How many new grad associate degree nurses have landed jobs recently?

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Feb 22, 2011

I have an ASN and I got a job within two weeks of getting my license...it entirely depends on what part of the country you live in as to whether new grads are considered hireable without a BSN or not. We graduated in December and I'd say 90% of my class is already employed or were employed before graduation.

lesliebeth1 · Feb 22, 2011

I am a new graduate nurse (graduated Dec 2010). I applied for a few jobs right after graduation and didnt get any calls. Once I took my boards in Feb. and passed I started getting calls. Within two weeks of passing I was offered two jobs and could have gone on one other interview but I had already excepted one of the other two jobs. Dont stress. There are still jobs out there for us. Just make sure you have great interview skills and sell yourself. Show them why you stand out over others.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2011

I earned an associates degree in March of last year, passed NCLEX in May, and found an RN position in June. However, the job was not advertised, and I was offered it because I knew the nurse manager from two years prior and decided to give her a call to see if she had any positions available. Also, I had four years of work experience as an LVN/LPN, which often makes a difference in peoples' hiring decisions.

JStollRN · Feb 22, 2011

I passed my boards on 09/21/10 and started my job on 10/04/10...almost everyone in my class has a job as well. And I just started BSN classes this spring. It really depends on where you live, seriously!

Grumpygs, MSN, RN · Feb 22, 2011

Will Never,

Not sure what part of the country you are in, but after 9 long, depressing, frustrating months of searching - I received an offer at a small local hospital yesterday. I have my ASN, graduated May 2010 got my license in July 2010 and have been actively searching ever since. I'm in the dreaded Southern California area where it truly did seem impossible to get any job as an ASN but out of the blue (well at least it seems like it was out of the blue) I got an offer! So, don't give up hope, it does seem that things are turning around.

You may have to consider a job on a unit that may not be your dream unit, in a hospital that may not be your dream hospital but with the economy the way it is, you cannot be too choosy - it's all about getting experience and keeping your skills up.

One other bit of 'advice' is to get your EKG, ACLS and any other certifications that you can (if you have not gotten them already) as soon as possible - most people searching for jobs (from my experience) already have these certifications and while some hospitals will provide the training, it may put your slightly above someone who does not currently hold the certification. - just a thought.

Good luck!

ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2011

I had a job waiting for me upon graduation.

BUT...I got laid off 2 months after I started because the hospital obviously didn't learn how to budget :-/

I then got a job in L&D, where I lasted all of 2 months.

Then I went to LTC, back to my confort zone and was there for 4 months.

I just happened to land a job in the OR, so I quit the LTC job.

I am in school for my BSN right now.

DroogieRN · Feb 22, 2011

I graduated in May 2010 and began my job in June -- had the offer before graduation. I had done my preceptorship on that unit and had also done an externship at the hospital the summer prior -- both of which gave me a little advantage over other new grads.

EponaRN · Feb 22, 2011

I feel your pain. I graduated with an ADN in December 2010 and have still not found a job. I also have had only two interviews after submitting roughly 50 applications. I am going to begin a BSN completion program this fall but that is because I want to go onto become an NP. The job market is very rough in certain parts of the country where they only want experienced nurses no matter the degree. This is changing though, many seasoned nurses are retiring again since the economy has picked back up and their 401Ks are back to about where they were before the recession. Many articles have been written about the dire situation hospitals are putting themselves in by not hiring grad nurses now and getting them trained for the severe shortage that is facing every part of the country soon. Some experts anticipate this will occur within the next year. My suggestion is try to find a Nurse Extern position now, or a CNA position. If you have completed one semester of Med/Surg you can sit for the CNA exam in most states without taking the class. Otherwise after graduation look for volunteer opportunities within free clinics or community organizations, that looks great on your resume and will give you experience. You can also hold blood pressure screenings in local stores with a few of those in your cohort, anything to get your name out there. Career fairs too. We are all desperate to find something but things will look up soon. I've noticed many positions posted since I graduated unfilled so this means that eventually they will have to start accepting new nurses. Also get licensed as quick as possible, this shows initiative. Be prepared for interviews by highlighting your successes, journal some clinical experiences that were both trying and extremely positive. We have to sell ourselves as being a good fit for an organization. Look up their website and read their mission statements, then think about how your values fit with that so you can highlight that in your interview. If you can relocate, look at the coasts and the southwest, I have received unsolicited emails from Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and a few others looking for nurses and giving sign on bonuses. I have children though and cannot pick up an move. Also don't limit yourself to first **** Mon-Fri no holidays, you will not find anything. Be willing to take the graveyard shift, work holidays, and even work in long term care so you can gain the experience. Being flexible is also desirable to an organization. But in all, don't get discouraged. Things will work out. You've worked hard to get this degree be proud of that! If you are interested in obtaining your BSN (which I highly suggest) then be sure to mention that as well. Good luck and as soon as I find a position I will be doing a happy dance!

msjellybean · Feb 22, 2011

I'm not really considered a new grad anymore (graduated December 09), but I found a job right after graduation. However, I also had a previous bachelor's in a health field and went through my hospital's internship program the summer before I graduated. Most of the people hired at the time I was were either BSNs or ADN with a prior BS.

The two most recent crops of new grads have had a handful of strictly ADN nurses. It does seem to be getting a little easier.

Trinitas2010RN · Feb 22, 2011

Graduated in January 2010 with a diploma. I have been looking for over a year and have not landed a job. I've only had 3 interviews in this time with no calls back. Currently I 'm don't feel that I'm alone in the area that I live in with is in Northern NJ. There seems to be very few jobs here for now. So I and many other are just sitting around waiting for improvements for either hospitals to start hiring and/or nurse looking to get out can.

Of course one can move to a better market. But if your like me and you can't there are not tons of options. And yes I have tried to volunteer and apply for other jobs in hospitals and LTCs but nothing has come to fruition. So again I and some others I know are just sitting to wait this down cycle out.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Feb 22, 2011

It took about 3 months of hard searching with a previous BA, two years LPN experience, and a connection.