Career Job Fairs??

[zurgswife]

Are they worth it?

I'm job hunting after completing a more advanced degree for my job. I'm a RN that went from an ADN to a BSN. The job market in my area for new nurses is horrible. I've never been to a job fair so I have no idea if it would be worth my time.

Also, it runs from 10-2pm; would it be worth it if I could only go for a few hours. Realizing that I would get the total impact but this is the first one that doesn't completely happen during my work hours.

Any thoughts?

 

[tvguy]

I'll be honest, after all the stories and see about the shortage of nurses, I am shocked to see your post.

As for job fairs, it is a question we ask everytime there is one, will be cover it. Last one, the only people offering jobs were the Army, Navy, Air Force, marines and Coast Guard. All the other people there were trade schools and colleges.


EDITED
Okay, I'm confused, there is a huge shortage of nurses in your area.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...ess-statewide-nursing-shortage-102944519.html

 

[zurgswife]

I'll be honest, after all the stories and see about the shortage of nurses, I am shocked to see your post.

As for job fairs, it is a question we ask everytime there is one, will be cover it. Last one, the only people offering jobs were the Army, Navy, Air Force, marines and Coast Guard. All the other people there were trade schools and colleges.


EDITED
Okay, I'm confused, there is a huge shortage of nurses in your area.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...ess-statewide-nursing-shortage-102944519.html

The nursing shortage boils down to jobs being available to Experienced nurses with at least 2 years experience in the specialty that they are applying. For new nurses without work experience or in a non specialty area the jobs are very difficult to even get an interview much less get a job. The nursing job market is very difficult to break into in our area no matter how many articles talk about a shortage....in reality there isn't.

 

[Sadie22]

Are they worth it?

I'm job hunting after completing a more advanced degree for my job. I'm a RN that went from an ADN to a BSN. The job market in my area for new nurses is horrible. I've never been to a job fair so I have no idea if it would be worth my time.

Also, it runs from 10-2pm; would it be worth it if I could only go for a few hours. Realizing that I would get the total impact but this is the first one that doesn't completely happen during my work hours.

Any thoughts?

Go to any job fair you can. Go armed with copies of your curriculum vitae or whatever you need to bring as a nurse. Be prepared for on-the-spot interviews. Each job fair can be different. Everything is a learning experience. You never know who you will meet or who will be important in your search for a job in your field. It might be someone you meet in the elevator or coffee shop, not even associated with the job fair itself, who knows of someone who is hiring.

DS went to what was advertised as a job fair that turned out to be a series of interviews with one company. He was offered a job a few days later.

 

[Mkrop]

The nursing shortage boils down to jobs being available to Experienced nurses with at least 2 years experience in the specialty that they are applying. For new nurses without work experience or in a non specialty area the jobs are very difficult to even get an interview much less get a job. The nursing job market is very difficult to break into in our area no matter how many articles talk about a shortage....in reality there isn't.

A good friend of the family just graduated with a nursing degree and she is saying the same thing, since she has no experience she is not getting hired. I told her to check nursing homes and also per diem, on call places.

She is in Delaware County and graduated from Widner.

It is shocking bc we have hospitals everywhere and we are so close to Philly and all the teaching hospitals.

Good luck

 

[tvguy]

A good friend of the family just graduated with a nursing degree and she is saying the same thing, since she has no experience she is not getting hired. I told her to check nursing homes and also per diem, on call places.

She is in Delaware County and graduated from Widner.

It is shocking bc we have hospitals everywhere and we are so close to Philly and all the teaching hospitals.

Good luck

Must be a regional thing. My mom was in a Rehab Center in April, and all the student nurses finishing up their final semester already had contigent job offers for after they graduated in May and passed their exam.

 

[gm]

I am sorry there to hear that. Career fair would be a great option if the hospitals show up at them that way you can get a one on one interview/conversation/tips to the best way to secure the position.

Is moving an option at all? if so, I would send out resumes to nearby towns/states to see what kind of offers come in just to get an idea to see if moving is worth it.

We have endless nurse shortages here in Houston since we have the huge Texas Medical center with a gazilion hospitals. Jobs are offered straight out of nursing schools. I have several friends who are nurses and are so tired of working long hours due to shortages of nurses. The hospitals here cannot keep nurses because the hospitals compete to bring nurses to their own hospital by offering huge bonuses in addition to very high pay. You could try to send a resume to any hospital here in Houston and see what pay/bonuses they would offer you to see if moving is an option.

I wish you all the best and hope you find what you are looking for soon.

 

[zurgswife]

I am sorry there to hear that. Career fair would be a great option if the hospitals show up at them that way you can get a one on one interview/conversation/tips to the best way to secure the position.

Is moving an option at all? if so, I would send out resumes to nearby towns/states to see what kind of offers come in just to get an idea to see if moving is worth it.

We have endless nurse shortages here in Houston since we have the huge Texas Medical center with a gazilion hospitals. Jobs are offered straight out of nursing schools. I have several friends who are nurses and are so tired of working long hours due to shortages of nurses. The hospitals here cannot keep nurses because the hospitals compete to bring nurses to their own hospital by offering huge bonuses in addition to very high pay. You could try to send a resume to any hospital here in Houston and see what pay/bonuses they would offer you to see if moving is an option.

I wish you all the best and hope you find what you are looking for soon.

I've sent applications to hospitals, nursing homes, Long Term Care, and mental health facilities up to 60 miles away. Relocating is really not an option currently my dd is in HS (freshman) and we own a home. I currently work in Pediatric Home Care I work alone and frankly don't use many nursing skills at all. I'm hoping things get better.

Thanks for the Career Fair advice. I am now sick as a dog and have 3 over night shifts ahead of my trying to squeeze a job fair in tomorrow might not be the best idea. But I'm determined to find another one near by soon.