What is keeping New Grads/less experienced Nurses from being hired and solutions?

[ceebeeRN]

Im sure there is no simple answer to this question but people on here are quite insightful and I would Love to hear some of the responses. We all know that the job market is tough out there, especially for New Grads or those without hospital experience. However, we always hear about hospitals being short staffed or we see a million job postings for nurses (albeit they often say experienced). So, evidently that means that they DO need nurses! My question then is what is keeping the hospitals or other institution from hiring NG or people with little experience if they are so in need of staff? is it a lack of preceptors/nursing educators? is it that hospitals aren't willing to spend or don't have the money to spend on training? or is it something else? Im all ears.

My personal view is this: If it is a money issue, I would be willing to take a paycut for the first few months to offset the costs of training. What are your thoughts on that idea?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

In my area you are not allowed to work under your education. An RN cannot work as an LPN or CNA and an LPN cannot work as a CNA. I was told this is due to they do not want someone that is working as a CNA, but holds an RN Lic. to do something outside that scope of practice setting the hospital up for a lawsuit. I was under the impression this was national not just regional.

If working as a CNA you are obligated to stay within the realm of the CNA job description but you will be held to your RN license if you fail to act......kind of a catch 22. Whether or not is allowed by law will vary state to state/Nurse Practice act to Nurse Practice act.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This is just me, I read previous posting on how they wouldn't take a paycut. I certainly would, in fact I often asked my employer to consider giving me a paycut for at least two months while I was training with someone else or new to the job with no experience. They still didn't take me. If I'm a nurse with or little experience you have to make yourself somewhat more marketable than experienced nurses. Experience comes with time and we get more efficient with skills and care when we are working anywhere. Taking a paycut ONLY for first few months or so. Eventually you become as efficient as other nurses, of course you still lack things they already know, but again this comes with time and seeing things. If we don't begin to work or take paycuts then we will never gain the experience they want from us.

But if you are willing to sell yourself to the lowest bidder.......why would they then change their mind and later say "Hey, let's double their salary for doing the same job!"

It's a slippery slope.

[lrobinson5]

But if you are willing to sell yourself to the lowest bidder.......why would they then change their mind and later say "Hey, let's double their salary for doing the same job!"

It's a slippery slope.

I cannot stress what you have said enough. They don't care about what is fair or right. If they can get you for a lower price they will want to keep it that way. I am guessing the reason most places won't agree to a pay cut is because of unions though.

[Dragonfly777]

Agree with previous comments. Once you get experience and learn what you needed to learn then those months that you worked for count as experience and looks great on your resume, rather than no experience in nursing jobs at all. Besides, I'm talking about a $5.00 cut. I'm not stupid nor crazy to sell my knowledge for 1/2 the prize. Let's say the job pays $30.00 an hr....then I can settle for $25.00 for first few months, because in reality I'm a cost to the company because I'll waste supplies due to errors or even training. The reason they didn't take me I think it was because they never met me personally and everything was said and done over the phone. If you show the drive you have...that is enough for them to consider you. Next application.....for same type of job...I'm applying in person and will try to talk to HR.

[msn10]

The hospitals are not going to hire you even with a pay cut.

The biggest problem? New grads (less than 1 year experience) are too expensive because up until 2009, they had a 50% attrition rate. On average, that is anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 in lost HR/orientation/residency/training and replacement costs.

Why do they leave? #1 reason is they do not like the organization or unit they work for. Manager/co-worker relationships biggest determinant of retention.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Interestingly, my hospital is now only hiring new grads because of the budget. I am leaving there so I'm not all that concerned about it but I don't think it necessarily portrays a positive image to basically say, "we'll hire you because we don't have to pay you as much."