Is it hard to get a job as a new grad?

Hi everyone,

I currently live in California, and i want to relocate once i graduate from school.My question is it hard to get a job as a new grad without experience, and what is the starting salary? Thank you so much.

I can only speak for myself, but as a new grad (Dec 2009) I am having quite a difficult time finding anything at all.

[airborneinf82, BSN]

Jumpy, are you looking at just hospitals or anything?

[fathertod]

Move to laredo texas or the surrounding area before the next new grad rush happens. You should be able to bide your time out there and get some experience and then move back to AZ.

[cadency]

I graduated in May of 09 and relocated in January 2010 from Tucson to find a job because the market there was so tough.

I can only speak for myself but yes it has been very difficult to get a job as a new grad and I work for a hospital! I had one place hire me, only to call me three days before my start date and change their minds. Most places see that I am a new grad and don't bother to call. I had one hospital actually call me and tell me not to apply for 8 months because they just don't have the spots and it would be a waste of everyone's time.

I personally have never had a hard time finding employment so this has been extremely hard for me to process. I have applied at LTC, Hospitals, Subacute Places, assisted living, state prisons, county jails, etc. The only place I haven't started yet is Doctor's offices. I was called back this week and offered a position with the department of corrections. For that job I applied in February, Interviewed in March and then jumped through a ton of hoops to get offered a position in late April lol.

The market is saturated with new grads.

Lynn/BW

[DogCrazy]

It's a tough market for new grads. I am one of the lucky few from my class to get a job, and I already worked for the hospital that hired me. Not everyone working for the hospital in my class got a position, I know a woman who is still working as a unit secretary and we graduated in December of 09.

Jumpy, are you looking at just hospitals or anything?

I'm looking at EVERYTHING in Tucson, Phoenix and Sierra Vista. Acute care, long term care, long term acute care, rehab...if it has RN in the title I'll take it. I also have volunteered 1 year at 2 diffrent hospitals of which neither one will take me, despite a letter of recommendation from both.

[fathertod]

try a corrections place with cca in florence

[Hoozdo, ADN]

The AZ State BON has put out an interesting article on new grads not finding

work in AZ. Here is the link:

http://www.azbn.gov/Documents/News/2010/Employment%20Newly%20Licensed%20RN.pdf

It's almost impossible. I graduated in May of 2009 and still have not found employment. Good luck...

The AZ State BON has put out an interesting article on new grads not finding

work in AZ. Here is the link:

http://www.azbn.gov/Documents/News/2010/Employment%20Newly%20Licensed%20RN.pdf

I guess that survey ought to put to rest the idea that new grads are too "picky".

The question is, whadertheygonnadoaboudit?

I REALLY love the statistics though - lemme twist them for 'ya a bit...

The unemployment rate in AZ is 10%...

The unemployment rate amongst new grad rn's in AZ is 20%+...

Therefore, getting your RN doubles your chances of being unemployed!

Golly, I'm really looking forward to my nursing school orientation Monday!

Edited May 12, 2010 by rzyzzy

The unemployment rate in AZ is 10%...

The unemployment rate amongst new grad rn's in AZ is 20%+...

Therefore, getting your RN doubles your chances of being unemployed!

But on the same token, almost 80% of new grads have found employment. I realize that finding a job for a new grad might be very hard, but clearly not "impossible" as some have stated. Up your skills...volunteer, get ACLS and PALS certified, get help to make your resume stellar, volunteer, volunteer, and did I say volunteer yet? You gotta stand out from the crowd.

Again, I realize that some new grads have done all of the above and have still had poor luck, but just trying to offer suggestions that may help. Good luck to us all!!!

Edited May 12, 2010 by yelnikmcwawa

I actually volunteer at PCH and have done so for the last three months. I also volunteer 3 to 4 times a month feeding the homeless. I applied for the PCH's new grad program numerous times, and once again, did not even get a chance to interview so the July 2010 start date is out of the question. I've applied at every facility out there, I've even applied for a phlebotomist position just to try and get my foot in the door but got that infamous looking at other candidates email. I've had my resume looked at by two professionals so I really don't think that's the issue. I am also fluent in Spanish. Trust me when I say, it IS nearly impossible to get a new grad position. Any other ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Increasing RN school enrollment seemed like a great idea at the time.

Lil-Lisa, are you an ADN or BSN? Just curious...I've heard that PCH (as well as magnets such as Banner) overwhelmingly takes BSNs over ADNs. I dunno, I'm just sorry you're having such a hard time. :-(

[airborneinf82, BSN]

Trust me when I say, it IS nearly impossible to get a new grad position. Any other ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Are you physically putting the resume, yourself, in the hands of those who should have it?

Good News... I finally found a job as a school nurse, I was made an offer today... WooHoo!!!