New Grads with No Job...Back to School???

[JMRN09]

Hi everyone,

Been lurking forever...since I was pre-nursing...now I'm a new grad. Can't find a job and have been searching for months. Getting close to the 6 month mark and am starting to wonder if I should just go back for a graduate degree. No idea which one, since I thought I would figure that out my first 2 years in the field.

Anyone going back to school (for grad school, BSN, or other? Please share any details of your journey with me...I value all of your opinions as I have read threads on here for years. I have no idea what is best way to finance this and prepare, etc. I would love to hear of some ideas since money was always my biggest issue while going through school. If I take out loans, will they be enough to help me live or are they going to be the standard barely enough to get by federal loans of undergrad? SO sad that I was always counting on hospitals to help out with continuing ed but I just really don't know what to do...can't even get a job as a unit secretary!

Thank you so much,

JM

[BChapp3182]

I just wanted to give my two cents here. I am a new grad nurse practitioner and regardless of how much education you have, unless your experienced they don't want us. I graduated in May 09, have not even been able to get an in person interview. Same with most of my classmates (those that knew people got jobs). I apply to a job, see it reposted month after month but they never called me? Why? It costs money to train a new grad (regardless if your LPN, associates RN, BSN, MSN). With the economy the way it is and no telling when it will get better companies just won't make the investment in new grads. Plus, lots of experienced nurses are out of work and willing to work for new grad wages, so the new grad jobs go to them.

I too am thinking of going back to do a post master's in psychology (1 year program) or an RN first assist course just so the gap in my resume does not look so bad. I guess the worst that can happen is I owe even more money a year from now and still can't find a job.

I tried getting an RN position but as soon as they see I'm an ARNP they won't hire me because they know I'll be out the door the second I get an ARNP job. I would say if you are an associates RN that advancing to BSN is not a bad idea.

So what happens when the economy does get better? My theory: There will probably be hundreds of thousands of nurses that have been new grads for 2 years and never got a chance to work as a nurse, those will get picked over for "fresher" new grads. There will also be a backlog of nurses needing work so wages will probably drop (as they have already), competition will remain firece and things won't smooth out for several years. You have to remember that at least twice per year thousands and thousands of new nurses graduate and look for work.

It's a terrible time for new grads. I'm going to try and keep my skills "fresh" and stay busy doing some more education. It's only time and money right, lol.

[ranka]

I probably will. The openings are so few and far between. Better to continue to be educated.

Whatever your dream is go for it. I had had plenty of boulders alony my path, but not even the current job market is going to stop me from my dream. I will get there one way or another.

Just my:twocents:

[ilovelei]

I graduated June of 2009 with my associates. I'm hoping to go back to school Fall of 10'. I say a higher education is always better no matter what.

[prinsessa]

I have a BSN and I don't think it has helped at all. I think hospitals are using the BSN only as an excuse not to hire ADN nurses. I was thinking about going back to school for something (to help me stay "fresh") but I want experience before I decide on doing anything. I am worried that all the people graduating in Dec will make it so much harder to find a job. Who would want to hire a nurse who graduated 6 months ago when they can hire a newer grad? I know who I would pick...

[jenet671]

Your not alone, your comments are all right.. I finished my 2years in Associate of health in Nursing (AHSE)

then continue in BSN but unable to finish my last year due to financial

problem,..I already had a job but not in medical field,. but hopefully we find a job in which we can use our education,..

[jenet671]

who would want an Associate if you can hire a Bachelor for a low cost,.. (Some Bachelor's in nursing dont even get paid just to have the experience)!!

[missE]

Have you tried looking for jobs in other areas? Or are you set on a certain area. There are a lot of hospitals in Cali that will take people and also the navy or army they would help you pay for school.

Which hospital snare u aware of that are taking new grads?

[sweta1287]

I am waiting for my RN licence and i would like to know any agencies that will help me to recruit to a hospital. Please suggest me some Agencies that recruit new graduate nurse. Please help me out with the same.

[sweta1287]

I ahve done BSN from Indai and have 1 year of experience :-)