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.
None of my class that worked at a hospital were hired by their hospital as a New Grad. The old advice and any advice given by everyone has pretty much not worked in the state of CA.
According to urban legend, there is supposed to be some New Grad jobs in Texas, Nebraska, etc. I'll be looking into those in the next couple of days.
We have seven new grads that were hired on my floor and of those, two of us worked there previously. Two (different) nurses did clinicals on our floor and one of those two did a preceptorship there as well.
At my facility, working there while in school essentially guarantees you a job. To my knowledge there hasn't been a single new grad in the last ten years who wasn't offered a position. You may not get to remain on the unit you worked previously but they'll find a position for you somewhere.
I'd start talking to HR now and find out how they handle new grads. My facility goes out of their way to hire nursing students to work as PCAs so they can transition them to nursing positions later. It's a lot cheaper to train a PCA than a nurse and gives both sides a good glimpse into how well things "fit."
Stay positive! The hospital where I did my externship didn't hire me due to budget restrictions, but a friend of mine was hired at the hospital where she was working. Do your best to impress and stay positive!!
I worked thru nursing school, and got hired where I was already working as an extern (they called it a "Public Service Aide" - really a glorified nurse assistant). But I had to wait almost 4 months after graduation to get in, and even then it looked iffy for me. I was a familiar face and knew the ropes, so when positions opened up, I was remembered. Several others who worked while in school got hired, but only 2 of us were BSN graduates, all the others were accelerated master's students. (The hospital has dreams of achieving "magnet" status...but that's a whole other story!)
So many of the people I graduated with did not get hired for more than a year! I began to wonder what would become of their licenses when they got that stale. Then I started to hear that even these people, one by one, found nursing positions. Of course, I was relieved for them. The point is, never give up hope. Your license is worth a lot - it will open doors for you, even if it takes a long, long time. The world will always need nurses, and sooner or later you will find that lucky opportunity if you remain positive.
I agree with you. As an RN, regardless of the time it takes to find a job. people DO require nurses. They all do right now, too, but it is governments that refuse to provide the funding. But if you are willing to be flexible, relocate, and be persistent....there IS a job out there. I don't have a year to wait, so after my exam, I plan to be very aggressive with the search.
Also, for those of you who send out resumes, do you ever try emailing or calling any of those people back? That can make a big difference in how long it takes in your search. At least maybe you make some contacts for future reference.
Good luck to everyone. I know this is a very difficult time.
I've been at my current LVN job for about a year and a half. They are very supportive of me as I continue my education to become an RN. I asked them recently if there would be a place for me with the company after I become an RN. I'll have been working there well over 3 years by that time. I was told that unless I had a year of experience as an RN, they wouldn't hire me... but I would be more than welcome to continue working for them as an LVN, since I've done such a good job. Very frustrating.
That just sounds ridiculous! Perhaps you can gently nudge the issue? I mean, you are already a nurse. What's the problem? I just don't get that at ALL.
I worked throughout nursing school as a CNA, finished RN school recently, and my facility is only able to hire me on a PRN basis as an RN. They just don't have any positions open, and have recently gone through layoffs.
Even though I didn't get full time work as a result of my work during nursing school, I did get a number of great references, that I think definitely made it worth it. And the experience is always a good thing.
I'm only a very recent grad, so I'm still hopeful about my job prospects... crossing fingers!
Specializes in Utilization Management; Case Management.
Some hospitals in Miami/Ft Lauderdale wont accept an application before you get ur ATT or License...so u have to wait and then apply...no lining up before graduation
ADPIE10
195 Posts
None of my class that worked at a hospital were hired by their hospital as a New Grad. The old advice and any advice given by everyone has pretty much not worked in the state of CA.
According to urban legend, there is supposed to be some New Grad jobs in Texas, Nebraska, etc. I'll be looking into those in the next couple of days.