Why many new grads don't find jobs....

[MN-Nurse]

While eating breakfast at a local diner in my scrubs, my waitress was excited to share the news that she, "finished my CNA clinicals yesterday!!"

"Great! How was it?" I asked. She starts nursing school soon.

"Depressing," she said. "It was so sad. Those people hardly have any visitors. My client didn't even have a pair of socks. Just two unmatched ones."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, I worked in a nursing home for two years. Are you going to work as an aide while going to school?"

"NO WAY!" she answered. "They don't make any money and that job looks terrible!"

I nodded, "Yes, it can be hard, but you really do learn a lot. I wouldn't have my med surg job today if I hadn't started in a nursing home."

"I don't know about that," she said, shaking her head. "I had surgery at a clinic the other day and the aide got her job right out of CNA school. Monday through Friday and no weekends!" She continued, "I think she had a really good hookup there."

"Yeah....but that's kind of like winning the 'CNA with no experience' lottery," I told her. There was nothing I could do to convince her that experience in healthcare would help her find a job after graduation. She is going to graduate, apply for jobs, get no offers and blame everyone else for, "Not giving her a chance."

There is absolutely no reason for hiring managers to choose new grads who never worked in healthcare over those who have.

Students, get to work. I know other jobs pay more, but if you really liked those jobs, you would not be going to nursing school.

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

During clinical at my nursing program, ee're not allowed to use the facilities CNA's, as far as asking them to get vitals, i&o's, etc.... We can ask them to help us turn pt or HELP slide them up in bed. Our school I'd adamant on teaching us to do total care, when possible. We have only had the max of 2 pt. dying 1st year. I like that they are training us not to rely on having to have an assistant, but also knowing when to ask for help. I learned a lot about time management from doing my rounds and getting vitals on pt. while at work as a CNA. I want to became ICU nurse one day, and ICU nurses here don't have CNA's. They gave 2-3 patients and they are to provide total care for them.

[Stephalump]

CanadianDude

A CNAs job is your job. You are not going to be employed for long if you sit around waiting for CNAs to do the "dirty work.". For one thing, you have to do what needs to be done if no one is available. YOU are responsible for your patient's needs. A CNA merely lightens the task load.

Second of all, CNAs are going to make themselves scarce far more often if you have a terrible attitude, I promise you.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

CanadianDude

A CNAs job is your job. You are not going to be employed for long if you sit around waiting for CNAs to do the "dirty work.". For one thing, you have to do what needs to be done if no one is available. YOU are responsible for your patient's needs. A CNA merely lightens the task load.

Second of all, CNAs are going to make themselves scarce far more often if you have a terrible attitude, I promise you.

This is absolutely true. I work nights. Any time we need a sitter we are short a CNA. That means one CNA for 36 beds. It really isn't hard to do the math. That CNA can't possibly get to everyone. Therefore unless I have no choice, I do the duties I technically could delegate to the CNA all by myself. The patient should not have to sit in their own mess, degrading skin that is likely already degraded or vulnerable, because I am too proud or too pansy-stomached to deal with it. Not to mention advocating for pride and human dignity by getting them cleaned up quickly and efficiently.

As the nurse, you will be responsible for everything you delegate to the CNA. If he or she doesn't get it done, he or she may indeed get in trouble, but guess what. So does the nurse who was supposed to make sure it got done. Meaning...do it themselves.

[valgraves]

I havent graduated yet, but I can think of a few reasons....mainly the nurse who may have been there a while complains alot, is lazy, and has a bad attitude. I worked as a store manager in retail for years....and i would absolutely hire someone just out of college with a can do attitude over a ****** nurse who thinks she deserves the world.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I havent graduated yet, but I can think of a few reasons....mainly the nurse who may have been there a while complains alot, is lazy, and has a bad attitude. I worked as a store manager in retail for years....and i would absolutely hire someone just out of college with a can do attitude over a ****** nurse who thinks she deserves the world.

