New RN Job Outlook for South Florida

U.S.A. Florida

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Hi all! I hope I'm not stepping on any toes by posting in this forum (I'm not a nurse) but I've recently decided to go back to school and become an RN. I'm working a boring, dead-end job and I hate that I'm a bad example for my kids, you know what I mean? "But mooom, you never finished college!" You can imagine (and have possibly been here yourselves) that at 31, with a new marriage, an 11 year old son, a 9 year old daughter, and an almost 2 year old, this isn't going to be easy. But every time I think of completing my education, the ONLY career that calls out to me is nursing.

That said, I'm getting my ducks in a row to finish my sciences pre-reqs before applying to nursing school. It'll be a while...I won't be able to apply to nursing school for another year and then I'll have to cross my fingers in hopes I'm accepted into the MDC program.

Yesterday, I was completely flabbergasted when I came on here and read that the opposite of what is being advertised is true...that new grad nurses are actually having a hellish time trying to find a job, and that scares the crap out of me.

Can anyone tell me what the South Florida job market for new grad RNs looks like? Experiences? Stories? Thanks! I really appreciate it.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Florida state forum

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Sadly what you read here is true.....there is NO shortage and it is estimated that about 35% to as high 49% of all new grads from nursing schools across the nation are unemployed or underemployed. The average job search is approximately 15 months to as long as 21 months in some areas.

https://allnurses.com/florida-nursing/job-hunt-south-802718.html

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Very, very depressing. :no:

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

In Florida it seems you need to know someone AND work at the hospital while you are in school and make connections.

Also. I am not familiar with the South Florida schools, but be aware, that some are not accredited by NLNAC or CCNE. This limits job options. Some facilities don't hire graduates of certain schools based on reputation alone.

It's an employers market. They can pick and choose what they want. And they want nurses with 2-5 years experience. This limits the amount of training of a new nurse they have to do, while keeping costs low by not hiring seasoned nurses with more than 5 years experience.

Also, Florida nurse take a hit in pay. In Central Florida it's around $20-$24/hour for a new grad. I know secretaries for businesses that make more salaried. Some places are even paying as low as $18/hr for RN and $15/hr for LPN. It's not a big money maker.

In economic depression times, it's more about how inventive and creative you can be. College is not always the answer.

Respiratory therapy, surgical tech and radiology/ultrasound are some jobs that are a bit more in demand in the central Florida area. Perhaps look into the jobs postings at facilities in your area for what they are looking for these days.

Good luck.

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Thanks for your advice, CP2013, I really appreciate it.

I'm pretty convinced that this is a risk I want to take. I'm not quitting my day job, so I'll still have this as a prospect (hopefully) if I have a hard time finding a job when I'm done...but I'm so confused with regards to what everyone is saying. I look at the job openings in my immediate area and there are HUNDREDS. Most require experience, others only require clinical experience or accept new grads (I think with unpaid training). I've seen many with significant sign-on bonuses, so there has to be some type of shortage, no??

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
Thanks for your advice, CP2013, I really appreciate it.

I'm pretty convinced that this is a risk I want to take. I'm not quitting my day job, so I'll still have this as a prospect (hopefully) if I have a hard time finding a job when I'm done...but I'm so confused with regards to what everyone is saying. I look at the job openings in my immediate area and there are HUNDREDS. Most require experience, others only require clinical experience or accept new grads (I think with unpaid training). I've seen many with significant sign-on bonuses, so there has to be some type of shortage, no??

The shortages are in rural areas typically. I live in central Florida, and we graduate roughly 400 new grads or more each year - with about 75% of those being BSN graduates. I have seen nurses moving across the country just to find work. I am not trying to discourage you, just prepare you. I graduate this year and have more than 3 years of hospital experience and have not been able to get in. It's tough.

Consider going through a BSN program. If you notice, associate degree nurses are experiencing a more difficult time than anyone when applying for new grad positions. Most job listing will probably say "BSN preferred" which basically means they are looking for BSNs primarily and if they can't find any they will settle for ADN. (and there are plenty of eager BSN grads)

So you are saying there are hundreds of current job postings for associate degree nurses in your area, huh? Because the forums are filled with Florida nurses unable to find wok in South Florida. I know they have a high rate of turnover from my friend. She worked at Jackson and said she never had a nurse on the floor with more than 1 yr because they were always leaving. It's poor working conditions and high patient ratios down there.

Not to deter you, again. Just carefully research. Call HR at the places you want to apply to and work at. Ask how many new grads they hire, what schools they prefer to hire from, etc. It will give you an idea of what they are looking for if nothing else. Good luck. :)

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So you are saying there are hundreds of current job postings for associate degree nurses in your area, huh?

No, no...not ADNs, actually, you're right, almost all job postings say "BSN preferred". And it makes sense that they would leave ADN's for last, particularly if there is such a shortage of RN jobs like I've read online.

Call HR at the places you want to apply to and work at. Ask how many new grads they hire, what schools they prefer to hire from, etc. It will give you an idea of what they are looking for if nothing else. This is a great idea, thank you! I'm thinking though, I really, really don't want to go to a private university again. Student loans already killed me first time around.

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And, now I suddenly remembered why ADN track is the one I chose, instead of the BSN track. ALL BSN options I've researched online are full-time, and I just can't afford to quit my job. MDC is the only option I've seen so far that offers a part-time track, and it's an ADN program.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
And, now I suddenly remembered why ADN track is the one I chose, instead of the BSN track. ALL BSN options I've researched online are full-time, and I just can't afford to quit my job. MDC is the only option I've seen so far that offers a part-time track, and it's an ADN program.

And unfortunately, many ADN grads in Florida are finding they have only acquired debt, and no job. I have a friend who graduated from an ADN program, she spent the last 9 months volunteering for an agency that tries to help new grads, while she continued to work as a waitress. She has since secured a job, after making a good impression, but the debt she had acquired was luckily being paid off by her husband.

Your best bet is a BSN program, unless relocation is an option. Some rural areas in Florida offer sign on bonuses and jobs for ADN grads. I know of a hospital who offers $5K sign on bonuses for new grads into the ICU, with relocation benefits considered (up to $5K).

There are jobs out there for ADN grads, it just requires a move. There aren't always jobs in the area you currently live unfortunately.

South Florida seems to be notorious for having high nurse-to-patient ratios, and for having a high turnover rate for nursing staff. If there is no one on your unit you can turn to for advice and help with your patients, or with how to proceed with care or a procedure, you end up putting YOUR hard earned license at risk unfortunately. Most new grads tuck their tails and go back to what they were doing before nursing school...

Check into the HR requirements at hospitals, home health, long-term care facilities/nursing homes/assisted living facilities, psychiatric facilities and every other facility you can think of! I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit regardless of where that may take you.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

Just FYI - there is a CNN story in the works in an attempt to showcase how bad the new grad market really is for nurse's

https://allnurses.com/first-year-after/new-grad-nurses-807138.html

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