I have been contemplating a nursing career for a while now. I finally gathered up enough courage to take the next step. I was shocked to find out the reality of the nursing career field right now.
I guess I was just unaware like most people that jobs are scarce! I thought we were always short on nurses.
But now I realize we're short on experienced nurses and job outlook for new grads are grim...
I don't want to give up yet... should I??
I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice... I haven't done any of the pre-req classes yet... only the few that'll transfer over from my BA degree... is it a good idea for me to give up and look for something else now, before wasting my time getting the degree and ending up unemployed?
do you think the economy will pick up enough to turn the job situation around in three years or so?
Just seeking some wisdom before making the commitment...
I can t believe that you are having difficutly finding an RN position in Hawaii. Over the years there have been articles written about Hawaii losing their best and brightest. This is an edge you can use. As the hospitals have noted that the nurses train and then they leave Hawaii. I worked in Hawaii for 15 years and this is what you hear.
I wouldnt give up. Not sure what island you are on but there are so many hosptiats on Oahu. Have you tryed Pali Momi or Kapiolani Womans and Childrens hospital, Castle, Wahiawa, Queens, St Francis , Kuakini? Since you have your degree Public Health clinics are an option. I trained in chicago and did have a problem when I first graduated until I finanally said " how am I going to get experience if no one hires me." Someone finanlly listened and hired me in a Country Er and Trauma of all places. Later I appplied to Queens hospital and they hired me without and interview. I guess they liked that trauma experience. Persistence is the name of the game with landing a job. If you love Hawaii and want to work there keep on trying. Call a nurse recruiter at the hospitals if they still have them talk with that person. See what will happen..
Make sure if you really want to join the military you are ready to be lets say having assigments changed.
I worked in the military system as a civilian and they treated me like and enlisted. It wasnt pretty.
They completely changed my job description. Wanted me to run a new program that no one would support except the physician I worked with. If it wasnt for him I would have fallen apart. Lucky for me we got the program up and running and then they closed the program!
Best of luck and aloha to you.
Paddlelady.
The nursing market turned around about a year or two ago. Completely unexpected. Hiring freezes, older nurses not retiring, no new grad positions etc. It's pretty dismal atm. Hospitals would rather hire experienced nurses than risk resources on a new grad. It really sucks for the students just graduating now. When they entered their respective nursing programs, nursing positions were pretty much limitless at every major hospital. You could pick your unit and your shift even as a new grad. Now it's quite the opposite. Networking prior to graduation is a must.
I agree with the above post. New nurses are facing a harder time getting jobs.. it's the same catch 22 with them wanting experience but not wanting to hire new grads to get the experience. I am also starting my pre-req's right now. I do however already work in a hospital as a CNA. I know it will take me a min of 5 years to get my license and I'm hoping that the economic climate will change to make it easier for me to have choices.
You do need to be flexible. If need to be able to either relocate or you need to keep your options open for different companies to work for. Wether it be ltc, hospitals or home health care. You decided on this profession because you wanted to help take care of sick patients and those who need your help.
I also wanted to mention that job shadowing is probably a good thing for someone who has never worked in the health field. It's not the same as caring for a sick relative. You will have to deal with alot of nasty stuff. Anything from bodily fluids to violent patients. Make sure you CAN handle it.
i would not give up. i'm trying to return to nursing. i attended an lpn school in 1995 went 18 months and failed my pharmacology exam by 1/10 of a point. now i want to return and give rn a try. i've found a program that i can do in the evenings, it's a 30 month program. so i planning to get accepted.
don't you give up either!!!! let's all not give up!!!! sorry about your lpn experience... you will nail it this time. if it was meant to be, then it will happen... keep us posted:nurse::redbeathe:nurse:
Specializes in Tele/step-down ICU (preceptorship).
Slobgob: Where do you work right now? I am a new grad and just got my RN license this week in the mail, so recently I've been been applying around Oahu. I'm desperately in need of a job in any hospital. Just want to get my foot in the door at least, but it seems like even though I apply for a lower level position, no hospitals are calling me back. Is it because I am new to Hawaii? I am originally from the bay area of California and I really love Hawaii no matter what anyone says. I just need some help getting any kind of job in a hospital. I made this huge transition to Hawaii from Cali knowing what I was getting into in terms of living expenses, which is why I decided to rent a room for really cheap from a friend of a friend, but I can't make this move work in Oahu without a regular job. I was even thinking about being a waitress for a little bit just to have some cash while I look for a hospital position. Any advice? I really need some help.
mcubed45
434 Posts
The nursing market turned around about a year or two ago. Completely unexpected. Hiring freezes, older nurses not retiring, no new grad positions etc. It's pretty dismal atm. Hospitals would rather hire experienced nurses than risk resources on a new grad. It really sucks for the students just graduating now. When they entered their respective nursing programs, nursing positions were pretty much limitless at every major hospital. You could pick your unit and your shift even as a new grad. Now it's quite the opposite. Networking prior to graduation is a must.