93% of those surveyed cited "no experience" as the main reason for not finding a job in the field.

SAUSALITO, CA (ASRN.ORG) -- The American Society of Registered Nurses (ASRN) has launched the "Save the Grads" jobs program in response to the entry-level graduate jobs crisis.  Its purpose is to keep new and recent RN graduates in the field of nursing. The "Save the Grads" job program will identify up to 50,000 "hidden" entry-level RN hospital jobs across the nation within the next 12 months.    

These entry-level jobs will be available in the ASRN "Members-Only" area beginning the first week of April, 2011. This program is expected to continue until all RN graduates are at full employment.  It's anticipated that this new program will significantly reduce unemployment among new graduates within the first six months.

"Save the Grads" is another good reason to join ASRN.  

Are you a new or recent RN graduate? Here's what you get with "Save the Grads":

• Newsletters on hiring hospitals, hiring trends, tips on getting hired & more.

• A dedicated entry-level career board, with thousands of current "hidden" entry-level hospital jobs.

• Job alerts for your location and specialization, delivered right to your mailbox.

New and recent graduates can access this critical information by joining ASRN at heavily discounted membership rates.  Entry-level and recent graduates will be offered memberships for only $50 (60% off the regular membership fee of $125). 

New graduates will be entitled to Full Membership status, which includes full voting rights and privileges.

Additionally, all new and recent graduates will receive full member benefits, including the ASRN Journal of Nursing and the Journal of Advanced Practice Nursing; be eligible to participate in all programs and committees; receive awards and grants; and attend all conferences and meetings.

For grads that can't afford to join.

If you qualify as a special hardship case, we'll give you a free annual membership. Please email us at memberships@asrn.org if you feel you are in a hardship situation and want special consideration by our Membership Committee.

Background.

Less than 3 years ago, hospitals were offering nurses $10,000 signing bonuses, loan payoffs, even cars as incentives to battle a nursing shortage felt in almost all 50 states.  Today, most nursing graduates say they're fortunate to find a job.  

Three years ago there were three job offers for every graduate, but at graduation last summer there were more students without a job than ever before. 

A surge of applicants from nursing schools as well as older nurses coming back into the workforce and hiring freezes at most of the nations' hospitals had increased competition for jobs.

Adding to the surge of new nursing candidates were experienced nurses from other states that were hard hit by the recession.

Hospitals routinely tell new graduates that they are not hiring.  

Many hospitals have set hiring freezes and closed down clinical services. 

In addition, many nurses that were expected to retire have chosen not to do so.  Many have decided that because of the recession they were no longer in a financial position to retire, or perhaps their spouse lost a job and they needed to remain employed.

Today, it's not unusual to find a new graduate RN from a private school carrying student loans ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 unable to find work.  

Even where there are jobs available, hospitals would rather hire an experienced RN over a new graduate.

This has caused a wave of shock and disbelief as new RNs from at least two graduating classes are being forced to consider leaving the workforce.

Job forums are now saturated with posts from frustrated new graduates looking for employment-while in school they thought jobs would be almost guaranteed upon graduation.  New graduates perpetually post the same question, "How do I get hired for jobs requiring experience if I can't get experience?"

According to a study by CINC, 43% of surveyed registered nurses licensed in California from January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 are not working as registered nurses.  

93% of those surveyed cited "no experience" as the main reason for not finding a job in the field.

Outside the acute care hospital setting-such as in community clinics, long term care, behavioral care and ambulatory services-resources needed to put new grads into the work force are even more limited. The out-of-hospital settings don't have the resources needed to offer training programs that allow graduates to make the transition from school into practice. 

Vocational schools are already feeling the impact.  Enrollment at some private California nursing schools has decreased by more than 50% in the past two years.

To join this program, click here

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