Nursing Student reading the hard to find a job after grad posts

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Hello All,

So I visit this site often just trying to get a feel of what nurses go through, the starting salary in my area/surrounding area and just basically what to expect as a nurse now a days. I know everyone's experiences will be different but is it really that difficult to find job opportunities in being a new grad? I am a student starting in the Fall in an ADN program and I can't lie, even though I am not close by any means to finishing my nursing degree it does scare me a little to see a lot of you work your butts off and have such a difficult time finding jobs. I do take into account the state everyone is in as well but I just wanted to say to those of you keep pushing, your breakthrough is coming! :yes:

-Amber

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yes, it really is that difficult, especially for ADN graduates rather than BSN. I don't have the studies on hand to direct you to, but recent reports have found up to 50% of new grad nurses are unemployed six months after graduation across the US. This means some are taking even longer than that, some not quite as long. The average first job in nursing takes 6-9 months to find. You would be wise to get a job as a CNA in a hospital during nursing school and then work your butt off. It is no guarantee but it is a foot in the door.

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Thanks for that info. I actually work as a CNA now at a hospital but im moving for nursing school but have had interviews for other CNA positions at a hospital where I am moving. What area are you in?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am in Texas. The major cities here are completely saturated. Rural areas and areas along the Mexico border are a little easier.

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O ok. Im in texas too...dfw but im moving back to nj in a few months

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Jersey is much tighter than DFW

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I am in Ohio and there are a lot of job opportunities here for new grad's in my area. I'm a recent ADN RN and am having no trouble finding a job. After one month of looking I have gotten 4 interviews, and 3 offers. None of them were in the hospital, all snf/rehabs and the pay is $2/hr under hospital pay, but from what I hear there is almost always an opportunity for overtime available. Many of my ADN classmates were able to get hired in the different hospitals.

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Well That's where my faith comes in. Never had difficulty finding a job and I have lots of healthcare experience. Hopefully this CNA position I landed there at a hospital will turn into an RN position after grad. Gotta be hopeful!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.
Well That's where my faith comes in. Never had difficulty finding a job and I have lots of healthcare experience. Hopefully this CNA position I landed there at a hospital will turn into an RN position after grad. Gotta be hopeful!

I graduated with my BSN from NJ. Make sure that the hospital you work as a CNA there actually hires ADN RNs. Many hospitals in NJ are Magnet or are in the process and will not hire ADNs.

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Thank you. I will def make sure of that.

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I just graduated with my BSN in NJ (January 2014). I have friends who graduated at the same time as me, some with BSNs and some with ADNs (community college program). Only a handful of us have jobs, however among the BSNs - those who have received job offers all were either CNAs while in school or extremely well connected. I know of one ADN who was able to land a job at a very small community hospital (psych unit) after putting in some time as a home health nurse. My best advice would be to work as a CNA, work every hospital connection you have, and enroll in a RN-BSN bridge program immediately upon graduating- I believe that's how my ADN friend landed her hospital job. When I did ACLS I met many, many BSNs who were still unemployed after 6, 9, 12+ months. It sounds like you're on the right track though! Good luck :)

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Thank You so much! I appreciate your post. How do you like your current position? What part of nj are you in?

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