Hi all! I've been on this site for a while now, but haven't posted much. however, i feel like it'll just make me (and hopefully a few others) feel a bit better about this whole job situation if we vent it out together. i just need to complain, and i need people who understand how frustrated and hopeless i'm feeling.
i graduated from a somewhat prestigious university over a year ago, and passed my nclex without a bead of sweat. great grades, great clinical experience, killer references and resume....still can't get a job. i live in the northeast, where things are tight...but still. i work at the grocery store...THE GROCERY STORE! i paid $100,000 to get a degree so that people can supervise how i bag their eggs and talk to me like i'm stupid. i have nothing against my current job - they're great to me and it pays my bills kinda sorta for now - but it's so damn frustrating!
on top of all of this, i'm getting so sick of people constantly saying to me "but i thought we needed nurses!"...when is oprah gonna do a show about all of us who are graduating and finding a completely closed off job market? and now that a second year of nurses are finishing up, us 2008 grads are getting more and more lost.
it's not like i'm not trying - i apply to jobs nearly non stop. i call and ask for nurse managers and recruiters personally, who never answer their phones or my voicemails. i feel like a complete and total failure pretty much all of the time, and don't know what to do. i have at least 15 friends in the same boat, but none of them currently live nearby and i don't have anyone to talk to about these feelings. i cry a lot when i'm alone, but put on a big smile and just tell people i'm staying optimistic and i'm still looking etc. etc.
anyway - if you wanna chime in, please do. i know our families and friends are probably getting sick of listening to us talk about this stuff, so it feels better to talk to strangers who understand. :)
much love and keep the faith, my friends. we're gonna rise above this someday.
Totally understand. I'm not a guy but I am bilingual and I was told over and over again "Oh, you're bilingual. They'll be begging for you to work. No problem for you getting a job." WRONG!!! I've applied to over 30 positions, been to 2 interviews where the Hispanic population is actually more than 50% and they still didn't give me the job!!!
People now keep telling me that they can't believe I haven't been "snatched up" yet. Makes me feel like I'm not working hard at it or that I'm doing something wrong. But I just took a PRN Hospice position and maybe I'll have a shot at a Med/Surg job too in a town that is mostly Hispanic. Hope for the best but expect the worst!
Funny you mention this, as I even bought a "Spanish For Nurses" book to try and increase my marketability.
You might want to try Texas. I was reading all of your posts and was starting to worry since I am now a nursing student in Texas. I went to my local hospital web site and there are over 100 RN positions that have not been filled. One of my friends just graduated and was offered a job right away in OB she went there got her traing and then quit. The she moved to Houston, it was a little bit harder to get the job at the hospital she wanted, However after 2 weeks of not hearing anything she went to the hospital and asked why she didn't hear anything yet and they told her that they don't look at them until they come in there asking it to be looked at (which is stupid) then she got the job that day in OB again.That was the only place she applied too, and it is 5 min away from her house. So it is possible, you have to be pursistant to the point of anoying.
I have read a lot of post like this. I am currently taking pre-reqs to enter nursing school, however sometimes when I read post like this, it makes me wonder what is really going on in the job market for new grads. I have gone to several information sessions at nursing schools and the presenters talk about how nursing is a great profession and you can always find a job. So, are they just telling us that so we can attend their school? Is there really a nursing shortage?
So, are they just telling us that so we can attend their school? Is there really a nursing shortage?
yes...not really
It is hard to tell why some folks are not getting hired, because we know nothing about them or the area they are applying. Some areas have an issues because of hospital closures...providing the workforce with experienced but out of work nurses competing for the same jobs. Are people only applying for day positions in ER? Are people not applying to LTC facilities? Do people have no ability to market themselves? I'm not picking on anyone here...just providing a reality check of sorts...
If some folks are only applying for the positions requiring "seasoned" persons, they will have a hard time finding a job. Also, some schools may just do a poor job at preparing students for interviewing/job hunting. Your route to a job may be through that low paying night shift at the smelly LTC facility in a bad neighborhood. If you refuse to apply there, then you are making a choice to limit your chances to get a job.
The big, shinny, helicopter landing trauma center has the pick of the litter when it comes to hiring folks. NG's with no experience will have to compete against the experienced nurses looking to get in, the existing employee (LPN/CNA/Tech/ect.) NG's who just got licensed and even the local EMT NG's that have a relationship with the ER team.
