PLEASE HELP ME! I thought there was a nursing shortage?

1OldDinosaurRN · Mar 19, 2008

well, there is a shortage....but it depends on where you are!! have you gone to the hospitals websites to see what they have available? have you decided if relocation is a possibility? have you decided how far you are willing to drive to work? sometimes it takes awhile for them to get back with you, but applying online seemed to get them back to me faster. if you haven't heard anything in 2 to 3 weeks, then a follow up call to the human resources departement with "hello, this ( ), i am calling to follow up on an application for "x" job. i am really interested in the job, and would like to speak with someone about the job if possible." sometimes a follow up phone call lets them know who is really serious about the job. keep your spirits up, you won't waste away at applebee's :wink2: (although the tips are better there, lol)

mauxtav8r · Mar 19, 2008

Is this your first experience looking for a job? You sound very eager, and I'd point out that you may be on one timetable and the people in a position to hire in another. How long ago did you post your resume?

Careerbuilder and Monster are handy, but jobs come from contacts. Make those telephone calls as the above poster said (very good advice), but if you just sent your resume in 10 days ago, you may be calling before it has been reviewed.

Is there some other reason besides your original post that you say you believe you are being considered "an undesirable candidate"? So far it sounds like the only reason in the post is that they haven't called you. Well, they may not hire new grads to the ed. Some hospitals in my area actually appear to view new grads looking for specialty jobs "already" as somewhat cheeky and egotistical. Find out from someone who knows what the feeling is in your community. Buy a cup of coffee for an experienced nurse who works in the hospital you want to work in. It would be worth your time to find out what you can expect from the organization. Is is worth 6 months to a year of your time to get aboard in a great organization, then transfer into your specialty? Or would you rather jump into a truly shortage-impaired place that would hire a new nurse into the ed without pause. Think about that, if you will. Remember that the nursing shortage does exist, but the top flight organizations will be the last ones to feel the pinch and won't need to hire new grads off the street to fill positions where experience is highly valued.

Good luck.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

You are not an undesirable candidate. Your listed accomplishments helps you to stand out as candidate. Unfortunately, you either may not have applied to positions soon enough or you did not meet enough people while in nursing school. Apparently there is no shortage of New Grads in most places around the country. :uhoh21:

I am in my third semester and I work a a Nurse Extern at my hospital. I live in the middle of nowhere, yet for the first time in 15 years the New Grad program is full. Those who are in fourth semester are finding a difficult time getting a job. Other areas around the country have experienced this trend (a non-shortage of New Graduate Nurses) for quite some time.

This thread and similar ones should act as a warning to others. Make connections/network before you graduate!!! Get a JOB before you graduate!!!

I am taking my own advice and will be seeking jobs before I enter fourth semester. How crazy is that? However, I have been warned by RNs with similar impressive resumes who waited until he/she graduated or passed the NCLEX. Some have told me that he/she waited for MONTHS before being hired in acute care. Others waited for months without being hired and began working in LTC/Home Health, where in most places there is a shortage of New Grads and experienced nurses.

My advice to you is to look at Home Health and LTC for now to get a job immediately. Then go to job fairs and see where in America there are openings in New Graduate programs and move! GL!

BTW, congrats on your outstanding accomplishments in nursing school. I am involved in student nursing government and other activities as well as being a good student. Thus, I KNOW how hard you worked! Don't give up and GOOD LUCK! :nurse:

CHATSDALE · Mar 19, 2008

you willl probably have a job before you graduate

some facilities start orientation of new grads in a class several times a year to coincide with graduations

ie june sept and jan are big hiring dates for new grads and this sometimes work out good for you as well

you get some top notch preceptors who have been through this enough times that they are good at what they do

scrubs2716 · Mar 19, 2008

I've only applied to "clinical nurse entry" and "new grad RN" positions. So, I hope I'm not being viewed as cheeky or egotistical.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

You need to just take a job somewhere in the medical field now. 90k in loans, I about fell off my chair.

When you are a brand new grad I dont think it matters how professional your resume is, they see year of exp as zero.

Once you get in somewhere then you will develop contacts, your new employer will see how dedicated you are and want to retain you. You will meet other dept heads. By the time you pass your boards you will have a hand full of jobs to pick from. Maybe not your dream job, but be patient that will come. Spend at least a year in a nursing job, then your application will become way more desirable.

A lady I know was top in her class at a private collage, she took a job in a small town ER just to get the exp. She made less than many of her friends in her graduating class, but she had ER nurse behind her name for 1year. Now she is a travel nurse, they are paying her a nice living stipend and very good hourly wage and a wonderful sign on.

The key thing, is you need to work. Best of luck in eventually landing the job of your dreams!!

namaste_71 · Mar 19, 2008

You might also keep an eye out for job fairs (check newspapers, trade pubs, hospital websites). A lot of hospitals use these as a way to recruit nurses and other healthcare professionals. You can chat face-to-face with the hospital recruiter, and maybe a nurse manager, and you get to make a number of contacts in one place.

Bring your resume, dress professionally (it doesn't have to be a suit, but better than khakis and loafers. Definitely no jeans or shorts), smile lots and strut your stuff. :yeah:

Recruiters I know in the field have said scrubs or nursing uniforms also are OK to wear -- especially if you've just come off shift. Just make sure they're clean. :-)

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

You may have to take a position on a less specialty floor and then move to the one you want. I work on a not-so-exiciting floor and we always have positions open, but new grads don't want to come to us because we are not-so-exciting and also because they tell us "I didn't go to school to clean us s***. - (we practise total care nsg, no aides)

Also - you may have to go to a place with a higher cost of living. Everyone wants to live when it is cheaper - thats why there fewer jobs there :)

vegasmedic · Mar 19, 2008

in response to scrubs posting. there is a big nursing shortage in las vegas. many hospitals and clinic are giving large sign on bonuses and great benefit packages. you might want to consider moving to a city that will give you the greatest advantage in job prospects. my sister n law just graduated a asn program and got hired on immediatly with a 8000 sign on bonus.:wink2: just a suggestion

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Mar 19, 2008

others waited for months without being hired and began working in ltc/home health, where in most places there is a shortage of new grads and experienced nurses.
my advice to you is to look at home health and ltc for now to get a job immediately.

i am a clinical director in skilled home care, and we do not hire new nurses, due to the need for experienced eyes, ears, and hands in the home juggling 4-6 sick patients a day--without assistance! if by "home health" you mean private duty care, i can't speak to that...but if you check the threads on the home health board, the no new grads seems to be across the country. didn't mean to hijack, but to clarify..home health is not an easy way to make money while waiting for a real nursing job!:spbox:

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

Tucson Medical Center is a nice place to work in the ER. They do hire new grads. Cost of living in Tucson is relatively low compared to midwest. There are also a ton of jobs in the Chicago land area.