My wife is graduating in December, we were looking at the Bay Area in California but that's a cross-country move and it looks tough for new grads there. I'm got 3+ years ICU, so not worried about me, but can some of you folks who are living in REAL nursing shortage areas (AKA you get out of school and there's jobs aplenty for new grads) let me know where you are?
We're willing to try anywhere in the country really...if there's any part of California that still has a shortage, though, feel free to chime in! :typing
I live in Phoenix - and just this weekend at clinicals we heard that Banner Health (big network here) is starting lay offs! And cutting overtime and minimizing pool. yikes. I graduate in May...not looking too good for us new grads!
^^That is the reason the economy tightening up in hospitals doesn't scare me much. Uncle Sam is always ready to accept another warm body. Going into the nurse corps will be my contingency plan if I can't get hired at a VA center after I get me license. I still have a few years though so hopefully everything will right itself by then.
I'm hoping to graduate in December. It seems that in a matter of a few months, or even a month, the climate for jobs has changed dramatically. I'm in OH, and the hospital I precept at has had a huge census change, and nurses talk about it both there and at clinicals. Contingent nurses aren't used, nurse anesthetists have been fired, nurses aren't getting all of their hours, and anyone who's not absolutely needed is getting axed (support staff). The economy has really thrown everyone for a loop...at light speed. It's pretty scary. I have hope, though, just because I'm that way, but really, I'm nervous. If nurses who've been working years are concerned, as a new grad, I can't imagine.
As many other said, rural areas are excellent places to get a job. If you really want california, the inland empire seems to have a lot of opportunities for new RNs. It's definitely not the prettiest or most metropolitan area. I like it though, and there is a very decent amount of hospitals. Where I live, I have about 8 or 9 hospitals near me, and at least half of them will hire new grads, and they don't just hire twice a year. Good luck
Where specifically are you referring to? I live in San Diego County and have been looking since last Feb. with no action whatsoever. Pretty dismal! I'm thinking further afield from home these days so any information would be welcome. Thanks!
I just started reading this tread. Where in OH is offering such good bonuses? I've been looking since before I graduated in May and still nothing that I would love doing. I had a brief (very brief) job on a NICU, just enough for me to really fall in love with it. So thats what I'm looking for. I lived in AZ for 4 years and would be willing to move back for a brief time, just not permanently. Anyone hear about jobs in NM?
South Texas. Large sign-on bonus but knowing spanish is a MUST.
There is a very good reason for large sign on bonuses! (and it seems most people leave before their contract is up so they end up paying it back anyway..)
I think it also depends on your timing...especially two to three months before all the new grads are coming out from schools. In Los Angeles, many hospitals have "new grads open house," and some of them interview you on the spot. I went to two job interviews two months before graduating, and I got accepted to both. One of them is Cedar Sinai. Many of my classmates, who go to these open houses the same time as I did, got at least two jobs offers. But I have classmates who are unable to get a job NOW because most positions are filled. So it's a matter of timing. I would go directly to see the nurse managers of a particular units/hospitals and express your interests.
As far as I can tell, Arizona is still hurting for nurses all across the board. In Tucson it looks like the average starting wage for new grads is $24/hr-ish but of course the cost of living here is much lower than most parts of the country. We're right next to California so it could be a good place to stake your tent for a couple of years and hey, you might decide you love it here. It's a nice place to live.
Interesting how quickly things can change. Tucson hospitals are suddenly only hiring a handful of new grads or none at all!
Any updates on this subject? Scanning through the thread, I notice Arizona mentioned several times... but I've heard that now there isn't anything in Arizona. California doesn't seem to be good anywhere. I've heard mixed things about Florida.
Doesn't it seem like one person will say "come here, we have lots of openings" and the next person will say "are you crazy? there's a hiring freeze here"?
SnarfGirl
100 Posts
I live in Phoenix - and just this weekend at clinicals we heard that Banner Health (big network here) is starting lay offs! And cutting overtime and minimizing pool. yikes. I graduate in May...not looking too good for us new grads!