Realities of the Nursing Job Market for New Nurses: What are the facts? (565 hits)
The National League for Nursing and the National Student Nurses’ Association are keenly aware of the entry-level job situation for new graduates. We are providing this resource to help you prepare for a very competitive job market. Although there is a shortage of registered nurses, the economic recession has flooded the RN market with experienced nurses who were retired, planning to retire, or went from part-time to full-time employment. • The need for RNs has declined due to low hospital census (resulting from lower elective surgeries/procedures; high unemployment; and high rate of those without health insurance). • Employers are hiring new graduates with baccalaureate degrees; new grads with associate degrees and diplomas are having more difficulty finding entry-level employment. • Many open RN positions require at least 2 years of experience. • Graduations from nursing school are at an all-time high. • New graduates are expensive to orient and many move on to other employers after only 1-2 years, which adds to the cost of recruiting and orienting new employees. There has been an increase in RN retention due to economic factors—nurses are staying in their current positions. • Once the economy improves and unemployment decreases, the shortage of RNs will become critical.
..."As a nursing student, work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) this will get your “foot in the door” and you will gain valuable experience. Be sure to make a good impression and get to know your coworkers and managers. • This is a great time to continue your education—if you have a diploma or associate degree, explore RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs; if you have a BSN, explore masters degree in nursing programs. Many programs are available online. Some of the RN completion programs require students to work while in the program and they receive credit for their clinical hours. • Before you graduate: Meet with your college/university career services department (submit your name and resumé to their data base) at least one semester or quarter prior to graduation and follow-up 4 weeks prior to commencement. Introduce yourself to the alumni chapter members of your educational institution; attend meetings and ask them to help you find your first job. • Always include a cover letter when you submit your resumé and application. When you do get an interview, make a great impression through your professional appearance and interviewing skills. Practice interviewing skills and get an interview coach/mentor. This can be any seasoned nurse who can practice with you. • Network at every opportunity available to you. Get to know the nurses at health care agencies in the area where you want to work. They can let you know when positions for new grads open up on their units. • Smile! When you do land an interview, show that you are excited about the position and express your enthusiasm about working at the agency. • Keep in contact with your mentor. If you don’t have a mentor, seek one out. All of the suggestions addressed here can be executed more easily with the assistance of a mentor. • Take the licensure exam as soon as possible after graduation. Most hiring agencies will not consider your application unless you have passed NCLEX®. • Check with the state board of nursing in your state to learn the rules and regulations for RNs to work in other roles (i.e. CNA). Note that if there are Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse positions available you may want to check with the state board of nursing to see if it is feasible for you to be licensed for this role (until RN positions open up). Remember that if you are licensed as an RN and working in a different role, you will be held to the higher standard (that of an RN)—so you must be careful to practice in the role and job description that you are hired for."...
