Just wondering here. I saw it mentioned on the first year board and it was honestly something that never crossed my mind. All you hear about is how there is a nursing shortage. I never really thought about the difficulty in finding a hospital job after graduation. So tell me, what was your experience in securing a job after graduation?
Thanks for the replies!
Carrie
Love the site btw, just found it last week. :loveya:
I know that when we (the June 08 grads) found out that the local hospital would be hiring new grads, most of us were very excited and felt sure of going to work for "the hospital".
Then we found out that new grads are on rotating float pool for six months. They work the new grads all hours, all days, all places, all rotating shifts.
So, around here, if you can work all shifts and hours, you're good to go. If you're a working parent, you're screwed until you've got some experience.
Most of us went elsewhere, like LTC, dialysis centers, rehab, and psych. We're all waiting for our official one year of experience. I'm in LTC and love it, but I would really love the experience I would get in the acute care setting, at least for a while.
Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.
MA is very discouraging! Very few people in my graduating class had jobs lined up prior to graduation--& those that did are RNs in states other than MA. My one call back was for the hospital that I was a tech at, they still can't give me a definite yes or no, and I interviewed at the beginning of May. I've been looking for jobs since late January/early February.
From an academic standpoint, we sound quite alike as well--I was an honors student, completed an independent research study in addition to the final paper required in my nursing class, was the treasurer of two student groups/clubs, and worked part time in my dorm & per diem as a tech all during school. It just doesn't seem fair, sometimes. Everyone that sees my resume tells me how awesome it is, so it just makes you wonder why you aren't flooded with job offers.
Katie I totally feel your pain. I've been applying to NH and RI and haven't heard back from there either. I'm getting kind of scared...I'm not really able to pay my bills on CNA pay anymore, and I'm supposed to get married next year. Won't be happening if I don't get a job soon. Where did you go to school?
I chose to wait until I passed my NCLEX before I applied for a job. I couldn't stomach the thought of having to tell an employer that I failed, so I saved myself the extra worry.
I sent my applications the day I passed, and dropped them off in person over the next few days. I had my nurse recruiter interviews within a week or 2, and the in-hospital interviews within a month. I was offered several positions, and chose the one that felt right.
One of the biggest problems in MA, from what I've seen, are that there so many hospitals have agencies in charge of the hiring. I'm sure it saves the facility some extra work, but it makes it harder on new grads. For anyone in MA, I'd probably apply to a smaller hospital that does their own hiring to get that initial year under your belt, and then write your own ticket from there.
Yes, I actually live IN Boston (born & raised here and moved back with mum after graduation)...unfortunately, part of the trouble is so many people from outside the city want to work here as opposed to in their community hospitals...I NEED to work here, as relocation is not an option (dad just died, so I'm not ready to leave newly widowed mum in a house all by herself) & lacking a car makes it hard to travel too far outside the city. Although the job hunt in Boston is tough, I'm sticking it out, because there's not much else for me to do.
How about towns with stops along the T? Yeah, it would stink to do that forever, but in the short term, it's better than not having a job at all.
Can people post where they are from when they state how their job search has treated them? I think it would be easier for new grads to ID areas where they could get jobs if that was done. :wink2:
For any new grads that are able to relocate, I suggest that you check out hospital websites, or email or call the hospitals in the areas where you would consider living to find out what the new grad situation is there. Metro areas with several nursing schools tend to have a lot of competition for new grad positions. Rural areas often have a high need for nurses and hire many new grads.
A lot of my classmates had jobs lined up before graduation in May. I've been looking since Feb and still haven't gotten anything. I've had a few interviews that haven't panned out. I even had one that pretty much said I had the job, but haven't heard anything since. Its really frustrating to say the least. I'm looking out of state, but can't really afford to move.
My area of KY has a lot of hospitals, but I guess not too many new grad positions since there are like 6 schools around here.
Hi. I am an Orientation Coordinator for a large teaching hospital in a small city (Charlottesville, Virginia) and we hire many new grads throughout the hospital. We have a wonderful oreintation program for new grads, as do many other institutions....with the nursing shortage going on....I would not worry about finding a job. Good Luck to you....
WVStarFish
45 Posts
I know that when we (the June 08 grads) found out that the local hospital would be hiring new grads, most of us were very excited and felt sure of going to work for "the hospital".
Then we found out that new grads are on rotating float pool for six months. They work the new grads all hours, all days, all places, all rotating shifts.
So, around here, if you can work all shifts and hours, you're good to go. If you're a working parent, you're screwed until you've got some experience.
Most of us went elsewhere, like LTC, dialysis centers, rehab, and psych. We're all waiting for our official one year of experience. I'm in LTC and love it, but I would really love the experience I would get in the acute care setting, at least for a while.
I wish you the best! :)