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Someone I know is graduating college this spring with a BSN. (BS with an RN).
She needs an entry level job at a hospital, and has been searching. Not many places have accommodations for a graduate with no nursing experience.
Can anyone else come up with thoughts on where to look for work? Any "nursing" employment agencies? Where can someone in the nursing industry start?
Thanks so much!
Last edited by NotWonderWoman; 03-18-2011 at 06:08 AM..
Reason: spelling
Can't offer much help on this...there are still grads from 1 year ago that can't land a job in nursing. All I can say if apply anywhere and everywhere, even if it means out of state.
well, to land a job is easy. You just have to understand job hunting itself is a full time job. If you just hoping on job board 5 minutes a day and forward a few minutes, and then expect to land a job. Keep on dreaming.
If you just hoping on job board 5 minutes a day and forward a few minutes, and then expect to land a job. Keep on dreaming.
My perception is that the OP is doing more than merely hoping to find a job.
Hopefully I am correct that she is actively searching for jobs, and just wanted some additional direction for that job search.
I can tell you that, while nursing is still projected to be better than most occupations for the number of job openings over the next 10 years or so, the reality is that the closure of a number of hospitals has led to a current oversupply of nurses--at least in the NYC/NJ metro area. As just two examples, the closure of Muhlenberg Med Center in Plainfield and St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan mean that hundreds of veteran nurses are now out of work, and are competing with new nursing graduates.
I am told that job opportunities for nurses are better in California, but I cannot confirm the accuracy of that statement. If some research indicates that California is indeed a better place for obtaining employment as a nurse, would the young woman in question consider moving to The Golden State?
If she is willing to relocate, she might want to investigate job postings in California.
I was once a nursing student, but dropped out of the program due to the cattiness, backstabbing (and that was from the students alone) and I haven't looked back since....
There's this mantra of "become a nurse, amke good money, and save a life." That has to be the biggest lie there's out there. Hospitals are not hiring, in fact, they're laying off staff. Back in the day, when 1 nurse had about 6 patients, the nurses must overlook 10+ patients. Burnout? Stress? Too bad--you signed up for this.
Look at any hospital's hiring page. They want BSN's with experience, which means you'll have to start out in Long Term Care (Nursing Homes) and deal with the patients with dementia, physical, and psychological disorders. That's the "proving ground" of those that are serious. Like I said, "You signed up for this."
As a previous poster said, your chances are pretty much nil in NJ unless you "know" someone. You might have to look in NYC, or even Pennsylvania. But those aren't guarantees, either.
Yes, those stories you hear are true: nurses that graduated 2 years ago STILL don't have a job. The nursing schools are pumping out way too many graduates in an over-saturated field, including the fact that nurses aren't retiring like they were in the past due to the economy.
I know my post went off topic, but if anyone is interested in nursing, research it. Know that it's what you want. If you're in it to snag a doctor husband or "in it for the money", don't even waste your application fee. It's a cut-throat, "my way or no way" profession that is not what it once was.
The person who is graduating wants to be a nurse, albeit four years ago when she started college things were a bit different with hiring.
The problem now, is that although people are hiring (although not as much as years ago), everyone is looking for at least a years worth of experience, so it's a Catch 22 situation.
Not many hospitals offer opportunities to train these young graduates (and let me tell you, she would do it for no pay). They call them "externships" and they are few and far between.
California might be a bit too far, and I'd prefer (as you have probably guessed it is my daughter), that she stay on the East Coast.
She's been going to hospital websites, etc., but just wondering if there wasn't any type of BIG employment agency for such positions.
It's not easy, and I don't think the school is helping much, except with the ONE hospital that they work hand in hand with, but, then again, it's a matter of numbers....they are pumping out many graduates....
She should also apply for positions that may "prefer" those applicants who have 1, 2, or 3 years experience. Even if she is not selected, it will get her resume into the hospital's system.
Another step she needs to take is to be certified or credentialed in a specialty. If her current school does not have a Continuing Education (CE) program, she should check out the following sites to see what steps she needs to take in order to be certified.
Wow to Steve and Runny. Thank you very much for the GREAT advice. Just what I was hoping/looking for.
The problem with her certification is, she's not sure which state she will be working in, so not sure which state to sit for the certification in. Enough to make you crazy! She will be taking the certification in July, I think, so she just has to eliminate 49 states and pick one! lol!
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