Job market in Milwaukee for ADNs

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Hi there! I am a soon to be ADN graduate. I only have respite care experience and am starting to feel deep regret about not getting CNA experience and a foot in the door in a major hospital. Just wondering if any ADNs had an easy/hard time finding a job in an acute care setting in Milwaukee and what kind of experience you had going into it. I am highly motivated individual and am already enrolled in UW-GB's RN-BSN bridge program that will start 3 weeks after graduation. I am hoping this will help my resume as well as ACLS certification and 8 year job history at the same place of employment. Thoughts/Comments?

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Specializes in Dialysis. OR, cardiac tell, homecare case managem.

sorry to be negative but the job market sucks right now in milw for adns, they want bsn

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sorry to be negative but the job market sucks right now in milw for adns, they want bsn

Well, it would have been nice if you gave a little more insight. Since this last post I have actually heard the contrary. A lot of ADNs in the graduating class before me have been successful landing jobs in acute, subacute, and LTC.

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Specializes in Dialysis. OR, cardiac tell, homecare case managem.

then try LTC, I have been an RN for 14 years and have never seen the job market this tight

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I agree the job market for any RN is tough right now. Most places that are hiring want at least a years experience. And are taking BSN prepared RNs over ADNs best of luck to you.

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I live about 25 minutes south of Milwaukee. Hospitals don't seem to care whether you have ADN or BSN. Almost all of the new nurses we've hired on my unit are ADN nurses. So the jobs are out there for ADN nurses.

If you scroll down there's a post about someone who got a job at froedert with an ADN, so while the market is tight hospitals aren't ruling out ADNs

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Specializes in Hospice.

I feel like the Madison market is opening up, but you would have to do subacute or select specialty without a bsn, The only adns getting hired at the hospitals have connections. Madison pays great for both ltc and hospitals. Good luck!

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Have you tried surrounding areas like Racine Kenosha oak creek?

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I've heard comments from Nursing professionals working in the education sector that many of the area organizations--hospitals, LTC, nursing homes, etc. aren't hiring new grad RNs "that have been making sandwiches for the past year." In other words because they can be pickier with the current state of the market and don't have to hire the totally inexperienced. They want new grad RNs to have been working as CNAs, MAs, LPNs, phlebotomists; something where they practice direct patient care. It's just what I have heard. What does everyone else think?

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I've heard comments from Nursing professionals working in the education sector that many of the area organizations--hospitals, LTC, nursing homes, etc. aren't hiring new grad RNs "that have been making sandwiches for the past year." In other words because they can be pickier with the current state of the market and don't have to hire the totally inexperienced. They want new grad RNs to have been working as CNAs, MAs, LPNs, phlebotomists; something where they practice direct patient care. It's just what I have heard. What does everyone else think?

I think that's very true. I'm located a bit south of milwaukee and from what I've noticed the students who had the easiest time finding a job had some sort of healthcare experience. I've even seen job listings that have said "1-2 years experience required. However, new graduates with tech experience may apply". Many places around here seem to be more concerned with your prior work experience than whether you are BSN or ADN.

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Hey guys! A little update: I graduated August 10 and got my license on September 12. Since the 12th I started sending out applications. I already have an interview next week on the Oncology floor I interned on and on an early Alzheimer's unit at a nice LTC facility! Wish me luck!

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Yay! Let us know how they go!

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