Dear hospitals that won't hire new grads, dear nurses that refuse to retire, dear saturated new grad market, dear nursing schools that keep accepting too many students for the money and not for the need, dear people that still think there is a nursing shortage,
You're making my life miserable.
Sincerely,
A very bitter, worn out, new grad.
So glad I busted my behind to get a 3.7gpa in nursing school, work as a nurse aide for two years, have two other degrees, a preceptorship, and volunteer all for not.
P.S. hospitals: one day you're going to want me and don't think I won't forget who didn't treat me well or wouldn't hire me when it really mattered.
New grad here also. I can see where the OP is coming from. I have nothing again those that came out of retirement to provide for themselves and family. More power to them for come back into the work force to help themselves and their families. I am somewhat disappointed in the hospitals that are not looking for new talent. They are only setting themselves up for the fall. I am mostly mad at the schools and the hospitals for making themselves diploma mills, pumping out new grads like an assembly line.
Last night I applied to a hospital, two med surg positions on different floors. Within 10 minutes of submitting the app, I had 2 rejection emails in my inbox saying we reviewed you application and have decided to go with another candidate. The hospitals have automated the systems to not even look at a new grad application....unless this was the most diligent recruiter ever, checking the latest apps constantly, even at 11pm. Sigh. Well back to it.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I recall that about two years ago the "global financial meltdown" was all you heard about in the news, and many people preemptively delayed their planned retirement dates to compensate for the hit their retirement funds took. One of my family members had signed college loan agreements with my daughter-- which they promptly yanked out of fear that they would be living off a bag of kibble, and I can't say I blame them, but we really had to scramble to keep her in school.
It seems (I pray) that things are starting to get better, but the ripple effect is still in play. I still don't tell people to avoid nursing as a career, but awareness of the actual job picture throughout school is a must, and adaptations in strategies must be made (ultimate degree goals, geographical locations, specialties, etc).
I have a question. Lets say that the economy does get better in like 5 years what is going to happen to those new grads that weren't able to find jobs during this time period? I think this whole situation is horrible. It gets me mad how the media keeps telling people to go into nursing and there's lots of jobs out there for them. My violin teacher is planning on going to nursing school now because of what she read, she thinks nursing is "recession proof".
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i have a question. lets say that the economy does get better in like 5 years what is going to happen to those new grads that weren't able to find jobs during this time period? i think this whole situation is horrible. it gets me mad how the media keeps telling people to go into nursing and there's lots of jobs out there for them. my violin teacher is planning on going to nursing school now because of what she read, she thinks nursing is "recession proof".
my unit hired fifteen new grads in february, four in april, seven in july and five more just started this week.
I graduated last December. All the way through the end of third semester I was hearing that everything was still golden. That when I graduated I would still be in very high demand, no trouble finding a job etc. Then in fourth semester the staff starting saying things like "its might be harder to find a job, you might not get the position you want, but the jobs are out there". There were 40 of us, and all of us who wanted jobs found jobs. A few went back to school because they wanted too. A few didn't find jobs, but it was because they were being very picky (I will only work these hours, days, for this amount, in this speciality, for this hospital system etc). A couple didn't pass NCLEX right away, and got jobs as techs until they did. A couple went into home health or LTC. One went to a Dr's office. The majority went into hospitals and did so either right after graduation or within the first few months. I hear the class graduating after us are having a harder time. I started in Feb in an local ER internship found it wasn't a good fit, and was hired as a floor nurse in a major hosptial system after only 2 days of job hunting, and before my last day at my other job. That was in June. There were 98 new hires in that hospital system during orientation (this included non medical jobs too, but most were nurses). Just keep filling out apps, praying and moving forward.
I graduated last December. All the way through the end of third semester I was hearing that everything was still golden. That when I graduated I would still be in very high demand, no trouble finding a job etc. Then in fourth semester the staff starting saying things like "its might be harder to find a job, you might not get the position you want, but the jobs are out there". There were 40 of us, and all of us who wanted jobs found jobs. A few went back to school because they wanted too. A few didn't find jobs, but it was because they were being very picky (I will only work these hours, days, for this amount, in this speciality, for this hospital system etc). A couple didn't pass NCLEX right away, and got jobs as techs until they did. A couple went into home health or LTC. One went to a Dr's office. The majority went into hospitals and did so either right after graduation or within the first few months. I hear the class graduating after us are having a harder time. I started in Feb in an local ER internship found it wasn't a good fit, and was hired as a floor nurse in a major hosptial system after only 2 days of job hunting, and before my last day at my other job. That was in June. There were 98 new hires in that hospital system during orientation (this included non medical jobs too, but most were nurses). Just keep filling out apps, praying and moving forward.
Agreed with the "apps, pray, move forward". Its the only way. You wouldn't happen to be in Texas would you? That's the only state that I've heard it being easier to find a job. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to pick up and move there.
Ruby Vee and others that state there are new grad jobs in their areas-
Where are these hospitals??? I am willing to move any place in the country and have been actively scouting jobs everywhere I can think that has new grad programs. I remain optimistic with moments of utter frustration and fear. Good luck to all of us still looking...
To all the recruiters out there!!! I agree with the first post. I will remember you(nurse recruiters) that have never called me back. I will remember the 2-3 that have been rude to me. In 3-5 years when you are begging us to work for you... We(The New Grad hoard) will remember!!! Keep fighting everyone, it is all you can do...
To the one or two recruiters that do call people back Kudos to you.!!! You should treat people with some respect and we greatly appreciate it... We know things are tight, we know you are not allowed to hire new grads.. It is so much nicer when you just tell someone that!!! :)
I was just on another forum unrelated to nursing and there was some nurse from Indiana who said there were "tons of jobs" out there for RNs and recommended it to people as a career.
9livesRN, BSN, RN
1,570 Posts
I'll take anything!