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

Hivanni · Sep 15, 2011

College Education is a basic need in a society. Either you want a 2-year associate's degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree in consideration with your financial education budget. Job hunting is a great challenge after all. Nursing is now in demand, has an advantage compare to others and a rewarding career for great living eventually.

86toronado, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

I am not a new graduate, but my husband is. He graduated with ADN in May, started a job in late June. His employer wanted him to start in May, but he wanted the time off after graduation. We are in upstate NY.

FLmomof5 · Sep 15, 2011

As a new grad, I was not getting any calls for interviews in Charleston, SC so I went back to Jax, FL to look. Fellow classmate sent me a message on FB that her LTAC was hiring. I applied in person and got the job. Left after 2 mo. (Long story) Started applying for all open positions in Charleston again and interviewed last week and got the offer call yesterday. :)

liz0105 · Sep 15, 2011

I graduated with my ADN in May and passed NCLEX the following month. I just received an offer from my nursing school's hospital affiliate. Many hospitals in our area (NYC) require, or strongly prefer, BSNs because they are in the process of applying for, or maintaining Magnet status.

I have already begun my RN-to-BSN classes and I believe that was looked upon favorably during the interview.

My recommendation would be to network! To my knowledge, all the new hires from my class so far have networked their way to interviews - don't stop at HR. Get in front of a manager, keep in touch with clinical instructors, etc...

poopprincess · Sep 15, 2011

I got a job with an ASN. I probably put in 100 applications, started in Feb. Interviewed for 2 residencies, no job. Graduated in April, passed NCLEX in May and had a job in June (2 wks. later). The BSN students do get chosen first, but you just have to stay persistent. When you license, you are already bringing more to the table than an unlicensed BSN student. Now the kicker is I am in LTAC. Learning a lot, but it was not my first choice. I wanted PEDS and they wouldn't touch me without a BSN. You may not get your dream job immediately, but if hospitals aren't calling, start thinking outside the box. There is a lot of weight put on the degree, but experience speaks volumes too. Even though I only have a ASN, the hospitals will hire me after a few mo. of doing acute care. In my area most of the hospitals are requiring/preferring a BSN, but the students who got externships while in school got jobs fairly easily. I honestly believe it is just a matter of having a license, a resume that makes you stand out, who you know, and then good interviewing skills once you get your foot in the door. I faked confidence in my third interview b/c playing the new grad, ready to learn role was used against me and I was accused of not having confidence in one of my first 2 interviews. Just hang in there and keep trying. It isn't impossible. Once you get a job, learn all you can and embrace it. GOod luck!!!

kponderRN · Sep 16, 2011

I graduated in May of this year, passed NCLEX in middle of May and had a few job offers within a few weeks of graduating. Like people said before, it depends on where you live and the job market there. I live in Texas and the job market is good compared to other places.

soxgirl2008 · Sep 16, 2011

I haven't graduated yet, but I know a lot of people who graduated with their ADNs and found hospital jobs right away. Granted, a lot of them had CNA experience in the hospital they applied, but I know ADN grads with no prior experience who were hired in hospitals right away too. It really depends on where you live. From what I've heard it's really hard to get a job in California with an ADN, but here in Wisconsin hospitals don't seem to really care about the whole BSN/ADN debate that much.

sbostonRN · Sep 16, 2011

I got a job about a week before I passed my boards, contigent upon passing of course. I passed on the first try and started about a week after that (I had to give my two weeks notice at my other job). I'm working on a subacute unit at a LTC facility and learning a ton. I think it's a great place to start off at, but it's very stressful with a high patient:nurse ratio. I live in the Boston area so I thought I'd have a much harder time finding a job, but being flexible worked in my favor. I'm also working day shift which is completely ideal and unexpected!

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

I graduated Jan 31st and took boards mid March. I was hired on my floor (where I'd been a PCA for almost 2 years) in August. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get hired at my hospital (Magnet) or my floor (no openings and a ton of new grad hires already) so I applied at all the other area hospitals. 2 interviews and no call backs, both non Magnet. Maybe 50 apps? As soon as an opening appeared on my floor I applied, got an interview two weeks later, and a job offer a day after.

PolaskyRN · Sep 16, 2011

I am just curious about all the responses--where are you guys from? I graduated May of this year with an ADN and have been applying endlessly for jobs and no luck. How did you guys do it?

Don't get me wrong I am happy for those of you that landed a job soon after graduation. It also gives me hope that an ADN WILL get me a job!]

Btw, I am from Northern CA. Where you guys are....any hospitals hiring new grads with no experience??

serein · Sep 17, 2011

I'm from central florida and it took me about 2 months to find a job. I graduated in may, passed the NCLEX end of june and I'm starting this month. It was sort of difficult here to find a job also. Most people I talked to used any connections they may have to secure a job. Ex: talking to managers they personally knew. Once I got my foot in through the door at the hospital I wanted to work at I got hired right away. I'm sure it may have been easier if I went to bigger cities such as Orlando, Tampa, etc but I didn't want to move.

KarriRN · Sep 17, 2011

I'm in New Mexico. I graduated in may with my ADN. I took and passed my nclex in July. I applied, and applied, and applied. This month I got hired at a LTC facility in the Alzheimers unit. My facility also has a rehab unit that I will work in sometimes.

Finding a job is tough but possible.