Lack of new graduate jobs

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I have heard and read (nursing staff, admin., nursing managers, CNN & US news report) that new graduates (entry level RN) are having a very hard time finding jobs. Is this true?

I know most jobs require 2 years experience, but are new nursing graduates really finding it tough after passing the NCLEX in the job market? I will be applying to Broward College in mid-December. It's strange because all you hear is that there is a 'shortage', so I was wondering if any of you have any stories you could share please. Thanks.

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

Yeah, I hear that about certain areas in Florida also. You're right, things can change drastically by the time I get out (and actually survive this). Certainly willing to move- not just out of the state, but also out of the country. I guess lots more research is needed with a little bit of crossed fingers! Thank you for responding. :)

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

Thank you. Will certainly look into specific areas with regards to new RNs. Very open to moving so hopefully that should help. Thank you :)

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

Thanks, taken SoCal off my 'gotta move there' list! :) Seems that Cal is the highest paying for RNs too, so that's great for the new grads. It's great to hear that- thank you.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

That's great, thank you. I guess being open minded about where you are willing to work is also key. Thank you for responding :)

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Even here in saturated NorCal, there are new grad jobs... Some great jobs... There are just far more people wanting them than there are spots for them.

Some people are fortunate enough to get hired.

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The nursing job market is like any other market in that it follows one of the most basic principles of economics. It's simply a matter of supply and demand. In some areas of the country the supply of new grad nurses far exceeds the number of open jobs, while in others there are not enough nurses to fill the need. When the supply of anything exceeds the demand prices fall, and right now the oversupply is putting downward pressure on wages. Employers can afford to be pretty picky and very frugal right now as there are often dozens or even hundreds of applicants for every opening.

Blame it on those apocryphal stories of a "nursing shortage" that circulated several years ago. There were dire predictions of those shortages running into tens of thousands per year. As the economy slowed to a crawl in the 2008-2009 timeframe, many saw nursing as a safe haven from layoffs, downsizing, offshoring and the other economic perils, and flocked to nursing schools in record numbers. Anything and everything that could remotely call itself a "college" (and some that really couldn't) cranked up nursing programs to cash in on the crush of potential students. Four-year universities doubled down on BSN program enrollments. Community colleges started up or expanded two-year ADN programs. For-profits, hungry for a steady revenue stream in a soft economy, popped up all over the country like pimples on a teenager. If you could come up with the money or take out a loan, you too could be a nurse. Nursing programs of all types are bursting at the seams with hopeful nursing students.

The result in many regions has been a kind of inflation of degree and experience requirements, particularly for those "plum" hospital jobs. It isn't unusual to see "BSN required" and "No new grads" statements in job postings for nurses. To land a hospital position in many areas now requires a BSN, or at least you need to be enrolled in an RN-to-BSN program with a commitment that you will complete your BSN within a specified timeframe or be fired. In many localities, if you don't already have your bachelor's degree your chances of finding a job are next to nil.

The best prescription right now for being able to find a job after graduation is to go to a four-year university and get your BSN. I know. I get it. It takes longer, it's expensive, it's hard to get in, hard to stay in and even after you've graduated, passed the NCLEX and received your license there is still no guarantee that someone will hire you as a nurse. You may need to move to another city or state, take a job in LTC instead of that "dream" L&D job, or take some hit-and-miss prn positions just to break into the profession and get some experience. Any experience. Plan on the road being rough, and be strong enough to persevere through some difficult circumstances. Have a financial plan in place to get yourself through a job search that could take many months, just as those pesky student loans are coming due. If you're willing to do what it takes, the result can be worthwhile. If not, you may be better off looking into some other field.

Just my $0.02. Your mileage may vary.

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Specializes in Med-Surg and Neuro.

Be prepared to move if you want to start in a hospital. Any big city with a university or two will not need many new grads, and will probably hire those who are already "in" as a CNA. If you're in an area that's saturated, volunteer or get a CNA job in the hospital you want.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
The nursing job market is like any other market in that it follows one of the most basic principles of economics. It's simply a matter of supply and demand. In some areas of the country the supply of new grad nurses far exceeds the number of open jobs, while in others there are not enough nurses to fill the need. When the supply of anything exceeds the demand prices fall, and right now the oversupply is putting downward pressure on wages. Employers can afford to be pretty picky and very frugal right now as there are often dozens or even hundreds of applicants for every opening.

