Why are there no new grad jobs?

[stargurl2006]

I was having a discussion with my DH about my future nursing career (I am awaiting acceptance to my nursing school) and the topic moved onto the lack of jobs for new grad nurses. He posed a question to me that I could not answer and I was hoping that some of my fellow allnurses could help me answer it. WHY are there no jobs for new grad RNs? Is it simply because hospitals don't want to train? Are there policies and procedures that they need to follow for new grads?

Thanks for any insight you can offer

[Bobbkat]

It's because it's so expensive to train them. Hospitals don't want to sink tens of thousands of dollars (I've heard estimates ranging from 30,000-80,000) into training someone. Add to the expense the fact that new grads have a bad reputation for not staying on the unit that hired them, and hospitals are NOT eager to sink their dollars into our futures.

It all goes back to the economy. So many nurses returned to the workforce in the past few years, that the hospitals are quite happy to freeze us out.

[stargurl2006]

Wow.. I had no idea the training was that much! Sounds like right now is a *perfect* time to want to become a nurse

Hopefully the economy will pick up! It's depressing to hear that the future job outlook is so bleak considering that I'm fighting with hundreds of people for a spot in the coveted program

[Rednights]

Hopefully the economy will pick up!

Haven't been watching the news lately have you =( It's not pretty out there in wacko politico land.

[regularRN]

This is why nursing schools should train students to become nurses, not graduates with a degree etc. that require additional training, i.e., "orientation".

[llg, PhD, RN]

This is why nursing schools should train students to become nurses, not graduates with a degree etc. that require additional training, i.e., "orientation".

While I agree with you completely ... upgrading the current nursing programs that need it would increase the costs of attending nursing school and lengthen the time required to prepare an entry-level RN. It certainly could not be done within the current contraints of current ADN programs, accelarated programs, etc. 4 year programs would be required -- and people have tried unsuccessfully for over 40 years to get all programs to be at least at the 4-year BSN level.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

This is why nursing schools should train students to become nurses, not graduates with a degree etc. that require additional training, i.e., "orientation".

There was once a system that did that quite well, the diploma hospital based 1940s education. Of course, the students had to live at the hospital and put in huge amounts of unpaid time in clinical, and could not be married or work at an outside job.

With today's nursing requirements, and the current status of nursing status (older, married, have children, male, have jobs outside), this would not fly.

There is no good professional position that will not require orientation to bridge from new grad to real world. MDs have to have a 3-10 year residency/fellowship/training to get to the real world. They also have to work abysmal hours, minimum 80 a week, in the hospital with few days off, much less a whole weekend, and often are paid less than an RNs annual salary for working twice as many hours.

They also cannot residency "hop" - get one employer, get training and then dump them for a better offer, nearly as easily as nurses. That insures the hiring hospital that matches them actually will most likely have those services long enough to recup their investment. and not have to deal with demands of no weekends, or 8-5 M-F etc.

The point - there are ways to correct these issues in the transition from school to work, but many nursing students/new grads would be in revolt if they were required.

It also doesn't address another big issue, a number of people that pass the NCLEX/nursing school, even with good grades don't make it as a nurse - it may be personality issues, it may be the hours or the stress. I have met some f the most wonderful people that were great nurses, but that were crashing and burning from the lifestyle.

An experienced nurse has a track record that can be reviewed.

[esrun2012]

Is there anything you guys would suggest (extra training, volunteer work etc.) to assure a job, or at least be first in line after graduating an RN?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

There isn't really any magic ticket that will guarantee you a job. Your best bet is to find work in a hospital now, as a CNA or tech. This way you'll get patient care experience, know hospital routines and have in-hospital contacts.