How is the job market in Indiana?

Published

Hey all,

I graduate in December and I am starting to apply for jobs in Indiana (Lafayette and Indy area) and was wondering how the job market is. There seem to be quite a few openings in the places I have applied, but I am just wondering how they are with actually hiring. Also, I am completely new to this, so I was wondering after you apply online should you call a week later and check on the status of your application? Thanks for all the help in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I have applied to numerous job openings in Indy and two of my classmates have applied to over 100 and did not have one interview. They applied to a several of openings in Louisville and had 2 interviews and a job offer. I applied to 4 openings in Louisville and have an interview on Thursday. The market for new grads is rough in Indy.

When you apply on the hospital's website, you need to make an account. You have the ability to log into your account to see the status of each application. It usually takes a couple weeks to know something. Most application systems ask you if you have a license for the job you are applying for. If you say "no" then it will no longer consider you for the job, so it is best to wait to apply until after NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Most hospitals won't even look at your application until you pass your boards and are licensed in the state. You cannot work or even do orientation in a hospital until you have it. So they don't want to waste time interviewing applicants who can't start for months when there are so many licensed applicants. Nursing homes and LTACs could be different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don,

That seems odd to me! Have you had any interviews or anything? Have you asked HR/nurse recruiters what to do? Do you have your BSN? I put N/A for license because technically I can't get it yet and put a side note that I graduate in December. We'll see how it works. I know a couple of nurses and nurse managers so maybe that will give me a little pull. I hope you have better luck Don! That must be so frustrating!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

It has been my understanding the job market is good. Tons of new hospitals going up in the Fishers/Noblesville area and new medical pavilions opening everywhere. I have a hard time imagining someone put in over a hundred apps with not one call. I know in my area the hospitals are always looking. The population is aging.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

My classmates both had Senior Capstone placements in IU Health hospitals and had networked with people there, but no interviews. Another member here advised me that there are 100 applicants/ job. This is due to the downsizing of IU Health and the fact they bought Methodist and needed to shut down departments that were redundant with University Hospital. I had an easy time finding a job in Louisville. I applied for 4 job openings and was offered my dream job (Level IV NICU). So I will be joining 3 of my classmates in Louisville.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My classmates both had Senior Capstone placements in IU Health hospitals and had networked with people there, but no interviews. Another member here advised me that there are 100 applicants/ job. This is due to the downsizing of IU Health and the fact they bought Methodist and needed to shut down departments that were redundant with University Hospital. I had an easy time finding a job in Louisville. I applied for 4 job openings and was offered my dream job (Level IV NICU). So I will be joining 3 of my classmates in Louisville.

Congrats on the new job!

I have been a nurse for many years and was looking to get back into a specialty I had plenty of experience in. I applied for many positions but was not getting any calls for interviews. I hadn't burned any bridges at any previous jobs. I was considered "eligible for rehire" at my previous hospitals. No gaps in my employment record. I was starting to wonder what was going on. Finally, after about three years, I scored an interview in my preferred area of nursing.

I later learned that when my director posts a position, she is only sent the first four or five "qualified" applications to review and interview. So, even if she knows someone who would be a great fit for our unit, if that nurse isn't one of the first people to apply for the position, my director won't have the option to interview that person.

My advice would be to stalk the job openings several times per day. If you haven't already signed up for an account on their site then do so right away so that when you see an opening you can apply quickly. But before you apply for a specific position, tweak the resume you have saved on their site so that you are using keywords specific to the position you want. Most places use software that scans applications looking for specific keywords that might indicate you are a qualified candidate. If the computer deems you a potentially qualified person then it will spit out your resume for a human to review.

Good luck with your job search.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats on the job, Don!

Thanks for the advice, everbethesame! I am started to get discouraged because of all of the jobs I have applied for and have been turned down for (sometimes within the day). Should I wait till I pass the NCLEX and get my license to apply for jobs? I have a phone interview this week for a residency program which is a start, but I am still nervous! What hospitals are more new grad friendly than others? Some posted jobs don't say that any experience is necessary so I don't know why I'm getting turned down. What is even more frustrating is that Indiana is completely new to me and I'm not aware of their laws/policies, etc. :-(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion