Is it really that bad out there?

the sparrow · Oct 6, 2009

I'm in MA and most hospitals have suspended their New Graduate RN programs. I've applied to almost every hospital in New England. At this point, you have to know someone to get in. You'd be wise to get a CNA job at a hospital you'd like to work at, because when they do start hiring new grads again they may start with internals. (not a guarantee, though) I did not work as a CNA because I am an idiot.

I have a couple of HR people that I email weekly. I ask if there are any managers right now considering new grads. There are a few, but they're hiring internals first.

I have a facebook friend that moved out-of-state for a nursing job, and on her first day of orientation she got a job offer back home. I found out which hospital offered her the job, sent my resume to the nurse manager, and she emailed me! I may be close to an interview (my first). I guess this is what it takes to get an interview. I absolutely HATE networking, but I need to get over that real quick. The next crop will be graduating in December. If I don't have a job by then, I'll be really screwed. :banghead:

SandraCVRN · Oct 6, 2009

I think it depends opn the area. We are somewhat rural 70,000 pop and still hiring need grads. Can't always get what they what, but something is better than nothing....

Good luck and apply NOW

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Oct 6, 2009

Most hospitals in my area still have many job postings.

esthomprn · Oct 6, 2009

Yes it is that bad but like one post said, not impossible. I would not look for another field cause you WILL find a job. My best advice is not to be picky. Apply to every job there is, clinics, large hospital, small hospitals, hospitals not in your area, where ever. After working for a year you will become an RN II and then you are def. get a job then (atleast where I live).

prinsessa · Oct 7, 2009

Yes it is that bad! I graduated in May...pased boards in June and still haven't found a job. I worked as an extern for a year but that hasn't helped me. I even tried calling people in HR and they won't answer the phone. I never though I would have this much problem getting a job. And I love it when people tell me not to be picky about shift or unit. Like I am only looking for days on a specific unit. I even looked into LTC....nothing!

MedSurgeMess · Oct 7, 2009

I'm lucky that I have 7 yrs experience, and a pretty good job. Believe me, many of us that have experience realize that it could be any of us. We're all praying for you and if ANYONE knows of a job anywhere, especially those hiring new grads, please post the info, or PM the poster so that they can decide if they wish to pursue it. Good luck to everyone.......

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

My hospital hires new grads... day and night shift. Not as many as years ago, but in my orientation class of 4 RNs last week two were new grads. Although it took me a relatively long time to find my current job in stepdown (3 months), I hadn't worked by choice in over a year and, let's face it, for some jobs managers would rather hire a new grad and pay him/her $5/hr less than they would have to pay me.

In some other areas of the state, however, no one is hiring new grads and experienced nurses have lots of competition for the few jobs available.

All this, however, is temporary - we all know that (hospitals are just enjoying the limited time they will have getting 20+ applications for each job and not having to pay sign-on bonuses). Anyone who is just starting nursing school, or finishing in a year or so, should have no trouble at all finding a job (IMHO).

Good luck!

DeLana

dannyc12 · Oct 7, 2009

In the immortal words of Cheech and Chong: "Hey, things are tough all over."

Things will come around.

ChristaRN · Oct 7, 2009

I'm in a little different situation at my job. I've been a nurse for five years and last december the Pediatric unit at the small hospital where I worked closed due to financial issues. Fortuntately, I was able to get a job at a large teaching hospital close by in a Pediatric unit and I started with that job only 2 weeks later. Made more money, like the unit so it was great! Soon after I started there they announced that they are suspending raises and bonuses for the first time ever and cutting salaried employees pay by 2%. The dilemma that we have now is that this hospital has a program for nursing students to work at the hospital as a tech during school and then they would be guarenteed a job when they got out of nursing school. Now, we've all been new nurses but unfortunately these new nurses are throwing a major wrench for the rest of us. The thing is that with the economy as it is, people aren't leaving their jobs as much as before and turnover is not what the hospital thought it would be based on prior times. Therefore too many new nurses promised jobs in their earlier contract + not enough openings = units are OVERSTAFFED! Not that they let all the nurses come in and work, oh no. We have to take call time instead of working, get paid a measly two bucks an hour to sit at home and wait to come in if census goes crazy or if another unit in our "cluster" as they call it can use us. Since July 1st I have lost 119 hours of work because of this situation. I feel terrible for the new nurses who are having a hard time finding jobs but also feel terrible for people like me who can't count on a full weeks pay at the LEADING HOSPITAL IN MY AREA! Sorry for the soap box session, just very stressed over this! And unfortunately we've been told that two more new nurses will be descending on my unit for full time jobs in December, since they were already contracted. Again, a lose-lose situation for lots of people.

SweetLemon · Oct 7, 2009

It's really not that bad... I mean don't get me wrong it has its days (but what job doesn't). My theory is you notice a lot more bad then good because people are more likely to seek out support when things are going poorly as opposed to when things are going well. The job market is tough but that seems to be across the board in most all professions. You will also put up with a moderate amount of verbal (more depending on your specialty :smackingf) abuse. This will probably shock you a little at first but eventually it will make you laugh. Nursing is a tough but very rewarding profession. In my humble still somwhat new opinion. :twocents: . To those of you about to graduate. Good Luck we look forward to working with you :yeah:

bodz01 · Oct 13, 2009

Hi delana. where are you located?

chicookie, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

It might be worse.

It really depends on your area and alot depends on you as well. Even in the area where there are hardly jobs something always seems to pop up; and since you are still in school I would recommend a part time at the hospital just to get your foot in the door. Hospitals prefer their own employees after all.