No Jobs for 43% of Newly Licensed Nurses in California

[spectrabrite, LVN]

"Newly graduated RNs finding employment remains a pressing issue. After years of investment in building the workforce and increasing educational capacity, the economy continues to impact hiring and undermine the progress that has been made," said Deloras Jones,executive director of CINHC. "An aging nursing workforce, along with

health reform initiatives, will escalate the demand for nursing care in the future and California may again face a major nursing shortage."

The survey was sent to 7,890 nurses out of 15,780 that been licensed in California between April 2010 and August 2011. Among the 1,492 nurses completing the survey (19% response rate), 57% were under the age of 30; 87% were female; 49% were White, non-Hispanic; 16% Filipino; 13% Hispanic; and 4% Black/African American.

Lack of experience was the main reason cited by nurses for not getting a job (92%), 54% said that no positions were available, 42% said a BSN degree was preferred by the employer, and 6% said they were told that they had been out of school too long. Other findings included:

-- Among those working as RNs, 31% percent reported that it had taken six months or more to find a job; 40% found a job in under three months

-- 77% of newly licensed nurses employed were working full-time

-- Among new grads without RN jobs, 25% were either volunteering in a health care service or working as a non-RN in a health care setting

-- 80% of nurses without RN jobs were interested in participating in a non-paying internship for reasons that included: increasing skills, exposure to potential employers, improving their resume, obtaining college credit applicable to a BSN or MSN degree, and deferring student loans while enrolled in an academic course.

"This survey was a snapshot of the hiring dilemma new RN graduates face in California. Its findings present a compelling case for nurse leaders to seek creative ways to employ new grads," said Jones.

Survey results may not fully represent all new nurses in the state. Nurses who have not found employment may have been more likely toanswer the survey, and if so, the actual employment rate may be higher than reported. Complete survey results are available at

http://www.cinhc.org/2012/02/new-rn-graduate-hiring-survey-2010

[BennyRNCA]

Here's the actual link with all the background information and numbers that I posted back in Nov. 2011:

https://allnurses.com/california-nurses/2011-ca-rn-646995.html#post5936765

Click on the CA BON's link....almost 6 months later, it's still all true and probably even worse today...

[Sensoria17]

Thanks for posting.

[hkrntobe]

I wonder when employers will be willing to Hire New grades if not, in about 10 years we will have an influx of New nurses with no experience and many errors from the lack of experience. But heck, for right now they are jumping through flamed hoops and willing to work for any amount offered (some for free even) in Southern CA. Why should we worry about that now! Right? Oh Yah, Because then WE will be their patience.