where are the jobs for new nurses?

janepearson · May 11, 2007

I would like to know the same. My father talked to a nurse while he in the hospital (Monmouth County) for a stay. She told him that it is difficult to find a hospital job and most newly graduated nurses work in nursing homes. Is this true?

Lisa CCU RN, RN · May 11, 2007

Ya'll are just living in a place that doesn't have a big need because I don't have that problem where I live. Here, the extern jobs are plentiful and the benefits good. We are actively recruited for positions and if you are an extern before you graduate, you pretty much already have a job and just move into your new position.

Maybe you can try moving to Memphis?

edgwow · May 11, 2007

Bayada Nurses hires new grads and they always have job openings. It is home care, but they have a great trach vent program and do awesome training called Bayada University. Just a thought

muldoon · May 11, 2007

The jobs are here, they are just harder to inquire about. The numerous institutions who use online applications would have you believe that this makes it easier for everyone... gets you in contact quicker... but in my experience it did just the opposite. I suggest you get the names of real live actual RN nurse recruiters at the places you're interested in, and get a cover letter and resume to them. If this involves walking into the place, then do it. Too many places shuffle you through human resources now. It was pretty odd the couple times I had interviewed with someone who had no nursing knowledge. You end up being a piece of paper instead of someone who just received their license.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · May 13, 2007

I know there are a lot of schools graduating at the same time which makes for slim-pickings for jobs. I am looking for part-time, with an off-shift start. I know usually ERs have this, but have had no luck with any of the local hospitals even hiring new grads. It seems like they have already hired their quota. I am in southern NJ close to Kennedy, Underwood, Virtua.
Anyone else have any luck??
Kim

do you mean you need your initial orientation to be "off shift" too?

that might be the problem.

you'll have to orient on days as a new rn for at least 3 months. it's like another semester of school really. after such an investment hospitals want a ft commitment though.

if you like er, consider kennedy in washington twp. if you like icu, consider cooper. IF you take a sign on, keep that money in the bank gaining interest for the year bc if you're not happy, and you want to leave, you'll have to pay it back.

if it's part time you eventually want, take a ft position initially, say nothing, and ask to transfer to pt after a year.

one of the secrets is to BE what they want and need. get in, orient, and then revisit what kind of a schedule you want after 6 months or so.

good luck!

timdmb · May 18, 2007

where isnt there a job? i had tons of offers way before i even passed... u will too just start putting urself out there call every nurse manager in every hospital call the recruiters go to the units... be assertive and u will find a great position somewhere... my advice find the busiest med surg floor u can and thrive... the experience is priceless

llg, PhD, RN · May 18, 2007

one of the secrets is to BE what they want and need. get in, orient, and then revisit what kind of a schedule you want after 6 months or so.
good luck!

Great advice. Too many new nurses expect to find the "perfect fantasy" job waiting for them when they graduate without taking the needs of the local employers into consideration. Anyone (experienced or not) seeking employment needs to assess the needs of the local employers and then BE an applicant that will fulfill some of those needs.

Some people are lucky and happen to want the exact type of job of that the local employers are trying fill. However most people have to "give and take" a little. So you make a few compromise and establish a good relationship with the employer and a strong positive professional reputation. Then (and only then), you will be in a strong position to get a few of the other things that you would like in your job -- better schedule, etc. -- or a transfer to a position that was not available to you before as an "unknown" new grad.

CallMePatti · May 18, 2007

I'm in South Jersey, and this is news to me- I haven't heard of anyone in my graduating class not being able to find a job. I received an offer months ago.

Taking an externship the year before you plan to graduate is a suggestion to get your foot in the door at a hospital. The externs are very often the first choice to become new hires when they graduate.

decartes · May 18, 2007

Try Bayshore Community Health Services. They have a hospital in Central NJ and are boasting of their new grad programs in different areas of nursing. Check them out.

chestrockwell · May 19, 2007

where isnt there a job? i had tons of offers way before i even passed... u will too just start putting urself out there call every nurse manager in every hospital call the recruiters go to the units... be assertive and u will find a great position somewhere... my advice find the busiest med surg floor u can and thrive... the experience is priceless

Hey timdmb,

I'm going to CSI right now. What hopital are you working at?

luv2yoga · May 29, 2007

So what can a new grad expect? I will be in North Jersey (Hunterdon county) and won't be ready to work until September -- we are moving there this summer. Do you need to work FT pretty much? I want to continue school so I really want PT but I am concerned that you really can't orient as PT. I want med-surg and days but am wondering if that is reasonable. I want a job is the bottom line.

Meredith