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

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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.

OP, I am also a very direct person. However, you will need to learn to be more tactful around your colleagues, patients, and strangers. Referring to nurses as morons within the same post you solicit advice is not cool. Many new grads are unemployed through no fault of their own. There are not enough jobs right now. Period. Many require 2 to 5 years experience. So as a new grad you would not be considered for many of those positions.

I am aware of these things. I was in no way calling all new grads morons. I was just saying that there were some in the bunch. Actually I wasn't even saying it, I was just asking about it. Anyhow, I guess I will have to be more careful about how I word things. I didn't mean for this to get so crazy. I was told by a good family friend and retired nurse that nursing made her tough and I was going to have to toughen up to deal with the job. Either I need to tone it down or people need to take her advice.

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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?

You probably won't last your first week of nursing bootcamp with that attitude and train of thought. Your question is not honest. It's ignorant. You called us morons, lazy, and unmotivated when you are totally ignorant to the situation. There are so many hiring freezes, laid offs, no funding for new grad programs, and extreme COMPETITION. I know hundreds of new grad nurses from so many ADN schools that have put forth 1000+ applications all over the state. All types of certifications, went on to get their BSNs, some are already applying to MSNs, high GPAs, volunteer exp, CNA exp, bilingual, various degrees, and a background in health care but still unemployed. Most have resorted to SNFs. Get on the BRN website and check the 2009-2011 census and tell me how many nurses graduated in the last few years. A typically hospital "used to" only employ an average of 16 new grads every 6 months but over 3000+ applicants applied PER position. Every six months, nursing school all over California are pumping out hundreds if not thousands of new grads. Good luck!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

You need to tone it down. It's not what you say, it's how you say it. At least get through nursing school first.

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Okay everybody, incase you didn't catch it the first time: I APOLOGIZE for using the word moron and sounding mean. That was not my intent. Obviously it takes a very intelligent person to make it through nursing school. No more attitude lectures. Thank you.

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You probably won't last your first week of nursing bootcamp with that attitude and train of thought. Your question is not honest. It's ignorant. You called us morons, lazy, and unmotivated when you are totally ignorant to the situation. There are so many hiring freezes, laid offs, no funding for new grad programs, and extreme COMPETITION. I know hundreds of new grad nurses from so many ADN schools that have put forth 1000+ applications all over the state. All types of certifications, went on to get their BSNs, some are already applying to MSNs, high GPAs, volunteer exp, CNA exp, bilingual, various degrees, and a background in health care but still unemployed. Most have resorted to SNFs. Get on the BRN website and check the 2009-2011 census and tell me how many nurses graduated in the last few years. A typically hospital "used to" only employ an average of 16 new grads every 6 months but over 3000+ applicants applied PER position. Every six months, nursing school all over California are pumping out hundreds if not thousands of new grads. Good luck!

I am aware of the situation but thanks for the refresher.

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

5 pages in roughly an hour??? Crazy! Everybody is pretty heated. Well, to answer your question OP, it depends on where you live and who you know now a days.

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Specializes in Emergency.

ED residency holder here, posted a long reply originally but am thinking none of it really matters....

Don't make other nurses angry :/ it never goes well.... I have seen nurses make the lives of some overconfident/rude/impertinent new grad or student nurses hell... don't go down that road.

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5 pages in roughly an hour??? Crazy! Everybody is pretty heated. Well, to answer your question OP, it depends on where you live and who you know now a days.

I know right. I've gotten more traffic here than all of my past posts combined! Yea I figured that much. I'm not sure what I was looking for here. I think this post was an epic fail lol

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ED residency holder here, posted a long reply originally but am thinking none of it really matters....

Don't make other nurses angry :/ it never goes well.... I have seen nurses make the lives of some overconfident/rude/impertinent new grad or student nurses hell... don't go down that road.

Well I already read your original response. You took it down as I was replying to it. I really was not insinuating that all nurses without jobs are morons. I was just asking a simple question. Had I made a statement it would have been rude most definitely. I asked a question that was twisted by everyone into being a statement. My question was blown out of proportion. I'll have to keep these sort of questions to myself in the future. I'm not trying to make nurses angry. I look up to anyone who is a nurse. Anyways, I think this thread has been exhausted so I'll just end it here.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

FutureNurse1, what your family friend, who is a retired nurse, meant when she said "toughen up" will become very apparent to you once you are in the trenches as a new RN. It is becoming assertive AFTER you have experienced things that will not be taught in nursing school. Just as advanced chemistry cannot be taught to a kindergartener, one must come up through the "ranks", build precept upon precept, fall on your behind several times, fail, and keep getting up time after time. That is what will make you a strong, successful nurse who is able to handle herself with grace, skill, and confidence. As far as the job market goes, no one knows what the situation will be at the time you finish your degree and pass the NCLEX. Study HARD, LISTEN, and OBSERVE, not only as far as the medical profession is concerned, but in your relationships with peers, instructors, and clinical staff. No lecture from me about attitude adjustment...."just the truth" as you say. Did I say "LISTEN"? You will learn far more by keeping your mouth closed and your eyes and ears open. Best of luck as you continue your education in every facet.

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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 honestly doubt that you are truly aware of the current situation (and, I am not talking about what your friends may have experienced a few years ago!):

"According to research by the National Student Nurses Association about 45% of the 2010 nursing grads still do not have jobs due to cutbacks in hospital hiring of new nursing grads." (from: http://www.nursingworld.org/ANA-What-Is-New/Career-resources-new-nurse-grad.aspx)

Almost 45%.... Of course, they must all be "morons," right? It wouldn't be rational to consider that these nurses are victims of the current economy; obviously, they must be victims of their own stupidity!

Good luck in obtaining your pre-reqs, and in getting through nursing school. It's a difficult journey, but so incredibly rewarding when you finally make it. And, should you too become just another "moron" looking for work, at least you will have allnurses to vent on!

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Alright. I am not going to lecture you on your choice of words/attitude... 30 some odd people beat me to the punch. But here is what I think.

I graduated this past December. Took the boards in January and started my job on an ICU unit in Februrary. There were about 100 people from my graduating class and all most all have a job except a few due to moving to a different state, having a baby or just can't find anything. But those people I can count on my hand.

But here's my thing. So much can change by the time you graduate. You are a good 2 years away from graduating. Then you have to take the boards. A lot can happen in 2 years with the job market. If nursing is what you LOVE then go for it.

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