Nursing shortage

[kimspevak]

Is there no longer a nursing shortage all across the United States or is it basically Idaho? I will graduate in December 09 with my ADN and have been told there is not many job opportunites in hospitals for new grads. Would furthering my education be of benefit to me in securing employment?

[Rylee2008, ASN, RN]

I live in Wisconsin and there is a hiring freeze at the hospital so the only jobs open are in LTC. Our school is actually going to take less students next year due to the fact that there are no jobs.

[jnw8606]

Yes there is a hiring freeze everywhere. I too will be graduating in Dec 09 and is worried about getting a job. Ive been told its hard for ADN and BSN to find jobs, but i do believe in futhering you education.

[moncj66]

yes, there is a hiring freeze in texas as well. Every hospital thats hiring is looking for ppl with 1 yr experience. I know many ppl that haven't found a job yet that graduated in may. I'm not graduating until next year and hopefully things turn around by then.

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

My advice, especially to those of you graduating in December, is to try and get your foot in the door now. Don't wait until graduation to start applying. Apply now for tech jobs and nursing jobs. If you are hired now as a tech, you can keep your eye out for nurses leaving, and talk to management about applying for that position. If a hospital does have a new grad program, it will likely start in January, so you don't want to just be starting the application process in December.

Trust me, starting early works: I graduated in May, and had my job locked down by February.