No Jobs For New Grads Despite RN Time?!

[kdawnz]

I need a pep talk or moral support or something. I'm an AGACNP-BC as of December and am having a horrible time finding a job. I've been a critical care/ER nurse for 9 years, teach PALS and mock codes, charge nurse, CCRN, all the things. Went to a public and reputable university and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I live in the West and want to be in a smaller community, which I figured would work in my favor, but I am getting nothing. I have been a little picky about location because I want to be near skiing and biking, but even drastically broadening my search area I'm still getting minimal interest. I'm hearing back from some of the places that hopital jobs it took them over a year to fill in 2018 are having 10 applicants in 2 weeks. Jobs that used to have 5 applicants have 30. WTH?! How did things get this saturated so quickly?!

I just got set up with several recruiters in the last week or so and am considering locums assignments if need be, but I'm just really frustrated. I feel like I shouldn't have wasted so much time "mastering" the nursing role and just gone to NP school quickly like most of the other people I know. I feel like my whole RN career means nothing and that I'm stuck in this weird place where no one will take me without experience but I can't get experience if no one will hire me.

Anyone have any tips or positive stories or anything?

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

On 4/15/2020 at 2:13 PM, kdawnz said:

Thanks for the tips guys! Part 2 of my question: I’m willing to cast a wider net if need be, but I’ve typically been a person who sticks in the same place for a long time. Last job I was at for 11 years. I feel really weird moving somewhere, going through the lengthy credentialing process, getting trained, and then leaving after a year or two. I guess that’s why I’ve been somewhat picky about location. I don’t think that my husband or I have the mental fortitude to spend 5 years somewhere without access to the things in the outdoors that bring us joy. We can suck it up for a short time, but as I said, I feel guilty even considering doing that to a prospective employer. Is that just the norm and I’m being a baby about it?

Did you research job opportunities in your living place of choice before you started school? Before COVID?

Re. feeling guilty toward prospective employer: it is one thing to get out of your head STAT. You will be working hard as an NP, and holding for your job as onto the last straw works only toward your employer. This is one of the main reasons allowing physicians to abuse mid-level providers with insane loads, impossible requests and working well beyond their comfort and safety zone. You are gonna to get nothing from that except for early and hard burnout, your employer is going to get sweet free time to enjoy his golf or whatever on pretty big bucks brought by YOU. Loyalty to any employer is a good thing only if and when it is used at YOUR advantage. If you will be slaving out like an intern in the most amazing outdoors place in the USA for some measly "compensation" and sitting on several years' contract, you won't enjoy your life anyway.

If you can, avoid private practices. This is where the above schemes are most common and flourishing.

[kdawnz, MSN, NP]

Thank you, I will try to push my concerns about duration out of my mind. I just know I would be frustrated when we would have new RNs come and we put all of his time, energy, and money in to training them only to have them leave after a short time. Given the lengthy process to get hired as a provider I assumed that there was quite a bit of stigma with leaving after a short duration. But you’re right, I will be a good provider in the long run and need to do what’s best for myself and family.

I did quite a bit of research on the main place we are wanting to move to. I interviewed for two positions, there were four total available as of last month. One of the positions I didn’t get, the other three were all postponed or taken down due to Covid. It’s a small area so I’m not sure if/when they will become available again. Since those jobs were taken down, I have been looking all over in the neighboring states and applied for several jobs with minimal interest. Some of this is likely covid related but it’s hard to know for sure.

[ArmaniX, MSN, APRN]

On 4/15/2020 at 1:23 PM, kdawnz said:

Thank you, I will try to push my concerns about duration out of my mind. I just know I would be frustrated when we would have new RNs come and we put all of his time, energy, and money in to training them only to have them leave after a short time. Given the lengthy process to get hired as a provider I assumed that there was quite a bit of stigma with leaving after a short duration.

People are only interested in what benefits them, that’s how it works and you should ride the train. You must have heard the countless stories of individuals being let go after devoting years of their lives to a company.

COVID19 has really halted the industry. If you have a job, now is not the time to be reckless or switching things up. If you’re looking for a job - cast a WIDE net. You need NP experience, not more RN experience with “hopes” of it leading to a NP position. One to two years getting solid experience is worth the one/two years of not being near “hobbies”.

Many places are on a hiring freeze, cutting hours, letting employees go. It is not the time to be picky, unless you’re willing to wait out for an extended period of time. No one knows how big of an impact this pandemic will cause in the upcoming months and further.

