Why won't anyone hire new grads?

U.S.A. Nevada

Published

I find myself sooooo frustrated right now. All this hard work to get through school, graduate, pass boards, and now no one want to hire a new grad. Does anyone know if any hospitals hiring new grads right now?

If not, when do they usually start hiring them?

I'm just afraid at this rate that I'll have forgotten everything I've learned before I ever get my foot in the door. :uhoh21:

I feel all of your pain and sympathize. I graduated in May, passed boards in June and just recently found a job, because it was due to networking. As corny as it sounds please do not give up hope. I understand that many of you have families to support, and expected to get a job right away. But due to the economy hospitals are not hiring like they once were. Yes it does cost a lot of money for hospitals to train new nurses, but we can not apply our knowledge without clinical experience. I signed a 2 year contract for the unit that I am on. Please if you are still in school, network within your clinical facilities. Make yourself invaluable, talk to the nurse manager and ask what you can do, so that you might have a chance to work on that floor.! Don't be afraid to market yourself. Otherwise when your application comes into HR, you are just another nameless face. This is the reality of the current job outlook. For others that have graduated, see if you can go to HR and talk to the nurse recruiter for the positions that you have applied for. You have to be persistent! (Call, follow-up, send a thank-you note! That is the key to this, make yourself know to them and tell them what you can bring to their organization, and if they can give you any advice in how to get a job or what you can do, to make yourself stand out. Every semester Las Vegas has many schools that produce nurses. We have UNLV, CSN, Apollo, NSC, and University of Southern Nevada. We are all competing against each others, different schools, and people that are our classmates. What is it about you that sets you apart from your peers. We need to come together and let out state representative know what is going on! This is why people leave Nevada! Contact the State Board of Nursing, the Nevada Hospital Association! Everyone that is frustrated and on this thred should call both of these organizations and see what is going on and what advice they have for you.I have contacted them and feel that it helped me land a position. You have to be proactive and, we need to come together as professionals and let the public be aware that there is a nursing shortage, but it is for experienced nurses and not new grads. Hope that this helps some of you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Chemical Dependency, Rehab.

I know its going to take some time...but its just hard in the meantime, living paycheck to paycheck - - applying for a 2nd job at places like walmart to supplement my income while all the older nurses return to the work field to supplement their income. The funny thing is, I went to nursing school so my future children would have a mother that could provide for them without worrying about putting food on the table - - and here I am - with a 3 month old and no nursing job. I just feel like I'm failing her.

I'm just ranting at this point. Logic tells me it won't be like this forever, but emotionally, I've hit rock bottom. I guess I'm lucky that I have a job at all. It could always be worse. :cry:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah it's tough, took me an entire year to nab a job. Granted I messed around for awhile, we moved...and for a good amount of time my job searching was half-hearted. Once I got serious it still took six months until I finally lined one up. Firstly you have to be willing to move/travel. I'm currently 3.5 hours from home (in good weather) and it's harsh but I'm working and getting experience. Coming from the Bay Area and working here in Reno it's rough, we have a new baby and all. But it is what it is and it is only a matter of time until I have enough experience and I'm closer to home.

Anyhow, the average cost to train a new grad is anywhere from 80k to 120k...depending on the department. As an orientee you're not counted in the staffing, and require the coverage of a preceptor even once you are taking the full load. Some places actually do pay a preceptor more as well, it's usually like a buck an hour (not worth it imo for some departments...or orientees hehe). Add to that all the inservices/classes/training materials/etc. and the cost to train makes more sense.

So yeah onto the useful information. Some things really stand out on a resume/Cover letter. Don't be afraid to use appropriate humor...my fav thing to put on a cover letter is that as a new graduate I have not yet had the opportunity to become jaded or develop bad habits. References from clinical instructors hold more weight. And pretty much any thing you can do to stand out is a big plus. Once I got my ACLS I noticed suddenly I was getting calls for interviews. Four serious months of searching with no interview whatsoever...and suddenly I had three. So do yourself a favor and pad that resume with pertinent certifications. Take a strips class, ACLS, PALS...whatever it takes. That really stands out and holds huge weight. Also do some time in a SNF if you have to. Heck I got so desparate I was even applying for CNA positions. Not sure how it works here in Nevada but legally in Cali an RN can work as a CNA...I looked it up :p

Anyhow main thing is don't give up and just keep plugging along. Make sure each and every one of your cover letters is unique and tailored to the facilty and job you are applying for. Every little details matters as for me it was application 458 (not joking, over 100 applications to Sutter hospitals alone) that finally got me the interview for the job I have now. Oh and check out the Reno VA they have been hiring tons of new nurses as GNTs. St. Mary's is hiring a lot of new grads in spurts as well.

Good luck folks and hang in there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

it's so stressful to know that no hospital is currently hiring new grads.. I just passed this week.

How can new grads gain experience if no hospital wants to give them a chance to prove themselves?

:confused::scrying:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I heard the bottom line is liability. We know nothing (technically) and the hospitals see us as an 'accident waiting to happen.' That is what I was told by an older more experienced RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Where are you getting the figure 100k to train a new grad? I'm just curious - having seen cost benefit analysis on training new employee in other fields this seems high.

From several hospital recruiters. In Nevada the cost is less around 60k, but that is still allot of money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

lets all not get upset yet the economy will come back we have had many recessions before this one is no different

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like Cosper 123 said get ACLS and an EKG class. You will be so much better for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I has been quite some time since I have posted. I am so elated to say that I just received a call for an interview with St. Rose for a New Grad position that was posted and I applied for in May !! :yeah: Just when I didn't think that there were any jobs available in this city, here is one.... I have been looking since June of last year. I so thrilled! Has anyone else received any calls?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I has been quite some time since I have posted. I am so elated to say that I just received a call for an interview with St. Rose for a New Grad position that was posted and I applied for in May !! :yeah: Just when I didn't think that there were any jobs available in this city, here is one.... I have been looking since June of last year. I so thrilled! Has anyone else received any calls?

good for u! congrats! hope u get the job!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Management, Corrections, Home Care.

I can't find a hospital job either and I have been a nurse for over 15 years. I have very little "hospital" experience but I have been practicing in various other specialties utilizing my skills. I have ACLS and Trauma Nurse certification but they are not helping. I work home health now and I kinda like the freedom and independence.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Goodluck everyone. I've been seeing ads for nursing jobs that REQUIRE TWO years experience now. I think they're talking about actual PAID experience, not nursing school training/preceptorships.

The one year experience requirement is being phased out. More and more employers are changing to two years requirement. So far, I haven't seen any ad that said NEW GRAD.... ZERO experience, WILL TRAIN. Apply here.

Nope, none anymore. I don't even remember the last time I actually saw an ad that said: will hire new grad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment