Why are there no nursing jobs available for new grads? What is going on??

[vab229]

I just graduated from an ASN program in May and I am about to take the NCLEX next week. I do currently have a temporary new grad license...

But I just want to know why are there no jobs available? I live in Rhode Island and the employment here is horrible. Almost every single hospital that does have positions available wants at least 1-2 years of med-surg experience. How are we ever supposed to get experience if we can't get a job?? Even the few and far between positions for nurses at clinics and doctor's offices want 3-5 years experience, plus specialty experience. It is downright depressing.

One of the reasons I chose the health care field was because "there would always be jobs available." That is such a lie. Whenever I tell people that I just graduated and will be an RN they always say, at least you will never be without a job! That is so false.

When I spoke with the nurses at the hospitals where I did my clinical rotations, they said they felt so bad for us and how back in the 80's hospitals were begging them to take positions and even offering sign on bonuses.

I just feel like it will be so long before I ever find a job that I won't remember half of the stuff I learned

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Ok so I just went and looked at OP's post history. On top of the normal expected difficulty of finding a job as a new grad, OP is also second trimester of pregnancy. Please understand that while this is definitely unfair, you are even MORE of a liability. Think. They spend all this money to train a new grad, only for you to have a child in a very short time. You have to take time off to deliver and recover. If you have PP complications, even longer recovery. Add to that restrictions during your pregnancy ie no chemo, no heavy lifting etc that will continue in PP. And what if you plan to BF? They might have policies for special accommodations for nursing moms.

I know your previous posts say this was a surprise pregnancy, but you have to realize that this makes you even more of a liability to potential employers. I am sorry because I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it is unfortunately reality.

*** Oh I don't know. I have heard managers express frustration that they hire young ladies who have just been waiting to finish college and get settled into a job with health insurance to start having babies. They just get all trained and competent in the unit and then spend the next 6 years having babies and being on and off again at work.

Some managers have even said (over beer at a bar with friends, not at work) they prefer slightly older female nurses who already have their kids and male nurses.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Although the media is full of conflicting stories, nursing and most professions have been dismal for new grads since the recession of 2008.

I have also noticed that when some of our members point out the realities of nursing, many students choose to disregard the advice.

New grads and experienced nurses are facing difficulties everywhere. It's an employers market. Keep applying and consider relocation if necessary.

[rnbro]

I feel that I must apologize to the wealth of the nursing profession's community for the ignorance of my cohort. I, also, am a newly licensed RN in the state of Rhode Island, and I also felt the stress of finding work. It literally took hundreds of applications and a myriad of frustration. However, I am now currently employed and moving forward in this exciting and admirable career.

As much as there is the need for scientific interest, I feel that one of the key components of becoming a nurse is that of compassion-not only for the patients one cares for, or the families of loved ones, or the peers that collectively create the team that shares a common profound interest, but also for mankind as a whole.

We need to remember that our personal joys, struggles, and hardships are our own. We are seldom aware of the struggles that others have endured. Blaming others will never help to achieve a goal worth striving for.

My best advice is to not ask what others could do who have earned their place in the nursing community so that your journey might be an easier trek, but rather ask yourself whether or not it is one that you have enough desire to be willing to do whatever it takes to earn, through perseverance, honor, dignity, and oh yeah, -COMPASSION! (P.S.- There are no coincidences)

[GoalsInTransition]

I don't want to "jump on" this OP, but an attitude adjustment is in order. The economy is affecting workers of all ages, and this individual seems incredibly insensitive to the impact on older workers- which OP will one day be. I feel for anyone looking for a job right now, including OP, but really?

I was a new grad RN not too long ago (2years), and it was the same tough market. But complaining (and embracing a bitter, entitled attitude) does not get anyone a job. To OP, try to start working in any capacity you can, support yourself as much as you can financially, and let go of the anger.

Everyone has made a choice that didn't give the expected results. Adjust accordingly. It is called resilience, and it will bode well for you if you embrace it.

[777RN, BSN, RN]

OP, have you considered LTC? Most nursing homes, at least in my state, will hire new grad RNs.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I'm tired if seeing the OP and other newgrads playing the victim. Instead of placing the blame on experienced nurses having jobs you should be asking yourself what can you do to be more marketable. I had no issue finding a job out of school. It's because of my attitude and determination. Now I see why experienced nurses hate us, you make it easy for them. I admire those crusty old bats who have saved my butt plenty of times....

[Megan5656]

I'm in the boat with you! I graduated in May and am taking the NCLEX in 2 weeks.....same thing...there are hundreds of nursing jobs in Colorado but you have to have experience! I don't get it! How can you get experience if you can't get hired without experience? Does anyone have any suggestions about where to start?

Volunteer. If you can..find the place you want to work and volunteer until something opens up or you find a job elsewhere. That is my plan. I haven't even been accepted to a program yet but nursing is my passion and I will do whatever it takes. Financially it is difficult but if you aren't working it might be a way to get a foot in a door.

[Megan5656]

There are plenty of jobs where I'm at. At least half my class had a job secured before graduation. I turned down several and accepted a job about 3 weeks after graduation but I also wanted to work L&D and that's where I am.

Where are you?

[Jammin' RN]

To my experienced nurses, I'm sorry that this new grad is giving us a bad name. We are not all like that! I'm a year into my career now, and without your experience to guide me I would be nothing! And I probably would have killed a few people by now if you hadn't come to my rescue. Thanks for sticking it out and showing me what nursing really is!

[jlautier]

I just recently graduated from a BSN program and took my boards a few days ago. My Job Search was dismal at best, but I wanted to be a in a hospital.. I am an RN thats where I should go or so I thought. I ended up taking a job at a short-term rehab place and started. I have to say I am impressed with the accomadations, compensation, and staff. I learn a lot and the patients have some different levels of acutiy. From my understanding it's easier to get a job if you have a job. So I am going to get some experience at this place and move on in about a year!

-- Good Luck!

[notallwhowander, MSN, RN, APRN]

I'm a new grad who took the boards last month and is still looking for a job. While I agree that it seems hare-brained for all these hospitals to be building vast new expansions and forcing unsafe staffing ratios on the existing nurses while saying they will not hire new grads - it is not the fault of nurses that are working there.

Leave your ageist remarks at the door, put your nose to the ground, and start looking for jobs in earnest. If you want to blame somebody for not being able to find a job, blame the nursing schools who advertised that jobs are guaranteed in this market, the media for perpetuating that myth, or yourself for getting into a field because you thought it would be a sure thing.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Although the media is full of conflicting stories, nursing and most professions have been dismal for new grads since the recession of 2008.

I have also noticed that when some of our members point out the realities of nursing, many students choose to disregard the advice.

New grads and experienced nurses are facing difficulties everywhere. It's an employers market. Keep applying and consider relocation if necessary.

"But it's my dreeeaaammm!"