No Jobs For New Graduates?

[nursinghumor]

The state of the economy is factoring in. For me working agency, pool, casual relief, etc. I'm finding that staff nurses are working as much overtime as they can (to keep up with bills, mortgages, etc). It's not leaving many hours to go around.

Melanie (my wife) has been seeing the same thing in the hospital ICU, etc. Can't blame people for working to pay their bills.

Have been hearing new graduates complain loudly that they can't find jobs, or need to work nights, off shifts, etc.

Nursing school graduates face uncertain job future"Like any new degree-holder, the nurses are worried about jobs. "Because of the economy, there aren't a lot of places that are hiring," Medina said. Even though the state has a nursing shortage, some employers have a limited number of slots for entry-level nurses because they cost more to train, Medina added. The economic downturn is also taking a toll on the school."
http://www.azcentral.com/community/p...rsing1219.html

Working temporary, I've always followed the work, travelled farther, changed shifts.

Can see how others might be disappointed that they need to also.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com

[cougarnurse]

Everything is impacted. This story I posted shows the impact: http://www.ultimatenurse.com/forum/f...not-you-34786/ through budget cuts/freezes....

This story shows it through program cuts: http://www.ultimatenurse.com/forum/f...mmunity-34675/

All interconnected.

[Grandma-RN]

Indeed.

Where I work I have seen my unit decrease in staff due to decrease in patients. Cut backs and double job duties. Hear others talk about friends or family who are out of a job.

Sad, but, true.

[cougarnurse]

People losing jobs = no insurance, going to hospital when deathly ill....

[OldSquidNewNurse]

People losing jobs = no insurance, going to hospital when deathly ill....

Very true, which increases medical costs, which increases insurance costs, whihc causes more people to have less insurance. It's a vicious cycle.

:nurse-soapbox:

[nursinghumor]

Indeed.

Where I work I have seen my unit decrease in staff due to decrease in patients. Cut backs and double job duties. Hear others talk about friends or family who are out of a job.

Sad, but, true.

Have to figure, who can afford to take three months off from work for a knee or hip replacement, and go without a paycheck for that same amount of time.

Most beds in a hospital are elective surgeries. If people are holding off them them, makes for a lot of empty beds.

When there are bills to pay, I tell my patients each day, I'm happy to be here and working. Know lots of people who'd love to be at work and able to pay their bills.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com

[DNight]

Ricu,

Thanks for the post. I too am a new graduate, have passed my NCLEX and am looking for a job. I'm finding that I am filling out lots of online applications and getting confirmation e-mails saying "don't call us, we'll call you". Just to give some info I've been looking since mid July and have found nothing so far and I have an associates degree.

Any suggestions about following up on these, or is it just a waiting game.

Thank you in advance

[nursinghumor]

Ricu,

Thanks for the post. I too am a new graduate, have passed my NCLEX and am looking for a job. I'm finding that I am filling out lots of online applications and getting confirmation e-mails saying "don't call us, we'll call you". Just to give some info I've been looking since mid July and have found nothing so far and I have an associates degree.

When I graduated back in 1997, we were in the middle of a nursing "glut" and looked for a good nine months before I could find a job. Granted, I was working and being selective. Didn't want to work nights and wanted a hospital job.

There are lots of other options out there. I would hit the pavement and start in the yellow pages. If you've applied to all the hospitals in your area, look into clinics, nursing/rehab centers, doctors offices.

It boils down to what you're willing to settle for till things pick back up again. If you wait long enough, you'll likely get what you want. If you want to start working now, get that first year of experience under your belt, you might need to take what is out there.

Decide what your long range goals are, then decide which job while get you there.

Hope that helps,

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com

[Ricu]

Ricu,

Thanks for the post. I too am a new graduate, have passed my NCLEX and am looking for a job. I'm finding that I am filling out lots of online applications and getting confirmation e-mails saying "don't call us, we'll call you". Just to give some info I've been looking since mid July and have found nothing so far and I have an associates degree.

Any suggestions about following up on these, or is it just a waiting game.

Thank you in advance

Hi DNight,

I will echo everything that Andrew has posted. Online applications are fast and easy and many can be done in a sitting but do "hit the pavement." Is there a particular place that you have in mind, a site where you did clinicals, maybe? Do you know a nursing manager who you might like to work for? Think about this and then write that cover letter, send the resume directly to an individual and call in a week. Because you applied online to a facility doesn't mean that you can't go in person.

Another thing that you can do is go to nursing education symposiums. This is an excellent opportunity to see what's going on out there and network so dress like you're going on a job interview. Cruise the vendor exhibits and chat those people up. Have a few copies of your resume with you and give them out. Take business cards and build your contact list. You may be surprised at what interests you. Have you considered sales and service? VNA? , Hospice? Assisted living?, What about dialysis? Are you in a position where you can or would you consider relocating?

Medical facilities are running on leaner staff right now. While there is a lot of appeal, fair or not for a lot of reasons, fresh grads are usually hired last. Yes, the job market is tenuous right now but look at it as a challenge, get creative and step up to the plate. Even in better times, the first job is always the hardest to land but you will do it. As Andrew indicated, that first job may be just to get in the door and after you have a little experience under your belt, it will be easier to move around and find a fit.

Keep us posted and, good luck.

R

[OldSquidNewNurse]

The state of the economy is factoring in. For me working agency, pool, casual relief, etc. I'm finding that staff nurses are working as much overtime as they can (to keep up with bills, mortgages, etc). It's not leaving many hours to go around.

Melanie (my wife) has been seeing the same thing in the hospital ICU, etc. Can't blame people for working to pay their bills.

Have been hearing new graduates complain loudly that they can't find jobs, or need to work nights, off shifts, etc.

Nursing school graduates face uncertain job future"Like any new degree-holder, the nurses are worried about jobs. "Because of the economy, there aren't a lot of places that are hiring," Medina said. Even though the state has a nursing shortage, some employers have a limited number of slots for entry-level nurses because they cost more to train, Medina added. The economic downturn is also taking a toll on the school."
Nursing school graduates face uncertain job future

Working temporary, I've always followed the work, travelled farther, changed shifts.

Can see how others might be disappointed that they need to also.

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly.com, A National Nursing & Consumer Health Directory

My wife an I are already talking about leaving where we are and moving once I'm done with my RN this summer. I'm looking to get a job with the VA once I'm done so I have job security and only have 15 yrs to retire since I already did 5 yrs in the Navy.