New grad can't find a job in Portland

[twarlik]

Hi folks. I recently graduated with my BSN and am planning on moving to Portland at the end of June. I have been applying for jobs since the beginning of March and haven't gotten a single call back. I've applied at literally EVERY hospital in the area. The only thing I've gotten so far is a rejection email from OHSU for their critical care internship. I've read in other posts that there isn't really a nursing shortage in Portland and I'm beginning to question my choice to move there.

So my questions is, am I needlessly worrying or should I consider other options?

Thanks for any feedback.

~Todd

[Cheetah]

Hi, its been awhile since I worked up there, but I have hear for years grad nurses could not find jobs in Portland. I worked for a agency and never went without work, fact turned down a lot of shifts. I worked both LTC and acute care. Just my thoughts.

Chet

[twarlik]

Todd,

Just curious if you've landed a job yet? Have you been able to get interviews for ICU jobs/internships or just Med/surg or Tele? I'm trying to figure out if I should still keep trying for ICU or just take a med/surg job and wait a year. :)

Thanks a bunch

Well, I just got back from Portland today. I had three interviews and a meeting with a recruiter. So far, I have been offered one job (YAY!) and am waiting to hear from the others. One of the interviews I had (which is also the job offer I received) was for med/surg. The other two were for both med/surg and critical care.

Every recruiter told me the same thing: competition for new grad jobs is tough in Portland. It also seemed to me that there aren't very many ICU jobs for new grads available.

Have you had any interviews yet? Good luck with your job search. Once the dust has settled, I'll let you know where I end up working.

~Todd