Job opportunities for new RNs

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I hear as lot of mixed results when it comes to opportunities for new nurses. Sometimes people say there are not many jobs for newbies, others say it's just dependent on the area you're looking. In the couple of states I've lived in over the last few years I've heard there's an abundance of jobs for nurses "all over" (Indiana and Florida). What's the consensus: area dependent or is it actually hard for new nurses to find good jobs? Other than frequently checking local job boards on Indeed (which I already do, but in my area there are a lot of seasonal changes and I'm still trying to get an idea of what that looks like for this industry in this area) what can I do to learn more or where can I look for more info based on area trends?

FYI, currently applying for nursing school, not actively searching; just keeping an eye on my area opportunities.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Are you relying solely on indeed? I would suggest going directly to the websites of facilities instead. Not all will utilize indeed- mine flat out refuses to. Plus, you're likely to find more information directly on the website, such as hiring policies and other important information to know before applying.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

All sources say there is a nursing shortage and it is only going to increase with an aging population and retirement of Baby Boomer nurses. There's also a distribution problem- some urban areas have a surplus of nurses while many rural areas have a shortage. Then there's an experience shortage- nurses with decades of experience are retiring leaving only inexperienced nurses to replace them.

Here's a data map of registered nurses by state.

Good luck in school- and you are smart to be looking at regional trends now to plan your job search strategies later. Use your time in school to network and it will help you later :)

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
All sources say there is a nursing shortage and it is only going to increase with an aging population and retirement of Baby Boomer nurses.:)

Actually, not all sources say there is a nursing shortage and in fact a large surplus is predicted.

Contrary to reports over the last decade, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is now predicting a nursing surplus by 2025.

Source: Goodbye shortage: Feds now predicting a 34

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Thanks, everyone for your info! I'll keep an eye on the region and see what develops over the time while I'm in school. Hadn't looked at local hospital websites yet, but I'll put that on my radar.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
Actually, not all sources say there is a nursing shortage and in fact a large surplus is predicted.

Source: Goodbye shortage: Feds now predicting a 34,-nurse surplus by 225 | Healthcare Traveler

Thanks, Rose Queen. You are correct, there is more to the picture. I read the report recently as well and was encouraged by these caveats:

"While not considered in this study, emerging care delivery models, with a focus on

managing health status and preventing acute health issues, will likely contribute to new

growth in demand for nurses, e.g., nurses taking on new and/or expanded roles in

preventive care and care coordination.”

RN supply is projected to exceed demand in 34 states, however, 16 states will likely

experience a nursing shortage through 2025, including Alaska, Arizona, California,

Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North

Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington"

While the evidence in this report points towards the U.S. currently educating slightly more

nurses than required to meet future demand, a reduction in people choosing nursing as a

career or a combination of factors such as early retirement or increased demand, could be

sufficient to erase projected surpluses for RNs and LPNs.”

If the growing emphasis on care coordination, preventive services, and chronic disease

management in care delivery models leads to a greater need for nurses, this brief may

underestimate the projected nurse demand.”

I think the nation is on the brink of recognizing and tapping into the potential of nurses to manage wellness and disease prevention. The report is based on current utilization of nurses. I would say- getting your BSN and advanced degrees is more important than ever!

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Specializes in NICU.
Actually, not all sources say there is a nursing shortage and in fact a large surplus is predicted.

Source: Goodbye shortage: Feds now predicting a 34,-nurse surplus by 225 | Healthcare Traveler

What seems odd is they are stating that California will experience a shortage through 2025 and the Midwest will have a surplus. Currently, it is the opposite, California has a surplus (new grad) and the Midwest has a shortage.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
What seems odd is they are stating that California will experience a shortage through 2025 and the Midwest will have a surplus. Currently, it is the opposite, California has a surplus (new grad) and the Midwest has a shortage.

Some areas in CA are experiencing a shortage, and still use travelers, for example, the central regions. Other urban areas have a surplus of new grads.

Here's an interesting report prepared for CA BRN that talks about the migration of nurses out of California, retiring nurses, student enrollment decline and so on.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
What seems odd is they are stating that California will experience a shortage through 2025 and the Midwest will have a surplus. Currently, it is the opposite, California has a surplus (new grad) and the Midwest has a shortage.

Plus California has a steady stream of foreign nurses immigrating in. CA is usually their first stop.

I honestly don't see California as a whole having a shortage any time soon. Maybe in the inland or rural areas...but along the coast? Not happening IMO.

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It seems that even though nurse shortages are documented in many areas of the country, employers will not hire them. I have experience and have received many "decline" emails in the Memphis area. Also, a nursing friend with a BSN receives the same emails. Doesn't make sense. The ads are still there but nobody hires. Are they looking for very young RNs? Even though it is against the law to ask an applicant's age, a quick review of one's resume will reveal an approximate age. So, I am thinking that they are "declining" based on age. Frustrating and disappointing.

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