[Guest1144461]

On 4/15/2020 at 2:13 PM, kdawnz said:

Thanks for the tips guys! Part 2 of my question: I’m willing to cast a wider net if need be, but I’ve typically been a person who sticks in the same place for a long time. Last job I was at for 11 years. I feel really weird moving somewhere, going through the lengthy credentialing process, getting trained, and then leaving after a year or two. I guess that’s why I’ve been somewhat picky about location. I don’t think that my husband or I have the mental fortitude to spend 5 years somewhere without access to the things in the outdoors that bring us joy. We can suck it up for a short time, but as I said, I feel guilty even considering doing that to a prospective employer. Is that just the norm and I’m being a baby about it?

My husband and I have also considered having me just go work as a nurse in a desired place so that I can network and hopefully gain an in, especially in a smaller community. I have mixed feelings about this. It seems risky, but may pay off. Like you said, lots of people get jobs by word of mouth.

My old job was not a good fit for me as an NP. I may come to deeply regret passing up the opportunity that I had there, but it had become a toxic environment and I really don’t think it would have been a safe space to be a new grad even though I spent 11 years with the group as an RN. Lots of change over the last 18 months so I chose to walk away. Very sad.

Cant be picky with location. This what I find RNs fail to grasp that new MDs do. Moving for a position. Almost all MDs move multiple times for intern year, residency and fellowship. this is the norm. RNs cant expect to just swipe cushy NPs jobs int heir home. You might have to move and it is what it is even if its only for a year or two.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

On 4/15/2020 at 4:23 PM, kdawnz said:

Thank you, I will try to push my concerns about duration out of my mind. I just know I would be frustrated when we would have new RNs come and we put all of his time, energy, and money in to training them only to have them leave after a short time. Given the lengthy process to get hired as a provider I assumed that there was quite a bit of stigma with leaving after a short duration. But you’re right, I will be a good provider in the long run and need to do what’s best for myself and family.

I did quite a bit of research on the main place we are wanting to move to. I interviewed for two positions, there were four total available as of last month. One of the positions I didn’t get, the other three were all postponed or taken down due to Covid. It’s a small area so I’m not sure if/when they will become available again. Since those jobs were taken down, I have been looking all over in the neighboring states and applied for several jobs with minimal interest. Some of this is likely covid related but it’s hard to know for sure.

I suggest you use the HRSA website. I'll give a link below with info and how to use their job search website, the Health Workforce Connector.

You should also sign up for the virtual job fairs. Many of these employers are in areas that have a hard time getting providers so will consider new grads. Send your resume to EVERY place at the virtual job fair (you will have their email address) that needs an NP. You don't have to sit in on their session.

Your best bet are more rural areas, smaller towns and cities, and Native American clinics in more rural areas. And I suggest you apply to anyone anywhere that has an opening. If they invite you for a job interview, then you can check out the area - you might be pleasantly surprised.

You can use HRSA to find areas with high HPSA scores (health professional shortage areas). The higher the score, the worse the shortage. The advantage is these areas are eligible for loan repayment (HPSA 14 or higher).

Basically, you need to apply to areas that most people don't find desirable. Since you like the outdoors, a lot of these rural areas have great outdoor recreation, too.

[Sunspun]

Keep writing narratives about your work experience (personal) on her to hone your clinical skills.

[guest1146168]

Things are more than a small bit upset now and even before Corvid, the past 2 years hospitals have been merging and consolidating due to a rising uninsured population and reduced reimbursements.

Still, you should be able to find work but perhaps you have to give up deciding where you want to live for a couple years. You may have to go to an underserved community in the south or Midwest or even in the area you reside in. Do what you have to. The Rocky Mountains aren't going anywhere - and you never know; you might just find you like it somewhere else.

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

I applied for my ACNP job in January, interviewed and accepted the job Mid-Feb. You have to apply before graduation- at least 4 months if not more. Also my CCRN/leadership stuff was important during the interview but I doubt its going to make much of a difference when I start working as a NP- Also a bunch in my cohort took boards early- that may help

[Future MSN]

I am applying to a NP program to hopefully start next year. Seeing this post is pretty scary. It would be disappointing to spend the money and still not be able to get a job. I hope your luck has improved.

[Guest1144461]

18 hours ago, Mindy834920 said:

I am applying to a NP program to hopefully start next year. Seeing this post is pretty scary. It would be disappointing to spend the money and still not be able to get a job. I hope your luck has improved.

Its a risk, the market is saturated for NPs in most suburban and metro areas. If you REALLY want a job, go rural.

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

Good luck. Is your previous employer still interested in hiring you as an NP? I would maybe reconsider given you are struggling to find a gig. One thing to know, how you are treated as RN doesn't' always reflect how you will be treated as a NP. The culture is very different. (that can also work the other way)

[renzlao, MSN, APRN]

It’s dependent on location. I just graduated and applied everywhere in LA area. Crickets. But the Stanislaus county, CA is looking. They found me through LinkedIn without even applying. Unfortunately I can’t move because of My husband so I’m going to be jobless. If you are able to move, the job is there.