...It would be THIS difficult to find a nursing position.
My story..
I decided to pursue nursing about 5 years ago when I felt a great tug on my heart that this is the field where I belong. I'm pretty sure its what I was born to do...I feel it in my bones.
So I did something "courageous" or stupid rather - I quit my fairly good job with the city to attend nursing school.
Ok backing up a bit. At the time I was shopping around for schools, there were great debates about ASN vs BSN and top (name brand) schools vs regular not-so-name-brand schools. So in my pride and my ignorance, I decided that I wanted to go to a reputable institution. One whose name is recognized throughout the country, thinking that this would give me some kind of advantage. WRONG.
So upon acceptance, they recommended that the students should not work during the program. I worked during my first semester because I needed to eat and pay my rent...had no choice. I struggled. So during my second semester and beyond, I didn't work which mean't taking out extra loan money in order to survive.
I graduated! Hallelujah! But nobody told me that:
- the fact that I did not have an externship during school was going to tremendously hurt me and make me undesirable to employers
- male nurses were favored over female nurses (the male students in my class had jobs BEFORE they graduated. I know some of them through school, and I must say that I will not feel comfortable letting them take care of my family members. So the fact that they get hired faster simply because they are male, something is wrong with that picture)
- I would have $100k in student debt - for a Bachelor's degree that means nothing if you have NO EXPERIENCE.
- I would possibly have to move to another state - leaving my life behind - in order to get experience
- The name brand school means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and does more harm $$$ than good.
- There is abolutely NO nursing shortage in my city. If there is, its not that serious or detrimental since the competition for nursing positions are pretty fierce.
- I would be paying $1038.00 per month for 10 years in student debt (unless I find a job that's willing to pay for a portion of it)
To add insult to injury, I failed the NCLEX for the first time (after doing fairly well in school) due to the stress of being unemployed and having every other door shut in my face. I'm now preparing to take classes to take it a second time...it can't get any worse than this.
I don't mean to sound whiny or bitter, but I should have taken the "cheap" route and go for my ASN then work on my BSN while working. However, they're cutting back on the ASN programs in my city (Philadelphia) for several reasons, but this is causing nursing education to be a lot more expensive (that was sort of a side note). I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'm unemployed and it is such a dark place to be in. I'm either over qualified or under qualified for jobs. I'm looking for Tech positions while studying for the NCLEX but I'm even having a hard time with that because of "no experience." Its absolutely ridiculous.
Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Yes I've already considered moving to another state as hard as that will be for me...I'm prepared to make that sacrifice. But boy oh boy...a huge part of me regret the last 4 years of my life when it comes to my choices with my education...so whoever's out there reading this, learn from my mistakes.
I'm a male new grad looking for a job and I don't see any advantages... Maybe I need to put that I am a "male" on my resume :)
Anyway, I agree with most of the above. My school didn't have senior practicum and I think that is hurting a lot when it comes to job hunting. I think only reason why nursing schools advice students to focus on studying and not work is so that they can pump out more nurses in a shorter period of time. Quicker turn around means more student and more tuition money for them. Ideally, the school should take twice or more time to finish and meanwhile require students to work as a CNA, PCT, or NT before they graduate.
This is so sad because you left a good job with the city, which means you probably had a great benefit... However, you did the right thing by skipping Asoociate degree and going straight to Bachelor's degree. Trust me, RN license is not what they are looking for. They are looking for BSN when it comes to hiring. I think that's because they know they have to pay for tuition reimbursment if they hire ADN who will pursue BSN later. The reason for magnet status is for them to not pay out tuition money instead of looking for a good quality nurse.
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No, they don't. That is a benefit that they choose to offer.
Yes, I totally understand how difficult it is for new grads right now. Still, I hope you wrote that post because you needed to vent your frustrations, and that you won't give up job search instead of turning bitter.
The best route for new grads is to get into RN residency programs. Did you apply to those? At least in my area, hospitals that offer residency hire a lot from "brand-name" schools. If your curriculum included public health component and you're eligible for PHN certificate, have you considered county PHN jobs? Like others mentioned, hospital is not the only place. There are LTC, home health, school nursing... if you're willing to consider other options.
There aren't "always" nursing home jobs. Those are quite competitive in some of these areas.
I feel for you, OP, because I was in a somewhat similar situation, except there's no way I could have known about it (or anyone could have). It's too bad you didn't do more research and understand that this was going to be the situation, because that was well-known in Philadelphia among new nurses and HR departments five years ago. But good luck.
