Job market for new grads

BChapp3182 · Mar 13, 2011

I am also in S. FL. Graduated May 2009. Most of my classmates that got NP jobs were RNs in the same hospital department and most in a very specialized area like pediatric neuro. They had been RNs in these jobs for years and were able to stay on as an NP. The rest of us took anywhere from 8-12 months to find low paying jobs, meaning only making what we got as RNs or even offered less. Others moved out of state where medical workers are paid better and there were more oppertunities. I took a job where I had to commute 4 hours, stay away from my family for 4 days and drive back 4 hours. One of my classmates lives in Kendall (Miami) and commutes to Key West (4 hr drive each way) because he was unable to get a job in Miami. He is still looking for something local. Basically as a new grad to get a job you must know someone, get very lucky or have a special skill that is unique and valued to set you apart. The competition is horrible for medical jobs here and what's worse is the pay is so low. If I could move out of south FL I would.

Wish I could paint a prettier picture but we are at the bottom of the pool of workers as new grad NPs. No employer wants to invest in training you, etc.

Alisabeth, BSN, MSN, DNP · Mar 16, 2011

I graduated from UM in 2009 and was able to find my dream job. Indeed.com and suprisingly Miami craigslist has good employment listings. I chose to specialize in neurosurgery, and I mailed out my CV to 12 random neurosurgeons in the Miami area. I had an overwhelming response. 9/12 of them replied and then I had 3 amazing jobs to choose from that I had narrowed down. The jobs are out there!

danceluver · Mar 16, 2011

I graduated from UM in 2009 and was able to find my dream job. Indeed.com and suprisingly Miami craigslist has good employment listings. I chose to specialize in neurosurgery, and I mailed out my CV to 12 random neurosurgeons in the Miami area. I had an overwhelming response. 9/12 of them replied and then I had 3 amazing jobs to choose from that I had narrowed down. The jobs are out there!

Hi Alisabeth

If you don't mind, I sent you a PM i would love to hear your feedback about UM program (sorry to hijack the thread momentarily) :)

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 17, 2011

If I stayed in my present locale, I'd never find a job. I've said this before, but a friend with 10 years FNP experience just got bumped to 70K, no benefits, and she is y far the highest paid NP around here. However, there is hope. A classmate just got a position in a Neuro ICU (we graduated in Dec) 2 hours from here paying 93K with full benefit package for 3 12hour shifts a week, rotating with 4 12s the next week. No call. There is hope but you have to be willing to move. Good luck.

max66 · Mar 18, 2011

Line, if u don't mind me asking what area are u in? Where are people moving to to find these jobs?????

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 18, 2011

I live in a rural (highly undeserved, which is a sad irony) area. My classmate lives in a large university town and the medical center is affiliated with a highly ranked medical school. I am not comfortable being more specific.

max66 · Mar 18, 2011

Thanks, I'm just trying to get an idea of where jobs are!

phosphorus · Mar 18, 2011

One of my classmates lives in Kendall (Miami) and commutes to Key West (4 hr drive each way) because he was unable to get a job in Miami.

Wait what!!! Where in Key West? I'd love to trade for that, it's hard to find work in Key West. Wow so many south florida RNs here. Dark days it sounds like. I haven't met any people yet who've gone straight into primary care, and met experienced ARNPs who were unable to find primary care work either, which is the whole reason I went into this program :mad:

Le-Lee_FNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 19, 2011

I do not live in florida, but i am just wonder if there is a collaborative agreement requirement there? any hopes of starting your own private practice? where i live there are many many FNP run urgent care clinics and i am just wondering if that is a possibility for you?

phosphorus · Mar 19, 2011

No florida doesn't allow independent practice, or even prescribing controlled substances. We're pretty backwards. This probably does effect the job market. At the same time the base rates I've seen at the VA in California is like 85k$/yr for an RN and only 90k$/yr for an ARNP!!! What?

JeromeFJ · Mar 24, 2011

@Alisabeth

Hey, Alisa. You are just the person I want to talk to. I just started a new job in the OR. It's been my first job out of school, and so far I love the OR. I think I always had a love for the OR, and this job has just confirmed that. I am really interested in the idea of the RNFA, and also interested in possibly being a Surgical Nurse Practitioner. From your post on the 15th, it looks like this is what you are?

Unfortunately, information on Surgical Nurse Practitioners is so hard to find. I'm not sure what the correct track is, and what I should do as far as education and training. I'd like to get on the track as soon as possible, so I'm curious as to how you did it?

Is it better to get my masters and NP first? Do I need to get a CNOR, and RNFA before my Masters? How do you find a job as a Surgical NP? Who do you contact? I don't even know how to search for surgical NP jobs, or know how to contact surgeons. Not that I could do this yet, but I'd just like to play around with it, and see what's available out there.

Also, as a Surgical NP, what are your responsibilities? Do you get a lot of time scrubbed in on cases, or do you mainly take care of pre and post op type of things? How is the salary for a Surgical NP, as opposed to a RN, and as opposed to other types of NPs? Lastly.. what type of Nurse Practitioner license do you have? Are you adult? Acute Care? Family?

As you can see, I know nothing about this, and would love ANNYYY type of information you could give me. I don't have enough posts to send PMs, or else I would have. Sorry for hijacking the boards, folks.

Any other Surgical NPs are welcome to weigh in, also. Thanks everyone!