The Best of Times
Nursing is typically viewed as a recession-proof profession. It’s one of the few areas of the job market showing significant growth. No matter what the economic climate, people continue to get sick and need care.

An aging baby boomer population is only driving up the demand. In addition, many nurses themselves are boomers approaching retirement age and thereby further increasing this need.

In this time of economic upheaval, I can’t help but think of the quote from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times....”

Different Perspective
As a recruiter, this is the best of times. Nursing vacancy and turnover rates are some of the lowest we’ve seen in years and agency usage is at a minimum or nonexistent. High volumes of qualified candidates are applying for the few positions open.

Ah, life is good!

However, the yin to that yang is the ambitious and hopeful new graduate RN population seeking their first nursing position. There couldn’t be a “worst of times” for these folks.

When they were filling out their college admission documents, new grad RNs could call the shots, no pun intended! Upon graduation from nursing school they immediately could secure employment at the facility of their choice, in any setting, even specialty areas, and sometimes even obtain their desired shifts. Now, many of these folks are being turned away due to low vacancy rates.

Remember, It’s Fleeting
It is important to remember the nursing shortage is not over. The forecasted numbers still remain. Many institutions are beginning or continuing new construction. Nurses will be in demand as project completion dates near. New graduate RNs must remain hopeful during this time, as it too shall pass!

Some advice to the future nurses of our community:

• Be flexible – if you have your sights set on a specific nursing position within a hospital, you may have to take another slot that is aligned with your long-term goal and then transition yourself into your dream job when the opportunity presents itself.
• Be persistent — cast your net far and wide in the hiring process. Some geographical regions have more opportunities than others, some settings have more opportunities. If you aren’t able to get the hospital position you desired, perhaps think of looking into non-hospital jobs, such as long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, home health or hospice, where you can still develop critical thinking, organization, prioritization and delegation skills.
• Maintain networks — stay in touch with fellow graduates and even recent alumni who may already have jobs. Sometimes these contacts make all the difference in providing tips about the local job market or even specific positions available at their facility.
• Be prepared — by taking NCLEX as soon as possible, having references on school letterhead and final/official transcripts readily available, you are positioning yourself to obtain employment for those unexpected vacancies. Nothing is worse than being “skipped over” on the wait list because documentation or licensure was not completed.
• Stay positive – even if there are no vacant positions at the time and/or you are interviewing for a waiting list, keep a positive attitude. You may not receive the news you want to hear about vacancies or units and shifts that are available, but if you react negatively and exhibit rude behavior, this information will travel.

When you think about it, these simple tips are nothing you haven’t had to live and learn through the past few years of nursing school. As a new graduate RN, you’ve already proven you can endure. Just hang in there, even though the market is presently saturated, the tide will change. Good luck!

Lori Faber is coordinator for nurse recruitment, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore