Maybe it's time we "New Grads" finally mobilized?

[BeatDownNewGrad]

I've been contemplating this for awhile. Perhaps the idea is a little radical but then again so are the circumstances many of us are facing as new grads. For the last year all I've been hearing about are new grads that can't find work as well as medical centers, hospitals, clinics etc advertising that they want nothing to do with us.

Too make matters worse, lots of the retirees who have gone back to work full time are getting less than what they left the field for.

It got me thinking. WE are the future of this field. It is US that keeps these healthcare facilities running. It is US that are the backbone of the healthcare system. It is also US and those that came before US that have put aside our own interests to get into this field and many of us have done so because we legitmitly care about others.

Perhaps it is time we actually got to thinking and discussing what is IN OUR INTERESTS. Nursing, for decades, has had a long history of eating it's young as well as lateral violence. It doesn't have to be this way and we can change this.

I was going through a lot of ads for Nursing Positions and was struck by how many facilities discriminate against new grads. It's completely gotten out of control. Especially here in MA where more than 90% of the population is covered by insurance. It ain't like people are not getting sick and folks here are not paying for the healthcare system. Up until recently there was legislation about to put to a vote to improve the staffing ratios and this was supposed to open up all sorts of positions.

The hospitals fought it tooth and nail and it died with the coming of the "recession" (which is really a restrucuring). One of the healthcare corps that fought it was Partners. This same corp that somehow has enough money in the budget to buyout ANOTHER healthcare facility; Youville in cambridge.

This may be a small measure but perhaps instead of us competing with each other we can turn the tables on these supposedly "suffering" healthcare admins. This is small measure but perhaps it couldn't hurt.

Maybe we could somehow pool which employers are discriminating against New Grads. We could write letters telling them how we are aware of this and that in the future we will remember this. We could send them emails informing them that when we finally are experienced nurses we will refuse to work for them. Afterall, we, as the workers, are the ones that make these places valuable (or will at some point). Not to mention that the folks coming out of retirement are not going to be there forever.

Just my 2 cents. Anyone have other ideas lemme know.

[gcupid]

you have to choose your battles wisely...There are only so many facilities worth working for when it comes down to it...

The same facility that's turning us New Grads down may actually be within their right. I would rather be told by the Manager that I don't have enough resources to train you now rather than hire me without adequate training and place me at risk for burn out & loosing my nursing license..

The same facility may hire you after experience & it may be one of the best places you've ever worked for...

Business is business. There is no need for writing letters. After getting experience, make it your decision to stay loyal to yourself. When you become a good nurse, they are going to eventually want you. And it's up to you to drain the hell out of them @ the negotiating table.

[fiveofpeep]

although I admire your spirit, I think your rebellion is channeled at the wrong villain. hospitals are struggling too and new grads are extremely expensive and tend to be unreliable, often leaving after their contract is up for greener pastures.

I definitely feel that we can make an impact by notifying newspapers of the situation we are in. These newspapers continue to advertise nursing as a go-to job for the newly unemployed. We need to set them straight about the struggles we are facing.

We could probably make the most impact by contacting newspapers and bringing awareness rather than making empty threats to hospitals who have thousands to choose from.

I really think it's great that you arent willing to be complacent. Not alot of people are like that and it's people like you who will keep our profession alive and moving along.

[eeyorelov]

I agree with your idea to write letter to tell the world but I don't think that buring a bridge is wise. I think some hospital do have the money to train us and don't want to, but they are a small minority. Most that I have seen out here have specific training programs just for new grads they just don't have enough money or resources to train us. I'm in the Seattle area an in addition to retirees returning there are travel and agency nurses taking permenate spots. So a new a grad not already working in a hospital has very little chances, and I wish the world knew so that they can stop telling people how the healthcare jobs like nursing is growing, when they can't hire us!!!!!!!

[psychonaut]

Hmm, a group of workers who, while individually not possessing great power, join into groups (or *unite*, as one might say) and wield considerable force in improvements in working conditions, wages, benefits, and patient safety...

[CharleeJo.RN]

I understand your frustration, but sending letters to these companies will accomplish absolutely nothing, other than possibly giving yourself a bad rep among companies! I know exactly where you're coming from though. I live in the tiny Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and nursing is one of the top majors of people around here...so competition is high and job availability is low. Most places opening positions require that a nurse have at least 1 year experience. Of course, there are some hospitals & LTC that will hire new grads, but wage is low and stress is high! Understaffing, overworking, undertrained, underpaid...it is all rampant, really.

I was extremely stressed right after graduation. Every friend & family member says, "oh nursing is such a good decision. everywhere needs nurses right now." Oh, really? Well, I think you should read some posts on allnurses.com and see just how scarce jobs are!!! And then I see those stupid ads all over TV and the internet saying CHOOSE NURSING and WE NEED NURSES. Well, could you please tell me who needs new grads and won't run us out the door? Who won't be dealing with such minimal resources that my new license is at stake every day? Where? WHERE?!?!

So, perhaps writing a letter isn't a bad idea. But not to these companies. To the media - newspapers, TV stations, blogs, etc. A group of new grads perhaps, putting together some founded and concise information on how bad it is right now and how some are swimming in student debt and still can't find a job. Hmmm. After all, if no one brings to light an issue, it stays in the dark...and we suffer in silence.

[MJB2010]

OP, I think you have great intentions and great energy, but it is misdirected. The hosptials are not going to care if they get letters from us, they will go in the trash can and no one will read them. It needs to be more of a media campaign. Newspapers, magazines, etc. People think nurses can get jobs anywhere, but in my state that is not true at all.

Nothing infuriates me more than hearing about the "Nursing Shortage" . There is no shortage of new grads, just a shortage of experienced nurses, and new grads cannot get the experience unless somone puts in the time an dmoney to train them. SO here is the shortage= hosptials willing to train new grads! That is a shortage! My state has no new grad residencies (well possibly one starting this summer) so living here you are forced to relocate if you want any new grad training. Very few hospitals are hiring AT ALL, there a hiring freezes, or so they say. But people with connections still seem to get jobs.

I need some connections, lol. :redbeathe

[psychonaut]

And to off-set being a smart-a$$ earlier...

When I was a union member in the service industry, the union ran training programs for people to get jobs. While not entirely comparable to nursing, these weren't exactly entry-level jobs. Programs such as not just being a waiter, but how to be a fine dining/gourmet room waiter, not just cook but pastry cook, etc. Programs that for-profit schools and cc offered for $$ and the union offered for free. Programs that led to very well paying service jobs. Service union benefits paid for my birth and all my medical expenses as a child.

I am not aware if the nursing unions offer such training for new grad nurses. I think it would be a good way to offer "residencies" that the hospitals didn't have to pay for, all the while increasing union membership.

I can be ambivalent on the subject of unions in nursing, but one thing I will say is that many of the union members I work with are VERY involved. giving large portions of their free time at no cost to aid in union efforts. I'm sure there would be a large pool of experienced union members that would be willing to take new nurses under their wing. These mentors could fulfill a desire to teach new nurses, even if they don't meet the BON mandated degree requirements for official positions at nursing schools.

Just random thoughts that I have no idea the feasibility of. Have any struggling new grads contacted their local/national nursing unions for help in securing first positions? If the unions are not meeting this need of their potential "brothers and sisters" (union schick I generally find grating), then shame on them. Apprenticeship is a proud union tradition (and again, a way of creating loyal lifelong union members).

[whodatnurse]

Count me in for a Million New Grad Nurses March on Washington, D.C.! If nothing else, it would put a rest once and for all to that widespread notion that as a nurse, "you can ALWAYS get a job." :-)

[fiveofpeep]

yeah I hate that. I can remember just six months ago hearing teachers vehemently deny a problem and Im like "well when in the heck was the last time you searched for an entry level hospital RN position...you have been a nurse for 30 years and have a pHd!" I dont say that out loud though

[elprup, BSN, RN]

I just sent my first letter to Oprah today regarding this problem! I totally agree that we New Grads who cannot find jobs need to get together! I've sent letters/my story to my legislators, to many authors of articles that are incorrect, many nursing associations and how Oprah. I wish every new grad who cannot find experience....sits down and writes a letter about their situation. Then they could address that letter to everyone and anyone who needs to listen. I'll work on a list of ideas who to write/email our letters to and get that out.

Supposedly, Nursing is the largest profession in the United States, so we should be able to do this no problem. Any input or ideas of more I/we can do I am game. Thanks

[nursel56]

How is a hospital wanting to hire experienced nurses with dwindling resources "discrimination" Discrimination is defined as being treated differently from another person in whom the only difference is race, gender, or sexual preference.

Not the case with a new grad. If you "mobilize" what exactly do you hope to achieve? You want someone else to be fired to make room for you?

I would differ with a couple of your points. First, a new grad isn't the backbone of a hospital. Experience is a continuum, not an either/or. So the hospitals are staffed by nurses with 1,2 3 yrs of experience all the way up to that cranky one that refuses to retire because she is supporting her grandkids or whatever.

The lateral violence issue is completely different from the discrimination issue, unless you feel that a hospital not hiring you is lateral violence. That's a great one to pursue, though- us "old school" nurses were trained to tolerate abusive instructors, as kind of a ticket you had to get punched to be a "real" nurse. I disagree with that totally. You will see vestiges of that everywhere, but you guys can be the ones to pro-actively fight against the status quo. You will get resistance at first-- just like any change for the better always does. People do not take it well when you upset their comfort zone, but it is the ethical thing to do in my mind.

The situation being faced right now is simply- off- the- charts. Never in a million years would I have even contemplated the idea of a nurse moving out of state for a job!! 3000 applicants for one job. It's just crazy. . .