Nurse: One minute gold, the next minute old.

Canggih1 · Jan 13, 2010

You're not being whiney. I understand. I actually got into IT just a few months before the bubble burst and had a good career in IT for 5 years. I don't really know what to tell you. The hospital that I was trying to get on didn't hire three of our class that applied. And they only hired about half of what they normally hire. But people are still hiring. I know alot of the nurses at that hospital are complaining that there's not enough hours to go around for the people already there, yet they are still hiring new people.

This hospital that I tried to get into - I had worked there for two years as a CNA. I'm still working there as a CNA but I've made other plans. I can't tolerate being a CNA while seeing my classmates working there as nurses. I'll be moving about 1,000 miles away and looking for a nursing position in a new location.

I lived in Seattle during the dotcom bust and I still believe that it is worse than what I'm seeing now. . Alot of companies went out of business, never to return. I knew people who were out of work for over 2 years. Most people I knew just switched careers. I had started a 401K which fortunately didn't have much money in it and all the companies that it was investing in don't exist today. But I believe that nursing will pick up again. I don't believe it will ever be again what it was though. They days when you could pick between four and five offers are gone now. I really feel sorry the new students that are just starting. Alot of people now are switching careers just starting nursing school thinking it's a secure field and they are going to be in for a shock. I don't understand why it is taking people so long to figure out what's going on. When I tell people I know that I didn't get hired and there are practically no jobs for new grads in my state - their mouths just drop open.

itsmejuli · Jan 13, 2010

I think what makes it really hard for people in this lousy economy is that the majority of new grads have never experienced such a severe economic downturn. Note that I didn't specify just RNs, pretty well everyone is having a difficult time finding jobs.

I'm in my late 40's, recently graduated LPN and will be starting LPN-RN in May.

The current job market for new RN grads doesn't really scare me. I've experienced the ups and downs of different economies. I trained in IT in the late 90's only to get laid off when the dotcoms imploded in late 2000.

I know what it takes to find a job, networking, resumes, interviewing etc etc. I also know how to plan a Job Search strategy and I'm not afraid to relocate. I'm also fortunate in that my kids are grown and I'm single. Plus my years of work experience in other fields and my maturity will help me land a job.

I don't have any answers for those of you new grads who are still looking for jobs. All I can say is keep looking and if you have to take a job in a different field then so be it.

My life experience has taught me that we can't always get what we want and life doesn't always go the way we planned nor hoped it would go. I've learned that we always have to have an alternative plan of action.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 13, 2010

I think the bottom line IS the bottom line ... that is to say, hospitals are feeling the pinch like the rest of us, and have cut new grad positions because training a new grad is a significant investment that they just can't afford right now. Combine that with older, experienced nurses either coming out of retirement or delaying retirement due to economic concerns, then taking bedside positions, and you have the new grad situation we're seeing. I hope it turns around soon!

Miss Chybil RN, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2010

You're not being whiney. I understand. I actually got into IT just a few months before the bubble burst and had a good career in IT for 5 years. I don't really know what to tell you. The hospital that I was trying to get on didn't hire three of our class that applied. And they only hired about half of what they normally hire. But people are still hiring. I know alot of the nurses at that hospital are complaining that there's not enough hours to go around for the people already there, yet they are still hiring new people.
This hospital that I tried to get into - I had worked there for two years as a CNA. I'm still working there as a CNA but I've made other plans. I can't tolerate being a CNA while seeing my classmates working there as nurses. I'll be moving about 1,000 miles away and looking for a nursing position in a new location.
I lived in Seattle during the dotcom bust and I still believe that it is worse than what I'm seeing now. . Alot of companies went out of business, never to return. I knew people who were out of work for over 2 years. Most people I knew just switched careers. I had started a 401K which fortunately didn't have much money in it and all the companies that it was investing in don't exist today. But I believe that nursing will pick up again. I don't believe it will ever be again what it was though. They days when you could pick between four and five offers are gone now. I really feel sorry the new students that are just starting. Alot of people now are switching careers just starting nursing school thinking it's a secure field and they are going to be in for a shock. I don't understand why it is taking people so long to figure out what's going on. When I tell people I know that I didn't get hired and there are practically no jobs for new grads in my state - their mouths just drop open.

Oh, it would be very hard to watch my classmates work as nurses while I had to continue working as a CNA. You put in all the same hard work they did to become an RN and being left out of the job would be very difficult to take even if intellectually you can understand it. Or, maybe you can't. I wouldn't.

What you said about people taking so long to figure this out is why I said this seems crazier than the dot.com bust. The papers, magazines, and t.v. news keep telling us all what a shortage there is and how the health care field is so desperate for people. I know the jobs will come back, eventually. They aren't gone forever like the IT jobs and companies, but when they went under the media yelled, "Run!" Having all of this supposed need by the hospitals for nurses shoved in our face at the same time we're unable to get a job has an effect on one's self-worth as a "nurse."

itsmejuli, I'm in my late forties, as well. I remember the 80s. I couldn't buy a job in Arizona and ended up joining the military. That is still an option for many of the younger graduate nurses and if I were younger, I'd do it again. I am looking at jobs out of state, as well. My kids are grown. It won't be easy. We have a house and it will probably be just as hard for my husband to find a job, but he's open to the idea of me possibly having to go someplace without him for a while. We'll do what it takes for me to get some experience in this market.

I'm sure something will turn up somewhere and it will be very good. I hope...

prinsessa · Jan 13, 2010

I know how you feel. I have young children and my husband has a stable job. I am not able to relocate at this time. It is a little depressing to work so hard for a degree (while working and taking care of children) and not being able to find a job. Hopefully this economy will start to change. Once the economy gets better, nurses will start to retire or go back to part time work. Good luck in your Job Search!

smiles04 · Jan 17, 2010

Don't get discouraged. Especially now. It is Jan. and everyone kind of put stuff on hold for the holidays and now it is picking up. $$$$$$$If you are not getting hired go online and find microsoft windows word etc resumes and write a new resume'!!!!!!!! Put in there every adj of what you are to them. Organized, puctual, list your skills IV, wound care, NG extra experiences in surgical or whatever, DO a new resume' that may help alot. When I was looking for work I got calls and managers actually said to me I called you because your resume' was impressive okay I'm typing fast, and no puctuation but listen to what I am saying, and call them before you apply. Give your name be enthusiastic and give a little background on yourself. Enough to tease them. The secretary is the one that tells the boss "hey I got a great applicant on the line" GOOD LUCK YOU sweeties. The best resume's I found were ICU ones substitute ICU for your area. GO GET Em

hunnybaby24, BSN, APRN, NP · Jan 18, 2010

In ten years when the baby boomers retire, there is going to be a serious nursing shortage like a need of 800,000 nurses to fill the gap??? read that somewhere...