Nobody told me that after graduation...

[smclean27]

...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.

[kensmith]

Ive tried to read these comments with an open mind,but i find it difficultdue to several reasons.How do you or others know whos the worst in the class?Do you really think HR or the mgr. of the dept.you'll be interviewing for will look @ your transcripts?So what that you went to a "brand name school",you got As and Bs,that doesnt tell me nothing about how are you going to do on the floor.Hospitals want people who can do the job without killing anybody and can be clinically competent.A bunch of you that are commenting sound like burned out ER nurses,not someone needing a job.Its up to each of us to do the best we can and to try to help each other instead of looking for excuses.Im a male with LVN/RN @ 30 years and I still see the new RN that knows they can do the ER and then you have them and they fall apart.There is far too much blame and not enough looking @ oneself for answers.We all have to start somewhere @ a level that you are comfortable with,but with this economy thats not going to happen for every new grad.Its hard on RNs with expierience when they hire new grads with book smarts and poor clinical.You have to decide what you need to do to become hirable.Get your BLS,ACLS,PALS and any other certs you can.The 1 thing you dont want to do is go to an agency right out of school.Protect yourself every way you can. ADN vs. BSN?Just give me somebody that can do the job.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

if you're willing to move up to NE PA (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) there are the 2 major competing health systems (CHS and Geisinger) that have a vast array of nursing jobs posted...

[eleectrosaurus]

Agree with the change your attitude comment.

Or change your gender.

[Cold Stethoscope]

There you go with the sexist ******** again. Let. it. go. I'd like to think my 2 externships, capstone, active involvement in organizations and networking within my hospital got me the job I have today and not what is between my legs. Some of us just know how to play the game better. And I am saying this as my class had close to 100% job offers by the time we all graduated and I was the only guy. Makes you go hmmm. Maybe these "honors" kids are selling a bad product...themselves.

Suppose the OP did detailed research and found that, based on the evidence, men who graduated at any given set of qualifications (GPA, honors, externships, internships, etc.) were hired in greater numbers than women of equal qualifications. Would it still be sexist male bovine waste, your own stellar qualifications notwithstanding?

[Kafoola]

It is a crappy job market out there especially for new grads, so you are not a lone! As for the males getting the jobs first, it is not universal, I was one of the few men in my graduating class last year and we all graduated with at least a 3.5 gpa but it took me 9 months to find a a job upon passing my nclex on the first try and I even got a job before some of my colleagues both males and females. Is the nursing job market and demand a myth perpetuated by the media and unfair to new grads? YES!!! But being a male does not make getting a job as a new grad easier, you're frustrated and I understand because I was in your shoes just a few months a go. Going for the BSN was the best choice and you shouldn't regret it (besides the fact that you have a student loam debt to pay) and you have a better shot at a job than somebody with a ADN.

Depending on your state laws, some states won't hire you as a tech if you have passed the nclex, so it is good that you're trying that now. And one piece of advise; apply to as many new grad/Nurse residency progrmas/RN I positions as you can find and always call the hospital recruitment a few days later to check on the status of your application and see of you can talk to someone

[Bigmaine33]

I understand how you feel im a lpn in nyc and I cant find a job also a cna with 7 years experience on 36 bed med/ surge floor. Im we have stay positive and keep striving. You should try ny there are jobs if you have a bsn they hire every week at my hospital just not lpn because there magnet

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

It's discouraging for all new grads. Perhaps once you have your registration, your job search might be somewhat easier. Do you have any contacts who may be able to assist with job leads? As for relocating, I left everything I own, and friends in order to get ahead. The move was hard, but well worth it. While not ideal, sometimes the sacrifices need to be made. Hang in there.

[AZMOMO2]

I find it hard to believe that you had no idea. On this site there are MANY posts and threads dedicated to the scarce amount of nursing jobs and the lack of employment for all of the new grads around right now.

It will probably be easier though once you pass the NCLEX, as most employers will not even look at your resume until you have an active license. They do however favor BSN new grads over ASN/ADN grads in the hiring process.

Best of luck!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Oh trust me love...I did do the research. What I found was that there is a nursing shortage. I guess I apologize for being frustrated? I'm pretty much open to working in nursing homes as well as moving miles away from my family...how might you suggest I change my attitude? What kind of attitude should I have? All I'm saying is that I wish I had a little more guidance concerning my choices. I even came on here under an other name to seek guidance before I enrolled. I was open to any and all suggestions...Also, if you read my entire post you would see that I did apply for tech positions and I'm still doing so. I'm not giving up...but I am at a point where I do feel slightly frustrated and discouraged...or am I not allowed to feel that way?

If you did thorough research, you would find conflicting views on the nursing "shortage". Yes, eventually, there will be a shortage. For now, the headlines scream economic downturn and global recession, which affects nursing. I have to wonder why anyone would rack up 100 grand of debt for any degree. No jobs are guaranteed, and given your situation, reloacation is probably a necessity. If you need to start making payments, then the first decent offer you get, accept. There are always jobs in rural areas and smaller centres.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Adding a perspective to this discussion;

In the 5 county Philadelphia area from October 2010 to September 2011 there were 2,633 RN graduates (all program levels) who took NCLEX for the first time. Drexel University alone had 290 BSN graduates. There were ~ 200 positions in area for new graduates in acute care hospitals posted online per my checks throught the year. Brandywine Hospital School of Nursing (diploma) closed in part due to glut of graduates and employers desiring highest educated workforce = BSN degree.

This shows there is a SEVERE SURPLUS of new graduates in the Philly area.

There is still a NURSING SHORTAGE for experienced RNs. Positions are posted online along with some ads for experienced nurses-- not plentiful as 3 years ago. Many positions are part time as facilities cutting back on needing to payout benefits. Better to hire 2 part-time than 1 FT so you can flex-up or down as census flucuations are just starting to occur in our area.

NO ONE is looking at total workforce capacity in most areas of the country. Adding to the mix is economic downturn + ability to perform outpatient surgery unheard of 10 years ago = perfect hiring storm.

[RoyalPrince]

OP: I am a male, and here come my harshest criticism for you: GET OVER YOURSELF, pass the NCLEX first than look for jobs when you can call yourself a RN and show a lic# on your Resume. Thats secret #1 to get your Resume looked at.

The rest, I cannot divulge as you have shown how small minded and sexist you are by generalizing degrading comments towards males.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Closing thread for timeout cooldown