How many New Grads from 2009 still don't have jobs?

violet_violet · Aug 4, 2010

I'm a Dec '09 grad in CA with CNA experience & complete a couple preceptorships outside of nursing school and no job yet. It's getting frustrating. I would use the time to certified in ACLS and such but I cannot afford it. I don't know much longer I can live like this... it's sad.

im_an_honest_1 · Aug 4, 2010

I totally agree about where in the country you are. I graduated from RN school in TN and had difficulty finding a job, moved back to my home state of CT and there was NOTHING in that area (I applied at hospitals and nursing homes in CT, MA, RI, NH & ME). I found a recruiter online who works for a company in CA. She got me in contact with a hospital in a rural area of Arkansas that gave me a $7500 sign on bonus - relocation expenses paid. I work every other weekend, nights in L & D (which is where I wanted to be). Granted - I did move 1600 miles to get my job - but I got it in the field of nursing that I love. I live in Northern Mississippi just 20 miles south of Memphis now and I commute about 45 miles one way to work (which the hospital reimburses me for). Its working out pretty well. I would recommend - be flexible. I moved all that distance with a large family. I graduated with my BSN 05/09/09 and had my youngest of 4 on 5/11/09. Keep your mind open and your options open. Don't give up. There are jobs out there, you just may have to go to an area of the country you wouldn't ordinarily have gone. Think of it as a new adventure - and you get to work in areas where there really is a healthcare shortage and nurses are really needed.

ilovenursing2009 · Aug 4, 2010

I'm a Dec '09 grad in CA with CNA experience & complete a couple preceptorships outside of nursing school and no job yet. It's getting frustrating. I would use the time to certified in ACLS and such but I cannot afford it. I don't know much longer I can live like this... it's sad.

I know it is so hard and draining. Try to keep your head up. I truly believe it will get better. It will take a long time though. I got my ACLS right after school and it has done me no good. Looking back I would not have spent the $200.

In the mean time you should try flu shot clinics. The money is good and it is at least a job; a very easy one at that. The season is coming up. Craigslist is a good place to find flu shot jobs.

Flo., BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2010

I too had to move halfway across the country to land my first job. Many of my friends that stayed home are working retail or nursing positions that they swore they would never take before graduation.

KaitRN · Aug 4, 2010

I graduated in 2009 and always swore I would NEVER work in LTC. Welp, guess what? I ended up waitressing until taking a job in a LTC/ Rehab facility... I put in my dues. It definitely wasn't great, but it was a job and money!! All the while I was putting out resumes. Finally this past May (an entire year after graduating), I went on two interviews in a different state than mine and scored a job at a small community hospital on the cardiac/ tele critical care floor!!!!!! (I had to move to the next state for this job). Just started orientation this week and am very excited. I'm not trying to rub it in anyone's face at all, I understand where you guys are. I guess I just want to say there IS hope!!!! I think when HR saw that I at least had one year of experience in LTC, it was better than being a "new grad". So take those LTC jobs or anything you can find guys! Don't give up! I know it's soo discouraging but we worked hard to call ourselves RN's and it will all work out! Its just going to take some time. And I agree with others- if you have the financial means/ no obligations and CAN move to another area of the country, I think it will help. I was originally from RI and had to move to Western MA to get this new job! Good luck everyone :)

tjrmfam4 · Aug 4, 2010

I just graduated in may 2010, and had two hospital job offers by June. Most of our class has jobs and we had 150 graduates. I am in the Atlanta area.

I agree it is location. Again, I do know lots of people who got a position they didn't necessarily want, but took it because it was a job. Best of luck on your search. I know what worked for me was actually walking into the hr offices and personally handing them my resume.

needlpn · Aug 4, 2010

My roommate and 15 grads of class of 2009 haven't found a job! Please help

hi work&play didu graduatewitharn or lpn andweredo u live in nyc---thanks

jorjaRN · Aug 4, 2010

It's absolutely about location...I spent about six months looking for a job in the mid-atlantic (and I mean, pretty much the entire region...applied everywhere from DC to New York). I finally realized that I wasn't going to find anything, and even though my goal for all of college was to get a job/live in a city right out of school, I moved home to my small town in southwest Virginia and got a job that I really enjoy in a mid sized community hospital.

I know relocation is NOT realistic for some, but if it's at all plausible, my advice would be to look in more rural areas, and at community hospitals that may not be quite as saturated with new grad applications. You might be surprised by the oppurtunites if you look 30-45 min. outside a metropolitan area.

Good luck, I know it's tough, but hang in there!!

sundaeANN · Aug 5, 2010

even an old grads need help too!!! please help us.. im hoping that soon the 3rd batch of nars will be opened... so excited to be part of it...

ilovenursing2009 · Aug 5, 2010

even an old grads need help too!!! please help us.. im hoping that soon the 3rd batch of nars will be opened... so excited to be part of it...

Sorry I don't understand your post...and what is nars!!!!????

lkmrn123 · Aug 5, 2010

All you young new grads, news flash it has always been difficult (to some extent) to get your "ideal" job. You may have to work in an area of nursing that you do not desire, but if you are really a nurse at heart you can find a great deal of satisfaction and great work experience taking a less desirable job.

