How is 2010 treating new RN graduates?

[bearscrubs75]

I will be graduating from nursing school shortly. I was curious if the job market for RNs who want to work in hospitals (not LTC facilities :)) has improved in 2010. Someone told me to find an area where not a lot of wealthy or middle-class Caucasian people (i.e., of Western/Northern European descent) with college degrees and trust-funds live and compete for jobs and reolcate there, and I'll probably find something. So I did just that. And guess what happened?!?!: all of the other hypercompetitive, hotly ambitious, overeducated Caucasian job-seekers with resources and money and degrees did the same exact thing! Ygads! Sheesh! I just can't seem to get ahead. I feel like Charlie Brown in the Peanuts episode where Lucy pulls away the football. ARRRGGGHHHH!!! All self-referential, self-depricating jokes aside, how does 2010 look for you new graduate RNs? I know the West Coast from San Diego to Seattle is saturated, especially California. Any "decent" areas opening up? 2008 and 2009 were horrible years for new nurses. Is there light at the end of the proverbial tunnel in 2010-2011 or does it still look like crap?

[wezzie, RN]

I graduated in May and passed the NCLEX in June and put out tons of applications in and around the Minneapolis area. Two of the 3 major health systems in the area that operate most of the hospitals and clinics directly say, new grads need not apply, and the other, although they don't come out and say it, occasionally post a job they would consider putting a new grad in and get 100's of applications within' a day or two from new grads and experienced nurses. It's been pretty discouraging.

But, despite that, I had an interview at an LTC facility, which called after 2 weeks and said "you ready to start". I told them I wasn't ready to accept because I had 2 more interviews arranged by that time and said I would call back at the end of the month. I just had an interview at a hospital yesterday that's not affiliated with the "big 3" for a position in mental health that I would love more than anything. My first choice of specialty and first choice of hospital. It's a wonderful facility, I did the majority of my clinical rotations there. Top 100 in the country, union wages, magnate status, 30 miles from my home. So supportive of new grads, but have seriously curtailed their hiring in the last couple years. I should find out next week. *fingers crossed* I had put in several other applications there too and finally got an interview. There isn't anywhere I'd rather work and would happily serve there in any capacity. :)

I also had a phone interview for a hospital in ND for OR, and am going to drive out to Wyoming next week for another interview at a hospital for a new grad residency. I can interview for 3 departments there.. ER, Neuro, and Surgical.

I hope to have at least one more offer coming soon, and also hope I didn't blow my chances for the LTC position, but I didn't feel it would be appropriate for me to start orientation and continue to go on interviews and possibly quit right away.

Good luck to all new grads!! I know it can be discouraging but don't give up and be flexible.. :)