Educating a new graduate is very expensive (the mean cost I have seen is about $80,000 for the first year). Experienced nurses already know how to be RNs, and do not need this large 'start-up cost'.
Given the present economic situtation, hospitals do not have a lot of extra cash around. Many are still bringing in new grads, but most will be hiring fewer this year. In addition, hospitals that are seeking Magnet status will be emphasizing BSN grads over ADN or diploma graduates.
FLMom is correct -- elective surgeries are non-existent in most parts of the country. There is also a rise in the uninsured, and hospitals are having to write off more charges. The economic situation means that costs are being cut all around (fewer new grads hired, a decrease in education benefits/loan payoff, less PTO, more required overtime, fewer retirements, etc).
There is still a shortage. But hospitals are looking more for experienced nurses than new grads right now. Things may be different next year.
as a recent grad (may 2008), i can tell you that i am surprised at the sudden turnaround this "nursing shortage" has taken. I was fortunate to get a job, but i noticed that several hospitals in my area have cut out their new grad programs. The best advice i can give you is to get a job (any job) in a hospital while you are in nursing school so you have your foot in the door. It doesn't even need to be as a tech or cna; you can consider clerical jobs as well -- unit clerk, registration, scheduling, etc. I worked in er registration while i was in nursing school. I started working 20 hours a week while i was taking prereqs since i needed the insurance (my husband owns his own business), but i also got the added benefit of tuition reimbursement. Once i got into the nursing program, it was difficult for me to continue to work 20 hours a week since i also have 4 kids and my dad got very sick and was in and out of a hospital and rehab and within a year passed away. I already had a great track record with my boss, so i was able to cut my hours first to one day a week, and then for a while when things were really difficult with my family situation, one day every other week. I was able to pick up more hours in the summers and over school breaks. I would have loved to not work during school since nursing school is stressful enough, but in the end it helped me to get the job of my dreams in ob right out of school, even though the job was posted as a position for an rn with at least 1 year of experience. It really does help to have your foot in the door, even if it is not in the department you hope to be in (although working as a tech or a unit clerk in the unit you want to be in probably is even better). Hospitals seem to be loyal to people who already have a proven track record, and it is very helpful to have superiors within the organization to use as references. Many of the people working as techs and in clerical positions are in nursing school, so you find plenty of people to commiserate with at work about school. I know nursing school is challenging enough, and even more so if you have kids, but in this economy, it helps to have that added benefit of a foot in the door. For those of you who do not have kids and who are able to work at least 20 hours per week throughout school, the tuition reimbursement programs that most hospitals have also make it very worthwhile to work at the hospital, and then they also want to hire you as an rn since they have invested in your training. Good luck to all of you in school. It's hard, but you will get through it. Life is wonderful afterward with no homework!
but can you do this as a canadian student? Work while in school?
Yes, there is still a shortagebut the economy is a huge factor as to why new grads arent able to find jobs. The healthcare field is not immune to this as moany would like to believe EVERYONE has been affected by this crappy economy even new law grads are having problems getting hired. I just hope things get better.
I'm not sure about a shortage in my area, but I have heard of hiring freezes. ShiphrahPuah is right: it's important to get your foot in the door. I'm a nursing assistant and I was thinking about transferring to another hospital, but I guess I may be better off staying as long as I can. Who knows, if I get accepted into nursing school and graduate, then maybe I'll be offered a job or have really good references.
I know there is no shortage in my area. I live in massachusetts and l can think of atleast 12+ nursing schools within a half hour drive. My plan for when l graduate is to get a job on a subacute floor. As a new grad unless u know someone its very hard to get jobs in hospitals around here.
UVA Grad Nursing
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Educating a new graduate is very expensive (the mean cost I have seen is about $80,000 for the first year). Experienced nurses already know how to be RNs, and do not need this large 'start-up cost'.
Given the present economic situtation, hospitals do not have a lot of extra cash around. Many are still bringing in new grads, but most will be hiring fewer this year. In addition, hospitals that are seeking Magnet status will be emphasizing BSN grads over ADN or diploma graduates.
FLMom is correct -- elective surgeries are non-existent in most parts of the country. There is also a rise in the uninsured, and hospitals are having to write off more charges. The economic situation means that costs are being cut all around (fewer new grads hired, a decrease in education benefits/loan payoff, less PTO, more required overtime, fewer retirements, etc).
There is still a shortage. But hospitals are looking more for experienced nurses than new grads right now. Things may be different next year.