Tough for new grads to get experience?

[happygrad06]

I'm starting my job search. Not sure if I'll stay in WA or not. Anyway it seems that no matter where you look it can be hard to get started on as a new grad in anything other than ICU/med surg and NIGHTS. I hope this isn't the case all over as I refuse to do nights/weekends/call! Hey I'm a single mom with young kids who've suffered enough while I did pre reqs for 2 years and then nursing school for 2...I'm not giving up my family any longer. Sigh. Aw well. I guess I'll see. I don't care for floor nursing and prefer to do either ER or PACU /outpatient surg or private clinics but, even private clinics seem to want 3 plus years of experience. What's up with this?? I thought it was sooo in demand, this nursing profession yet nobody wants to give anyone the experience?? That seems kind of like cutting their own throats doesn't it??

[llg, PhD, RN]

The job market for nurses is very "local." Each town has its own little quirks and characteristics.

However, in most places ... the types of jobs you are looking for DO require some experience. The nature of the work requires that the RN's be able to work fairly independently and make complex decisions on her own. Most new grads are not ready to that immediately upon graduation.

Also, the jobs with no weekends, nights, holidays, etc. are generally popular and there are often many applicants applying for them. The employer has the luxury of "being choosey" and hiring only those nurses who are experienced and who will not need extensive orientation and support in order to do a good job.

So ... most jobs that offer the orientation and support needed to help a new grad successfully make that sometimes difficult transition from student to practicing professional are found in hospitals and on units that hire a lot of new grads. While one of those hospital jobs may not be your "dream job" that you will want for the rest of your career, you might find that you will need to make a few compromises in your plans while you get the training and experience you need to qualify for the jobs that are your first choices.

That's normal in most careers. Many people don't start out right after school with their "ideal job." They have to climb a career ladder to reach their long-term goals.

As I said in the beginning, local conditions vary and you might get lucky and find something that suits you perfectly right away. But if you don't, try to view it as a continuation of your education -- because that is really what it is.

llg

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Tough comments by the OP. But anyway- its going to be tough to find NO nights, weekends ect unless one can 1) find an office job, 2) has senority via working as a clerk, then aid/tech and now RN or just plain blind luck- which on occasion can happen.

Being willing to relocate to anyplace may help however. Of your choices to where you want to work I see more ER's hiring new grads than the others. Its easier to teach someone than to unteach bad habits.

Also nights are not nessesarly that bad- look at it from the point of the kids are sleeping most of it, they are in school or soon will be most of the day when you are sleeping. Alot of places you only work 3 days week if you work twelves and nothing says you have to work overtime or extra shifts.

RJ