Paranoid About Not Finding A Job Post RN

[saymo82]

I am supposed to start the Barnes accelerated BSN program in May, but since recently reading about people having trouble finding jobs after graduation (from any program) I am worried that I might be making a mistake about doing the 1 year program. My biggest worry is that I will not have enough experience once I graduate. I have not been in a position to get a job as a tech or anything else medical since deciding to do this, and I fear this will hurt me upon graduation. I know that with the 1 year program they strongly suggest that you do not work, so I think getting a job as a student nurse to gain experience might also be out of the question.

Any advice on what I should do? I may have the option to do the 2 year upper division BSN program instead, but I think my husband would kill me if I have to add another year on to this adventure! Maybe I am just being paranoid.. please someone tell me I am just being paranoid. Will a lack of prior medical working experience before nursing school hurt me when I am looking for a job?

[luvs2readlotsRN]

I'll say it to ease your fears...I think you are being paranoid!(LOL!)

I was a stay at home Mom for 15years with no nursing student work experience(no tech experience; my only hospital experience being my clinical time through school)when I graduated with my associate degree in December. I ended up with job offers from: 1 floor I did clinicals on, one floor I applied to that I really wanted to work on and an OR Fellowship. The floor I currently work on hired 3 RNs from accelerated programs who had no student nurse/tech experience(they had a number of opening due to expanding the # of beds in this specialty). Those are wonderful nurses. Wherever you go to work will teach you to be a great nurse as well! There is a lot to learn as a new grad and they accept that you will need to be taught.

I think it helps to have strong recommendations from faculty. Make those connections in the accelerated program quickly as you don't have the same amount of time I had. Treat each of your clinical experiences as a potential job interview: be on time, try to help out the nurses when you have down time, ask questions ect. These things I believe are what make the difference. And start looking for a graduate nurse/RN position 2-3 months before you graduate. Shadow on floors you are interested in. I think you will be fine! Good luck!

[saymo82]

Thank you so much for the reply! I am so nervous about making the right life decisions right now, it's great to hear someone say I'm being paranoid!

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I have heard that hiring is slowing somewhat and there are some layoffs going on around in the medical communities....a lot of it in areas not including nursing. I think the shortage continues on, but as with all other areas of the economy, hiring may not include all the premium areas of the hospital where some new grads are more anxious to work. It may be necessary to include areas such as med/surg for the basics before moving in to those other areas if times get tough enough.

[saymo82]

As of right now I will be very happy if getting any job is possible. I may have a different attitude about it when I actually graduate in May 2010, but for now I am guessing I won't mind if I have to take a less desirable job, as long as it's a job and I am getting experience!