Where are all the jobs????

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 29, 2011

Definately apply to long term care, skilled rehab, doctor's offices, schools and summer camps. Anything to get your started and making money. Jobs are highly competitive right now, as many hospitals are not in great financial shape and are not hiring. Many nurses already employed are working extra hours or not retiring due to the economy. There are also way more nursing graduates than there are jobs to fill. Having an ADN, depending on your area, may but you at a disadvantage, but there is no guarantee a BSN will help.

VioletKaliLPN, LPN · May 29, 2011

have you applied specifically to "new grad positions"? make sure you look out for those positions, as well as positions which do not require experience. you are likely not going to get an l&d job fresh out of school, so be realistic as to which jobs you apply for.

yes, apply for ltc, offices, rehab, etc..

mern11 · May 29, 2011

Well I just finished my BSN. We had several managers from different hospitals come to talk to our class to talk to us about the job market out there. They said that it will be hard to get jobs in this economy but once it gets better, some nurses that expected to retire will retire and we get jobs. All I can advise you is use your time now get your education to the level that you want instead of getting a job and then try to juggle the two.

silentRN · May 29, 2011

I recommend going to Grand Canyon University while you are waiting for a job. It's 3 semester long and accredited for your RN-BSN.

PintheD · May 29, 2011

Apply for everything! You will gain valuable experience in any healthcare setting.

Hospital jobs are crap but every new nurse needs to experience the role first hand to witness the inherent flaws in faulty systems that dictate modern day nursing. When you do get that hospital job you will be outraged with what you find. Use that to help change the status quo.

I'm sure you don't want to hear this but go back to school! Get your BSN. It will make you more marketable and give you a springboard to further your education. If I was a younger woman I would go to law school to represent nurses abused on the job - physicaliy, emotionally and sexually. Or an MBA to position myself to go head to head with uneducated administrators who don't have a clue how to impact tangible change. The sky is the limit!

Finally, don't buy an expensive house or saddle yourself with other unnecessary debt. Live below your means. This is so important because when you do get that hospital job you will see how abusive these systems are to nurses. Don't make yourself beholden to them. Many nurses today stay in environments that daily violate their rights because they can't afford not to. You are in a great position to take the time to become informed about the profession of nursing. Orchestrate your career on your terms to preserve your rights, speak your voice and protect your health and capacity to enjoy your life.

Best of luck Bea!

hkrntobe · May 29, 2011

I graduated in December. I have applied to every hospital within an hour, LTC facilities, clinics, called private offices, mental health facilities, invested more money in ACLS AND PALS. I have even applied to prisons and NOTHING. :banghead: I am in my mid 30’s and this is a second career for me. I have 2 boys and don’t have the money or support to move. I was so very proud of myself for achieving this goal. Unfortunately my pride has been deeply affected by the fact that I seem to hold (at least it would seem in the medical professions eyes) a degree that hold no value, and offers no support for my family. I am buried under a mountain of debt from all the sacrifices I have made in committing myself to this goal and have never felt so frustrated or desperate. It seems that I see more and more posts from frustrated grads across the country. While people say don’t give up hope, the economy will improve. I have spoke to 3 nurses who faced the same situation in the 80’s and the general input was that during that time, this situation lasted 5-7 years:eek::banghead: (depending on who you speak to.) While I hope and pray the economy improves soon for ALL of us. I just don’t know how much longer I can have faith. I guess i'm asking what everybody else is asking. What more can I do? where can I apply? out of what I have listed, what avenues of Nursing am I overlooking? Any helpful input would be greatly appreciated. :confused:

Beatrice1, Do you mind if I ask what state you live in?

Prayers to us all.:hug:

tokmom, BSN, RN · May 29, 2011

These posts are so very scary to read. I wish all of you luck.

beatrice1 · May 29, 2011

To "hkrntobe" I am in Rhode Island. I too also went back to school late in life, I am 45.

Thank you all for your responses, although still discouraging. It's nice to get honest information.

I work as a private home care aid, so I don't have hospital experience. (except clinicals) I do want to continue on and get my BSN but i want to work in the field this time, so at least I get my foot in the door!

I have applied to New Grad jobs... there just aren't that many. It's so fustrating.

I never see any doctor's offices, or schools or anyone else advertising for jobs. Where would I find this?

All the hospitals are all "online" applications. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH never get an answer!

I guess time to apply to LTC which is what I enjoy anyway, but I wanted to start out in the hospital to get alot of assessment skills and experience with a wide variety of areas. ???

what to do???? hmmm

Bea :redbeathe

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · May 29, 2011

I feel your pain.... I guess all the JOBS went to those that were well prepared and got their NCLEX stuff out of the way.... My school neglected to tell us that we could get our applications in before graduation... and i didn't do research so i'm definitely at fault.... I have to wait 6 weeks for my ATT and thats a minimum...

How am i coping? I have faith that the same GOD who saw me through the horror that was Nursing school will see me through to a job....

radioactivern · May 29, 2011

Hi-well this is difficult. Possibly the agencies, but they may require 2 years experience. I graduated in 1983 during a severe nursing shortage and we were able to get any job we wanted, I went directly to L&D. Maybe traveling on short assignments, but they may also require experience. Have you tried to apply to the VA? It is unfortunate, but we "older" nurses are continuing to work due to the "economy" that nasty word. Regardless of the degree you have experience is king. I do know my son is in pre-nursing and the state he lives in is loaded with jobs..Keep the faith!

DNS on the go · May 29, 2011

Please do not waste your money and time on further degrees including a BSN or an MBA, at this time.

What you need is a job. If you can not find a job, either volunter or move on to another career.

If you can return to your previous career and volunter you may be able to segway into a nursing job. I am not telling you to volunter fulltime as you have bills to pay and you mostly likely need to work for money. The sad irony is that mosy people went into nursing to find a job and are now seeing the reality of the nursing world.

I am sorry for you and wish you well but maybe you want to move on.

Cutting your losses early is better than putting more money and time into a career that may not come to fruition.

PS...if you can get your BLS and along with IV certification-training, you may be able to get low level home health work doing extended stay custodial care nursing care.