WARNING: Phoenix area is a TOUGH market for new grads

U.S.A. Arizona

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I've come across several postings fairly recently from new grads wanting to move to the Phoenix area and I want to make them aware that the job market here is very competitive. Unless you are an experienced nurse, have great luck, or a strong hospital contact, new grad hospital positions are very hard to come by. I know several that have had to leave the area to find jobs.

I'm not trying to be a downer, but in this economy Phoenix is NOT the place a new grad wants to be.

Hey there!

I see this post is kinda old. Does anyone have any input as to the current market? I graduated in SF but have had no luck finding a position in 8 months. I am now considering leaving the area and would like to go where I have family.

I applied for a AZ license by endorsement. Applied to a couple jobs and one I got an instant (

Thanks for the input!

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Also I have a BSN, not sure if that matters.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

From what I know and hear from others, the market is still pretty tough here. I know a couple people working as nurses but they volunteered all throughout school at that hospital and even then still had a tough time getting a job there.

Some of the listings say new grad or open to new grad. Just have to do a lot of searching! But if you're after an easy market, I don't think Phoenix is a fit.

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Thanks AZBlueBell! Yea, fools paradise when job hunting. We'll I appreciate the response and wish you luck in your job hunt or nursing career!

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It took my roommate about 5 months to get a job after licensure last year. My other friend was licensed about 7 months ago and nothing yet either. Its tough. I'm considering applying for jobs in different parts lf AZ or just moving out for a little bit :(

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Chikia, it's tough. I can understand that. I've been graduated for 10 months and haven't landed a nursing job yet. I also have been limiting myself to the Bay Area since about 2 weeks ago. It's hard when everyone's only real answer seems to be "move". We'll moving isn't always in everyones' best interest. Also, moving also doesn't really promise anything. Sure theres days where I question why I worked hard, went to school and became a nurse. Guess it's about perseverance. Only you know if moving is the right decision for you. You also loose nothing by applying and then seeing what happens. My classmates that moved, most found jobs. Granted they had to move to random, remote locations and take whatever was available.

Sometimes it makes me smile to think someday these hospitals that reject us and treat us like we are bothering them when we call, will be begging us to work for them when all those nurses retire. I will quickly forgive them for an amazing job offer. LOL

Best of luck to you!

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I work for Honor Health. We have hired a lot of new grads these past few months. More than I have ever seen. I think my floor just hired 9 or 10 and we still have a new grad position posted.

I think the market is starting to come around a little bit? It's hard to say.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
I work for Honor Health. We have hired a lot of new grads these past few months. More than I have ever seen. I think my floor just hired 9 or 10 and we still have a new grad position posted.

I think the market is starting to come around a little bit? It's hard to say.

Honor health took over Scottsdale Shea now right? Because I happened to be on their website yesterday and it was all honor health now! So I have no idea what it means or if it's simply a change in name and nothing else.

I was trying to find the page (ugh I should've bookmarked it!!) where you could request to shadow a nurse. It was the only hospital I could find in Phoenix that would allow that and now I can't find the page. But anyways, that's how I noticed it was all honor health now.

Their new grad postings were much like it was before the change. I do appreciate their postings specifically saying for new grads! I want to say there was 4-5 of them posted.

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Scottsdale health and JcL merged. The new name of the hospital system is Honor Health. So there is Honor Health Deer valley, Honor Health Scottsdale-Shea etc.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
Scottsdale health and JcL merged. The new name of the hospital system is Honor Health. So there is Honor Health Deer valley, Honor Health Scottsdale-Shea etc.

Ok cool, have you seen any changes since the merge? Good, bad, or indifferent? Do you like working there?

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I graduated in May and I've applied to more than 50 positions, 4 interviews and nothing but rejection so far. Except for home health :-(

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When I was a new grad I moved to San Antonio, Texas. Once you get rid of that label of a "new grad" jobs open up to like crazy! Good luck to all of you!

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