Ok, what's the real deal with new grads?

[future nurse1]

I'm not trying to offend anyone or be ignorant by what I am about to ask so everyone calm down. But is it really absolutely ridiculously impossible to find a job as a new grad or does it just seem that way on this website because all the morons come here to vent? I am completely aware of the economic situation blah blah so I don't need a lecture on that. I know plenty of people who have graduated from nursing school in the past few years and are employed. I am finishing up my prereqs now and plan to start nursing school soon. The more I read about new grads not finding jobs the more I start to get freaked out about the investment I am making. Are there some EMPLOYED nurses on here who can give their honest opinions? Right now I am starting to think that I am freaking out for no reason. I know that I am capable at succeeding especially when I see how many idiots I am surrounded by in my classes. I just want some realistic input from competent people who understand what i'm asking.

[Hygiene Queen]

I'm not calling everyone here morons. I'm just wondering if the majority of people here venting about being unemployed are maybe not as motivated or smart or whatever you want to call it as those who do easily find employment. Do most new grads find work but we just don't hear about it? What's wrong with asking an honest question. There has got to be other people here that think what I'm thinking right?

Yes, I do believe we do not hear about those who find employment. They are content. They are not frustrated... so, no, you will not hear the "motivated" and the "smart" vent.

You are only hearing the "morons".

Now, I'll ask an honest question of you:

Do you think you'll be one of the chosen for a job, once you graduate?

I would seriously reflect on my social skills, if I were you, if you can't figure out what is so wrong about your post.

I don't think this is what employers are looking for in an employee.

[future nurse1]

I agree, it's not a good idea to first try to demean the people you are trying to obtain information from, that is offensive. But as for the job market right now, a number of factors play a role in obtaining employment as a new graduate; including location, previous clinical experience, having a BSN, networking, and who you know. The market is very bad, in some places more than others. The market is not only bad for new grads, it is difficult for some experienced nurses as well. Although there is a nursing shortage, many facilities have decided to work understaffed to save money, rather then employ new people.Unfortunately, new grads are considered a burden to some employers due to the increased resources that are required for training.

Thank you for your reply. I obviously didn't want answers from the people I was demeaning. I wanted answers from intelligent nurses.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately, the job market is getting tighter. This means that those who are brightest and smartest will get jobs first and those that aren't, well... they'll have to wait.

Reality sucks!

[evabloomy]

No, ur manner of approach is very wrong.... u think u r smarter than most but wait till u get to that stage. Infact u r worrying about the wrong thing cos u r not yet in nursing school yet.....still taking ur prereqs!

This forum serves different purpose for each individual. A LOT of nurses still share their employment success story.....u,v not come across any of them??

[future nurse1]

Yes, I do believe we do not hear about those who find employment. They are content. They are not frustrated... so, no, you will not hear the "motivated" and the "smart" vent.

You are only hearing the "morons".

Now, I'll ask an honest question of you:

Do you think you'll be one of the chosen for a job, once you graduate?

I would seriously reflect on my social skills, if I were you, if you can't figure out what is so wrong about your post.

I don't think this is what employers are looking for in an employee.

I don't think I'd go into a job interview talking about all of the morons in the world. Let's be real... I'm not a moron! haha

[LaughingRN]

I think that it is almost certain you are not going to get a serious response.

As an employed new nurse (that took months of sweat and tears to achieve the "employed" part)...

I don't want to answer your question, in fear that I am conceding to being the "unmotivated, unsmart, moron" you speak of.

I can't possibly be taken seriously in that context.

Good luck with your search for information!

[edmia, BSN, RN]

If you are really going to respond in an offended fashion to the "moron" comment made by the OP, I highly suggest you proof-read and spell-check before you post.

[future nurse1]

No, ur manner of approach is very wrong.... u think u r smarter than most but wait till u get to that stage. Infact u r worrying about the wrong thing cos u r not yet in nursing school yet.....still taking ur prereqs!

This forum serves different purpose for each individual. A LOT of nurses still share their employment success story.....u,v not come across any of them??

I have to search for new grad success stories whereas the unfortunate stories tend to be on the front page. There is nothing wrong with questioning the job market even though I am still taking prereqs. I wouldn't want all of my A's to go to waste 2 years down the road when I find that there are no jobs.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

I think you should rethink nursing. You seem to lack the maturity that this profession requires.

[soxgirl2008]

I think it really depends on the region you're in. In some areas the job market is extremely tight (I've heard Cali is bad) in other areas it's not so bad. Some areas prefer BSN over ADN, some don't care. I've noticed around here at least it really really helps if you're a CNA or nurse intern at the hospitals prior to graduating. Some people are pickier than others and will only apply to 1st shift positions in a hospital, and it probably takes them longer to find a job than the people that will take any shift at any facility. It really really depends on so many different factors.

The job market isn't that much better in anything else though. It just all around sucks right now for everyone. Not just nursing.

And btw just because people can't find jobs and are on here venting about it doesn't mean they're "morons" There are plenty of smart graduates who put out hundreds of applications and have great resumes and are having problems finding jobs. I know what you meant by your post but you went about it in a not so tactful way...

[nfdfiremedic, BSN, RN]

When I was a senior in school, all the big hospitals in nearby cities sponsored "lunches" for my entire class to try and convince us to work for them when we were finished with school a few months later. There wasn't a hospital around that didn't have a sign-on bonus, even if it was only a few thousand (many were 5 digits.) That was not even very long ago, all things considered.

New grads today face a bit more challenging job market on some fronts, but I think this may be perpetuated and over emphasized by some of the "less motivated" as seems to be the most politically correct phrasing for the people you describe.

I can tell you that many places you go will take you in a heartbeat, because you cost less. The majority of hospitals have a tiered pay scale based on experience, so new nurses are comparatively cheap. This is, of course, balanced by the fact that their orientations are typically a full 6 months meaning you have to spend half a nurse's salary on them before they become "counted staff" but, if you think in years instead of months, most hiring/firing people would love to hire new grads.

Personally, I think hiring new grads is great as long as you have enough experienced people around to mentor and precept them. The cost is irrelevant to me, I just brought it up because I know how "these HR people" think.

I work in a tertiary care center which employs thousands of nurses, and I can tell you from experience that we love May because it's "new grad season" and we get a ton of new hires. The only thing worth mentioning is that my hospital does not employ GN's. you have to pass your boards first and have the RN after your name to get a job offer.

You'll be fine.

[SNIXRN]

New grads aren't finding jobs for several reasons - they didn't try early enough (ie: I started volunteering at the hospital I wanted to work for before I started nursing school, which landed me a job before I graduated), they aren't willing to move to states that do have opportunities and lastly, because there are limited openings for new grads.

It's hard for new grads. 30 of us graduated in December and only 5 of us have nursing jobs right now (only two of us made it to an actual hospital, one LTC and two in nursing research, in which they already had the position but were promoted).

Ultimately, there are very limited opportunities and people who graduated nursing school who thought they would just land a job because they were officially a RN.