New Grad Jobs

[LoveMyDaughters]

I keep seeing/hearing that there are loads of new grads that are having a difficult time securing positions after graduation. This post is NOT meant to be mean or start an argument by the way. I just had a question.

Of those of you that are not finding employment, did you do anything while you were in school to secure employment. We have been told from day one of nursing school to get a job NOW as this helps you when you graduate. I've been working for a local hospital as a student nurse extern this summer and both the HR person that I've worked with and my NM have continually said that they like to hire there techs/externs after graduation. So I guess the point of my post is what have you done to ready yourself for the workforce while you were in school?

If you did find employment as an RN, what did you do to ready yourself?

Again, this is NOT a jab at anyone. It's merely a question I wanted to ask, as I'm wondering if I'm just being fed a load of cr#$ from my hospital and will indeed be jobless after May.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

Many of the new grads who can't find jobs right now did work in hospitals while in school. They've even been turned down by the units they were working on. Hospitals are making budget cuts due to the economy and there just aren't enough jobs for all the new grads out there.

[RNJRA, BSN, RN]

I was an extern and the hospital I worked for (not just the unit) didn't hire. There are just soooo many new graduates and not enough hospitals willing to hire new grads. I have been out of school since 2009 and just within the last week got a job. I do believe though that my externship experience gave me a step up on other applicants. Glad I did it. While it may help, working while in school doesn't mean you will get a job. You almost have to get lucky these days to land a new grad position.

[rshenry]

I live in a state that will not allow you to work outside your class. If you were a ER Tech that became an RN you can no longer work as an ER Tech. If they are not hiring new grad RN's you are stuck without a job!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Had it not been for budget cuts, I would have stayed on my medicine unit. The nurse managers wanted me there, but none of the students were hired last semester. 6 months prior, they had hired 25 new grads and were looking for ways to reduce hours, close beds. So unfortunately, sometimes, it is just luck of the draw.

Also, most other hospitals have hiring freezes, and I am in a large city. So unless you know someone, you aren't getting in. It doesn't matter how good your resume is.

[LoveMyDaughters]

This is just reassuring. And by reassuring, I mean I'm gonna go drink a beer and pretend like I didn't ask...

[Blackheartednurse]

Huh? On my first day of nursing school orientation we were told to work very little and focus on our program.

[anggelRN]

I am a May 2010 grad. I worked at a hospital last summer. I was hired in the hospital's L&D since March. The hospital I work for hired over 40 new grads. I know everyone’s story isn't like this but don't give up and please do take a job in the hospital if you can. Networking is key and vital now. Even with the new nurses we hired the units are still understaffed. There is still of shortage of nurses to fill positions but the money to invest in training is limited right now. I believe things will get better for nursing. Stay positive.

[whodatnurse]

Huh? On my first day of nursing school orientation we were told to work very little and focus on our program.

For my ABSN program, we were all informed in writing:

"You are expected NOT to work during the program."

Of course, a handful did anyway.

Of the few students who did NOT make it through the program, every one of them had attempted working.

Which is not to say every one of those who worked didn't make it, because there were folks who did manage to do it all...SUPERHUMANLY so in my eyes...because out program was very intense. (I was surprised at the number of people who turned over their preschool-age kids entirely to somebody else for the whole year - usually their Mom or mother-in-law or an aunt. Some were living on the opposite side of the country from their kids. They all would say there was no other way they could do the program.)

[VRN-RN]

i was nurse extern as part of my co-op nursing program. worked at this one hospital for one year... this was back in 07-08 though..and they are on hiring freeze right now..

[coolpeach]

Most of us in my program didn't work. A few did, but it was close to impossible with the class, clinical hours, and studying. I did my last semester clinicals at an ER at a smaller hospital in my area (I live in a big city). After graduation I was one of three out of about 300 who applied that got an ER internship. I found out that the ER was not a good fit, and gave my two week notice after 4 months. I started putting apps in online the day after I gave my notice, and had a phone interview by the end of the week. I did an in person interview early the next week, and was hired that day. I started my new job at a big hospital in my area 3 days before my offical last day of my two week notice at my old job. I hear horror stories on here so I don't know if its my area or if I have just been really lucky, but I am very thankful. I didn't do anything while I was in school, but concentrate on school.

[casi, ASN, RN]

I've had my postion as an aide in a hospital since before I started nursing school. My manager has the positions and wants to hire her new grads, but upper management keeps telling her we are too expensive.