Sorry but paying your dues is not working 6 months or so in LTC or rehab. Paying your dues is working many, many years, in many many different roles

OB/GYN/Newborn, Case Management workers' comp/HIV/AIDS/Med/Surg/Telemetry/ICU/CCU/MICU/Home Health/ER/ Rehab/ Traveler/Ortho/ENT/GU/Stroke unit/PRN at large teaching hospitals/Renal Dialysis/CCU step-down/Camp/Prison (federal and county jail)/Occ Health/Public Health Officer/Research/Flu shot clinic)/review medical records for law firms.

I have advanced education (BSN, MA, Post Master's, national certification), began my career as Diploma grad, and raised two characters to have character.

You have think outside the box, I know for a fact that prisons are ALWAYS in need of nurses. Is it a picnic working in a jail or prison, no but you gain great experience in your assessment and communication skills. Camps are in need of nurses. Public hospitals/clinics are in need of nurses. You may not have all the glitz and glory, all the new nice equipment but you will gain a great deal and be able to practice your trade. Have you tried VA facilities? They are often very glad to train you and are always in need of nurses.

So I would not get all worked up over not finding a job you may have to move, you may have to take a "less desirable" position, you may have to work nights/12 hours/Weekends/holidays (all of them), part-time, contract or some other avenue. If you want a job be willing to do "anything" within the scope of your state board. Yes this economy is rough, but believe me it has been rough for a while. You may have great expectations, but the reality of it is that Nursing is a very hard career choice, if you really enjoy helping people in need of health care you will always have difficult patients, screwball bosses, bad working hours/conditions, etc, not all the same time but the nature of the business working with humans you will always have some issue to deal with.

I have tried to find positions that fit my life style at the time (days shift for kids/WE option for school) PRN to keep my skills up to date. Don't give up, this profession is difficult but very rewarding. Keep applying, keep looking, keep your faith that things will improve.....................

jorjaRN · Aug 5, 2010

All you young new grads, news flash it has always been difficult (to some extent) to get your "ideal" job. You may have to work in an area of nursing that you do not desire, but if you are really a nurse at heart you can find a great deal of satisfaction and great work experience taking a less desirable job.
Sorry but paying your dues is not working 6 months or so in LTC or rehab. Paying your dues is working many, many years, in many many different roles
OB/GYN/Newborn, Case Management workers' comp/HIV/AIDS/Med/Surg/Telemetry/ICU/CCU/MICU/Home Health/ER/ Rehab/ Traveler/Ortho/ENT/GU/Stroke unit/PRN at large teaching hospitals/Renal Dialysis/CCU step-down/Camp/Prison (federal and county jail)/Occ Health/Public Health Officer/Research/Flu shot clinic)/review medical records for law firms.
I have advanced education (BSN, MA, Post Master's, national certification), began my career as Diploma grad, and raised two characters to have character.
You have think outside the box, I know for a fact that prisons are ALWAYS in need of nurses. Is it a picnic working in a jail or prison, no but you gain great experience in your assessment and communication skills. Camps are in need of nurses. Public hospitals/clinics are in need of nurses. You may not have all the glitz and glory, all the new nice equipment but you will gain a great deal and be able to practice your trade. Have you tried VA facilities? They are often very glad to train you and are always in need of nurses.
So I would not get all worked up over not finding a job you may have to move, you may have to take a "less desirable" position, you may have to work nights/12 hours/Weekends/holidays (all of them), part-time, contract or some other avenue. If you want a job be willing to do "anything" within the scope of your state board. Yes this economy is rough, but believe me it has been rough for a while. You may have great expectations, but the reality of it is that Nursing is a very hard career choice, if you really enjoy helping people in need of health care you will always have difficult patients, screwball bosses, bad working hours/conditions, etc, not all the same time but the nature of the business working with humans you will always have some issue to deal with.
I have tried to find positions that fit my life style at the time (days shift for kids/WE option for school) PRN to keep my skills up to date. Don't give up, this profession is difficult but very rewarding. Keep applying, keep looking, keep your faith that things will improve.....................

I appreciate what you're saying, and agreee that people who whine because they can't get a job in L&D or ICU right out of school are ridiculous, but the reality is, many new grads have been unable to find work of ANY kind. Personally, I applied to multiple positions at the VA hospital, and never received a call back for any of them. Camp nursing, prison nursing, clinic nursing all want nurses with experience. Many of these positions require a nurse to be the sole medical professional on site, so it's not a great place for a nurse with no expereince, regardless. The current economic climate has placed many nurses with years of experience either out of a job and looking, or back in the job market after retirement, most places will hire those nurses over a new grad any day.

New grads of the past several years are up against a lot of obstacles that the classes of new grads before us did not have to face. My roomate in college graduated one year before me, and she was upset that it took her until the following September to get a job (in NICU, her preferred specialty). The class before her all had jobs lined up, most in specialty areas, before they graduated. That was the reality when we started nursing school-that's why people had the idea that when they graduated they would be able to quickly find a job in a specialty area. I think we've all had a rude awakening. Trust me though, most people who don't have jobs after 15 months of looking ARE looking everywhere possible, they're just not getting called back, much less hired.