May 2009 Graduates!!! Do you have a job yet?

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I was just curious if everyone is finding jobs? I personally only applied for one hospital as there are 4 within 30 miles from me, but the one I applied for is the closest. Everyone in my class including myself started applying in January and most of us interviewed in Feb. I haven't got a call yet but they said they would be calling this week....I am crossing my fingers!!!

Anyhow I know that everyone around here is pretty much not having a problem but I didn't know what it was like in other areas.

Whats the pay like?

benifits?

reimbursements?

The position I applied for actually is on the lower end of the pay scale, but the benefits and reimbursement outway what the other hospitals offer. So what factors did you calculate when finding your first job as an GN.

Hi,

I am in S.W. Pennsylvania...I have interviewed at 3 hospitals and have been offered 2 jobs so far...one of them in Morgantown at Ruby. I still have another interview coming up next week at yet another hospital. I am so confused! LOL. Starting pay is between 19 to 21 an hour generally. Insurance is not a consideration for me because my husband has excellent insurance. Most hospitals in this area have done away with the student loan reimbursement programs...shoot! One of the main things for me is the shift. One hospital is offering all nights with a 10% shift differential and 3 12 hour shifts. The other is offering 2 16 hour shifts and one 8 hour shift, but is self scheduling and not all night work, however shift differential is only 60 cents. So right now I can not decide what to do. It is so hard when you have interviews in different weeks, and then some hospitals will offer you a job right away and some hospitals wait a month or so. Then they all want an answer within 1 or 2 days. You almost have to accept the first offer while waiting on the second and end up having to call and tell the first you have changed your mind. Then they are not happy campers! I wish I knew a better way to handle this. Well, either way, I am grateful that I have a job offer in this economy.

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Specializes in ICU, Emergency Department.

I've put out applications all over New York and haven't heard back from any of the hospitals yet. I think part of the reason is that a few hospitals in the area closed, leaving a number of nurses on the market with many years of experience (which most hospitals prefer over new grads.) However, I do have an interview with a hospital in Asheboro, NC which is near where a few of my friends live.. I would definitely be willing to relocate if they're looking to hire me. Time will tell!

And surprisingly, most of my classmates have been waiting to get the results of this second exam before they started applying. I can see why, I suppose, but I figured the sooner the better.

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I was actually feel pretty lucky, I applied to only one hospital that I really wanted to work at, in South Carolina (I go to school in Ohio) and I got the job after one interview. They told me I can start as soon as I pass my boards as they are holding a position open for me. And until I take my boards I can work in that hospital as an aide. They start at 21.50 which I was a little disappointed in. They have a "relocation" bonus since I am moving from a different state. They also pay full tuition reimbursement to get your Master's if you continue to work fulltime while you're going to school. Overall I am really happy I got the job so easily but honestly I was expecting a higher pay rate.

Good luck everybody.

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Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

I applied back in January and got a 12 hour night position in a Neuro ICU. I had put in an application at the VA and got a call back from them, but received this job offer in the meantime. I heard the VA takes forever to get through their application process, so I took the "bird in the hand". I used to work for the manager where I got the job, and did an internship on the floor, so that probably influenced the decision as well...

The details:

-Pay is $22.71/hour with a $4.50 shift differential for weeknights, $8 for weekend nights

-No loan repayment :(

-Insurance is cheap for individuals ($35/month)

-Time and a half after 8 or 12 hours (whatever your shift is), so if I tacked an extra four onto one of my regular 12's, I'd get OT for it even though it wouldn't put me over 40.

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Specializes in NICU.

emoeining,

actually that is a pretty good base pay as far as south carolina goes. what hospital and what area are you going to work?

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Re: May 2009 Graduates!!! Do you have a job yet?

kingkn--

I am working at Hilton Head Hospital in Hilton Head Island, SC. On a med-surg floor.

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I graduate in May and just received an offer at the VA in Missouri 22.23 an hour 10 percent nights and 25 percent on weekends. I'm thrilled, a girlfriend in my class 65 applications and 2 interviews and no job. Only two in my class of 45 have jobs that were not techs prior. Good luck to all.

How far in advance did you apply at the VA? Thanks. :)

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Hi,

I am in S.W. Pennsylvania...I have interviewed at 3 hospitals and have been offered 2 jobs so far...one of them in Morgantown at Ruby. I still have another interview coming up next week at yet another hospital. I am so confused! LOL. Starting pay is between 19 to 21 an hour generally. Insurance is not a consideration for me because my husband has excellent insurance. Most hospitals in this area have done away with the student loan reimbursement programs...shoot! One of the main things for me is the shift. One hospital is offering all nights with a 10% shift differential and 3 12 hour shifts. The other is offering 2 16 hour shifts and one 8 hour shift, but is self scheduling and not all night work, however shift differential is only 60 cents. So right now I can not decide what to do. It is so hard when you have interviews in different weeks, and then some hospitals will offer you a job right away and some hospitals wait a month or so. Then they all want an answer within 1 or 2 days. You almost have to accept the first offer while waiting on the second and end up having to call and tell the first you have changed your mind. Then they are not happy campers! I wish I knew a better way to handle this. Well, either way, I am grateful that I have a job offer in this economy.

2 16-hour shifts plus an 8 for a new grad! Urk! I'd be a little nervous about that one. Although in this job market, you've gotta grab what you can....

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Specializes in Telemetry, ER, Trauma ICU.

I worked for 1.5 years at a level one trauma hospital in AZ. ( I had great reviews the whole time). I applied to 5 units, and not even an interview. 800 bed hosptial- 20 job openings (which is good, other hospitals have hiring freeze)-30 externs-20 students trained on campus= no jobs. I am moving out of state.

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I will be graduating in may never bothered to apply anywhere planning on stayingput in my current job that i work at as a cna.

im hearing horror stories from people who have grad. in dec. and are still jobless with impending loan repayments!

would really like to change facilities since i would rather be on a more med-surg floor but most postive no one was hiring around me

maybe ill move..... does anyone know an area will to take the time to train a new grad??

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I have not yet...and I'm bummed about it. I'm moving back to GA after I graduate and I feel like I'm at a disadvantage from the senior nursing students that are in school in GA now. :(

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I put applications into both of the major hospital chains in my area. One chatted with me for a while and said that after they place their own NS's graduates (they run a diploma program) in May, if they're still interested in me, they'll call me back. The other I haven't heard back from yet. There's a couple of independent hospitals that I'll also check out...if that doesn't work, I'll go volunteer at one of the city clinics for a while until something does come up--at least I'll keep my skills active and gain experience while I wait the job search out.

The problem around here is that many places aren't hiring period, or will hire internally first--a few of my classmates who are working as CNAs will probably be picked up for RN slots at those hospitals.

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