If you are a New Grad looking for a job in NJ

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Specializes in Currently: Certified School Nurse.

Please post here.

A) I am trying to assess how bad the situation really is.

B) I am activey working with *people in the know* to try to address the problem.

My biggest issue is that for years people were crying about a nursing shortage. So everyone (and I mean everyone) decided to go to nursing school. Well, now NJ is completely flooded with nurses. There is nowhere near a nursing shortage, but instead a huge excess of nurses.

Many of these unemployed nurses will, sadly, never get the opportunity to work as nurses because they will be forced to take jobs in other fields.

Many other nurses will leave the state of NJ and go to other parts of the country to work as an RN.

And in the coming years, tons of people will (rightfully so) decided not to go to nursing school because "my cousin went to nursing school and couldnt find a job".

All of this adds up to a big problem for NJ down the road. HOspitals are feeling pretty high and mighty these days turning away nurses in droves. But what will happen 5, 10 years from now?

Anyway, long story short, I did meet some forward-thinking people who realize this and are trying to address it.

THanks for listening.

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Specializes in Currently: Certified School Nurse.

P.S. all hope is not lost. As a new grad I found a fantastic LTC facility in NY that hired me. Great rate of pay and great working conditions. But everywhere in NJ turned me down. And I mean everywhere.

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I'm recently graduating rutgers university. we have about 42 nurses in this class. only about 7 actually got jobs. the rest of us are of course freaking out and lost. We have student loans to start paying back this summer and no job to support us for it. I'd love to move to another state to get a job, but dont have the money to do so. i've spoken with people from other nursing schools, we're all in the same boat.

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Unfortunately this is the reality of things. Hospitals don't really profit from "new nurses" until a year after they're trained..according to a recruiter at a Northern NJ Hospital...But there are jobs out there..I'm not sure where yet but if there ever came a time to be aggressive..now is the time...get those resumes in tip top shape...write and awesome cover letter, get references...have a professional look at your resume..things like that may help...and if all else fails relocating...even though with no money and loans to pay back its a lot easier said than done!!! Good luck all!! We'll make it one way or another!

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This surplus can't last for ever. There is a pretty sizable population of "baby boomers" that will soon be retiring (of the economy allows for it).

Just have to be patient. I graduated in the Spring of 2009 from Brookdale CC, and got a job doing exactly what I wanted to be doing (Post Partum) in the hospital I wanted to work at. There were 9 new grads at my orientation when I was hired.

Just be patient and good luck!!

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Coming from a old new grad ( graduated in may 2009) . It is very tough not to be discouraged. I cannot give successful advice, as I'm still unemployed, but dont' be discouraged. Expect rejection, but hope for more. You've made it through nursing school. You will make it. It is a sad time that RN's are now questioning their hard earned education. Keep trying and applying! You are worth it!

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I would seriously consider thinking of trying in NYC (Brookyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx) Try SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn it's a teaching hospital as well. NJ is rough for new nurse right now.I know alot of rn's that live in NJ's that go to NYC for work.

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Before you decided to pursue nursing, did you do your research????? Everyone and their brother knows it's a tight market here in NJ. It doesn't take that long to Google the statistics or talk to people "in the know."

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I have to agree with Tyler77. Just click on the region tab and randomly select a state. Its like someone just copied and pasted the same remarks; hiring freeze, no experience, poor economy, etc. I doubt any one or collective group of people in the know would make a difference. The undivided unorganized industry of nursing can not resolve. If the "people in the know" are the same as those who outsource nurses from outside the US and cant standardize the education path to becoming a nurse (2yr, 4yr, BS+12mo and we all sit for the same exam?). I highly doubt any resolution anytime soon.

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i hear you.. im gettin turned down everywhere too.. so i decided to apply for NY license which i should be getting soon. i have pa and no luck there either

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try loving care, psa, and starlight. all three of those agencies hire new grads and start at around 27/hr in nj. homehealth pediatric agencies

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