Jobs are very hard to get, with 300 or more applicants for each position at some places. It can take years to get your first nursing job. So, if the school is selling you the idea that your going into a "guaranteed" job, your not.
There are thousands and thousands of unemployed new grad licensed nurses who are scrambling to get a job, and the hospitals are upping their standards every day, almost all flat out tell you not to apply if your a new grad, some say if your a new grad only apply if you have a BSN and a 3.5 GPA or better. Almost all positions all the way down the the lowly LTC centers are requiring BSN degrees, and even home health care wont touch you if you don't have 1 year of acute experience, which you cant get unless you have a BSN with a 3.5 average.
If you do not believe what I am saying, then Google "No nursing jobs" and take a look at what people are saying.
That being said, if you still willing to go into nursing, spend years in the most stressful program and then not be able to obtain work when your finished, then god bless you.
Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
The OP is expressing an opinion. While you may disagree with that opinion, there is no need to throw personal attacks at her. In some areas of the country, it is very difficult to find nursing jobs......as well as any type of job. If this is not happening in your area of the country, then you are not feeling the frustrations of not being able to find a job.
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Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.
To the OP.....
I don't know if this information is relevant, but I have learned, at least in my state, there are many factors influencing the selection process. You mentioned a Magnet status hospital your class president volunteered for. In order to receive magnet status, a certain percentage of the nursing staff must be BSN prepared (I don't know the percentage and maybe someone can chime in with the information). So, if a facility is working on Magnet status and they are under that percentage, I would imagine they would seek out BSN prepared nurses until the minimum percentage is met.
You did not mention the school you attend. Here, there is a school (I will not mention the name) that does not have a good reputation. At each facility where I done my clinical work, someone on the staff would mention the school and complain about how unprofessional and unprepared the students were during their time on the floor. This information always gets back to the recruiters and unit managers. I have noticed several posts on AN from graduates of that program who cannot find work. I would imagine the school's reputation has cast a dark shadow on the new graduates; making it harder for them to secure employment.
Is your school NLNAC or CCNE accredited? Many of the facilities within major cities will only hire from programs that are accredited. I am not sure if this is the same elsewhere.
Have you met any nurses while doing clinical? If so, network with them. Let them know you really want to work at their facility and ask how to get a foot in. How about your instructors? Did any of them work at facilities within your area? If so, contact them and find out who you can contact to set up an appointment. Call like crazy to check on the status of your application. Some people say not to do this, but in my past career I landed two great positions by being persistent. I am in an Accelerated BSN program and landed a job three months after starting the program. I did so because one of my professors is a PRN House Supervisor and I networked with her. I graduate at the end of April and begin work the second week of May. It's possible. If you like, you can PM me and we can discuss this. If you would like for me to take a look at your resume and cover letter, I am more than happy to do that. I am also more than happy to give more ideas and help to find out how to leverage you.
The OP is expressing an opinion. While you may disagree with that opinion, there is no need to throw personal attacks at her. In some areas of the country, it is very difficult to find nursing jobs......as well as any type of job. If this is not happening in your area of the country, then you are not feeling the frustrations of not being able to find a job.
There is a glut of nurses in many areas of the country. This is due to changes in how long patients are hospitalized among other things. The Louisiana Board of Nursing has published a study stating that there should be a shortage starting in 1914. As more and more of the baby boomers age and stop working there will be a greater need for nurses and then an actual shortage. I think they call this boom or bust. No one is guaranteed a job but spend some time researching the job market in your area. Visit some employers and maybe you will get an offer in advance if you make a good impression on someone. Then make your decision. I went to nursing school because I was interested in the field. I wasnt thinking of money first. If money is your priority perhaps nursing is not the field for you
I'm a new grad from NJ and just wanted to let you know what I've been dealing with. First i should mention that i graduated in december but my school was very slow with getting out my ATT and what not so i didn't take my NCLEX until feb 15th.. exactly a month ago yesterday... which is about when most of the people in my class took it.
So far i've had no job offers but 2 interviews, one of which is tomorrow. It has definitely been HARD, but NJ is so over-populated with people in general nevermind nurses that it was to be expected. I have been looking out of state as well and that's actually where my interview is tomorrow. What i can say from personal experience is the standards have changed even since this past May... hospitals who used to hire new grads with no experience, certifications, etc. now will still hire new grads but want you to have the certifications (PALS, ACLS, NRP...) that pertain to the position, which most new grads don't have yet. My advice is in between finishing your program and taking the NCLEX take some time to get some of these certifications b/c from what i've been seeing it WILL help you. I was actually told by one hospital they wouldn't interview me for a peds job, even though they are hiring new grads for it, because i didn't have pediatric advanced life support. Wouldn't even interview!! Needless to say i spent the money to take the course hoping after i take it they will interview me.
Check the websites daily if not every other day! It seems like positions are always being added. And call/e-mail to follow up on your application! The nurses i talk to where i work tell me it was sooo easy for them to get jobs when they graduated (as early as 3 years ago) but the times have definitely changed. We need to work for the job and show how badly we want and deserve it!
On a positive note 2 of my friends have already gotten jobs so I'm hopeful something will come along :)
All I have to say is I am meant to be a nurse. I have always felt this way but have never had the opprotunity to go to school for RN until now so hopefully I will get in this year. The job outlook doesn't really matter to me because if I can't find work as an RN when I graduate I will be a CNA, work LTC, work in a MD office or whatever until I can get my foot in the door. There is no raining on my parade! Good luck to all that are out there working hard to acheive your goals.
I graduated from an ASN program in December. I was employed by the end of January, and all but maybe five of my 47 classmates have jobs. At least two of those five aren't looking for jobs and/or don't have their licenses yet.
For anyone who wants to know, I live in WV. Cost of living is not bad here, a house that would cost you 500K in California would cost about 150K here.
I have to agree with the previous posters about it depends on where you are, who you know and what your skill level is. I know 2 adns who got jobs within 3 weeks to 2 months FRESH out of school... sooooo i really truly think it depends on the individual person. Maybe those who are not getting jobs have other factors that come into play when applying or interviewing. maybe those who are NOT getting the jobs try and "hire" an interview coach. 10-1 it's the interview that's not getting them the job. And, hate to throw this out there, but if the "nurses" who went into it strictly for the "money", hospitals, LTC, home health agencies are going to see right through you and NOT want to give you a job... Sorry. I know that if i were an owner of any of the above mentioned, I would not want to ruin my reputation on someone in it strictly for the money....
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
I also feel this post doesn't apply to all. Unlike some, many of us here actually want to be nurses, not just for a decent paying job. You don't drop something you love becuase it will be hard to do. I am a current pre-nursing student and CNA who will not find out if I'm even accepted into nursing school til May or June, and all of the nursing supervisors and 2 directors of nursing at my hospital said that they would hire me, even if they could only hire me @ PRN when I first start, if I graduate nursing school and pass the N-CLEX. I believe working at a facility as a CNA really helps, because they know what type of worker you are and such.
DarkBluePhoenix
1,867 Posts
God help us all...