New Grads, Bitterness, and Maybe A Real "Nursing Shortage."

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Specializes in (future hope) Genetic Nursing.

So.............I graduated about a year ago from a nursing diploma program (in NJ).......and when I left school and passed the NCLEX, I had all this vigor and eagerness to get my Nursing career started. I basically was really excited to earn the title of RN and have the chance to help people and my community. Granted when I left school I think I had a good understanding that the general economy was in shambles and I knew it was not going to be easy to get a job. But I had no idea it was going to be this bad. Basically I have had no real leads to gaining employment in the nursing field for this past year and it starting to weigh on my resolve to continue searching for work in the field. Now from reading alot of posts from New(er) Grads on allnurses.com I know that I'm not alone it this. In fact there are a lot of New Grads out there with BSN that are saddled with way more debt than me that are not finding work out there. So in the end maybe I'm one of the luckier ones out there.

But here the thing, I can say I'm disappointed with the healthcare field in general for lack of employment....but.....I'm not Bitter (at least not yet anyways) toward it. BUT from talking to some of my former fellow classmates that are not employed or only have sporadic per diem jobs and reading some of the RN boards, bitterness toward nursing seems to be creeping in.

This concerns me a bit because eventually (I think) the economy will turn and there will be a demand for nurses at all levels. And in my mind we will probably need more nurses than ever considering how may elderly we have coming down the pipe.

I'm just thinking though if bitterness does set into alot of New(er) Graduates now that cause them throw their hand up with disgust and walk away from the field of nursing. Will this effect and/or finally create a real "Nursing Shortage" in the long(er) term? Or is the field so saturated that it won't make a difference? Personally I have no idea but I know alot of you guys out there have been in this game for a long time and I know this is not the first downturn in nursing. So I looking forward to seeing your guys perspective on this post.

Let me just lastly state that I two elderly parents that are needing more and more care as they age. So this is not just concerning me because I'm an unemployed RN. I'm also a child of of people that will most probably depend on RN as they reach there twilight years.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I am so sorry to hear this. There are parts of the country that are anxious for RN and willing to take new grads. I don't know if moving is a possibility for you, just thought I'd mention it. Where I am the hospital is offering $1,500 bonus to any employee who can bring in an RN.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

I am sorry as well. Having worked in NY, the only reason I was hired was my 8 years of ICU exp. When I started there, I had to work geriatric psyc and I tell this tale frequently here. I'm NOT suggesting you're not trying. I'm simply stating that I was forced to take the worst job possible, and I hounded the local hospital recruiters until one finally gave in, or had gained too much weight from the weekly donuts I brought that I got an entry level job at a progressive care unit. From there, I was golden.

I had the crap beat out of me from 85 yr old psychotic "ladies", made a ton of mistakes in a no brainer job, gained a mentor who led me through my first year and was finally hired by a hospital. This was back in 1995. Jersey isn't much different than western NY. Heck, i couldn't get a nursing home to hire me because I had no exp. THAT says it all.

So, look in all the wrong places for you, with all the wrong shifts, pay and nursing and apply. You very well may have to do that for a year, maybe two as you then can beat down the hospital doors. It's not what you want to hear, but for many of our new nurses, it's reality. You need full time? Apply at per diem and get a foot in, hold down two or three of those jobs, two part times... just get IN. It may not pay the bills as you need, but what something like that will provide down the road is a solid paycheck. Wish you the best in your search, never give up, but try the alternatives.

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I only feel bitter when I hear someone talk about the nursing shortage. I don't hear this a lot because my family gets now that my fears about finding a job from when I started my nursing prerequisites weren't about me fishing for compliments about how awesome I am and how I'll get hired right away and be a good nurse. But every so often I will get comments about a nursing shortage and honestly, don't even have the energy to educate.

As we were graduating, some of our teachers thought it would be helpful to tell us that we'll really start to see a shortage around 2020. Well, that's nice. That's 10 years away.

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I am so sorry to hear this. There are parts of the country that are anxious for RN and willing to take new grads. I don't know if moving is a possibility for you, just thought I'd mention it. Where I am the hospital is offering $1,500 bonus to any employee who can bring in an RN.

What state is this?

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I live in Alabama and to be honest I've never heard of any new grads or experienced nurses having trouble finding jobs. I guess we are just blessed down in this area. The only "shortage" here is that there are never enough spots for nursing students to get in. We had people trying to recruit us in 1st, 2nd, and 5th semester of nursing school. Lots of hospitals here have a "scholarship" loan program where they pay for schooling and you work for them as soon as you graduate. I'm not sure how it is in other states though. Good luck and keep looking! And if you are looking for a specific job try something else first and see if you can move your way up.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

The field will continue to get saturated, the pool of unemployed grads grows monthly and nursing schools have no shortage of applicants. Well stated regarding the shortage that will occur in 2020 or 2025, who cares that is still many years away. As of today there is no nursing shortage.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

the bitterness should be directed at the plethora of sub-par nursing schools popping up, charging a ton of money for a degree full of credits that won't transfer, and saturating the market.

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I am a recent grad from June 2010. I had a VERY difficult time finding a job (in los angeles area). There were a few new grad programs offered but they had SO many applicants it was ridiculous. I was so fortunate to be accepted and offered a job just last week but after almost 6 months of looking. I don't a shortage exists here in CA at least. I was a little bitter especially because there were plenty of jobs available for 'one year acute care experience' nurses but absolutely nothing for new grads. Very frustrating to say the least. I think the hospitals should put more money into training and new grad programs, there are so many talented new grads out there willing to do almost anything to find a job as a RN yet they are stuck.

Good take on the 'shortage' issue. I do have a few friends thinking of using their previous degrees just to make some money before finding a nursing job.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I was precepting a nursing student yesterday. He was very energetic and eager. Told me he knew exactly where he will be working upon graduation (NICU) and was unwiling to do anything else.

I gently adviced to have plan B and C in place 'just in case'. He got offended and became snarky.

I live in TX and and seems like every new grad from this nation has moved or applied here. My town has a glutt for jobs now and the current nursing students from all 5 programs are completely clueless as to what is going on as far as shortage of jobs.

I cannot believe people don't do research and or talk to each other. sigh

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Are you all looking for a nursing job? Well I got an answer for you. There are a lot of jobs waiting for you! Many job offers are posted! Come on and grab a job that's best for you.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I've gotten over being bitter... there's nobody to be bitter at. I can't blame anybody for looking out for their self-interest. I'm just struggling now to figure out how to pay the bills and where to go in life now as I try to find an open door somewhere.

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