're not alone.

I think the 'platitudes' are genuine.

I really feel sorry for the new nurses too ...I'm with Dixiecup too. I graduated end of 1981 and started Feb 1982. All of my class had a job on graduation. Have never ever had an issue changing jobs my whole career. Always had a choice ....always had to weigh up two or three offers.

However, I am hanging on to my present one ....I suspect I may not get a new job immediately - in the location I want.

First time ever this has happened to me

Parrotletlover · Jul 17, 2010

I'm still a student but the 2010 graduating class from my school had nearly 100% job placement (I don't know the percentage whether it be 95% or 99%, etc.). Also, three major hospitals in our area have probably 70-100 listings for RNs that I can find online. Whether they are actively hiring I'm not sure but from several people I've spoken with, the nursing shortage is alive and well. Unfortunately this hiring situation seems to be highly localized.

SWS RN, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

I'm still a student but the 2010 graduating class from my school had nearly 100% job placement (I don't know the percentage whether it be 95% or 99%, etc.). Also, three major hospitals in our area have probably 70-100 listings for RNs that I can find online. Whether they are actively hiring I'm not sure but from several people I've spoken with, the nursing shortage is alive and well. Unfortunately this hiring situation seems to be highly localized.

Who have you spoken with? Are these healthcare representatives or HR people of some sort or just people on the street?????

Where are you located?

I am in South Florida, and believe me, THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE....it's tight, even for experienced nurses.

So I am just really curious as to who told you there is still a storage......unfortunately, this still seems to be a common misconception.

You will also find that frequently the listings on line are not actual openings for existing positions. There are many reasons facilities run dummy ads/the ads have been filled and have expired, sometimes they are "fishing", so the ads you see may not be legit. And it's doubtful that they will fill the postitions with new grads.

THere are many threads addressing the non-existent nursing shortage these days.

Bobbkat · Jul 17, 2010

I am very appreciative of the experienced nurses comments and recognition of the plight of the new grad. Too many times I've read comments from experienced nurses accusing new grads of being too picky, or not trying hard enough, when in reality many of us are doing EVERYTHING we can. Really, those nasty comments are the unhelpful ones.

I appreciate the comments that wish us luck, recognizing the crappy situation right now. They are supportive, and make me feel like I'm not a crazy person.

whodatnurse · Jul 17, 2010

Gosh, I feel so bad for all the new grads. It must be so disheartening. Back when I graduated, 23 years ago, almost every person in my class had a job secured one or two months before graduation.
I just can't imagine going through all that hard work and not being able to find a job. I'm praying for everyone!

Dixiecup - I greatly appreciate your kind words. I have days when I am SO disheartened, wondering if I have a clue what the heck I'm doing anymore. I really, really, really could use a person or two out there saying a prayer for ME, so...

THANK YOU!!! :redbeathe

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

I completed an RN-ADN bridge program in March 2010, passed NCLEX-RN two months later, and have four years of experience as an LVN/LPN in long term care.

I have applied to multiple hospitals in the large metro area where I reside (Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas) and have dealt with multiple rejections. I was granted one interview for a med/surg internship at a major teaching hospital in Dallas, but the recruiter decided to select other applicants for the position. I am currently working as a floor nurse at a nursing home on the part-time weekend night shift while picking up extra hours there during the week.

I was recently hired as a PRN employee at a small rehabilitation hospital and will start training there next week. I am hoping that I like it and that learning experiences will arise. I am also hoping that it has the potential to turn into a full-time venture.

I would like to amass some acute care hospital experience because I feel that it will lead to more career mobility and marketability in nursing. In addition, I'd like a job that offers health insurance and retirement. My part-time and PRN gigs do not offer benefits. However, I'll take what I can get for now and pay the bills with it.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 17, 2010

My hospital has hired almost twice as many nurses this year as last year -- and many of those have been new grads. So, in my area of Virginia, things are picking up a bit. However, we are still not hiring at the pace we were pre-recession.

Another thing ... My area has seen a dramatic increase in the number of new grads being produced by new RN programs opening up within the last 3 or 4 years. As "the shortage" was publicized, several "for profit" schools opened up "quickie" ADN programs that barely meet the minimum requirements for licensure. They are like factories, pumping out new grads faster than the community can absorb them. I was just looking at the State Board numbers: the number of new grads in my region has risen ove 50% in the last 5 years. That massive influx of new grads into the job market makes things even worse for those seeking jobs.

With so many new grads available, my hospital is able to be very picky in making its selections. As one of the "top tier" employers in the region, we are favoring only those new grads from the top schools and who have BSN's and/or some previous experience in health care.

hecallsmeDuchess · Jul 17, 2010

I just got hired in Virginia so there are still people hiring. This is not to say that every new grad in Virginia has a job but it shows that some hospitals are at least giving new grads a chance.

SWS RN, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

[quote=llg;4420592.

Another thing ... My area has seen a dramatic increase in the number of new grads being produced by new RN programs opening up within the last 3 or 4 years. As "the shortage" was publicized, several "for profit" schools opened up "quickie" ADN programs that barely meet the minimum requirements for licensure. They are like factories, pumping out new grads faster than the community can absorb them. I was just looking at the State Board numbers: the number of new grads in my region has risen ove 50% in the last 5 years. That massive influx of new grads into the job market makes things even worse for those seeking jobs.

.

This is SO true.

When I went to school, there were 2 schools with RN programs. Both were in the state university system which made them non profit. Now in the same county, in addition to those 2 schools, there are 6 for profits. That is just for the RN's there are many more for LPN's.

I do feel sorry for the new grads, especially those who have HUGE student loans. These poor, well meaning naieve folks were fed what amounts to a bunch of lies or at least overestimates of the truth regarding the "nursing shortage" and the "great nursing pay and inflation resistant career".

In todays market, at least where I am, this is simply not the case. From what I have read on the various BB's it seems to be nationwide.

I resent these (and I use the term loosely) "learning institutions" using what amounts to propaganda to lure these unsuspecting folks into this situation. Huge financial burdens and little prospect for a job are the end result and with that comes the possibilty of relocation.

I also feel sorry for the experienced nurses who can't find jobs right now and those nurses are out there.

I hope that some of the pre-pre nursing, and the pre nursing students will read this and other threads that are similar and really, really think this nursing career thing through. It would be sad to see you in 4 years time with $50,000 or more in school loans and no job prospect in sight.

Good luck to all of you seekers!

Remember it's a numbers game....just keep applying and sending those resumes.

NETWORK-find someone who works in a facility you want to work in-and get some contact names-call the manager of the unit directly----never go through HR...they have no clue...this has worked for me several times in the past.

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