Where are all the jobs!!!

1 I am a new graduate working in LTC, I have heard that it is hard to get a job once you started in LTC. I really didn't have much of a option because there is not alot of jobs at hospitals for new graduates!!! And the ones that have come up, I have applied but have not had any luck, yet!!! But I needed to start nursing somewhere!!! Is it true the longer I work in LTC the harder it may be for me to get a hospital job? And what happened to the shortage in nursing? They is very few jobs for new nurses where I am living in WA and it isn't in a remote area but just no jobs!!! Where are all the nursing jobs????????????????????
Come here to California! But to be honest, we are not as well off either!!!

Try the midwest, specifically the st. louis , mo area. Lots of jobs out here, but i did speak with new grad RN who says she has had no luck getting the hospital job she wants either(she also works in ltc, and she agrees with the opinion that time spent in ltc "gives you bad habits" and looks bad on your resume). Don't know why. Have never had any difficulty finding job myself, but have been nurse for years. Also I prefer ltc so most of my jobs have been ltc. Do notice that many positions(hospital and otherwise) ask for experience, but many others specify "will train new grads". I tend to think, they will consider a new grad even if they ask for experience sometimesi f you bring the right stuff to your interview. Wish you all the luck in your search.

Do you happen to know where the new grad you mentioned got her degree and what type (associates, bachelors). I've heard STL is good but that is discouraging she couldn't find anything in a hospital.

I worked in LTC for a year before I got a job in a hospital. So yes, it is possible. However, I recommend that you work in a skilled area of your LTCF i.e rehab, vents, etc. These areas are more skilled and will help you keep many of your skills current.

Central New York. Gray skies and high taxes, but an ICU will hire you right out of school.

in denmark we pay 35-45% taxes. Ill take ny any day.

Quote from cleo777I am a new graduate working in LTC, I have heard that it is hard to get a job once you started in LTC. I really didn't have much of a option because there is not alot of jobs at hospitals for new graduates!!! And the ones that have come up, I have applied but have not had any luck, yet!!! But I needed to start nursing somewhere!!! Is it true the longer I work in LTC the harder it may be for me to get a hospital job? . . .

This is what I hear about Chicagoland - not good for new grads. You must have very tight contacts to get you in if you want a hospital job as a new grad, like family/friend/political with direct hire influence. The people I know working in hospital got in this way. How well they performed in clinical/school was not addressed. So it is really only about who you know for the most part. Also hear that hospitals are now setting minimum qualifications anywhere from 1 year, to 2 years MINIMUM experience - which must be in an acute care setting. This minimum level of experience has been showing up for the last 6 months or more. A while back the minimum used to be 6 months acute care experience. These requirements are now often for those jobs that are posted as level I (staff or clinician I). Some will tell you that they will consider NGs if they did preceptorship in a certain specialty, but often the job will be given to an experienced nurse because the market is already saturated with experienced nurses as well.

I think *any* experience will help you, even if it's in LTC. I graduated in June 2010 and most of our class (myself included) is still looking for employment (I live in OR). A few of my classmates work in LTC now, with the goal of working at a hospital in the future.It's true that hospitals require 1-2 years acute care experience for most positions. Just play up your assessment skills that you're utilizing in LTC and time management during job interviews. It's better than no nursing experience! Having LTC experience will definitely not hurt your prospects of working in acute care.Good luck!

When you find out, will you please let me know cause jobs are surely not in Miami Florida. I got my license in NOV 2009 (while 7 mths pregnant) and still looking for a job. Unfortunately, no fortunately, I have a family and it is not feasible to move to some of the places where they are hiring new grads. Home health seems to be one of the places that will take new grads. That sounds risky to me since you get no actual training & are on your own in HH. I don't want to risk my license that i just worked very hard for. Luckily I still have my administrative job making ok $$ but I am ready to start working on my license.