Nursing and lack of jobs?

I just want to complain. I graduated in May 07 with a nursing degree and had a baby in November. Looking to go into the work force and all the crappy jobs I can find is long term care or grunt work at hospitals! No one wants to give a hardworking person the benefit of the doubt and train them to their expectations! I'm frustrated! Any new grads having the same difficulty?

The job market for nurses is of course dependent on location and supply. In this city there are approximately 600 graduates from RN programs per year and 1500 job openings. That being said, there are some nurses needed in long term care facilities and at hospitals.

If you went to an LPN program you should have expected to be utilized for primarily hands on tasks in hospitals and at long term care facilities.

RN graduates have more opportunities, but despite what everybody will tell you, there is a hiring preference in many positions to RNs with a BSN or higher education.

They do not hide this, but the job description, while not denying the positions to ADNs will sometimes say BSN or higher preferred. That allows the interviewer to eliminate any ADNs from consideration without any issues of hiring discrimination.

Additionally, some cities have more nursing programs than are neccessary for their job market, just based on the placement of the colleges.

Where I went to college, there were 2 BSN programs 1 graduate nursing school, and 2 adn programs as well as LPN programs in a city of 250,000. Needless to say, the hospitals in the city could pay low salaries, because people did not want to move. Those of us who moved more than doubled the salary we were offered, and had better positions offered.

There is a nursing shortage in the US, and there are many potential positions. You may need to work for a few months to a year to get some experience. This will make you more competitive for the positions you desire. Another alternative is to seek additional education, though I don't recommend this until you have some experience. Finally, if posible, consider moving to an area where there is a nursing shortage.

Good Luck.

Just a suggestion--have you tried a nursing placement or temp agency? That could get you more experience, and more to the point, connections, so you can get a good job.

Remember the new guy always gets the worst pickings--an RN is in demand (I assume you are an RN--if an LPN/LVN those are being phased out in many areas and could be part of the problem). You will eventually be able to get a good job, but you start at the bottom unfortunately.

Good luck.

well im not a nursing grad. but i want to major in it (im a junior in hs). but i could imagine the issue your dealing with. nurses dont get any respect and alot of work is hopsital grunge work as you said. hmm the only thing i could think of is to maybe start looking for work at doctors offices. good luck :) and congrats on your baby!

i know exactly how you feel!!
i am in my final year and its unreal how many of us are struggling to find hospitals willing to take on new staff, only 2 people out of my class of 20 have been able to secure interviews but don't give up hope a lot of places are getting more funding to take on new staff so there should be more job opportunities in the next couple of months, hopefully you will find a place where you can specialize e.g. cardio or renal good luck and just keep your eyes open

There are plenty of other jobs a nurse can do other than direct patient care, even in a hospital.

epidemiologist
discharge planner
clinical coordinator
transplant coordinator

Outpatient clinic, free clinic
medical practice coordinator
state nursing home-compliance reviewer
medical records reviewer for medical insurance companies
school nurse
private duty
home health
industrial health

Publications such as "Advance" have zillions of ads.

Nurses actually have greater opportunities than any other health care provider. You just don't know where to look.

I do understand how you feel Im an MA graduated on 1/07 its been a year no one want to hire the new people the said "WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE" how can we get the experience if they dont give us the chance I thinking to go back to school to become an LPN and I can see that im going to be in the same problem one more loan to pay with no job how unfair this country can be Dont give up keep applying go to craigslist fax your resume everywhere