Wow so i won't find a job?!

schnookimz · Sep 20, 2013

I graduated in May. Worked full time as a CNA and LPN through nursing school so I definitely graduated with some experience. I also have a previous bachelors.

I cannot find a job. I've applied for over 200. I would NEVER tell anyone to get an ADN now. Especially considering that two years from now when you finish, there will be even more BSNs.

Marsha238612 · Sep 20, 2013

I graduated in May. Worked full time as a CNA and LPN through nursing school so I definitely graduated with some experience. I also have a previous bachelors.
I cannot find a job. I've applied for over 200. I would NEVER tell anyone to get an ADN now. Especially considering that two years from now when you finish, there will be even more BSNs.

And they won't hire you where you used to work as a CNA and Lpn?!

schnookimz · Sep 20, 2013

No they require a BSN to work here. It was changed about two weeks after I graduated.

Teeanne · Sep 21, 2013

And they won't hire you where you used to work as a CNA and Lpn?!

I'm a student right now, but I work at a nursing home as a CNA that's pretty highly regarded, more rehab and acute care than long term. The turnover is pretty low, for my shift anyway. A lot of people don't quit, they just cut their hours or go to PRN, but then when openings arise, they might have a change of heart and want the steady work. Even CNA applicants that have friends working here seem to have a hard time making it in the door for an interview. A good chunk of the CNAs are either in a nursing program or doing the prereqs to get into nursing.

So out of the several months I've been there, I only know of one new hire RN on my shift. And she was a CNA there already, and graduated from a selective BSN program. I think right now, the only thing HR even wants is housekeeping and dietary staff. I imagine it would be very hard as an outsider - it's probably hard as an insider too. New RNs take a while to train and they have to pay for that, and if there's only 1 opening and 5 CNAs just graduated their programs, there's just not room for everyone. Pretty black/white stuff like degree, seniority, etc probably gets applied as a filter pretty quickly.

But really, there are no guarantees in anything. It just has to be something you really want to do. So many people I think got into nursing for a guaranteed job, and this economy really doesn't afford that luxury to anyone anymore. My brother got his bachelor's in psych, because it's what he loved, and he thought he'd at least be able to get an entry-level counseling job. He qualifies on paper, but they probably get some amazing applicants with extra experience or education that they can pay for the same salary. So he has to work in another area, for now anyway.

One of my profs says it's typically the hardest in the suburbs. He applied for 120 jobs, got calls back from 2, and the one he accepted was a 5 hour commute round trip. But once he had that training and experience under his belt, it opened up so many doors.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2013

Regardless of what the television says....the economy stinks and Obama care will make it worse. The Cleveland Clinic announced layoffs and budget cuts to the tune of $300 million dollars and will include MD's

The Cleveland Clinic, the region's largest employer, is in the process of cutting $330 million from its budget for next year — a move that could result in an unspecified number of employee layoffs and thousands of early retirements.
As part of the cost-cutting measure, the Clinic, which posted about $6 billion in operating revenue last year, said it will offer early retirement plans to 3,000 eligible employees. The Clinic also is placing a stricter review on filling vacant positions and reducing its operating costs.
Eileen Sheil, a Clinic spokeswoman, said the cost reductions could result in employee layoffs after Jan. 1 once the system has a better idea of how well it has reduced costs. She said the health system will send early retirement offers to eligible employees by late October.

Cleveland Clinic budget cuts will result in early retirements, possible layoffs | Modern Healthcare

The Clinic isn't alone in its quest to limit the size of its operations, as hospitals across the country have axed thousands of employees in the face of reimbursement cuts, declining patient volumes and the looming uncertainty of the federal health care overhaul. Summa Health System and Akron General Health System reported layoffs in recent months. In late 2011, MetroHealth laid off 104 and eliminated 151 vacant positions.
Modern Healthcare, a sister publication of Crain's Cleveland Business, recently reported that hospitals averaged about 6,800 new jobs a month in 2012. So far this year, the monthly average has hovered at 875 new jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics logged about 33,000 new healthcare jobs in August, though only about 900 of those were at hospitals.

It's NOT pretty out there.

Marsha238612 · Sep 21, 2013

Well, based on the responses above seems I'm doomed to a dark path after graduation :/ seems like things are worse than it seems on the job market.

The only thing I can do now is try my best in Nursing School and once I graduate make it a mission to find a job as soon as I can. Thank God, I've always managed to be employed so we'll see if my good luck continues after Nursing school.

Thanks again for sharing your experience. Keep posting your perspective on job market in Chicago :)

MrChicagoRN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

The job market is a lot better than it was two years ago, but it's still a competitive market.

Try to get some experience as a CNA or similar, preferably at someplace you'd like to work after graduation. Although the trend is towards BSN, if an employee is in the system, most places will try to keep them, but expect them to earn a BSN within X number of years.

Also, when the Great Recession hit, many older nurses put off retiring and many PT nurses held onto jobs longer if spouses jobs were at risk. Eventually, there will be a large number of retiring nurses, in 5 years or less IMHO.

Don't be discouraged, just make sure you are well prepared.

Marsha238612 · Sep 23, 2013

The job market is a lot better than it was two years ago but it's still a competitive market. Try to get some experience as a CNA or similar, preferably at someplace you'd like to work after graduation. Although the trend is towards BSN, if an employee is in the system, most places will try to keep them, but expect them to earn a BSN within X number of years. Also, when the Great Recession hit, many older nurses put off retiring and many PT nurses held onto jobs longer if spouses jobs were at risk. Eventually, there will be a large number of retiring nurses, in 5 years or less IMHO. Don't be discouraged, just make sure you are well prepared.[/quote']
Thanks for the uplifting words.keeping a positive attitude has to pay off. And I am actually training for CNA to get my feet in at least :)
I was reading some statistical data on Nursing and it says the average age of the nurses in US is 44 years old. So I think you're right, when they retire there will b more opportunities.
Keep posting more about your experience in the job market

schnookimz · Sep 23, 2013

I guess I can't complain anymore. I got a job offer today.

Going for your CNA is a great idea. I worked as a CNA for three years and an lpn for a year and it still took me 4 months to get an RN job.

Good luck!!!!

Marsha238612 · Sep 23, 2013

I guess I can't complain anymore. I got a job offer today. Going for your CNA is a great idea. I worked as a CNA for three years and an lpn for a year and it still took me 4 months to get an RN job. Good luck!!!!

Yay!!! So very happy for you.

Good luck at your new job. Where will you be working?!

Misskala · Oct 29, 2013

No they require a BSN to work here. It was changed about two weeks after I graduated.

I noticed this Fall that Chicago hospitals say "BSN required." I also just saw "Advanced Certification required as of January 2014, or within 2 yrs of hire." I hadn't seen this before and wondering if this the new Magnet addition :)