I'll be you in a year!

[Lovelymo79]

Well, I have 1 year down, 1 year to go and it aint looking good! People told me last year, the economy should be back on the upswing by the time you graduate because I saw so many people not being able to find jobs. Then this year, I still see so many people not being able to find jobs. And I'm thinking, what difference is a year going to make?

I'm already experiencing some of the downside of the economy and the fierceness of competition amoung nursing students. I interviewed for 3 nursing externships and didn't get any. Not saying that I'm the perfect candidate but the numbers of applicants were astonishing! I also applied for a program that would have paid my tuition at school in exchange for me signing a contract with them to work -- didn't get it bc there were only 3 positions.

I've been working as a nursing assistant for 9 months at my school's hospital (I'm in a diploma program - I have a BA in a non-nursing program) and I'm also planning on volunteering in the hospitals ER. HOPEFULLY, this will parlay into a job after graduation:yeah: I would only want to work on my floor or in the ER (the other floors in the hospital kinda suck) but hey..if I get the offer.

I also heard about people getting jobs in southern states like DC or Texas (I'm from Jersey). Unless I'm married by the time I graduate (or close...but nursing school is keeping my social life at bay! ), I have NO problem moving. I've visited Texas and I really liked it so to be able to relocate there would be cool.

Anyway, just came to vent..get everyone's thoughts..and just hope and pray it gets better.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I have heard that diploma nurses are in a tight spot. I know here in Texas they don't really get hired. Have you considered switching to an RN program?

[guiltysins]

Agreed with the person above do you know if the fact that you are in a Diploma program is effecting your chances at getting nursing externships? A lot of the nurse externships here in New York only take students that are in BSN programs. I think externships are difficult to get anyway even without the economy. Most externship programs only take about 10 student nurses and a lot of them rank GPA pretty high.

[Lovelymo79]

RN2BDFW, a diploma program IS a RN program. There is just no degree given, we "generally" have more clinical hours than ADN and BSN programs but we sit for the same test -- the NCLEX.

Actually, I've been told by 2 of the 3 people I interviewed for that they actually PREFERRED diploma nurses. I actually asked why I wasn't hired and the constant answer is that there are way too many applicants for the positions.

And it's interesting that you say that in Texas they don't really get hired because 2 of the students that graduated from my school last year were actually recruited from here (Jersey) to work there..and they were hired. However, I heard not-so-nice things about the hospital and 1 of them left (before their year was up) and was quickly hired by another Texas hospital.

Hopefully, things will pick up in a year!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

One of the staff moderators here, TheCommuter, has really good, solid information both about the lack of demand in Texas for diploma nurses and about the struggling economy and lack of jobs. You might PM her for info if you are serious about wanting to move here. Also consider visiting the Texas forum under the Region tab above and you'll get some idea of what the condition of the job market is as we all watch for recovery. I wish you the best of luck!

[Lovelymo79]

Yup...I've been watching the Texas region..about to make it a favorite! lol I'm also talking to my friend who relocated there the beginning of the year after being recruited down there.

I'll contact TheCommuter...thanks!

Here's hoping it gets better for us ALL!!