Job market for recent grads?

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Specializes in Medical-surgical nursing.

I am needing some advice from recent graduates in California. I am going to be starting nursing school (ADN) in the bay area this September, and I am wondering how the job market has been? I know it is difficult to find a job in this economy, and I was wondering what cities/towns anyone has had luck in? I do not have the option to look for jobs in other states after I graduate, but I am not tied down to any area in California in particular. If anyone can give me ideas as to where they have had success, or even where they haven't, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, is there any advice you can give me from your experience as to what I can do to make myself stand out from other applicants? I know I am 2 years away from graduating... I just love to plan ;).

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Specializes in CCRN, House Sup, CCT, Unit Director, ICU.

People have had luck finding jobs in all cities, everywhere. It may not be easy, however. Since you are 2 years away from graduating, who knows what the market will be like then. If you have a passion for nursing, it's where you need to be. Leave the job to the hands of fate. Everyone gets hired.......it just takes some longer.

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From what I have read, some people have better luck if while they are in school they can work at a hospital. Check the hospitals near you to see what their policies are. I know in my area, the hospitals hire student workers have the first year of school. My program ends in June and the people who already have jobs have been working at hospitals throughout school. Good luck in your program!

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Specializes in Medical-surgical nursing.

Thank you for your helpful response, RNTriathlete. I will absolutely look into working at a local hospital while during my program, that's a great tip. Do you think that volunteer work at a hospital is favored in the same light as working? Also if I may ask, what general area is it that people from your class have been able to find work?

Thanks again :)

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Specializes in Emergency Department, Float Pool.

Work through School at a Hospital!!!:eek: one with many affiliates like CHW, Sutter, Kaiser... good luck !

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hi ICUskeenRN, I'm graduating from an out of state nursing school in two months and am wondering what's the current job market is like right now?

As someone who did not do clinical in the bay area hospitals, I feel like that would put me at an disadvantage. I'm hoping to go back home to San Jose after graduation, but am contemplating staying around the Midwest to gain some work experience since I've heard that it's tough for new grads to find jobs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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My best advice to someone who is graduating from outside of CA is to find a job in another state and get your RN experience there. Then come back to CA AFTER you have experience. It is extremely difficult to get a New Grad position in CA right now. If you have the ability to get your experience out of state I strongly recommend it. I have had several of my classmates who I graduated with move out of CA to get jobs.

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My best advice to someone who is graduating from outside of CA is to find a job in another state and get your RN experience there. Then come back to CA AFTER you have experience. It is extremely difficult to get a New Grad position in CA right now. If you have the ability to get your experience out of state I strongly recommend it. I have had several of my classmates who I graduated with move out of CA to get jobs.

Thanks for your advice aquarius30. When did you graduate? and did you eventually find a job, if so, how long did it take? Lastly, do you know what states some of your classmates moved to for RN jobs? I'm currently in the midwest for school and would really like to move back to the west coast... if not California, either Oregon or Washington... I just want to get an idea of where people are moving to for jobs. Thank you.

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I graduated in December 2010 in the Sacramento Area and I have yet to find a job. My classmates that I know of have relocated to Arkansas, New York and Nevada. It seems like a lot of New Grad positions are being posted for the Southern states as well.

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I graduated in December 2010 in the Sacramento Area and I have yet to find a job. My classmates that I know of have relocated to Arkansas, New York and Nevada. It seems like a lot of New Grad positions are being posted for the Southern states as well.

I see. Good luck, I hope you find a job soon!

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I think most of the people I know or have heard of, found jobs in Med-Surg units. I have heard of some people recently getting ED jobs, but they all worked at the hospital. Graduation is Friday and I would say the vast majority (20/22) do not have jobs and probably won't start looking seriously until after passing the NCLEX.

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Specializes in Hospice. Worked ER, Med-Surg, ICU & ALF-Dementia.

I just got my Rn license and almost a month now, no luck. Then I was horrified when I heard that my wife's coworker who graduated from a nursing program does not have a job as a nurse yet and has to go back to and work again in her former job with my wife...and that was 4 months ago...then a friend also told me that her cousin has been devoting her time in volunteer work coz its been 11 months since she was licensed and no job yet...i wish i could move to another state but i cant...the only good news Ive heard about RNs is that my coworker's sister was hired at Mercy because she knows somebody there...wow! the power of knowing somebody! anyway, ill keep looking at the hundreds of ad for RNs...all which require at least a year of experience...now, how will fresh grads and freshly licensed RNs get experience if they cant be hired?

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