Samuel Merritt ABSN & job outlook

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Hi all,

This is my 1st post here. I recently found this website and am hooked. Lots of good info here. Anyway, I have been reading too many posts about surplus new grad nurses in the SF Bay Area and couldn't help wonder how are the Sam Merritt graduates doing with so much debt without job prospect. UCSF, USF and other private school graduates, too, for that matter. Can you eventually find a job if you are patient or flexible?

I thought you have to start paying back the debt after 6mos of graduation. What's the monthly payment and for how long if you had, say, $75K in loan?

This is exactly what I am afraid of. I am finished w/prereqs and applying but now reconsidering the expensive ones like Sam Merritt.

Appreciate any insights. Thanks!

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I have approximately $45,000 of debt after graduating from SMC (debt free from 1st bachelors). My monthly payments are around $500/mo for the next 10 years. Obviously, if I pay more I will pay it down faster. Finding a job can be rough but if you are willing to "pay your dues" in med-surg for a year or so you are already ahead of the game. Good luck, in the end it is SO worth it!!!

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Thank you! That gives me a good idea and you just made me feel a little better.:)

Do you mind elaborating on "pay your dues"? Does it mean working for free? for one year?

Did you go through new grads orientation? Does it pay? When did you graduate? How long did it take for you to land on a job?

Gosh, too many questions, sorry...

And I think I should've posted this in Student tab...

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If I may ask, where are you from? Your post suggests you are under the impression taht training and/or early career work are done for free... Please do NOT let anyone mislead you into thinking this is the case.

"Pay your dues" is a figure of speech meaning doing what it takes (ie. Working crappy shifts/hours) to gain experience and move up the ranks in seniority. Never EVER agree to work for free! Unless you are volunteering of course!

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Why is "finding a job" "hard" ?? Everyone in my ABSN program has multiple job opportunities before they even graduate or take the NCLEX. So???

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You are all lucky. Are you in the Bay Area? I don't know why it is hard. But I have known many grads this year who are having difficulties finding employment. When I graduated, I know many students in my cohort who went on countless interviews with no luck until the very end... We were the first class though and not aware of the early application dates and many believed job offers would result from preceptorships. Unfortunately, in many cases this did not happen and by the time we had our resume writing/interview skills day it was FAR too late and most new grad progs were full... It was especially scary for Kaiser scholars who had to be working by Sept 1 yet were being told by recruiters they were too late to apply and to come back in October! Not a fun time in life, we should have been celebrating, enjoying the last month of school... Instead many students were running out of class to answer "unknown" numbers on their cells because "it might FINALLY be a recruiter." I think many of us were in shock too, I mean we started nursing school and EVERYONE was always saying how as soon as we graduated hospitals would be knocking down our doors and offering huge sign on bonuses... Wrong! S David, good luck to you. It already sounds like your class is off to a better start than mine was!

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I'm almost graduating and am slightly concerned about job prospects, but think that eventually opportunities will arise. Having a second degree may help, not entirely sure though. Maybe someone else could answer, do the second degree grads have an advantage in the job market????

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