Is it difficult to find a job in ATL?

[fazeila921]

We all hear about the nursing shortages but in some states, new grads have a hard time finding a job. Sometimes hospitals just want nurses with a BSN vs. ADN. I will be getting a 2nd degree to go into nursing and it's very hard to go back to school in your 30s. I am hoping finding a job will not be a problelm. I will likely get my ADN in Atlanta. If i were to go back to my home state, i've heard there are so many nurses, that hospitals can pick and choose who they want or don't want to hire. So what's it like for new grads in ATL? Will i have a harder time finding work with an ADN? Would it make any difference that i'm bilingual (spanish)? I also would be interested in finding out about the salaries, not the starting salary (that's been covered in dozens of posts) but in how fast and how much does it go up after one year, two years, etc...of experience. Personally i think the starting salaries are really low and i can only assume that it will get better with some experience under my belt.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[rollie]

I graduated 2 years ago and got 3 offers right away. I think there are plenty of jobs for RN's as long as you're flexible as to what area you enter. For example it will be extremely difficult to get into the ICU as a new grad or sometimes something like labor and deliv. And all the hospitals around here do not have a difference in starting salary or starting opportunities for ADN vs BSN. Later on it will make a difference though and hospitals do prefer BSNs. For salaries, I've only been working for a year and 1/2 and I've been raised over $2. Good luck!

[fazeila921]

thanks Rollie. I just wanted to add that i do plan on getting my BSN eventually but want to get working as a nurse as soon as possible, so for me, ADN will be the way to go. My expectation is to eventually become a nurse practitioner. I have no idea what speciality i want to go into.