Where are all of the jobs hiding?

[Kaysmom8]

Hello,

I recently passed the nclex and I've been job searching for about 2-3 weeks now and no responses at all. I'm so discouraged I worked my behind off in an advanced Rn program and most job ads want previous experience. I have past experience of about 6 years in the medical field and it still isn't good enough. Anyone else having the same problem???

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Nurses don't want to work in Iowa because the pay sucks. I mean it, on the list of best to worse salary for nurses, Iowa is 49!QUOTE=jlpolec;7699213]If you really really want a nursing job, either take SNFs or Home health or move ( I swear I keep posting this because its true) to a state that no one wants to move to, (i.e) Alaska, Wyoming, Iowa, Kansas, Idaho. For those who are from there no offense meant here. I'm from Cali I'm just stating where the nursing jobs are available.

I'm asking this because I don't know -- is the cost of living also lower in Iowa? If you can have a comparable lifestyle living in Iowa with a lower cost of living, why NOT move there? (Other than, as my cousin who lived in Iowa always used to say, "Iowa is nothing but a bunch of stupid pig farmers.) But I'm from Wisconsin, and I know there is rivalry.

Idaho is beautiful, especially in the panhandle. I'm not sure what the pay/cost of living equation works out to there, but if you're looking for an area with beautiful country fairly close to a city (Spokane), Idaho rocks.

Alaska is also gorgeous and I've considered moving there myself. (My husband, born and raised in the deep south, won't move there so I'm stuck.) I know several folks who moved to Anchorage and LOVE it. It may not be the place you want to live forever, but why NOT move there for a couple of years, get some experience and enjoy the outdoor activities and the culture there?

Wyoming is "Big Sky Country", and the sky really IS big. Some people might find that a compelling reason to live there for awhile. It would certainly be an adventure, and think of the stories you can tell your friends back home in Manhatten when you do return home!

[montinurse, BSN]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting your career in a nursing home.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Iowa is beautiful in many places (lush is the word that comes to mind. it is SO fertile. if you are into the organic craze you would have fun gardening and composting) and in general the people are down to earth, straightforward and kind. I would live there in a heartbeat.

The history there is truly interesting. Near the Missouri River in Western Iowa you can still go hiking and find arrowheads. Lots of Native American tribes converged at Council Bluffs. Omaha is right across the river and is quite metropolitan. The Black Hills are a few hours drive. So is Chicago. Iowa and Nebraska both get overlooked. Both are really good places to live and wonderful for raising a family.

[montinurse, BSN]

The nursing shortage theory still exists because it seems every unit is ALWAYS short staffed. Welcome to healthcare. Employers want experienced nurses. So there's a shortage of experienced hospital/snif nurses. I wouldn't misinform student nurses, they need to be aware that the first few years aren't easy.

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

The nursing shortage theory still exists because it seems every unit is ALWAYS short staffed. Welcome to healthcare. Employers want experienced nurses. So there's a shortage of experienced hospital/snif nurses. I wouldn't misinform student nurses they need to be aware that the first few years aren't easy.[/quote']

In my experience. They are short staffed by choice. They don't want to have to pay staff on shifts where census is down. So instead they force their staff to work short so they can get their raises at the end of the fiscal year.

[montinurse, BSN]

Don't I know :)