New Grad Male Nurses: Anyone having trouble finding a job?

[sunset357]

I'm pursuing my second Bs in nursing (my first Bs is Microbiology/Chem minor) and I'm curious as to how difficult was it for you (male nurses) to find a job after graduation. I sometimes become a little nervous when I hear that new grads are having such a hard time.

I would like to move to the tri-state area when I graduate (if that helps). But I'm open to all possabilities:D.

Let's hear your 2:twocents:

Thanks

[silentRN]

I started very early when I was looking for a new grad position. I graduated in May and I applied for new grad positions in March. I know that University Medical Center here in Tucson, Arizona for an example has 2 new grad programs in the summer. One that started in July and the next that will start in September. If I were you call the Nurse Recruiter and ask if they have a new grad program starting soon and if can get on it. I started work about a month early before my New Grad Program started as a New Grad Extern until i got my RN license. I was doing practically everything a RN did but just got paid half the price. Most hospitals here don't post New Grad Positions in their open positions paper. I had to do a lot of calling around.

I hope that helped.

-David H.

[sunset357]

Thanks.

[Bill E. Rubin]

It does vary from state to state and year to year. This year is a particularly tough year in the Boston area for new grads to find jobs. As soon as you can, get a job as a CNA/PCA/PCT (or whatever the hospital calls it). In my case, I did it after my first semester of clinicals. I managed to get a job at the same hospital (though in a different unit).

I wish you the best of luck!

[sunset357]

Thank you for the info.

From what I've picked up on the forum every year different regions suffer from a glut or shortage. Basically like a cycle.

Fair observation or is it too broad?

[plowboy911]

I know in my particular area of the midwest all of the schools have greatly expanded their slots, some in the neighborhood of doubling enrollment, and new schools have opened. It's somewhat humorous in that the new schools are not at all new, rather they cancelled the programs a number of years ago and now with everyone wanting to go to nursing school it's a way to increase enrollment. Also, a university hospital opened a new cardiology wing and in talking to the recruiter i was told there were double the QUALIFIED applicants for open slots. Shortage, what shortage???? I have to laugh...i recall nursing school and i swear some of those instructors and such feel there should be one nurse for every one person on the planet.

There are always jobs, but it's a question of whether you want to work skilled nursing, nursing home, etc. Not trying to be negative or anything, but this is the reality. Supply and demand.

[DaytonCardioNurse]

I work in Dayton, Oh and when I graduated in April of 2008 I had a job already lined up. I have not had any problems with finding work as a nurse. Good Luck!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

You may consider posting this on one of the general forums. I doubt if it's so much of a male issue... and you may not get quite as many readers and responses here.

[sunset357]

Thank you all (male/female) for your comments. I posted this here just to see the "male" perspective on the shortage. On the general forums I will most likely get a majority of women responding and there are already similar posts that I have read.

I value EVERYONES opinion be it male or female but I figured I would get more insight from my target group here.

There shouldn't be any difference by gender, only by geographical location which is what everybody confirmed (which is great).

Hopefully I can help others on here when I get some experience b/c this site has helped me a great deal.:yeah: