Why won't company's hire new grads?

[tyandgil]

So I'm a new Graduate Practical Nurse. Actually just got my authorization in the mail yesterday to take my state boards here in Missouri. I must have put out at least a dozen to 2 dozen applications online and in the mail within the last couple of weeks and received....NOTHING!!! I'm so aggravated. I've had my resume and cover letters read and reread by several people, but I'm coming up with nothing. What else do I have to do to get people to hire graduate nurses? Everyone wants experience.

[itsmejuli]

Yup, got my license in October and have been looking ever since. Gotta figure out a new plan of attack.

Unfrikkinbelievable and depressing.

[ats1983]

Personally, I would think training a new grad would be beneficial to a company for many reasons. They can train us to be exactly what they want, and we cost the least. Unfortunately, that's not the case. This is my opinion, but I believe most of the companies/agencies/hospitals/etc are just flat out LAZY. They don't want to take the time to train anyone (which I DO understand), but they don't want to change the system. They're happy keeping the same nurses overworked and keeping their locations understaffed, because for them, it still works.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to money spent versus money earned. If they can work one person to the bone instead of having to pay for 3 people to do the same job, it makes more sense (or is it cents? ) for the company to just ride it out. It hurts us newer nurses who genuinely want to work, but ultimately it's hurting their clients. It's always about the money in the end for these people, not the quality of care, which should be the first priority no matter what the cost.

Don't get me wrong...a good experienced nurse is always a good thing, and without them, us newer nurses would be in trouble! I have nothing against the experienced nurses. In some situations, I understand why new grads cannot get jobs anywhere. Some positions require experience, and that is a good thing. But lately, no one wants to take a chance for anything. There is NO nursing shortage, only a shortage of employers who are unwilling to hire nurses. This is all my opinion, I just call it as it appears to me and what I see everyday in my quest to actually get hired!

[KB24]

A lot places don't want to hire LPN's and it cost a lot of money to train a new grad compare to a nurse with a few years of experience.

[kat7ap]

What type of places are you applying to? Part of the problem maybe that you are mailing and sending your applications online. I realize for most hospitals there is no other option but for smaller facilities like nursing homes or physician offices you can usually fill out the application in person. When I first graduated that is exactly what I did. In most cases I got an on the spot interview with the hiring person. Also, perhaps not having your license yet it scaring away potential employers. In my experience with hospitals, they can take a very long time to process your application and unfortunately most do not want to hire LPN/LVNs without hospital experience.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You might have better luck if you already had a license in your possession because many places of employment are reluctant to take a chance on a GPN (graduate practical nurse) who does not yet have a license. Also, I echo kat7ap's suggestion to start applying to smaller places in person. An emailed application is easy to ignore, but a stylish applicant who arrives in person with a positive attitude is almost impossible to brush aside. Good luck to you!

[AZMOMO2]

I have found that having a license does make the difference. I was not getting any hits as a student but as soon as I sent resumes out with my Lic # I am getting calls.

New grad LPNs take less money to train than a new grad RN. Different jobs and all that. LPNs usually get 3-5 days/nights if you are lucky before you are on your own. And the companies that are willing to hire new grads at least want you to have the License because if for some reason you don't pass they haven't already wasted what little money they have allocated to train you. You can't work without a license in this economy.

Of course when this economy finally reverses LTC and SNF are gonna see big hits when the RN/BSNs depart on mass to the hospital jobs they really wanted.

[Gobacktosleep]

I know what you mean. I'm in Florida and took the state test in December '09 (passed also). I got a home health gig in late January that never calls me for a job and Im finding it impossible to find a second job. I must have sent my resume and applied to at least 60 places and nothing. Im starting to get really depressed