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So it appears that there really isn't a market for nurses anymore? Am I correct? I'm happy with my job where I'm at now, but I'm looking to relocate soon from Tucson to Flagstaff. I work tons and tons of overtime now, but I'm afraid that when the time comes when I want to relocate that there won't be any openings anymore or very slim pickings; and i don't want to be stuck here in tucson. I've been browsing around the state and just looking at job postings for RNs out of curiosity, and they appear to be very thin. Does anyone think that this will pass through with time or are we staring at a very grim future for nursing? I can imagine that nurse to patient ratios will increase in the future. I'm very lucky where I'm at, where the ratio can't exceed 4:1. But, I wonder how much longer that will last, and wonder if the whole "Magnet Status" is really worth it for the the hospital. It's sad that us nurses are consider a loss and an expenditure, that the corporate side of hospitals don't value RNs and will try to get good nurses for as cheep as possible. Oh well, only time will tell.

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Hello,

I am graduating in May and I hear your concerns. Its seems like many of the hospitals are cutting back on new grad hires but I assume that as an experienced nurse of one year or more you should not have that much of a problem. What do you think of UMC? I did get a nice email from the recruiter after I submitted my resume. I think they will begin taking applications for June next month. I'd like to get into a hosptital in Phoenix but the I have virtually no responses from any recruiter excet for one or two. I am thinking more and more about Tucson. Do you have any idea if they are cutting back on new grad positions? The other option is Flagstaff, they also were exceptionaly nice in responding and expressed a real interest in me. Thank.

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I really really like UMC in tucson. I started last June as a new grad. I've been there 8 months now. My plan was to come down to tucson (somewhere new) and just work a lot and get out of debt. There is tons of overtime on the floor I'm working on and every night we are 2 nurses short so we have been using float pool lately. UMC in my opinion and from other who have worked at other hospitals, is the best hospital for nurses to work at in Tucson. Our ratios are 4:1. UMC doesn't have any sign on bonus, but that's okay because I didn't want to sign a contract anyways. On my unit alone we just hired 7 new grads. So UMC does still hire new grads and it appears they haven't cut back there. The nursing human resources is great as well. While I was in school I worked at VVMC in cottonwood, I wasn't too impressed with that hospital and didn't want to work there as a nurse. I did my preceptorship in the ER at FMC and I really liked that hospital. It's really nice. They actually pay their new grads 2 dollars more an hour than UMC does.

UMC is a teaching hospital. I work the night shift, so I'm working with interns when I need to get an order. Interns that have only been an doctor since last summer. That part can be kind of frustrating; and sometimes I think there are just too many doctors with each having their own way of treating things. Every month or so the interns and some of the residents rotate to a different service. That can be bad and good. When you get a good group and you really get along with them you hate to see them leave, but those horrible groups you don't mind wishing away.

So to answer your question, UMC is a great hospital to work at; especially if you are a new nurse. I've worked at Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center, and I have to say that University Medical Center is far superior. I'm just really in love with the land in Flagstaff, so that's why I want to relocate there this year. I can see myself settling down there and calling it home. I just hope it all works out. Hopefully the economy will pick up by the summer time.

-David

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Specializes in MSICU.

I graduate in March and am fervently applying for all kinds of positions. I've talked to a recruiter or two and the have told me to contact them in February when it is closer to graduation. There isn't much out there, at least with Banner, for new grads - all the postings are asking for experienced nurses. I am a fellowship student, so ideally there will a job for me. But yes, it is a little stressful because of the slim pickings out there. I could go to another hospital such as CHW or John C., but then I would have to pay back my tuition. I like Banner and hope to stay there. So only time will tell. I just think the main thing is not to be picky, and if someone offers you a position, take it, because then you can always transfer later on.

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I graduate in March and am fervently applying for all kinds of positions. I've talked to a recruiter or two and the have told me to contact them in February when it is closer to graduation. There isn't much out there, at least with Banner, for new grads - all the postings are asking for experienced nurses. I am a fellowship student, so ideally there will a job for me. But yes, it is a little stressful because of the slim pickings out there. I could go to another hospital such as CHW or John C., but then I would have to pay back my tuition. I like Banner and hope to stay there. So only time will tell. I just think the main thing is not to be picky, and if someone offers you a position, take it, because then you can always transfer later on.

Now, that's a change of attitude, isn't it? :smokin:

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Specializes in MSICU.
Now, that's a change of attitude, isn't it? :smokin:

LOL. Just reality checking in. :chuckle As much as I'd like to, I can't put all my eggs in one basket.

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I really think too that this is a problem. Our hospital is looking for already experienced nurses. However, we do have a (few) positions open and are feverishly working on a Nurse Extern program for Senior Nursing students. That way, once you pass your exams, you have already worked and shadowed for about a year. I think these programs are essential to give a new grad a chance.

As a German, I am used to see long training periods and hope to see more of that in the US. It takes a wonderful person to become a nurse and to give to patients, I think we need to make sure the nurse gets some of it back.

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LOL. Just reality checking in. :chuckle As much as I'd like to, I can't put all my eggs in one basket.

I wonder what exceptionally intelligent, good looking man with cutting sarcasm told you not to put all your eggs in the banner basket....did i mention he's intelligent and good looking? :D

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Specializes in MSICU.
I wonder what exceptionally intelligent, good looking man with cutting sarcasm told you not to put all your eggs in the banner basket....did i mention he's intelligent and good looking? :D

Ha! :chuckle I had that mentality before you gave me the talk about where to apply. Although I haven't applied to any companies besides Banner.....yet. And as for intelligent, what was your score on the last test again? Just kidding. :D

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Specializes in Telemetry & PCU.

There are positions in Flagstaff; recruiter Northern Arizona Healthcare called me a few days ago.

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Thanks David for the reply regarding UMC. I am definetly going to apply as soon as the posting is up. What do you like about the flagstaff area? I have heard that the cost of housing is higher there. Do you think the extra $2 an hour wil be spent on housing?

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Well, I like it cause it's smaller, it's in the mountains, and there are pines there. Plus, all my friends live in northern arizona. Yes, it is colder there cause its almost 7000ft elevation, but I can tolerate the cold rather than the hot weather here in southern arizona.

It is very pricy up there. But hopefully i have all my bills paid off before I go up there.

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