Jobs after graduating - (or lack of!)

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I am about to take the Nursing School leap, soon. I am, though, very worried about the lack of jobs offered to new students. Is anyone else here worried about going through the program, only to be stuck jobless for months?

I live in Southern California - apparently, the market is the worst here.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I just graduated, and I've had two job offers so far. I'm in the SF Bay Area. That said, I'm the only one in my class that graduated with a firm offer. When you get into clinicals, be sure to network and introduce yourself to nurse managers when you see them, etc. Speak up for yourself. This is how I got my top choice offer! Start applying a few months before you graduate. Put it out to the world that you're looking for a nursing job. Most jobs are obtained through people you know.

You're smart to be concerned- take that energy and turn it into action! :)

Just a friendly heads up, if your SN is your real name, I would change it. Anonymity is highly regarded on AN! :)

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Yeah, I'm scared I won't be able to find a job when I graduate, too. How exactly do you introduce yourself to the nurse manager without seeming like a creepy kiss up?

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Yeah, I'm scared I won't be able to find a job when I graduate, too. How exactly do you introduce yourself to the nurse manager without seeming like a creepy kiss up?

I worked on the floor and asked a lot of questions, and when the time felt right I introduced myself to the charge nurse and then the floor manager. I thanked them for allowing me to work on their floor and that everyone was very nice and taught me a lot. I also told her that I applied for an open position on the floor, and she said she would look for my app. I got a call an hour later for an interview an within two weeks I got a job offer. I'm in training now. You can do it, make it sound professional.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Yeah, I'm scared I won't be able to find a job when I graduate, too. How exactly do you introduce yourself to the nurse manager without seeming like a creepy kiss up?

I saw the NM on the floor all the time, so it wasn't creepy. She knew who I was. I would talk with her when she was on the floor, just about normal nursing stuff. I honestly wasn't even thinking about it in terms of a job until I heard she was moving to one of my dream units! Just a fluke, really, but it always pays to be outgoing and speak up for yourself. Whenever I'd get good feedback from nurses, I'd always joke, "Be sure to tell your manager!" Even if I wasn't planning to work there, you never know, and lots of positive feedback from nurses certainly can't hurt. Who knows if they ever DID say anything, but either way, it worked out. You don't have to be creepy about it. :)

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You are right to be concerned but not overwhelmingly so. You may go extra crazy if you read some of these posts on all nurses!!! I graduated with 60 people in my cohort and we all had gainful employment within 3 months of graduation... Essentially 2 months after boards. There are plenty of jobs out there.They may not be on your dream unit or your dream shift... Or it could be... I got my dream job off the bat but I understand that is not usually the norm. However, anything that's worth anything takes time. Good luck. You have a long road before you will even have to worry about the job situation. By the time you graduate the job market could drastically change. No matter what even in the height of the economic crisis those who were flexible (willing to move, get creative, work anywhere on any shift) got hired. The "princesses" who are above grunt work are probably the ones complaining on the unemployment line.

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I agree about the dream unit/job, I want to ultimately work in trauma....I know that I need to learn so much more before I can get to that level. I took the job on Med Surg cause you do everything and are learning all the time, I will be doing all the patient care and utilizing my skills as well as doing much more than those on other units, right off the bat. I got called for a job in the same hospital in the OR, I really wanted that one, but I would only be doing minor skills, learning yes but not having that same opportunity on the Med Surg floor.

I'm in training with a girl that is going to the trauma floor, I was jealous at first, but then heard what she will be doing and now not so much as she will be cleaning, turning patients and stocking. But then it all depends on the hospital your at.

I'm not so much worried about getting a job when I eventually move, it's making sure my resume pops and stands out with the skills and experience I have.

You are right to be concerned but not overwhelmingly so. You may go extra crazy if you read some of these posts on all nurses!!! I graduated with 60 people in my cohort and we all had gainful employment within 3 months of graduation... Essentially 2 months after boards. There are plenty of jobs out there.They may not be on your dream unit or your dream shift... Or it could be... I got my dream job off the bat but I understand that is not usually the norm. However, anything that's worth anything takes time. Good luck. You have a long road before you will even have to worry about the job situation. By the time you graduate the job market could drastically change. No matter what even in the height of the economic crisis those who were flexible (willing to move, get creative, work anywhere on any shift) got hired. The "princesses" who are above grunt work are probably the ones complaining on the unemployment line.
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Specializes in ICU.

You shouldn't have a problem as long as you have a good resume and can interview well. Many people do not have these essential skills these days. I have interviewed and trained people and I have worked in many different lines of work. I have never not been offered a job where I interviewed. Just make sure you can do these things by the time you graduate and do well in clinicals.

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You shouldn't have a problem as long as you have a good resume and can interview well. Many people do not have these essential skills these days. I have interviewed and trained people and I have worked in many different lines of work. I have never not been offered a job where I interviewed. Just make sure you can do these things by the time you graduate and do well in clinicals.

Yeah, I don't have great interview skills. The behavioral questions really get me. Any tips?

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Specializes in ICU.
Yeah, I don't have great interview skills. The behavioral questions really get me. Any tips?

Like what kind of behavioral questions? If you want to PM me if you want to know how to answer the questions, I can give you some tips. I worked closely with recruiters from corporate HR departments. I used to hire all the store management for my state when I worked for one company years ago. They always liked my hires because I didn't have high turnover. Some of the people I hired and trained still work for this company 16 years later. That's pretty much unheard of in retail. So if you have any questions just ask.

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