How is the job market for nursing where you live?

SerenePeach · May 25, 2012

i'm in houston, texas and recently graduated with my bsn two weeks ago. it wasn't too difficult to find a job, as i secured a job by graduation. i would estimate that about half of my class or maybe even more has a job at this point (our school has a really good reputation in the texas medical center), but there are a couple of hospitals still interviewing. hospitals in this area do tend to hire graduates from nearby schools though, and there are a lot of schools in this area producing rns. the job market is competitive, but i think it's better than most other places.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 25, 2012

1. how tough is it/ was it to find a nursing job?

The job market for experienced nurses is good to very good, almost irrespective of whether you are a BSN or ADN. With respect to hospital positions for new grads, it is poor to dismal - poor for BSN's and dismal for ADN's. For jobs in LTC, the outlook is somewhat better though still quite poor - many, if not most nursing homes in the area have also started requiring at least a year of nursing experience for their new hires. A real Catch-22.

2. what kind of nurse are you? (CNA, PCT, LPN, RN 2 yr, RN 4 yr, ect)

I'm an ADN and will complete my BSN later this year. I'd like to mention that that CNA's and PCT's are not nurses - no disrespect meant (I'm also a CNA and a volunteer EMT) but it is an important distinction. One way to greatly increase your odds of being hired after graduation is work as a CNA/PCT while you're in nursing school. In the recent past, this has been an almost sure-fire way to land that first nursing job however, things seem to be changing: In my area, nearly all CNA or PCT jobs now also require at least a year of prior experience. Kind of the ultimate Catch-22 situation.

3. which state do you live in?

PA (Philadelphia/suburbs). Should also note that from what I read at least, the job market in rural PA for new nursing grads is still reasonable.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

Nurses by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Nurses Schools, Salaries, and Job Data

Minnesota

[TABLE=width: 100%]

[TR]

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Duluth[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$71,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]3,690[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+46%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Mankato[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$66,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,010[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-1%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Minneapolis[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$76,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]34,060[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-7%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Rochester[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$79,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]6,660[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+240%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]St Cloud[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$75,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2,140[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+18[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · May 25, 2012

"1. how tough is it/ was it to find a nursing job?"

I'm in MN too. Twin Cities. It is actually very easy to find a nursing job here - but it might not be the job you want. Hospital jobs are very hard to come by. You need work experience in hospitals, internships, connections, or sometimes very good luck to get one. Nursing homes, home health, and other jobs are actually quite easy to find.

I had couple years experience as an aide in LTC, Home Health, and hospitals when I got hired. I was also selected for in internship at my employer (It was cancelled because of the one day MNA strike.) A very high GPA out of school didn't hurt either.

"2. what kind of nurse are you? (CNA, PCT, LPN, RN 2 yr, RN 4 yr, ect)"

Associate Degree RN.

"3. which state do you live in?"

Minnesota.

buytheshoes11, MSN, RN · May 25, 2012

CA; RN-BSN; I know in Northern CA the market is poor. Stagnant would be an appropriate term!

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · May 25, 2012

NE PA - I'm still a student (and just accepted an externship)...I'll be an ADN when I graduate (I have a BA in communications already) and the class that just graduated ALL (67) had jobs at graduation...

in fact new grads from NJ come to my area because we do hire new grads

Despareux · May 25, 2012

From Michigan.

ADN RN

Recruiters from all the major hospitals in my area have told me they hire union bumps first before they consider external hires and one year experience is the usual requirement for most hospital jobs. There are rehab/wellness/LTC jobs, but even those are becoming more difficult to get.

cardiacrocks, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

I live in upstate NY. I commute 45 minutes away to a large hospital in Sayre, PA. I was offered 3 positions immediately after graduation. I work on a step-down cardiac floor (yes it is a specialty). I have 2 bachelor's, one is a BSN another in psychology. We do hire new grads, they hire I'd say at least 20-30 a year hospital wide. I've almost completed my first year. It has been a world wind, school does not teach you half of what the "real world" is going to teach you, it is so completely different! Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do great. I plan on becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Although, I do like my job, I just can't see myself doing bed side nursing for the rest of my life. My plan all along was to become a NP (I plan on specializing in acute critical care). Good luck, hang on for the ride of your life. :)

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · May 25, 2012

I live in upstate NY. I commute 45 minutes away to a large hospital in Sayre, PA. I was offered 3 positions immediately after graduation. I work on a step-down cardiac floor (yes it is a specialty). I have 2 bachelor's, one is a BSN another in psychology. We do hire new grads, they hire I'd say at least 20-30 a year hospital wide. I've almost completed my first year. It has been a world wind, school does not teach you half of what the "real world" is going to teach you, it is so completely different! Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do great. I plan on becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Although, I do like my job, I just can't see myself doing bed side nursing for the rest of my life. My plan all along was to become a NP (I plan on specializing in acute critical care). Good luck, hang on for the ride of your life. :)

Robert Packer? Good hospital - I'm 45-an hour south of there

Yllomia · May 25, 2012

I'm from Mass. I graduated last year and landed a job right away in a nursing home. I kept on applying for jobs in hospitals and was offered one six months later in Vermont. I worked as a CNA/PCT for two years in LTC and at a large hospital in Boston. I have a BSN and a BS in biology. The job market in Mass is horrible, for both new grads and experienced nurses. Vermont on the other hand, has a great need for nurses. It's still competitive to get a job as a new grad, but once your foot is in the door you can move about to any specialty you desire.

arl6 · May 25, 2012

I am from Boston, MA and the outlook here is "getting better". A lot of the larger hospitals are not hiring new grads (MGH, Brigham and Womens, Beth Israel) unless you worked there as a CNA, and even then it can be tough. Out of the 105 graduates in my class this May, I think 1 student currently has a job, and most of us have been looking since January. But, I do believe that nursing homes/long term care/and rehabs are definitely hiring new grads. Experience is experience! I am definitely keeping my options open, I have no problem with any sort of environment, as long as I get to be a nurse!

kids · May 25, 2012

1) Alabama

2) BSN with 20 years experience.

3) I'm on my 4th (and final) federal extension of my unemployment benefits. Jobs are so scarce where I am that unemployment no longer requires I look for a job, they have confirmed I have active applications with every single healthcare employer within 50 miles.

I'm so, glad I left two long term jobs that I loved and where I was respected, to move across country when my husbands job relocated. That nursing is recession proof or that you can find a job anywhere is a joke.