I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I worked as a medical secretary for 13 years, and a couple of years ago I decided to further my education so I'd make more money, and also because I enjoy the healthcare field and was a little bored in my current situation. I was trying to decided between a masters in healthcare administration or nursing, and I ultimately chose nursing because it seemed that job opportunities were endless. Fast forward two years, and I've gotten all my pre-reqs done, but I've read consistently on this board and other places that the bottom has fallen out of the nursing field, especically for new grads. I've all but decided to switch my major to healthcare admin. However, after looking on websites such as indeed.com or monster I see tons of job listings for new grads. Are these legit? And of course my advisor at my college is still telling me there's still a huge shortage. I'm just so torn on what to do, because all of the information out there is so conflicting. Both careers interst me, and I'd love to do either. But I really need to be able to land a good job when I'm done to pay off the loans I've taken out and begin a retirement plan ! I keep hearing that this problem is only temporary, but when you look at the numbers of graduates versus jobs it's slightly alarming. I can't help but wonder if this surplus is just a temporary thing or a sign of how things will be for quite some time....
Wow, thanks for all of your thoughts. I see what you mean about the job listings. The whole scenario is just a bummer. I have to say I'm so grateful for this website. At least now, if I do decide to go ahead and pursue the nursing avenue, I'll know what I'm going into. Otherwise, I would have just blindly started the program assuming that nurses were still in high demand and I'd be guaranteed a job when I'm done!
It's not by the same author but it was inspired by "We Are Not Hiring" and created using the same site (xtranormal.com). It's a portrayal of an experience of the frustrations that I believe is shared by thousands of new grads during these tough times. Glad you liked it
I love it! Is this by the same author as "We Are Not Hiring"?
Have you researched positions for health care administration? While a lot of new grad nurses are frustrated with the lack of jobs, this is a nursing forum, there is a general lack of jobs that is just as frustrating for other professions too.
I have a friend who has been unemployed for over a year, he's looking to go to nursing school so he can get a job. My brother is also on the waiting list for nursing school because the job prospects are better (though he's currently employed he's been on/off work regularly for the last two years). I'm not saying new grads don't have in rough in some areas, just that there are other job markets that are just as bad if not worse.
Yeah, I've researched it! If that 's what I decide I can get my Bachelors in just over a year, and there's a good number of positions that are similar but a step up from what I was doing before. Any job is tough to get right now, but I think that my past years experience will help. From there I'll start working on my MBA. I'm realistic and I've got a positive attitude, and I know that in a down economy nothing is a sure thing. But honestly, the numbers of new nurses being produced yearly is what is dissuading me. Unfortunately, it's hard to argue with numbers!
Have you researched positions for health care administration? While a lot of new grad nurses are frustrated with the lack of jobs, this is a nursing forum, there is a general lack of jobs that is just as frustrating for other professions too.
I have a friend who has been unemployed for over a year, he's looking to go to nursing school so he can get a job. My brother is also on the waiting list for nursing school because the job prospects are better (though he's currently employed he's been on/off work regularly for the last two years). I'm not saying new grads don't have in rough in some areas, just that there are other job markets that are just as bad if not worse.
Of course there are other occupations that have been hit much worst than nursing. BUT............Nursing and a couple of occupations are being pushed by the media and other sources as the next best/big thing. Which is not true at this point. What worse is anyone that is not an RN or personally knows an RN doesn't know how hard it is right now. I mean do you know how many times I tell someone I have an RN and they always say: "Yeah I heard there quite a shortage out there." "You must be busy." Uhhhhh..........no. Not really.
And of course my advisor at my college is still telling me there's still a huge shortage.
Please go back to this person and let them know that they are wrong. It's bad enough that she or he is giving you bad advice -- maybe you can at least save her/his future advisees from being misinformed.
There may indeed be shortages in some parts of the country but overall it appears from the incomplete data that I see that there is a glut.
