Looking for the bright side

A nurse in hospital orientation with me told me she went to an ABSN program in another state several years ago. When she went to her first job interview, they wanted to hear about her school's program and were very impressed with her grades/success at completing the program and she landed the job. Of course there is no telling how your outlook will be where you are and what the job market will be in a couple years (the hospital I work for did not hire any new grads from 12/09 but had up 4 new grad postings for 05/10) from now because I sure can't see into the future (though wouldn't that be handy)? My philosophy is to not stress too much and try to get my foot in the door somewhere for the experience and networking while I am still finishing up pre-reqs and hopefully continue through nursing school.

Would it be possible for you to work in a facility without being a nurse? Maybe a ward clerk or CNA? I'm hoping to be accepted into a BSN program this fall, but I'll continue at my current job when I graduate.

So, I was hoping to hear some success stories, some anti-horror stories, some stories of encouragement from anyone with a positive story to tell.

I was fortunate enough to find a job within a few months of graduating although it doesn't pay real well and it requires that I travel out of town to work. However, it is a fabulous place to work (the low pay notwithstanding) and the experience is good. The morale is good and most of the nurses are great colleagues... I'm not sure I'd trade my job for a higher paying one at a more prestigious place.

I graduated in May 2009. I landed a PRN RN job about a month after passing boards. So yes, it was a nursing job, but no benefits and only three days a MONTH of work. I got another job part time in nursing and worked that as well. So two RN jobs that were both part time and no benefits. I had to defer my loans and so forth... not pretty. It was tight. :chair: I FINALLY got a FULL TIME RN job just in the last month. I had started looking for RN jobs a few months BEFORE I graduated. So... how long in TOTAL was I looking for an RN job?? Since DEC. 2008 and it is now MAY 2010. Yup. Almost a year and a half!! Also, I was an honor grad. with TWO degrees as well. That did not seem to help. It was a LONG HAUL. So you are right, it is not an easy road to walk, but hang in there and be diligent. I sent resumes out everywhere and traveled almost two hours one way for an interview and even applied in another state 8 hours from me..... HANG IN THERE, and when you make a contact, STAY IN TOUCH WITH THEM. That helped me! Good luck! :beer:

great point that the majority of people you hear from are those that do not have jobs, and are angry, this I totally believe is true. however, I graduated from a top 20 school, was one of the top students in my class. I am employed. so in one way I am a success story. But I am far and away the exception. I would advise go to the longer not accelerated program and kick a. Become involved in research, if there are no posted opertunites go to a professor and say you want to be involved. Work in a hospital, ideally as a PCT but any way. If you cant get a job volunteer, several times a week. you have to distinguish yourself from the crowd. It does not matter if you get a degree in two years but your only qualification is you education. Join the club, there are a million like you. Take longer but devote that time to making yourself exceptional. If not you'll be unemployed like the majority of my top 20 BSN class.

I'm just curious are there no more schools associated with hospitals anymore? My daughters friend graduated from a hospital affiliated school who paid her entire tuition by her signing a contract to work for that hospital for x number of years after she graduated. So she pulled a paycheck, AND had her tuition paid, plus the guarantee that she had a contract to work for at least that number of years.

I have been out of school for 30 years, so my experience as a new grad was very different. But what my daughters friend did was around 10 years ago so I would think there are still schools that offer that, but maybe not...just an idea.

Take the longer route to your BSN. Even if the job market doesn't improve, the extra time gives you more opportunities to network. I do think the market will improve, though. We've hardly hired anyone at my hospital in about three years, and we are working very short. Our director has finally started to open positions for experienced nurses in our critical care areas and said that she will open more in the Fall, sending qualified med-surg nurses from our hospital to critical care training. This will open up med-surg positions all over the hospital. Since med-surg is as short-staffed as we are, they will have to hire as well, most likely a lot of new grads.

I do think that things are looking up, but take the longer program if you can. You can work or volunteer at a hospital while you are in school (not always possible with ABSN) and so explore areas and hospitals of interest to you as well as meeting more people who can help you advance in your career.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

We have >15 GNs on our unit alone 2x a year. There ARE jobs.

I'm just curious are there no more schools associated with hospitals anymore? My daughters friend graduated from a hospital affiliated school who paid her entire tuition by her signing a contract to work for that hospital for x number of years after she graduated. So she pulled a paycheck, AND had her tuition paid, plus the guarantee that she had a contract to work for at least that number of years.

I have been out of school for 30 years, so my experience as a new grad was very different. But what my daughters friend did was around 10 years ago so I would think there are still schools that offer that, but maybe not...just an idea.

The state I live in has a large hospital chain that just suspended its Nursing Fellows program. And another hospital just told its group - in their 4th block - that they will continue to pay for that last block but they will be released from their contractual obligations... so free school but no job - scary!

I'm not a new grad but a returning nurse with little experience, after a ten year hiatus and a refresher course it has taken me about 8 months to find a job..but I did not apply to hospitals, I ended up getting two offers on the same day and took the job that seemed the better fit.

So yes, you can do it..good luck!

I graduated in Dec 2009 and started looking for jobs right after graduation. I sent out applications to all surrounding hospitals in my area, but was really eyeing a New Grad. Residency Program. I was patient for a month and they called me in for an interview. After the first inteview with HR and the Manager of the floor. She said don't expect to get a call from us for 3 weeks because they were interviewing about 100 other applicants. And i waited patiently never calling them once. During the time i wait i never got a call back from any other hospitals. They called me back for a panel interview and only 8 other applicants received it. They calld me back the next day and I was offered a job. So it took me 3 months to find a job at a Magnet status, teaching hospital, in the new grad residency program that spans over 1 year, and my orientation is 18 weeks long!!

There are success stories, i feel really blessed to b able to receive this oppurtunity. So far i'm loving the ICU, and i'm so appreciative of the investment that they've put into me.

I know its bad out there but there is def. HOPE!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! These are exactly the stories I was hoping to hear!! I know times are tough, and I'm not asking anyone to look into a crystal ball, but hearing that these success stories ARE still happening, despite the rough times, is exactly what I need to hear!! Thank you to everyone who posted inspiration and shared success. I really really appreciate it!!