Noone is hiring new grads in the ATL area!?

nurse32 · Apr 28, 2009

Although I graduated Last May and got my license in September, I was unable to land a hospital job as of yet. The only position I was able to obtain is part time once a week and in a group home. All they gave me was 2 days (!) orientation and then threw me right in! The first few weeks were very difficult. I was the only nurse with several DCW's. I had no prior experience in the health-care industry. But I finally got the hang of it. I am still unable to find work in a hospital, but because I have already worked in home-care I was recently hired by a home-care agency. The pay is great and much less stressful.

At this time I feel comfortable enough to stick to this low-stress position, especially now that I have 4 young children at home.

My problem with finding a job was because:

1. I "only" have an associates degree

2. I don't have the minimum one year experience

3. I have no prior health-care experience.

If you DO have some experience in the health-care industry you might have an easier time.

Congratulations and good luck!

Spazzpup · Apr 28, 2009

Yikes! Yeah that's me. The only experience I have is as a volunteer and front office worker. Hospitals need to meet us halfway if they want to solve this "nursing shortage". I know it's expensive to train a new grad, but there are still great benefits to hiring a new grad.

Are you in the ATL area?

teiladay · Apr 28, 2009

Don't be fooled... there isn't, and hasn't been a nursing shortage. The only "shortage" are great paying jobs, with good benefits, reasonable stress levels, and mutual respect among co-workers (regardless of their level of education).

Offer a nursing job that pays well, provides a pleasant work environment, good benefits, great hours, and excellent training... and you'll have a stack of highly qualified applications 2 meters high.

Keep your chin up, relax and best luck to you on the NCLEX.

rockytop743 · Jun 11, 2009

Am I understanding this correct in that no one in the Atlanta area is hiring nurses? I am experienced with over 25 years as an RN and I do have a BSN and am 3 semesters away from my MSN. I am planning to move to the area so my daughter can attend GPC nursing program. But now I am reading that there are not many jobs there and I am not sure about the program. It was my understanding that the Dunwoody campus offered some of the nursing classes but now I am not sure about that. Yikes someone help! Thanks.

jen777 · Aug 11, 2009

Looks like there are a fair number of job postings here

Tait, MSN, RN · Aug 11, 2009

Although I graduated Last May and got my license in September, I was unable to land a hospital job as of yet. The only position I was able to obtain is part time once a week and in a group home. All they gave me was 2 days (!) orientation and then threw me right in! The first few weeks were very difficult. I was the only nurse with several DCW's. I had no prior experience in the health-care industry. But I finally got the hang of it. I am still unable to find work in a hospital, but because I have already worked in home-care I was recently hired by a home-care agency. The pay is great and much less stressful.
At this time I feel comfortable enough to stick to this low-stress position, especially now that I have 4 young children at home.
My problem with finding a job was because:
1. I "only" have an associates degree
2. I don't have the minimum one year experience
3. I have no prior health-care experience.
If you DO have some experience in the health-care industry you might have an easier time.
Congratulations and good luck!

Please remember to list your two YEARS of clinical experience in clinicals! You DO have experience! List all of the patient populations you have worked with, the procedures you have completed and the types of disease processes you have worked with. Do not sell yourself short on this very valuable experience!

Tait