Jobs are everywhere!!!

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Is it just me or is the economy really not to bad as a nurse. I see a lot of post saying that there are absolutely no jobs available. This is not true, I don't mean to brag but here in Virginia, I have had 3 different jobs this year. Corrections, ltc, and some agency work. I plan on moving to ft laudereale Florida in the fall, so I contacted a couple ltc facilities down there and received over the phone interviews for positions and I don't even have a Florida nursing license yet. I only have 3 years experience as a lpn. It just seems easier than everyone makes it seems. Mcv which is the magnet trauma center here in Richmond, is offering 10,000$ sign on bonuses for rn's to sign on for 2 years! I start rn school in August. I haven't been affected one bit by the economy. Just gas prices. Lol.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

From the sound of your post, you have some work experience as a nurse. Experience makes all the difference, especially if you have at least one year of it. Workplaces would rather deal with an experienced nurse who doesn't require a lot of orientation time or money to train. The new, inexperienced nurse is riskier and more of a financial risk.

Local job markets have been the most brutal to new grads who live in areas that are saturated with too many other new grads.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

Other parts of Virginia that are more rural in flavor have not had such optimal opportunities. Yes, with experience it certainly increases one's chances of having more opportunities but over all the economy truly has made it very difficult for new grads and the like to get jobs.

I'm glad to hear that it hasn't affected you, hopefully stories like yours will slowly become more common.

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Agree that jobs are plentiful for experienced nurses, not so much for new grads. What makes it worse is that PN schools push hospital nursing so much that many of these new nurses think there are plenty of LPN hospital jobs out there, when in reality there are very few.

LTCs will suck up new grads, unfortunately the ones that hire the most new nurses are some of the worst places to work.

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Wow I wish I could say the same! I am a recent graduate and am having a horrible time trying to find a job. After 10-15 applications filled out, I have had only 1 interview and am waiting for a call back. (It has been 3 weeks already and have called them numerous times to see what was going on). Every LPN job in the area requires at least 1 year experience and it is frustrating! I am almost regretting getting my LPN and should have just sat on a waitlist to get my RN. (I am taking pre-reqs to get my RN, but in order to test out of some nursing classes you need to be a working LPN for at least 6 months!). Maybe I just have to move to Richmond to be able to get a job!

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Specializes in geriatric, ER.

I think it depends what field of nursing you want to be in. If you want to go into acute care, it will be harder to find a job as a new nurse. (My opinion and some observations by job hunting most like 1 + years. HOWEVER if you want to go into homecare, LTC, corrections...there will be oodles and oodles of openings. Yes, for my fellow LPNs out there.

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The job market varies from place to place and from time to time. It is not going to be exactly the same for everyone, everywhere. Some candidates have irresistible qualifications while others are mediocre or even have blemishes. This can mean the difference between being actually considered and offered a position and just getting passed by. Sometimes when you walk into an office in person, the receptionist will walk back to get someone to talk to you and by the time the person takes a good look at you and you speak two or three sentences, the decision is all but made. Most lack of response in many places is due to a down turn in the economy. Be glad that things are working out so well for you. Six years from now in the same location, you may not be so lucky.

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I think it depends what field of nursing you want to be in. If you want to go into acute care, it will be harder to find a job as a new nurse. (My opinion and some observations by job hunting most like 1 + years. HOWEVER if you want to go into homecare, LTC, corrections...there will be oodles and oodles of openings. Yes, for my fellow LPNs out there.

I wish there were oodles and oodles of those job openings here! Applied to those areas as well as anyplace hiring to just get started with my career. I am beyond frustrated!

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glad you are having no problem. I'm a new grad and I put in 37 applications by hand, 65 online and not one call back... just letters/emails saying they are not hiring new grads right now, and not enough experience. Its been 6 months....

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(2nd career change)

I am graduating in 2 weeks and I was wondering what state you live in? It is very disheartening to hear that it is going to be that difficult to find a job.

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Pennsylvania

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Well this has not been my experience.

As a new grad I haven't even been able to land more than a couple of interviews. The number of LPN jobs has also dwindled. Seems that the new trend is RN's as supervisors and CNA's as patient care givers. The LPN seems to have gone by the wayside. Even in many LTC facilities.

I also agree with the other posters who mention that experience seems to be the hiring key. How can an LPN new grad compete in today's market when they are up against other LPN's with experience for the same position?!

Glad to hear that your experience has been more of a positive one.

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