May 2009 Grads...and how this economy is going to affect us.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Unfortunately, this year, despite the nursing shortage, many of us are not going to be able to find jobs as new grads.

I thought it would be good to start a thread, to possibly get suggestions from more senior nurses, especially those in nursing management and recruiting, on how to most productively use our time.

I know that some of us, like myself, will be graduating with an ADN, but some of us that are graduating with a BSN, may have other options for that first year, such as teaching, etc.

I have no idea of what I am going to do if I can't find a job, primarily because my heart is in Pediatrics and I cannot imagine doing something else...however, even though I am willing to relocate, I am not finding very many opportunities available to even interview, and that can cut one's chances down any further.

I am hoping that this can be a very productive thread to help us.

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I agree. The December graduates from my school got jobs at local hospitals that are now saying they are no longer accepting ADN nurses ( which sucks ):(. Now there is just one more thing on my worry list.

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Specializes in OR.

Why would a hospital not consider an ADN student? Its my understanding that for BSN there are more management classes. I'm graduating this May also, so I'm just curious as to why a hospital wouldnt hire ADN nurses. Could someone enlighten me?

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Why would a hospital not consider an ADN student? Its my understanding that for BSN there are more management classes. I'm graduating this May also, so I'm just curious as to why a hospital wouldnt hire ADN nurses. Could someone enlighten me?

You wouldn't need to take advantage of tuition reimbursement, a typical benefit of hospitals these days, if you already had your bachelors degree.

They would save money hiring a graduate nurse with his/her BSN over one with "just" their ADN. :twocents:

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Specializes in OR.

So they are assuming that I wouldn't be going for a higher degree? I plan on going until I get my masters for sure, maybe more later in life.

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So they are assuming that I wouldn't be going for a higher degree? I plan on going until I get my masters for sure, maybe more later in life.

They anticipate new employees taking advantage of that tuition assistance so they'd save a ton across the board if new graduates already possessed their bachelors degree pre-hire.

Multiply say 20 new graduates in one hospital graduation point (say June and December) by say $4000 a calendar year for those using benefits to get their BSN, they could stand to put out $80k per group of 20 new employees.

Not to mention the cost of having to orientate those new employees in this economy, it's a budget breaker.:down:

:twocents:

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Specializes in OR.

Ah. Gotcha. Sorry spring break is the only time I really have to drink during the semester, and I'm taking advantage of it :p I realize now what you're sayin.

Here's to hoping my interview for a Med/Surg position goes well this Monday so I don't have to worry :p

Goodluck to everyone else too in this economy =( This was one of the reasons I went into nursing.... for good job opportunities.

I'm having a drink and raising my glass to all graduates this May and to the new graduates in the near future for finding a job!:cheers:

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Specializes in MICU.

I hear ya. I will be graduating with my ADN in May and I am very worried. I have had one interview on the med/surg floor and I have another one scheduled next week on the ortho floor. Neither of these departments are my dream positions and the hospital is an hour away without traffic, but during these trying economic times we all make sacrifices. I go to career fairs, I apply to every nurse resident position, I am constantly on the internet searching for jobs, and always and I do mean always follow up with e-mails and phone calls. I use every opportunity to make contacts including nurse shadowing and ask friends that work for hospitals for their help too. Stay positive and focused and don't let anything deter you from accomplishing your goals. I think with the economy all nurses including BSN's are having difficulty finding new grad positions. So trust me we all are suffering!! Good luck and remember stay positive!!!!

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Specializes in Home Health, Med/Surg.

I also graduate in May and no one in my class can even get an interview! It's so frustrating. There are still graduates from December from my school that have not found jobs....No one in Phoenix wants a new grad. One major network is even having a job fair on March 25th and they are advertising it as "Experienced Nurse Job Fair" Can you believe that? !?! I am devistated by this, when I started in block 1 new grads had jobs straight from preceptorship and that is not the case now...good luck everyone! I hope you nail the interviews...gee I hope I even get one!:sstrs:

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Specializes in MICU.
I also graduate in May and no one in my class can even get an interview! It's so frustrating. There are still graduates from December from my school that have not found jobs....No one in Phoenix wants a new grad. One major network is even having a job fair on March 25th and they are advertising it as "Experienced Nurse Job Fair" Can you believe that? !?! I am devistated by this, when I started in block 1 new grads had jobs straight from preceptorship and that is not the case now...good luck everyone! I hope you nail the interviews...gee I hope I even get one!:sstrs:

I see that you are an extern.....do you have contacts at that facility. Being a nurse extern is a perfect way of getting your foot in the door. good luck

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Specializes in Home Health, Med/Surg.
I see that you are an extern.....do you have contacts at that facility. Being a nurse extern is a perfect way of getting your foot in the door. good luck

There is currently a "hiring freeze" where I extern **tears** I would love to stay there if they were hiring. As of graduation I no longer have a job there...

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Specializes in MICU.

Sorry to hear that....this economy really SUCKS. I mean, we work so hard, jump thru hoops like a circus poodle to get thru school. They fill our heads with false hopes about the job market and this so called nursing shortage that is non existent. I feel bamboozled!!!

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