They made it through nursing school and have the diplomas to prove it. They passed the N-CLEX exam and have their licenses. Now all that remains is finding a job.
Getting hired during the recession and slow recovery has been a challenge for many new graduates in recent years, but recruiters say there are brighter skies this year.
Nursing development manager Pamela Redman is hiring more newly graduated nurses than she was two years ago for Piedmont Hospital's residency program. There are 70 slots in 11 specialty areas for new RNs and experienced nurses looking to change departments or re-enter the workforce.
“The hiring of new grads is always cyclical, and the economy has had a big impact the last few years,” said Redman, BA, MSN, RN-NEC. “Normally, we hire new nurses in proportion to those retiring. We always need a balance of new and experienced nurses, but many of our older nurses couldn’t afford to retire during the recession, so the need for hiring was down.”
Redman has heard that most hospitals are hiring new grads this year, which coincides with hopeful employment news for all graduates. Employers expect to hire 10.2 percent more recent grads in 2012 than they did in 2011, according to a spring survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
A Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce survey measured how grads with different majors are faring. It found the unemployment rate for health care majors to be 5.4 percent, compared to 9.4 percent for humanities and liberal arts degree holders.
More good news for budding nurses: An American Association of Colleges of Nursing 2011 survey of 538 nursing schools determined that 56 percent of baccalaureate graduates had job offers at graduation. Six months after graduation, the rate jumped to 88 percent.
There are jobs out there, but the market is “extremely competitive,” Redman said. “The sheer volume of applications has grown exponentially over the last three years.”
Five years ago, Piedmont Hospital received several hundred applications for residency slots. Now the health care system gets 300 to 400 applications in the first week, and many of them are from out of state.
Redman attributes the wider applicant pool to two factors: the Piedmont residency program’s high retention rates (less than 10 percent turnover in the last three years) and a greater number of graduates. Schools increased enrollment to meet predicted nursing shortages that didn’t materialize, largely due to the economic downturn. While nursing schools turn out more graduates, the job demand hasn’t increased that much.
Employers are ‘selective’
"Recruiters and hiring managers have the opportunity to be selective, and we are," said Jennifer Paris, nurse recruiter for WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta.
“We’ll take about 60 new graduates [in two cohorts] this year, and we’ve already had more than 300 applications for the fall class of 30,” Paris said. “We only hire new grads through our residency and fellowship programs because research shows that the retention rate is higher when novice nurses get additional training and support.”
At WellStar, applicants first go through a thorough résumé screening. Paris interviews the most promising candidates and the strongest of those undergo a panel interview where department managers ask tougher clinical questions, she said.
“We want to see a well-rounded person who shows dedication to the profession, and we’re looking for BSN candidates vs. ADN,” Paris said.
Most employers (77 percent) prefer job candidates who have earned baccalaureate degrees, according to the AACN survey. Thirty percent of health care employers require a BSN degree.
In a crowded field, new graduate nurses need to bring their “A” game, recruiters said. The first step is crafting a professional résumé.
“Our first impression of you isn’t a phone call or face-to-face interview. It’s an electronic application and your résumé,” Redman said. “Include detailed and correct information, and proofread carefully. Your attention to detail tells us something about how you’ll handle a job.”
Redman looks closely at an applicant’s practicum description with an eye on matching experience with the position being sought.
“Nursing care is different in critical care than [in] labor and delivery,” she said. “Someone interested in critical care with a critical care practicum will have greater preparation for the job.”
Paris also looks for real-world work experience. Someone who has worked as a nurse technician or an extern is best. “New nurses without prior work experience struggle more in the first year,” she said.
Volunteer experience and membership in a nursing association speak favorably.
Even work experience at a fast-food restaurant is a plus, Redman said. It can be an indicator of a good work ethic, reliability and customer service skills.
“We require two letters of recommendation, but even if a hospital doesn’t ask for it, it’s a good idea to include them,” Paris said. “A strong letter from a preceptor will set you apart.”
Making a good impression
An impressive résumé helps lead to the next step: an interview. There’s only one chance to make a positive first impression, so jobseekers need to make it count.
“Be on time and look like you’re seeking a professional job. Flip-flops are not an option,” Redman said. “Come prepared to ask questions and to articulate what you want in a job and your career. We’re looking for candidates who are enthusiastic, flexible and committed to wanting to work for us.”
Interviewers don’t expect novice nurses to know everything, Redman said. It’s OK to admit to a lack of experience, realizing that everyone starts as a novice. Showing a desire to learn always makes a favorable impression.
A willingness to be flexible is also a plus. WellStar Kennestone hires for the whole spectrum of nursing specialties, but a nurse who will work where he or she is needed will have more opportunities, Paris said. Be prepared to compromise on location or shift. Look not only at working in acute-care hospitals but also consider skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, public health or community health agencies.
“There are a lot of opportunities out there, but the search may take a little time,” Paris said. “Keep networking and be flexible. You’ll make it.”
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