How is job market NOW for Registered Nurses?

BennyRNCA · Oct 21, 2011

Last year about this same time was a published report/findings from the CINHC dated 10-6-2010.

This survey was a snapshot of the hiring dilemma new RN graduates are facing in California and its findings are a resource for nurse leaders seeking creative ways to employ recently graduated nurses. The sample accurately reflects the demographics of new graduates from the annual BRN school survey and their regional distribution.

It also mirrors the response of a survey of employers of nurses conducted by CINHC and the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) in 2009, which indicated that 40% of new graduates may not able to find jobs in California hospitals because of a lack of available positions. The employer survey also indicated that non-acute health facilities had positions available for nurses, but did not have the resources to hire and train new graduates.

That being said, having this very tough economy we're faced with only makes the nursing job market going further down the tubes, 4 out of 10 applicants will not get a nursing job anywhere. I spoke with a recruiter at a recent job fair up in the Bay Area, she said that there's only an estimated 3-4% or less that get hired in as a new grad in CA. There's no known stats yet on what percentage of the applicants were ADN's or BSN's, but mentioned BSN's do get the higher marks to get accepted, but that some ADN's are taken in the mix. The study was done with BSN candidates, not ADN's, so you can imagine the even hardship of the ADN's, which the recruiter told me, she strongly thinks that segment is in worse shape in terms of the hiring process. Mind you, this study was reflected upon CA hospitals and not LTC, nursing homes, etc.

I am in my 2nd year BSN studies and hope the job market is a different world by the time I get out. Hope one day, it will be back to where there was openings at many places and hospitals are begging for new people.

The above is a copy and paste from my previous posting on another thread. No, I'm not an RN yet, but hope to be in a couple of years or so.

But to answer your question, overall, I think the job market for RN's is only getting worse. Just from reading the few and various places offering new grad programs, you still have 1,000's going after very few positions, which is even reduced down since you're limited to one-two units to apply for.

mom35 · Oct 21, 2011

I am in Dallas/Fort Worth in Texas. The city is saturated with new grad rn's with not enough internships/residencies to go around for the huge amount of RN graduates! So many of us, myself included, are looking to relocate to border towns and places that will hire grads with no experience. At least that is what I am experiencing since graduating this May and obtaining licensure this June. I hope things will improve.

all4ofus, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2011

I am graduating this December in Dallas/Fort Worth also, and agree, we are absolutely SATURATED with new nurses. I have applied for every job I have found, but haven't heard anything yet. Also, this cracks me up --- apparently every hospital in Dallas already has or is currently working towards magnet status (even Parkland!). Magnet hospitals want a higher ratio of BSN vs ADN nurses; I will be an ADN nurse. Sooooo.... doesn't look good so far. Haven't heard back from any of them yet, although I'll keep the board posted. I do wonder, though, how they will all decide who is best once they are all magnet...

allnurses Guide · Oct 25, 2011

I live in DFW and was offered two internships, both starting in January. However, I got the opportunity to interview for them because of internal connections in those hospitals. The facility I got hired at does not intend to offer internships to the general public at all this time around. Most of the other hospitals have a few internship openings but not a ton and yeah, huge preference for BSN graduates. It is rough out there. Definitely not enough jobs to go around.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

I live in DFW, have four years of experience as an LVN, and earned my RN license last year. I recently interviewed for a county hospital position in an undesirable part of California but was not offered the job. I'm looking to relocate to my home state of CA, but I will not make the move without a job offer.

In the past year I have interviewed at JPS (not offered the job), Weatherford Regional Medical Center (was offered the job but I declined), UT Southwestern (not offered the job), and Seasons Hospice (not offered the job). I've been working at a rehabilitation hospital since the summer of 2010, but need a change because of the terrible staffing and the highly physical nature of the work. During my four years as an LVN I worked primarily in LTC facilities.

Anderle · Oct 26, 2011

I think it depends on where you live. In my area SF Bay and south, there is a new grad surplus and no new grad programs. Some new grad positions are opening, but usually want BSN (not me) and it is very competitive. My fellow classmates who found good jobs all had to transfer out of the area. Their families are torn apart. I would not and could not do that. If you are flexible and willing to go, to well, as TheCommuter put it, undesirable areas, you may find opportunities to into new grad programs. If you want to stay local, then it is graveyard shift at SNFs with little or no training.

pttrac · Oct 30, 2011

Thanks for posting this information. It was very helpful, but I have a question. There is a lot of discussion about jobs for ADN and BSN new grads, but has there been any stats for MSN graduates? I am applying to entry-level MSN programs and have not found any information. I would imagine that the job prospects would be greater than those from the ADN and BSN, but new grads with a MSN still lack the experience of older RNs with ADN/BSN. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

b_RN · Nov 6, 2011

I graduated from a master's entry program in June, and am unsuccessful in finding employment as a RN. I have had my RN license for 2 years, and now am also a clinical nurse specialist.

So far I have been selective-mostly applying to acute care jobs that don't require experience, and new grad programs in more urban areas of California. I haven't gotten a single positive response yet. I would say that I don't have the best job seeking skills, not as aggressive as I should be, but I have put in a lot of applications. I think in this job market, without experience, even a Master's doesn't make the job search easy.

I'm planning to keep working on my resume, and trying for acute care jobs at least 6 more months, but I do have a non-healthcare job that pays my bills for now.

suern2b · Nov 6, 2011

I am in the northeast and we are saturated with new grads too. I only was able to get one interview and I just heard that I got the job :) When I interviewed she said that there were hundreds of apps and so they went right off the top and chopped anyone without a BSN then they went by gpa! Others have said that they interviewed and the postings were up for minutes and received over a hundred apps. I was in an accelerated program that graduated in august rather than may and out of 24 of us there are 5 of us with jobs. I don't know the stats for the huge class they graduated in may. I added to my resume with volunteer work. Many of the hospitals let you be an internal applicant if you are a volunteer. I didn't volunteer for this hospital but it still helped me get in.not trying to discourage you but keep up that gpa and volunteer now while you can. Network like crazy because the majority that have jobs have them because they know someone.

pttrac · Nov 7, 2011

@ b RN - I'm sorry to hear you're having such a difficult time and in CA too! That's where I live as well. If you don't mind me asking, where did you go to school and did your entry program award you a BSN and MSN? Thanks!

@ suern2b - Congrats on the new job! I think you're one of the lucky ones. If you don't mind what accelerated program were you in: BSN or MSN? Also, what state do you currently live in. I am trying to gauge how the job market is in different regions, but of course everyone will have a different experience. Thanks!

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

In MN, for graduate nurses who have excellent grades and good experience in direct patient care, particularly if you work for a hospital, the job market is pretty fantastic.

Graduates with mediocre grades who kept their non-healthcare fulltime jobs during nursing school are having a tougher time getting the job they want. However, they are still getting jobs in LTC and home health.