Blame it on those apocryphal stories of a "nursing shortage" that circulated several years ago. There were dire predictions of those shortages running into tens of thousands per year. As the economy slowed to a crawl in the 2008-2009 timeframe, many saw nursing as a safe haven from layoffs, downsizing, offshoring and the other economic perils, and flocked to nursing schools in record numbers. Anything and everything that could remotely call itself a "college" (and some that really couldn't) cranked up nursing programs to cash in on the crush of potential students. Four-year universities doubled down on BSN program enrollments. Community colleges started up or expanded two-year ADN programs. For-profits, hungry for a steady revenue stream in a soft economy, popped up all over the country like pimples on a teenager. If you could come up with the money or take out a loan, you too could be a nurse. Nursing programs of all types are bursting at the seams with hopeful nursing students.

The result in many regions has been a kind of inflation of degree and experience requirements, particularly for those "plum" hospital jobs. It isn't unusual to see "BSN required" and "No new grads" statements in job postings for nurses. To land a hospital position in many areas now requires a BSN, or at least you need to be enrolled in an RN-to-BSN program with a commitment that you will complete your BSN within a specified timeframe or be fired. In many localities, if you don't already have your bachelor's degree your chances of finding a job are next to nil.

The best prescription right now for being able to find a job after graduation is to go to a four-year university and get your BSN. I know. I get it. It takes longer, it's expensive, it's hard to get in, hard to stay in and even after you've graduated, passed the NCLEX and received your license there is still no guarantee that someone will hire you as a nurse. You may need to move to another city or state, take a job in LTC instead of that "dream" L&D job, or take some hit-and-miss prn positions just to break into the profession and get some experience. Any experience. Plan on the road being rough, and be strong enough to persevere through some difficult circumstances. Have a financial plan in place to get yourself through a job search that could take many months, just as those pesky student loans are coming due. If you're willing to do what it takes, the result can be worthwhile. If not, you may be better off looking into some other field.

Just my $0.02. Your mileage may vary.

Well said.

My area has not had a true nursing shortage for decades; it's not all that uncommon for many to have started outside of the hospital before they move into a hospital position; it has happened with several nurses I know, including myself.

Remember, nursing is everywhere; you may find a position or specialty outside of the acute setting and-gasp-LOVE it. ;)

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That's great, thank you. I guess being open minded about where you are willing to work is also key. Thank you for responding :)

Hey, LondonFog? It would be very helpful in reading your posts if you use the "quote" button if you are responding to a specific post (like I did here). Otherwise, it's a string of messages but we don't know who you are talking to in each one! :)

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

It really depends on where you are and what kind of job you are willing to take. There are shortages in specific geographic regions and in some specialty areas. Nursing as a whole though, is not in a shortage.

In my particular city finding an entry level job would be tough. There are new grad residency programs in a couple of the hospitals, these are very competitive but the best chance of getting a new grad job in a hospital. Everything else wants BSN + experience, unless one is willing to take a less desirable position - long term care, psychiatric/behavioral health, or community/public health clinic. These jobs do exist, are hiring, and will take new grads, but pay substantially less and lack much of the prestige of taking a job at one of the big research universities or trauma center affiliated hospitals or clinics.

While my county is over-saturated with nurses, there are other counties in the state that have high need for nurses. The population is rural, largely immigrant, elderly, or otherwise poor. Jobs in these hospitals and clinics don't pay much, but cost of living is also low and there are certainly opportunities to learn and grow as a nursing professional if a new grad is willing to move to one of these locals.

I'm still doing pre-reqs however I have a strong interest in working with under-served populations so a job in psychiatric, community health nursing, or that involves moving to one of the reservations or to a small town with limited services is just fine with me. So at least at this point in time there is an open job market for me, even if it is a comparatively low paying and less desirable one as far as many are concerned.

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My area is over saturated and I've been having issues, but at least I finally have a few interviews lined up vs just silent email rejections. My advice is start looking a year out from graduating at the min for residency programs etc find out deadlines and apply early as you can. When you are about to graduate and waiting on the ATT make sure that you schedule asap because the slots fill up fast. I had a problem with mine and I got locked out for a whole month because I got mine 2 days after my graduating class. Talk to the hospitals and either volunteer or get a job as a CNA. If you have the summer off do a nurse externship. A lot of schools don't stress networking when it comes to getting that first job, but it is a huge part of it in the current jobs market. Be prepared to move or take other jobs such as rehab etc if you can't get the hospital job in your area. Most importantly if you get rejected a lot, and you will, don't take it personally and if you find yourself becoming depressed get involved with volunteering, get out of the house, etc.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.
Hey, LondonFog? It would be very helpful in reading your posts if you use the "quote" button if you are responding to a specific post (like I did here). Otherwise, it's a string of messages but we don't know who you are talking to in each one! :)

Oh sorry. Thank you very much. Such a beginner to this.Thanks :)

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