Will I have a job after school?

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Specializes in Women's Health.

I will hopefully be starting nursing school soon (at Grand Canyon University). I have always wanted to be a nurse and after several career changes, I have decided to follow my dream. I have been reading Allnurses.com religiously, and I am FREAKED OUT at the fact that I may not be able to find a job! It's scary! I don't want to be discouraged against following my dream, but I am really nervous about my future. I want to be happy and I think nursing will make me happy. But, if a facility gets 500+ applications for 20-30 positions, my chances for a job are not good (not impossible, but not good either).

Thanks for letting me vent.....

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You have several years to go before you graduate and things change rather quickly. You will have a job but it will be unlikely that you will be able to choose your department or even your facility.

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..

Start volunteering now!

I volunteered for my dream hospital for 2 years and landed a job before I graduated. Over 400 people applied for the position and they hired 30 of us.... My loyalty to them definitely helped me land a job there.

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Specializes in Women's Health.

I never really thought about volunteering. Thanks for the suggestion. I think that it may give me a competitive edge in the future :D

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Specializes in Women's Health.

RNinWhite - I am taking your advice! I am actually starting the process to volunteer at the Mayo Clinic. I currently work at Mercy Care Plan and I have heard nothing but good things about Mayo. I don't know which campus I'm going choose (Phoenix or Scottsdale) but I would love to work for Mayo after my graduation. I heard that they are really selective, so if volunteering could help me land a job, I'm all for it!

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..

Hey johnnyarei,

Sorry I never emailed you back... Been super busy lately.

As for volunteering, that is great! Did you find the link? If you can, volunteer at the Phoenix campus because it's the hospital, not the clinic. (the hospital hires new grads).

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Specializes in Women's Health.

Thanks for replying. Yes, I found the link. I emailed the info, but I didn't get a response. I sent the info by mail as well. Hopefully I'll hear something soon.

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johnnyarei,

I agree 100% with what the others have told you on this thread... networking before you graduate is the key. There are jobs out there but compared to how it was just a few short years ago, they are much harder to find and take a little more effort (and sometimes educaion)... the jobs are out there, there is just more of an obstacle at getting them now.

Also, I agree with the fact that you do have a few years before you need to worry about this... as hard as this situation has been on the new grads (me included) I would never discourage anyone getting their RN for these reasons.

If you study the trends in nursing you will be assured of only one thing... it is always changing (usually for the better).

Your choice of school is also fantastic... I attend a grad program there and I love that school. Good luck!

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Specializes in Women's Health.

Thanks boru!

I know that EVENTUALLY, I will find a job. I'll just have to put myself out there more and make contacts in the nursing world!

Thanks for your reply.

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if you have time to become a CNA/PCT and get a part-time position doing that at a facility you are interested in, that is a really good way to go also.

I know a lot of people that got positions internally going that route... but I also know a handful that are still doing that even after passing the NCLEX.

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Specializes in Women's Health.

@Boru,

I'm having a problem with that actually. I am CNA certified. I moved to AZ in 2009. I transferred my CNA certification to AZ. When I moved here, I had problems transferring my certification. So, I needed a job. I took the first job that I could (which happened to be customer service). After an appeal, my certification was granted in December 2010.

My problem is, no one will hire me now. Everyone is asking for "recent" CNA experience which I do not have. I have applied at ALL of the local hospitals for PCA/CNA jobs. I even went the Nursing Home route. I have not even received a call back for an interview. My certification expires in June of 2012. I am still at my current Customer Service job (because I have to work), but I am looking at other places also.

I have not worked as a CNA for over 2 years. It's not by choice, but I can't find a job. I thought that going to a hospital would be more beneficial in the long run (I may find a job faster after school), but no one will give me a chance. :crying2:

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johnnyarei,

if you don't mind, PM or email me... I have a few ideas.

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