Hows the job market for new grads?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2005

Two things: You need to get in contact with the nurse recruiters at the acute hospitals and inquire about nurse tech jobs. Tell them you would like to put in an application. They hold them for awhile and you might get a surprise call three or four months down the road. Call them once a month to see if they have any possible openings coming up just to keep your name at the front of their mind. Sometimes it just takes persistance and being at the right place at the right time.

Second, it is very helpful if you can use one or two of your nursing instructors as a reference. The nurse recruiters probably know who they are anyway. :)

military spouse · Jun 5, 2005

I can't imagine anyone living in a decent-sized city in Arizona not being able to get a job. I live in a smaller city south of Tucson and we ALWAYS have openings. It is MUCH easier to get a job as an RN than LPN, though. I don't know too much about Phoenix, but Tucson always needs nurses. Sure do hope you name of Phoenixgirl is indicative of the fact that you live in Phoenix. If you don't, please disregard my coments. :uhoh3:

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2005

Phoenix Girl...you got your certification?? I remember you taking the classes, did not remember you saying you got certified! Congrats! Wish I had done that right off..forgot everything now!!!

I know you absolutely CAN'T get a job in a hospital as a CNA w/o your cert. I thought maybe they would take a chance, and then I could get it after the orientation period. No such luck. So that leaves me until school starts and I can get into the nursing lab to practice those old dusty skills. :uhoh3: Guess I should have listened to my instructors! :rolleyes:

You are doing well so far in the process! You need to go to job fairs. I have a friend who applied a zillion times online to the hospitals....one of which was Banner.....but when he finally attended one of Banner's "career fairs" he said that they were "throwing themselves at him". He got all kinds of job offers in the hospital. So, maybe they just don't like to look at the apps online. Maybe they want to "see" you. Just food for thought.

You are already in your program? Jeez, I didn't seem to remember you to be so far ahead. An LPN program, right? How is it going? What is your schedule?

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2005

Oh yeah, CONGRATS on your new job, too!!!:balloons:

PhoenixGirl · Jun 8, 2005

I can't imagine anyone living in a decent-sized city in Arizona not being able to get a job. I live in a smaller city south of Tucson and we ALWAYS have openings. It is MUCH easier to get a job as an RN than LPN, though. I don't know too much about Phoenix, but Tucson always needs nurses. Sure do hope you name of Phoenixgirl is indicative of the fact that you live in Phoenix. If you don't, please disregard my coments.

Yep! I live in phoenix! Thanks for leaving feedback.

Becky

PhoenixGirl · Jun 8, 2005

You are doing well so far in the process! You need to go to job fairs. I have a friend who applied a zillion times online to the hospitals....one of which was Banner.....but when he finally attended one of Banner's "career fairs" he said that they were "throwing themselves at him". He got all kinds of job offers in the hospital. So, maybe they just don't like to look at the apps online. Maybe they want to "see" you. Just food for thought.
You are already in your program? Jeez, I didn't seem to remember you to be so far ahead. An LPN program, right? How is it going? What is your schedule?

Yep, I'm in the LPN program over at Estrella Mountain. It is technically called southwest skill ctr. I want to attend some of these job fairs that I hear about when I call these places, but they are always during school hours. And I absolutely can't miss school.

I bet the hospitals *are* too lazy to look at apps online. That is why it seems to be so much easier getting a job inquiring in person or going to a fair. Palm Valley always seems to be hiring and a guy in my class worked there before and says it's pretty easy getting a job. (this is in their rehab/sub acute/ltc hospital, not the main hospital)

Well, the program is going well. I still have an A average. It's serious and a lot of studying but so far I am not overwhelmed. My schedule is 8-2:30 M-T and then a nice 3 day weekend. I'm not sure what the clinical schedules are like yet because we haven't started. I hear they break us up into 2 groups, one that does a 12-hr clinical one day a week and then you get a 4 day weekend, and another group that does 2 seven hour clinical days and you get the 3 day weekend.

You are doing the PT GCC program, right?

Well, back to studying!!!

Becky

Calzonan RN · Jun 8, 2005

Phoenixgirl, can you tell me a little bit about the LPN program? When does it start, how many people are accepted, is it easy to then go to the RN program at a Maricopa CC school? I've read a couple of references to the program but know nothing about it. Thx

Also, I know several nurses at different hospitals and they all say that their hospitals are hiring, so you probably won't have much trouble finding a job when the time comes. Were you looking for pt CNA for now or ft?

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 9, 2005

You shouldn't have a hard time finding work ANYWHERE in AZ as an RN. As an LPN, maybe a little harder. Where I live, there are two hospitals, and only the VA hospital employs LPNs; the other hospital does not. Although, LTC facilities seem to hire a lot of LPNs if you're interested in that area of nursing.

Kabin · Jun 9, 2005

I just visited the Maricopa County Health Building for a TB test and they also hire LPNs. For what it's worth, the nurse I saw told me they were underpaid. Guess that isn't very shocking considering it is working for the government.

PhoenixGirl · Jun 10, 2005

Phoenixgirl, can you tell me a little bit about the LPN program? When does it start, how many people are accepted, is it easy to then go to the RN program at a Maricopa CC school? I've read a couple of references to the program but know nothing about it. Thx
Also, I know several nurses at different hospitals and they all say that their hospitals are hiring, so you probably won't have much trouble finding a job when the time comes. Were you looking for pt CNA for now or ft?

They start two classes a year, may and then I think september. 30 spots in each class. My class only has like 26 or so though. People drop. It's crazy that it happens, because you spend so much time on the waiting list. I was on it for a year, that is the average wait. It is high demand because you don't need any prereqs. There are some of us that have done them though, and some that haven't done any. Those that haven't done any prereqs are having a much harder time. They have informational meetings every Wednesday afternoon, you should call and find out so you can come to one. All they ask is that you are a CNA and have taken the HCCs, then your put on the waiting list. Right now the class they are filling up is for May of next year. But if you were like me and weren't finished with your prereqs anyway, it doesn't hurt to get on the list. During the wait I finished up most of my prereqs, I only have two left, which I'll complete while working as an LPN and apply to the last two blocks of the nursing program so I can get my RN.

I was looking for prn CNA work. I think I will just go to Palm Valleys rehab facility after a little while. I don't mind LTC either. I want to see if my load gets much heavier after patho and pharmacology start, it probably will.

Rebecca

breastfeedingRN · Jun 10, 2005

well, i was a new grad with no CNA or LPN experience and got a job as an RN part-time. this was in 9/2004, so i say the job market is really good. i would call and speak to nurse recruiters at the various hospitals and go to job fairs if you can. after your 1st semester for some hospitals and 2nd for others, you can apply as a nurse extern which is an awesome experience.

good luck to you.