What Nursing shortage? New grad....

[nurseontheway]

Hello fellow Nurses. I received my LPN license on January 21st. You always hear about the 'nursing shortage.' Well, I can't find a job to save my life. I am working as a caretaker for $9 an hour. I am thankful for the experience and at least it is in the medical field. Nursing homes and most agencies won't hire new grads. The agencies that will hire you don't have the hours that I need. Is anyone else running into the same issues? I am in a RN program and boy that makes me want my RN license even worse. Some of the hospitals come and recruit you while still in the program... I still have another year to go but maybe that is my 'light at the end of the tunnel.'

[katherine100, LPN]

Wow..

It is not just LPN's having a hard time finding a new grad position. I graduated in December as an RN, passed NCLEX, can take any shift offered to me and have yet, after 100's of applications to get a call back. I wish you luck in your pursuit and good luck in school.

[Cmineiro]

Im with you on that "nurseontheway". i graduated LPN school in march, took my boards in june, end of june i got my license and certification. i've been sending resumes all over. i got few calls from agency. mostly of the agencies dont offer medical benefits (which i'm really interested in having). i went to an interview in one LTC facility. they just had 1 full time position. it seems that its a little harder then i tought. in nursing school they told me i would find a job without a problem, because i'm bilingual and i'm a male theres a shortage in male nurses. I m finding very much different. Everyone that called me wants experience of at least 1 yr. well we new grads has to start somewhere right? lol. but dont loose hope, i've heard that a job search usually takes about 3 months. its been almost 4 weeks for me, and i'm having few phone calls back. just be very persistent, call them back, be pushy, what u going to loose right? btw i'm in LI-NY.

Good luck!

[gracet84]

It is not just LPN's having a hard time finding a new grad position. I graduated in December as an RN, passed NCLEX, can take any shift offered to me and have yet, after 100's of applications to get a call back. I wish you luck in your pursuit and good luck in school.

That also applies in Florida. From what I've heard, most hospitals here are not hiring new RN grads. Most require at least 1-2 yrs experience.