Well, nursing jobs around here mandate that nurses to join the union. And in that union negotiated benefit package, tuition reimbursment is part of it. So yes hospitals are required to pay for some of it if one of their employee does go to school in related field. It is not like "oh employee so and so is doing a great job, maybe we will offer her/him a tuition reimbursment benefit at the end of this year as a bonus". It's not an option for hospital so what they do? They hire nurses who has BSN so they don't have to pay for it. It doesn't matter if they are good nurses or not. As you put it, hospitals rather hire "the worst student in the class" from BSN program than hire "the best student" from ADN program.
I don't know how anyone can go into nursing school and NOT know that it will be almost impossible to find a job right out of school. Especially in big cities on the east and west coasts. It's been drilled into my brain since I started thinking about going this route 2 years ago, and I know there was information way before that. I'm lucky that I live in the midwest, am going to a school known to turn out hirable grads, and am looking into specialties that others aren't interested in. I may still have no job at the end of graduation, but I'll work hard during school to network in my clinicals.
Well, nursing jobs around here mandate that nurses to join the union. And in that union negotiated benefit package, tuition reimbursment is part of it. So yes hospitals are required to pay for some of it if one of their employee does go to school in related field. It is not like "oh employee so and so is doing a great job, maybe we will offer her/him a tuition reimbursment benefit at the end of this year as a bonus". It's not an option for hospital so what they do? They hire nurses who has BSN so they don't have to pay for it. It doesn't matter if they are good nurses or not. As you put it, hospitals rather hire "the worst student in the class" from BSN program than hire "the best student" from ADN program.
There are no unions in my area so I cant speak to that. The worst student in my class is an ADN, not a BSN.
willing to commute/move to the allentown area? its a bit better up here.. not saying its easy to land a job, but you have more of a chance than in philly.. try places other than hospitals too: LTACHs, LTC, Home Health, Drug Rehabs, Jails.
Also, try signing up to do some flu shot clinics. then you will have some kind of nursing experience on your resume. Also, a lot of hospitals arent hiring if you dont have your licence yet.. try again after you pass nclex.
edit: also try contacting local school districts about substitute school nursing. i got yes's from all the schools in my area, and although its not guaranteed hours or anything, after doing it a few times, it will be something different to put on my resume.
also PM me if you want help applying for PA State jobs. they pay very well and have excellent benefits. Norristown State Hospital, and some of the State Prisons arent too far from Philly. I used to work for the state, I sort of miss it, but psych isnt really my thing.
Agree with the change your attitude comment. No one told you, but did you ask? I'm well aware of everything you stated, which is why I'm taking me sweet time getting my degree because I Also have to work. 10k in loans isn't gonna help us much. I am gainfully employed in a hospital and will STILL have a hard time getting a job. I'm sorry you didn't ask the right questions but now you know. The good news is you did it, the schooling is behind you and you are a nurse. Get your loans deferred for financial difficulty untill you find a job, hit the pavement and don't stop until your employed. Maybe take a job as a tech or an aide until an RN spot opens up at least that way your foot is in he door. Apply at nursing homes, home health, hospitals, clinics. Stay positive and don't mention anything you mentioned here in an interview.
I don't know how anyone can go into nursing school and NOT know that it will be almost impossible to find a job right out of school. Especially in big cities on the east and west coasts. It's been drilled into my brain since I started thinking about going this route 2 years ago, and I know there was information way before that. I'm lucky that I live in the midwest, am going to a school known to turn out hirable grads, and am looking into specialties that others aren't interested in. I may still have no job at the end of graduation, but I'll work hard during school to network in my clinicals.
I went to NS in Kansas. I guarantee you can find a job, granted it might not be at KU Med, or in OP but i know for a fact the rural hospitals need nurses. Half my class went to work at those places, all had jobs before they graduated and all are enjoying working. There are jobs out there.
....hospitals rather hire "the worst student in the class" from BSN program than hire "the best student" from ADN program.
I have to say I'm relieved to be living in an area where NONE of the hospitals follow this odd thinking.
Should a family member or myself require a hospital stay, I'm thankful that "the worst student in the class" won't even be employed by the facility. Actually, the employer's market being what it is, they can afford to pick and choose the best student of ANY program...and that absolutely includes the ADNs.
Why do some people make major life decisions without doing the necessary research first? After a fairly simple Internet search, I had a "feel" for my local job market and for who was hiring LPNs and at what wages. I also quickly gathered that being a CNA first was essential. It wasn't hard to find this information.
Of COURSE your school led you to believe nursing jobs would be falling into your lap the second you graduated. Didn't you see the $$$ in their eyes?
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CrazierThanYou
1,917 Posts
No, they don't. That is a benefit that they choose to offer.