Why won't anyone hire new graduate nurses??!!?!?

ayorenee · Jun 24, 2011

How far in Wisconsin do you live? You might want to try working in Illinois if you are close to the border. I work at the Lake County Health Dept in Waukegan, we have a lot of staff there who reside in Wisconsin. When I graduated in '07 finding a job was very competitive. You might have to look at working in a nursing home, home health, case management just to get your foot in the door. I wish you the best of luck!

tex42cares · Jun 24, 2011

Time to start knocking on doors ... This is about Salesmanship now.

imagenthings · Jun 24, 2011

Sorry to hear that you cannot find a nursing job. I am also in the same boat and spent some time thinking about other places where I can use what I learned in nursing school and combine that with other jobs that I have previous experience.

I tutored for many years and through networking I found a job teaching CNA students Anatomy and Physiology. It pays as well as nursing in NYC and better. The down side is that you only get two days of work initially. I still want that nursing position so I volunteer in the specialty I want and although they dont let me do too much with patients I see another networking opportunity.

It is an idea. Hope it helps.

ChuckeRN, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

I've been looking for about a month, but I've been offered a job in a hospital in Minot ND. If I was single and without a family, I would have jumped all over it, but I had to turn it down.

As suggested, try looking in non-traditional places like correctional facilities, etc.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 24, 2011

We really do not have a shortage of nursing positions for new grads, but are trying to hire experienced nurses to certain areas. We can only have a limited amount of new grads as we do not want all unexperienced people on the same shift at the same time. Older nurses are not retiring due to economy. Plus, hospitals are stapped for money too. It is difficult for new grads I am sure. So sorry you are having this problem, but hope things change soon.

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

Have you checked out Divine Savior in Portage, WI? Not sure where you are located, but I worked there when I lived in Madison for about 7 months before I moved out of state. They have a lot of positions open.

http://www.dshealthcare.com/Main/Careers.aspx

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

If you're desperate, you might relocate to get that infamous year of experience.

I was told point blank by a nurse manager that she doesn't want to hire new grads because they get their "one year" and leave.

ETA: A health system website I was looking at yesterday had a pre-employment "screening" before you could apply for a job. It had a long list of characteristics they look at. One of the warning signs they mentioned was a short-term work history.

jcadler82, BSN · Jun 24, 2011

Check out Ministry Health Care...Marshfield has a few Acute Med/Surg positions that will accept new grad applications and also a FT OR position that says "new grads encouraged to apply" Good luck!

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

I was told point blank by a nurse manager that she doesn't want to hire new grads because they get their "one year" and leave.

This may say more about the company than the new grads.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

So, I am a registered nurse in Wisconsin. I graduated in Dec. '10, but I haven't found a job yet....I have looked at almost every option. Basically NO ONE wants me... I am wondering if anyone knows if you CAN work as a CNA in Wisconsin with a registered nurse license? I honestly just need experience at this point, I will try anything. Otherwise I might look at volunteer opportunites, but what type of volunteering would even be helpful??? I am so frustrated!!! I don't know what to do and wish people would just give me a chance so I can prove what a great nurse I can be

I don't see any reason why you cannot work as a CNA with an RN license. Heck, there are thousands of CNAs taking the NCLEX across the country, it's not like we get fired when we pass. I'm finishing out my last few weeks at my CNA job right now.

Sure, an organization very well might refuse to hire an RN for a CNA position, but not because it is against the law.

If you are willing to relocate a few miles west, MN has a lot of jobs available in Home Health and LTC. Hospital jobs are extremely scarce for new grads, but others seem very available.

samae23 · Jun 26, 2011

Good points all, I'm actually in Madison, WI. But I'm sure it would be worth it to commute if I were to find a job outside the city. I've been looking around Madison too. I'll keep looking. I understand why people don't really want to hire new grads though and it's a good point about the whole not wanting to hire a new grad b/c some just want their one year experience and then quit. Which actually doesn't look that great either I'm sure!

Jenni811, RN · Jun 26, 2011

Well thanks everyone! I WISH I could relocate....unfortunately my situation sucks even more because my fiance just got a job in the area as a police officer, so needless to say we're kinda stuck here for a little while! I guess I'll just have to start volunteering!! I'll keep looking though, I'm not going to give up on nursing!! Never!

Nice to see another cheesehead. i feel ya, im stuck in good ol' wisconsin too since my fiance got a job here. Got a job right away out of college fortunately. relied alot on my volunteer experience and i was a soccer coach for special olympics, so that was different and something other people didn't have.

As far as CNA laws in WI, i don't think you can work as a CNA in WI unless you have your CNA license. Even if you did have your CNA license, it needs to be renewed every 2 years so it may have expired by now, but it depends when you last renewed it.

Best of luck, happy job searching. (Lots in Kenosha/Milwaukee area)