New grads looking for a job in Boston

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 1, 2009

hi and welcome to the site

i think you will find that there are many many new grads in Boston struggling to find work. There is a thread in this forum discussing issues many are having in finding work

MauraRN · Oct 1, 2009

Ditto Silverdragon. I was an LPN in sub-acute care for 3 years, have a Bachelor's in another field, ran my own business for many years, have ACLS, PALS, TNCC, and lots of connections as a member of a large, politically connected family from the Boston area. I CAN'T EVEN GET AN INTERVIEW!!!!!!! I got one call back for maybe per diem med surg in a community hospital. I am so discouraged, I have taken a leave from graduate school, was going for MSN Nursing Education. So, not to burst your bubble, but I would not count on Boston area hospital jobs at this time. :cry:

BOSRN · Oct 2, 2009

Honestly I think Boston is the hardest place in the US to get a job right now. I did my clinicals in all the Boston hospitals and even knowing people there won't get you an interview. They have new grad residency programs, but where they use to accept up to 200 students, they have only been accepting 2 grads or just canceling their programs. Those 2 spots usually go to internal candidates, but since there's hiring freezes in the major hospitals you can't even get your foot in the door. Most of the big Boston hospitals are looking for 3 to 5 years experience.

I would not suggest moving up here unless you have a job lined up. Boston isn't a cheap place to live. Paying for heat in the winter can leave you living off Ramen noodles. And you're competing with a state the pumps out a huge portion a medical and nursing students, most of which had clinical rotations or connections in the Boston hospitals.

I just graduated this year. I was working as a CNA in a hospital for a year and was laid off as soon as I passed my NCLEX because they couldn't afford to hire any nurses and you have to work at the level of your license. I've applied to every hospital in MA and haven't even received a call back! Most of my graduating class is unemployed. I feel bad for the December grads that think they'll get a job right away.

surferbettycrocker · Oct 4, 2009

even experienced nurses are getting no where in boston hospitals and the surrounding communities. i know a nurse who has 7 years experience and is well versed in other languages and still cant even land an interview.

what gives? i heard that BMC is in the red. what about mass gen or bwh?

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2009

Boston is a very difficult place for a new grad to get a job right now, and it is a very expensive city to live in, especially compared to Gainesville, FL.

Having said that, I was recently recruited by two Boston facilities in my specialty but I have been a nurse since 1993, and in specialty since 1997, and have worked for several of the top ten facilities in the country, with good evals.

So there ARE jobs there, the employers are just very picky right now.

PS GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ittybabyRN, RN · Oct 5, 2009

I worked as a PCT in a Boston Hospital for two years while in nursing school, got nothing, anywhere. I'm in D.C. now hoping to one day move back home

lei7 · Oct 8, 2009

Children's couldn't even hire their own internal applicants this year.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Oct 13, 2009

I graduated with my ADN in May 2008. I applied at hospitals and nursing homes throughout Massachusetts, including the hospital where I was an ER volunteer. I got 2 hospital interviews, in Pittsfield. Eight months after graduation, I got a 16 hour nights position at a nursing home in Chestnut Hill. The job was cancelled. I applied in other states, and ended up moving to Vermont for a job.