No new grad jobs now what?

[LOVEJRT]

Hi, Anyone have advice....I graduated with an ADN in December 2008, found a terrific New Grad position, and was told last week that the position was cut due to budget constraints. I am finding that it is far too late to find another New Grad slot in my area (Inland Empire). I have called every hospital within 100 miles...the recruiters that find the time (they must be very busy, I know!) to return my calls all tell me the same thing...nothing available to New Grads right now. I know money is tight everywhere, but what the heck are New Grads supposed to do? I actually graduated with the highest grades in my class (not bragging...just mentioning that to show that good grades mean nothing). I contacted my school, my advisors/teachers, and every nursing contact I have...What do I do now? I have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. The next New Grad programs don't start until July...and I may not even get into one of them. I have checked into LTC, however, I find no openings there either. WHY WHY WHY WHY are nursing schools pumping out New Grads when NO ONE IS WILLING TO HIRE THEM?????? Thanks for listening.

[gwafuh_rn, BSN, RN]

we're on the same boat. I passed the exam last sept and right now,Im having difficulty in looking for a job.my friend who just passed last dec has been hired in centinela..She doesnt have any experience as a nurse just like me..

[fotero]

Same here some of my classmates have been hire in Community Clinics, only one of them was hired by a specialty hopsital, she is working in L&D and she has much less experienced than me. I am saying that because although we study in the same nursing school I was working in the medical field for many years overseas. I have reviewed my resume over and over and changed it, I thought probably the way that it was written doesn't show my past experience but the same not positive response so far, in addition to that, the nurse recruiters answer me back saying if you have more than a year being a nurse you don't qualify for the new grad program but if you don't have experience at least a year of experience on the unit that you want to work for you don't qualify for that position. I am lost, I am so frustated, I think all of my efforts being a good student were in vain, I don't want to think that new nurses need to have a person who recommends them, it will be so disgusting. I want a job in a clinical settings and no opportunities are open up for me.

[Zordon]

Hi, I pretty much went through what you're talking about. I graduated nursing school in June 2007, and I started working that November. However, I had problems with my NCLEX and I had to resign. I passed my NCLEX last august, but I didnt get hired till recently. I applied to a bunch of hospitals in my area, but they all had very small new grad positions. It seems like it was alot easier to pick up a job last time around. My advice is expand your search farther than just the IE. Have you tried hospitals in the LA area?

[lpn2icu]

I'm sorry this is happening to you (and so many other new grads). It's happening all over this country, and not just to new grads. The job market is terrible right now!

However, It's not the responsibility of schools to monitor the job market. If you are willing to pay them for an education then they will take your money.

In addition, just over a year ago, this wasn't an issue. The market, economy, nursing 'shortage', etc wasn't what it is today. So even IF the schools had some responsibility to cut back on admissions then it wouldn't have happened in time to help you today.

Keep looking, and good luck.

Just wait till the economy is improved!

People lost their jobs and health insurances!

In the old days, people will come to the ER for a minor chest pain; now, without health insurances, they are "thinking twice."

Federal and Calif State are facing deficits! The L.A. County Medical Center is not even hiring!

Good luck!

[suzanne4, RN]

CA received money to train additional nurses, and they did just that. When the new programs got funded and the schools even added in additional slots for students, there was a shortage all over the place and all over the US. But then came things in a downward spiral with the economy and nurses that had been expecting to retire have continued to work full-time as well as nurses that got into other fields of nursing have returned to the bedside as well, or are picking up extra shifts at another facility in their area to meet their expenses for their own household.

When a hospital hires a new nurse, and more importantly, a new grad; it costs them quite a bit of money to do so. The nurse is receiving a salary but is not counted in the staffing for the day as they are not usually on their own, but under a preceptor after they finish their preliminary training with the nurse educator for the facility. Salaries need to be paid to the educator as well as additional hourly pay is given to the preceptor in most cases.

Add into it, the number of new grads that are finishing programs in any one area; and even without the economy being poor, there are many more grads than new grad orientation programs.

Sure, one does not need a specific new grad program if the facility does not offer one, but please make sure that you get a proper orientation and it should last minimum of six weeks if not longer. If it is not offered, then please look someplace else. There is just so much to learn that you have never seen while you were in school that you will be quite amazed. And it will all be under your license now.

The state is under a major financial crunch at this time and you may actually wish to consider other states to gain at least a couple of years of experience and then return to CA. Wisconsin is hiring all over the state, also check out the forums for other states as well. Iowa is also trying to hire as well. There was just something in the news about them yesterday.

Best of luck to all of you.

[fotero]

"there are many more grads than new grad orientation programs", if nurse recruiters are aware of this situation, why they post nursing jobs with "at least" one year of experience, where a new grad can get the experience if they don't let them start?. If this is a financial issue, they should design a different strategy to solve this problem. It is not because the financial crisis accross the board, I believe is because a poor management of recruitment in the health care institutions.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

How are all these inland empire new RN's doing? Just wondering cuz I took boards yesterday and am awaiting results.

You are very correct Suzanne about the new grad situation. I don't care about a full new grad program. I've been an LVN for three years, if they'll do a decent orientation that's enough for me! I am unable to relocate due to having a house, that is currently worth half of what I bought it for. I don't want to ding my credit that bad and short-sale it.

Anyway, I wish you all the best of luck, and if you know of any places hiring please send an e-mail my way.

[gwafuh_rn, BSN, RN]

My friend and I Inquired to all of the hospitals in downtown LA.They told us that the new grad program will start between June-August.My friend decided to apply in a skilled nursing facility.Thats what Im doing too,apply in a skilled nursing facility rather to wait for next next next month for the new grad rn program.hehe

[Margot29]

I just logged on to look for someone else trying to get a job in the Inland Empire! I just graduated in Dec. 08 with a BSN from a school in the Bay Area (and believe me, the job market is FAR worse up there!!) and am looking to relocated down to the IE because my boyfriend just got stationed at twentynine palms. I've applied at all of hospitals within 30 miles from there and heard nothing, and nurse recruiters won't return my calls.

I also applied to work at the Naval hospital and I feel like that application in particular is going nowhere!

Have you had any luck yet?

[Snoglobe]

I, too, would suggest a VA facility or corrections as both are usually the last place nurses apply. I have worked in both and truly benefitted from the time I worked at each place. The VA hospital in Portland,OR was my first job after graduation. I was exposed to a great variety of patients ( worked on cardiac step down unit). The patient load was heavy, but the patients were so appreciative I worked my tail off for them. The fact that they are teaching hospitals is another plus.Corrections is demanding and many require two years experience, but I feel you can improve your assessment skills more in a corrections setting than almost anywhere. In a county jail the nursing staff is on their own most of the time. Would an agency job be easier to secure or one in LTC? The job market will loosen up soon- I can only imagine how frustrated you must be- to work so hard,do so well and then have no where to practice! As a graduated nurse I am sure you know the job is well worth the effort. I congratulate you on your achievement and wish you great success with the hunt.

[merit119]

LOL.....i thought I was the only one who can't get a job. I try to get busy taking by taking certificate courses...(at least, I can use my certificates as insulation to keep me warm during the winter months...:chuckle.).

Thats sad but funny!!!! :)

I`m doing the same thing..... graduated may 08 and still looking

[Suri08]

The same thing happened to me. I got hired on in the ICU and they later told everyone because of budget cuts they were not going to be able to hire us. Many of us turned down other positions and some had already relocated and they told us the DAY we were suppose to come in. I understand they have to make cuts but it is sad that they kind of left us hanging. Now we are all out of jobs because all the other positions have been filled.