You really can't blame folks for saying that there is a shortage of RNs however. Official organizations such as the Amercian Association of Critical Care Nusres and even the the US Bureau of Labor Statistisc (BLS) still report about both shortages and a sunny job market for new nursing grads. News organizations also continue to supply grist to the nursing shortage rumor mill. Quite frankly though, there is a shortage of reliable data on this subject although the limited data available certainly supports the reverse, i. e., that there is a glut of qualified nurses rather than a shortage.
I would advise those thinking or entering the profession to do so because they are attracted to the work, not because employment will be easy to find. I would also advise that the BSN (rather than diploma or ADN) is a much better route - from what I've seen, both health care organizations and ANA are taking advantage of the present situation to make the BSN the new minimum entry-level credential. Again from what I've seen, new BSN grads have a much easier time than ADNs. This is not a knock on ADN-RNs - I am one myself - just an observation of what I see.
The final piece of advice that would give is take everything you hear (this opinion included) with a grain of salt ant temper it with your own observations and data.
I graduated in August 2010 with zero medical work experience. Here in FL there are plenty of job openings - for experienced nurses.
How I was able to break through the Catch-22 was through direct networking, often with people I had never previously met. I contacted hospital recruiters, nursing managers, supervisors, nurses I knew, etc. I tried to meet them face to face whenever possible; however, some limited progress was also made by telephone. From one cold-call walk-in meeting with a nursing manager I was able to get an interview that same day and earn a second interview with his staff on another day (no, I didn't get that job). Another interview came a week later at a different facility. Another swing and a miss. Eventually a contact from a nursing friend set up an interview with a director that led to my current job.
Sending in resumes and waiting is the easiest route. It's also the least successful. Unless a person is geographically challenged (i.e. lives out in the sticks) then there's no reason for not directly meeting with individuals who have the power to say "yes". It's outside the comfort zone of many to do this; on the other hand, whoever dares, wins.
Unfortunately for us, the only way new grads are getting jobs is either through someone they know, a bit of luck, and/ or relocating. There are some jobs, but you basically have to be willing to move wherever to get it. I don't see this improving for at least a year and a half, either. Try to hang in there.
It all really depends on where you live. I'm in Nevada and the class that's graduating now (they walk tomorrow) all have jobs and they haven't even taken their nclex. Well, all but 2 people have jobs. During my clinicals I was asking RNs if they know how the hiring has been for new grads and they told me new grads are hired on all the time. They looked at me like I was crazy when I said I had kept hearing that it's impossible for new grads to get hired! So I think it just really depends on where you are.
These experiences are interesting. I am a new grad, and it was difficult for most of my class to find jobs. Very difficult. Most took jobs that they did not want to take. I was patient, and waited and waited, and finally got my ICU position.
Some of my friends moved, one went to Clearwater,FL, was there nearly 6 months constantly applying, going in person and dropping off resumes to the mgr's etc, not a single interview. Another friend, had a similar experience in chicago, and ended up moving with a family member to TX where she found a job. I personally, along with 6 others, applied in Vegas, L.A, North and South Carolinas big city hospitals, and several areas in FL didn't get a call. Most of us are honors graduates. Although we weren't able to go in person and hand our resume in with a smile, and a great attitude, it was still a grueling process that when we all started expected to be able to move anywhere, get a job in the area we desired, and heck, maybe even a sign on bonus. In a few short years your lucky to have a job before you have to start paying back student loans. In a few more??? I don't know.. But if you watch the market at all as I do, and notice the public perception of the economy still dwindling, "hence the still rising gold/silver prices" then you expect things to get worse.
On a side note- I have friends in Accounting/Finance getting jobs like its nothing, one friend of my just turned down a 70-80k a year job at a dealership because it was 6days a week. Don't blame him being so young and not needing the money, but I KNOW there's alot of people out there goin to school that would jump on that.
! I keep hearing that this problem is only temporary, but when you look at the numbers of graduates versus jobs it's slightly alarming. I can't help but wonder if this surplus is just a temporary thing or a sign of how things will be for quite some time....
Trinitas2010RN
67 Posts
Yep. Your you-tube link is accurate.
Think I'm in for a looooooonnnnnnnng wait.