Really?

Sigh. Did you consider for a second that when I encouraged nursing students to get experience in healthcare that I might also discourage them from being lazy, thinking they deserve the world, complaining, having a bad attitude, and being a "****** nurse"??

[TAWBSNRN]

I sure wish I could agree with this post, except...

I have over 15 years of CNA experience in various healthcare settings. I have excellent employment references. I just graduated from a BSN program this May with honors. I have applied to almost every health care facility in MD and DE. I have not even been offered an interview, let alone a job. However, many of my classmates (with no experience whatsoever!) have already secured positions. And they haven't even taken their NCLEX exam yet!

I am discouraged to say the least. It's actually quite depressing...

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I sure wish I could agree with this post, except...

I have over 15 years of CNA experience in various healthcare settings. I have excellent employment references. I just graduated from a BSN program this May with honors. I have applied to almost every health care facility in MD and DE. I have not even been offered an interview, let alone a job. However, many of my classmates (with no experience whatsoever!) have already secured positions. And they haven't even taken their NCLEX exam yet!

I am discouraged to say the least. It's actually quite depressing...

not related to nursing but I know many other employers who prefer people on the flip side with zero experience, that way they can "groom" the employees and train them into their own culture...its often harder to retrain and get someone to change their ways. I am surprised more new nurses are not getting jobs. Its just the times we in for now.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

I sure wish I could agree with this post, except...

I have over 15 years of CNA experience in various healthcare settings. I have excellent employment references. I just graduated from a BSN program this May with honors. I have applied to almost every health care facility in MD and DE. I have not even been offered an interview, let alone a job. However, many of my classmates (with no experience whatsoever!) have already secured positions. And they haven't even taken their NCLEX exam yet!

I am discouraged to say the least. It's actually quite depressing...

I feel ya. This area has so many nursing programs, so you're competing with hundreds of applicants. Not only that, people all across the country apply for positions at area hospitals like Hopkins or Children's. Have you looked into correction facilities? They seem to be more willing to hire new grads than others.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I feel ya. This area has so many nursing programs, so you're competing with hundreds of applicants. Not only that, people all across the country apply for positions at area hospitals like Hopkins or Children's. Have you looked into correction facilities? They seem to be more willing to hire new grads than others.

funny you mentioned correction facilities, I was going to suggest that last week but not many nurses, esp female nurses are keen on trying that route, for obvious reasons...of being harassed all the time and other potential risks a job like that holds. There is one close to me and their posted starting wage is $21/hr pretty much above what an area hospital pays. Even as a man, I think that would be very last option on my list of potential employers, it just seems like a limited , dead end, high turn-over position...i dont know, just guessing...is there any nurses out there would like to relate what it is like to work in a correctional facility?

[gdesta04]

Ok i agree with most of the comments here...

I graduated in December, 2011, took the nclex a little later in april. That was a big mistake because in the DC/MD/Va area

it is really a tough market. I say if you live in MD or VA first get that instead of DC. You are limited if you only do DC, because too many schools not enough hospitals. I literally would wake up and apply to hospitals everyday, from Southern VA, all the way to Delaware. I would say don't be picky, and pretty much say yes to any thing that says new GRADUATE. Also, if you can be a tech like once a week, volunteer even; get the foot in the door. My only classmates that got jobs were techs. I literally applied to 50 hospitals, I got 5 interviews. Even getting interviews is an accomplishment these days. One thing that really sucked was that since I had my ADN, I was competitng with all the BSN people. I even interviewed at Children's-3 people in one room, had a background check,drug screen only to be told the day before decisions that I would not get hired becasue I didn't have a BSN. I was mad for a month. However, I kept trying it took me 9 months to get the job at INOVA. For interviews, practice with a nurse because they ask a lot of "behavior questions" and scenarios too in most hospitals around here. So, keep your head up and don't give up.

I didn't and it payed off!!!!!!!!!