Specializes in LTC, PCU, Med/Surg, Hospice, OBGYN.
i did it. i finally wrote to oprah on her website for show ideas. i think it will take someone like her to shed light on this so-called nursing shortage issue. i recommend that you all do the same thing so that they see that this is a national problem. speak your mind! here's the link:
It's true that nurses eat their young.....I hate to say it but I believe its a nasty female thing.....SOOOO MANY nurses are catty and mean to new grads and pretty much any other female who they may find threatening. I don't know why but it's like that movie "Mean Girls" I am an older graduate, but saw soooo many nurses be mean to young pretty nursing students.....just don't get it !!!! I wanted to say to them "HELLO !!!! You are not 21 any more and you're not even in the same ballpark as these young women...you could be their mother or even grandmother!!!!" But they're soooooo competitive....High School all over again !!
I have read a lot of post like this. I am currently taking pre-reqs to enter nursing school, however sometimes when I read post like this, it makes me wonder what is really going on in the job market for new grads. I have gone to several information sessions at nursing schools and the presenters talk about how nursing is a great profession and you can always find a job. So, are they just telling us that so we can attend their school? Is there really a nursing shortage?
It depends on where you are going to school and what state you want to work in. TX, Fla, NM all have openings for new grads. I know because I am a new grad and I'm getting e-mails :typingday after day from recruiters offering me positions in these states. I am not in the position to relocate, since I have a family. Where I live (N.J.) most of my class that graduated in Jan 09 have not found jobs. I have applied :banghead:to every LTC, Hospital , Home Care and Dialysis center in a 100 mile radius. I even cold-called places. I was lucky and got a position as a Nurse Liaison :nurse:because of my past business and sales experience. I may also have another opportunity at a clinical nursing position:yeah:, but only because I know someone. In my area the problem is many nurses aren't retiring :crying2:and some have gone back to work because of the economy. Hospitals are also in fiscal turmoil, and many have closed, bringing more experienced nurses to the market. If you really want to be a nurse.....go for it !!! I believe the economy will be better by the time you're out of school. I recommend getting a job in a hospital or LTC as an aide. Also look into being a nurse extern....all of them have gotten jobs in my class. Good Luck !!!!
Could you Please give me some info about the recruiter who call or email you about the new grad jobs in TX, I have been graduated for more than a year and have my license, but did not have any luck to find any position in the hospital, I am desperate to find a job any where. I really appreciate any help I get.
STG international (or google search STG international) is hiring Registered Nurses in Raymondville, TX (which is 20 or so miles north of harlingen) to work at a I.C.E. detention facility. It is taking new grads and is almost a federal job. $35.00 per hour + benefits.
Specializes in LTC, PCU, Med/Surg, Hospice, OBGYN.
Hi Kargirl,
Could you Please give me some info about the recruiter who call or email you about the new grad jobs in TX, I have been graduated for more than a year and have my license, but did not have any luck to find any position in the hospital, I am desperate to find a job any where. I really appreciate any help I get.
Thank You
Now I know for a fact that South Texas Health System is hiring new grads in their Eagle Pass facility and also in McAllen. However, I MUST WARN YOU that these are border hospitals especially in McAllen so there is a lot of crime, drug issues, etc...You must check into the area of any hospitals still hiring New Grads at this point. Ask yourself why they still have positions open when thousands of us are still looking. If you don't believe me, check out the Texas forum on this same allnurses website. I know we all want jobs and we are desperate but you got to think of your safety first.
It's true that nurses eat their young.....I hate to say it but I believe its a nasty female thing.....SOOOO MANY nurses are catty and mean to new grads and pretty much any other female who they may find threatening. I don't know why but it's like that movie "Mean Girls" I am an older graduate, but saw soooo many nurses be mean to young pretty nursing students.....just don't get it !!!! I wanted to say to them "HELLO !!!! You are not 21 any more and you're not even in the same ballpark as these young women...you could be their mother or even grandmother!!!!" But they're soooooo competitive....High School all over again !!
Oh goodness are you serious? Unbelieveable!:icon_roll:mad:
Luckily I haven't witnessed this behavior of older nurses feeling "threatened" by younger women. I can't help but laugh at this, not that I don't believe you but it's just so immature.
Hospitals are also in fiscal turmoil, and many have closed, bringing more experienced nurses to the market. If you really want to be a nurse.....go for it !!! I believe the economy will be better by the time you're out of school. I recommend getting a job in a hospital or LTC as an aide. Also look into being a nurse extern....all of them have gotten jobs in my class. Good Luck !!!!
HDfatboy
27 Posts
Hi, if you are relocating go onto this web site "Florida Hospital"" I found it by just typing things in it's a great site! good luck!
I'm hoping to attend Mount Wachusetts in Jan. and have already starting searching!