will nursing ever be in demand again?

YuHiroRN, BSN · Dec 10, 2010

I wonder this as well, daily. It SUCKS, for lack of a better term, that new nurses aren't finding jobs. Many a times I have cried tears of desperation as my nursing assistant license comes down to its last year of validity and I STILL haven't secured a job. Cried until it hurts... it isn't supposed to be like this.

amzyRN · Dec 10, 2010

It does suck. I just wonder if there's hope in sight. That maybe in a year or so, new grads will be able to find work.

nomoreschool · Dec 10, 2010

I am so depressed to even think about this economy. All the nurses that I've talked to told me that it will turn around and things will be better. But they felt really sorry for me and the rest of the new graduates though.

Melshaneah · Dec 10, 2010

I know how it feels guys. When I first came to California as a new nurse I couldn't find a job to save my life. I cried too and had serious panic attacks. It will get better and you just have to keep trying.

There are some of the "temp" agencies that will take new grads. However, I don't recommend that to all new grads because it can go really bad for some. It is trail by fire. You will get no training or orientation and you will be thrown into the fire. You get a call, you show up at the site, you go to work...thats it. The temp agencies won't put you in a hospital until you get a year or so of experience. But they will give you positions in other institutions or home care. However you have to be REALLY GOOD with skills and able to work without direction. You need to know your stuff and not panic easily! If you doubt your skills and knowledge of any level or your ability to handle IMMENSE stress DO NOT DO IT! It can be extremely stressful and you can hurt a patient!!!!!!!

I remember the first job I got with a temp agencies and I thought I was going to die...it was super hard and busy but I got through it and I came out the better for it. I learned serious time management that day LOL. To my benefit though I worked as a nursing care partner (crazy cross between a CNA and a LVN) the entire time I was in school at a hospital in the cardiac unit. I learned ALOT there.

Anyway, the temp agencies got me working when I first came here and it gave me experience to get other jobs. The best temp jobs are for the flu clinics. Those are the easiest. But I hope it helps and gives you at least alittle ray of hope. Good Luck guys.

st4rl4dy · Dec 12, 2010

what are some of these agencies?

how long did it take you to finally get a job melshaneah?

MagiRN · Dec 15, 2010

Right now it's hard for even experienced nurses, like myself, to find a job...right now, that is (especially in my specialty: perinatal nursing). It's not personal, it's just that they are very picky, and they can be at the moment. But things are going to turn around. I see it already as I check websites of various hospitals and health systems. I even see a few positions open to new grads. Yes, there are not many of those but it's better than last year, when there were none. It's not the first time this has happened (where there were no jobs for nurses). It's a cycle. Soon, we'll have a shortage again. This time, I'm afraid, the shortage is going to be far worse than before because of several factors: 1) the number of nurses who will retire or go back into retirement once the economy improves, 2) the number of new nurses who left the field because they couldn't find a job, and 3) the healthcare law that passed. So hang in there. Because we will get to the point where a new grad and pick and choose where he/she wants to work and get a hire-on bonus. I honestly believe that.

MagiRN · Dec 15, 2010

Don't give up. It sounds like nursing is your passion and you should never give up on your passion. How about taking a class or course to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date e.g. a refresher course, continuing education class, etc. (depending on what you can afford, of course)? Just an idea.

amzyRN · Dec 15, 2010

Thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. Nursing is my passion. I truly :redbeathe nursing and hope I will be able to have a job as a nurse soon:)

jekisslpn · Dec 15, 2010

The Nursing field has always gone through ups and downs. The current Nursing grads who are flooding the market will drive down demand for years. Couple that with those who are waiting to enter school and in my opinion it will be at least a decade before demand picks up. The good news is that most of the newbies to nursing will quit as soon as they are able to secure other employment and those left will be in a great position to market their skills. Remember this is not an easy job, but te media has colored it as the surefire profession for the future. The only people benefitting at this point are the new for profit schools and the organizations employing us since they can pay much less now than 5yrs ago.

Hithere · Dec 15, 2010

Would you consider moving out of state? Here in New Mexico there seem to be a lot of jobs for health professionals at any level. Some cities are still offering hiring bonuses. ...Or perhaps look into being a traveling nurse if your life allows. ...Don't get discouraged, a good nurse is always in demand! :)

holisticallyminded · Dec 15, 2010

Hi,

I graduated in 09. Worst year of all. I got a job in homecare (private duty), which is probably considered the lowest of low. However, after close to a year I was able to get an on-call float RN position at a very reputable SNF that is part of a large network of hospitals (I'd rather not name it but many would recognize it) and I'm now working as much as I want, the shifts I want and making an additional 20% on my base pay for being on-call. And their training was awesome- I got plenty of time.

I would never in a million years have thought I'd work in a SNF (I had worked at two of them years ago in another field) but honestly, I really am happy to have a job. They have a subacute rehab floor as well, so I'm able to keep up with skills.

Do I think I'll eventually end up working in a hospital? No. I think that when the market finally improves, my skills will not be what an ICU is looking for with so many newbies flooding the market from all sides. Do I think I will still have a decent nursing career? Yes. I think there are still many opportunities for nurses in other areas. I'd really like to work in a clinic.

What I'm basically saying here is TAKE ANY JOB you can. I found my homecare job on Craigslist (local company). Not kidding. I still work for them 2 days/wk. I've seen RNs being hired to give flu shots, etc. You just need to do whatever you can to get some employment and the rest will follow. Forget the hospitals. Really. Time to move on.

There are too many nursing grads and not enough work. Businesses, including hospitals, are not hiring. I hate to say this, but I don't see that changing for a long time. I haven't been a nurse for long but I'm a little older and I can see the writing on the wall. So take to Craigslist now. Caregiver? Really. Take what you can.