RealityRN member Auntymai writes, “I haven't been able to find a nursing job and the situation doesn't look good. I've been in contact with my professors at school, and I've been told that the new graduates are not able to find jobs either,”

It’s a sentiment voiced repeatedly by our RealityRN community—and the phenomenon is perplexing. After all, nursing students have been told there’s a nursing shortage: a hospital job in nursing should be a slam-dunk.

But the reality is the market is tight in some parts of the country. And different regions of North America, as well as the UK, Australia and the rest of the world experience the shortage differently. In some places, there is a glut of new nurses.  Nursing expert Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, author of new book The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses, offers advice on how to find a job—even when it feels hopeless.

RealityRN: Why is there a sudden shortage of new jobs for graduates?

Donna Cardillo: First, many nurses predicted to retire aren’t retiring.  Some are working because they still need the money and the benefits.  Others just don’t want to retire – they want to stay engaged.  There are even some nurses who retire and then return because they miss it.

The sluggish economy is also part of the reason new nurses are having difficulty finding jobs. Some experienced nurses who were part-time are looking to pick up additional shifts to make more money.  Other nurses who temporarily left the work force to raise a family have spouses who have been laid off or just need to boost their family income--so they are returning to the job market to make ends meet.

And because many hospitals have a shortage of experienced nurses on staff, they don’t even have enough staff to orient new nurses, so are opting to hire only experienced nurses.

Is this happening everywhere?

No. It is not universal. I’ve heard California, the Boston area, parts of NJ/NYC and the Philadelphia area are the worst. But even in those tight job markets, it doesn’t mean that some of the hospitals aren’t hiring.

There’s no reason to panic. Don’t despair; things change. I’ve been in the nursing profession for over 30 years, and I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs. But new circumstances require a new approach to the job search.

What does this “new” approach entail?

It all starts while you’re a student nurse.

Look for summer internships at local hospitals where you can work as a student nurse. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and become known by the staff.  Also, students might consider working at a hospital (especially a facility you are interested in working at post graduation) as a nurse’s aide or a tech. You not only build confidence but also become familiar with the facility and people.  If you do well and people like you, you’re going to have a much better shot at being hired as an RN once you get your license.

Just sending in a resume with a cover letter is an ineffective and tough way to market yourself in a tight market.

Once you’re a grad, what then?

It’s very important to get out to the career fairs and out to local chapter meetings of your state nurses associations.  You should join the association but if you don’t belong yet, go as a guest.  If you’re interested in a specialty, such as Operating Room or ICU, you should also attend meetings as well as join the associations of the related specialties, such as the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (www.aorn.org).

These gatherings are geared for networking. And when you’re looking for a job in a tight job market, it’s all about networking. It’s how you find mentors and role models, build a support system, tap into a pipeline of information, and find people to refer you. Networking is the number one way to find and get a good job.

What is the worst mentality a new grad can have about finding a job?

Believing there are no jobs out there and that new grads can’t get hired anywhere.  Generalizations are dangerous and are rarely true.

It might be a challenge to find the type of job that you want in your local market, but if you’re not finding what you want you have to:

A) Change your approach—what you’re doing isn’t working; and,

B) Look in new directions—there are plenty of opportunities for nurses; they may just not be your first choice.

So perhaps nurses need to shift their expectations for their first job?

Here’s the reality: You might not be able to find a position for yourself right away in a hospital.  That doesn’t mean you’re never going to work in a hospital. But it means initially you may need to look for employment in an alternate care setting—a rehabilitation facility, a sub-acute care facility, a long-term care acute facility, an outpatient facility, a psychiatric hospital, a cancer care patient facility, or an outpatient chemo/dialysis center.  There are so many options.

Or say you want to work days in the emergency room.  You may start out on nights to get your foot in the door. You can do something different afterwards.

So there’s hope?

Yes! Stick to the basics: good self marketing, networking, flexibility. Don’t be afraid to consider your other options.  It’s a great profession and there are many interesting and exciting opportunities out there.

Related: Career, Interview, Job Search, Networking, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Night Shift, Nurse History, Nursing Associations, nursing jobs, Nursing Shortage, Nursing Trends, Resume