Mixed Messages about the job outlook in Louisiana

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I know this area, esp N.O. is still recovering from Katrina, so I'm aware the job market for nurses is very necessary. But I have been hearing alot of mixed signals about relocating. Some say that there are plenty of opportunities with high pay, then there are some who say that there aren't many jobs or the cost of living trumps any salary.

Personally, I feel that in this point of my life I'm young and able to go anywhere with a nursing degree and make the most of any experience. I would LOVE to relocate back to my hometown, but I feel uneasy.

So can anyone offer their overall opinion of the job outlook for new graduates in New Orleans? Any knowledge of new grad programs? Any advice or comments are very appreciated!!:yeah:

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not sure about the availability of jobs/pay in no

i was reading about a week ago that the population is still about half of what it was pre-katrina so that will probably affect the number of jobs

however if the people are not there a good part of them are in baton roure or lafayette so that will incease the job market there

check things out and good luck on finding the job you want

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Thanks for your reply! I will look into that

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Bumping for more replies....

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Specializes in Peds and Well baby.

I just graduated from a accelerated program in NO. I have been looking at jobs at certain hospitals but have found that there is a reluctance to hire new grads. However I know that some of my classmates have gotten on with hospitals other than Tulane(who sponsored our program and have a contract with us). BSN new grads seem to be more likely to be hired. Of course, if you do not mind working the Med-Surg floor any hospital will hire you. The pay is good, housing is expensive right now.

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I just graduated from a accelerated program in NO. I have been looking at jobs at certain hospitals but have found that there is a reluctance to hire new grads. However I know that some of my classmates have gotten on with hospitals other than Tulane(who sponsored our program and have a contract with us). BSN new grads seem to be more likely to be hired. Of course, if you do not mind working the Med-Surg floor any hospital will hire you. The pay is good, housing is expensive right now.

Thank you for responding! I will have my BSN when I graduate and I don't have much clinical experience outside of school so I will be grateful for working in a hospital as long as I have a good salary and able to learn while working.

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I know this area, esp N.O. is still recovering from Katrina, so I'm aware the job market for nurses is very necessary. But I have been hearing alot of mixed signals about relocating. Some say that there are plenty of opportunities with high pay, then there are some who say that there aren't many jobs or the cost of living trumps any salary.

Personally, I feel that in this point of my life I'm young and able to go anywhere with a nursing degree and make the most of any experience. I would LOVE to relocate back to my hometown, but I feel uneasy.

So can anyone offer their overall opinion of the job outlook for new graduates in New Orleans? Any knowledge of new grad programs? Any advice or comments are very appreciated!!:yeah:

Salaries for new grads aren't any higher than most hospitals in the South. The most you'll probably get is $24/hr base pay plus shift/weekend diffs. Cost of living DEFINITLEY trumps salary. My rent for a 2 bd apt. is $1000 and that's a BARGAIN here. Everything is so ridiculously expensive here. Sales tax is almost 10%. 30% of my check is eaten up by taxes and benefits. Can't wait to get out of N.O.:( I know I sound negative....just venting.

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Salaries for new grads aren't any higher than most hospitals in the South. The most you'll probably get is $24/hr base pay plus shift/weekend diffs. Cost of living DEFINITLEY trumps salary. My rent for a 2 bd apt. is $1000 and that's a BARGAIN here. Everything is so ridiculously expensive here. Sales tax is almost 10%. 30% of my check is eaten up by taxes and benefits. Can't wait to get out of N.O.:( I know I sound negative....just venting.

Yes I have researched the apartments down there and its high. But I have family, I don't mind renting a room, and I want to stay in the Algiers area so I have options for living situations. I understand your frustration and I hope things get better!! Thanks for the response

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My husband is starting Loyola Law school so we relocated to the NO area about 2months ago. I have 2 years exp. Med/Surg. I have not seen the really high paying jobs like some are quoting. Oschner claimed to be starting new grads at 22.50 an hour plus shift diffs. I didn't even get a phone call back from East Jefferson. I applied for an ER position at EJ. They didn't even call me to inform me that I needed a year of cardiac experience for an ICU or ER position. They claimed they would send my app to the cardiac departments.

Some hospitals are on the ball and called me back within 3 days of applying. I think the HR departments are not getting the applications to the right people in the nursing departments. I think if you find good information about a hospital and want to work there, you may need to push the issue. You may need to go to the nurse manager for that unit, if you don't hear back. Human resources just says to wait and they will call. Well I applied to EJ 4 months ago and never got a call, and that is with 2 years of med/surg experience. This means human resources didn't send the application to the right people.

We bought a place in LaPlace about 30 minutes outside NO. We were looking at 1200 a month for a decent/nice 2br apartment. We pay less than that for a 1400 sq.ft. house. I do not recommend Ochsner in Kenner, I am trying to get them to switch me to the main campus and they just give me the run around. Med/Surg at the Kenner location is in bad need of change. I have an interview at University this week so we shall see what they can offer.

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Wow...my wife got a job in NO so we moved down....although I still have one semester left in nursing school in AR...I will be returning there in the fall to visit. In the short time I've been down here I am shocked by some things...I was under the impression that NO would be strapped for nurses right now and offering good money...which from looking around doesn't seem to be the case. Housing is expensive....from what people have told me it basically doubled post-Katrina....overall I am becoming concerned about my job prospects after school.

DestinedRN- I don't know if you are from the Algiers area, but we moved to Algiers...we found the apartment online and could not be here to actually see it and the area....suffice to say Algiers is pretty darn ghetto. This is coming from someone who grew up in/lived in rough areas in st. louis and atlanta....I personally would choose another neighborhood to live in.

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Wow- I live in south west LA and the pay is similar but cost of living WAY less- i mean way less! The only issue here is that it's the middle of hurricaine season... but other than that I know lots of places hiring and like i said- start pay is around 21/22 hour plus diffs I think and cost of living is NOWHERE NEAR 1200/mo for a nice 2br

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Specializes in Peds and Well baby.

There is a difference between Algiers Point and the City area called Algiers. One is getto but the other is up and coming with charm. However if you are looking for cheaper places to live, the suburbs of Metarie and Kenner have some still decently priced apartment. I rented rent a place Uptown for 1400.00 mth and have now purchased a house (which are also outragously priced for trash).

Whenever the rental prices go up, there is a lot of sharing (room letting) of homes. There are dozens of listings on Criaig's list, but also get in touch with realtors who will have better choices.

Good luck

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