Ignorance is bliss

Published

I am so sick of hearing how easy it will be for me to find a job. And this so called Nursing Shortage. And people telling me to go apply at "City's Major Hospital" since they are ALWAYS looking for new nurses. I know people are well meaning, friends & family, but they have NO CLUE what it is like right now. No one in my state is hiring new nurses. Last years graduating class came back to talk ot us, most still have no jobs & those that do are PRN. My hubby just got laid off, so now the pressure is REALLY on to find a job.

I have been actively applying EVERYWHERE since Dec. I have Extern experience. I have Tech experience. I have Phlebotomy experience. I have gotten 2 emails asking for more info, nothing else. No calls. I am really getting nervous! I have been applying all over the US. I have tried Texas. The last two job fairs I went to for Nurses, new grads were literally turned away AT THE DOOR! I think my state is going to really suffer, all the RN's are leaving the state.

Any advice? I had my resume & cover letter revised & spoke with a career counselor. I am starting to really feel the stress.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.

I read on another thread that the following hospitals in Oklahoma were hiring new grads: Integris, Mercy and Deaconess hospitals. I believe these are located in Oklahoma City.

I can't imagine the stress you are experiencing, but if you are willing to be flexible to move, you'll have more opportunities. Hang in there!!!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am so sick of hearing how easy it will be for me to find a job. And this so called Nursing Shortage. And people telling me to go apply at "City's Major Hospital" since they are ALWAYS looking for new nurses. I know people are well meaning, friends & family, but they have NO CLUE what it is like right now.

I absolutely agree with this 100%. I hear this from family all the time, and it's irritating. I have told them to not believe what the media keeps saying about nursing because it is not true; the nursing shortage has been blown out of proportion, in some states more than others.

I'm also sick of hearing about the "big bucks" nurses make. Uh, really? I don't know from personal experience if this is true or not, but from what I have read here, it's not really that much at all. I have heard that most nurses are paid around $15/hour? In the scheme of things, that's not really that much.

Anyway, I'm sorry your husband lost his job :( I hope that you both find something soon. Best of luck! :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in GU/surgical, Bariatrics, Endoscopy.

I don't know where people are getting that Texas has all these new grad jobs, because we don't. I live in Texas and there are new grad internships every 6 months BUT they only take 2-3 people a specialty with hundreds applying. Most managers I know are reluctant to hire out of state people since they most often will go back to their home state when they've gained experience. Also, a lot of Texas hospitals fund their nursing support employees to go to nursing school hence they are first in line for a new grad position when they finish.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
I read on another thread that the following hospitals in Oklahoma were hiring new grads: Integris, Mercy and Deaconess hospitals. I believe these are located in Oklahoma City.

Those hospitals are in Oklahoma City. I did clinicals at the Integris (Baptist) Hospital and Mercy. Both are good hospitals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

THey are in OKC but they also have hospitals throughout OK. Like, Integris now owns the hospital in Seminole, OK.... but yes, OK still needs nurses!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks guys, the stress is really getting to me! It is making these last few weeks of school so overwhelming! I will start looking into Oklahoma! I have my house up for sale, and wherever we go, I am hoping it is a place we can stay for at least 3-5 years. I really am hoping we get lucky and someone buys this house soon! If not, I am packing up & moving out and having my family look after it while it is on tha market. I can't stay here or I won't be able to pay for it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I hear that crap about "nursing shortage" all the time from family and friends. I have a job, but my unit hasn't hired anyone new in three years. Night shift is tough, but I hate hearing from people how I should just transfer to another shift or another hospital. They don't believe me that there IS no other shift, and NO hospitals in my area are hiring even experienced nurses. I am sick of hearing about fictitious "news" stories that regale the public with misinformation about the job market for nurses. I would not want to be an unemployed new grad right now as it would be impossible to keep myself from slapping anyone who used the words "nursing shortage." :devil:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I work in a 140 bed hospital in Texas and we hired 12 nurses this past month, 4 of whom were new grads. So it really does depend on where you are. We added a nursing unit so needed new staff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My mother assures me I should go into nursing because there's jobs everywhere, and when I tell her that there's not (and show her the proof on this website), she shoves it off by saying everyone here are crack-head posers and not actually nurses and that "they don't know what they're talking about".

...my mother really doesn't like the internet. :eek:

I, for one, don't think you guys are crack-head posers...I think you guys are awesome and amazing and inspirational! :redpinkhe

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been a nurse for 10 years in 4 different states, and I've been fortunate not to have had any problem ever finding a job. As an assistant manager at a rather large hospital, we always have night shift positions open, ALWAYS. Days and evenings are less common, maybe 4 positions come open a year/shift on my unit, but we hire new grads for those openings about 75% of the time. Our hospital also has a program for new grads to enter that basically fast tracks them to positions that come open. They get "hired" to a floor and work any shifts that need covered until a position comes open, and then take that position based on seniority among the new grads. I KNOW we are not innovators, so I am sure there are other hospitals across the country with programs like that. Also, I've hired nurses over the phone from as far away as Indiana, so don't get discouraged! There are lots of hospitals in the country, and plenty of them are hiring. If geography isn't a problem, you will find a job. In fact, my advice is don't be so eager for a job that you end up with a bad one that burns you out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I completely sympathize, I didnt get a phone call for months and I basically lucked into a position. To me the shortage is "experienced nurses" and not new nurses. Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion