Best Hospital for New RN Graduates?

U.S.A. Alabama

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i'm currently in the lpn-rn program and i have these reoccurring nightmares of graduating, being hired, excited about my first day as an rn and then realizing that i have no support system, no one is going to help me and may even hate that i'm on their unit. i've worked some as an lpn, but mainly to gain my mandatory 500 hours for applying to the lpn to rn program so i would really love to find out if anyone has any suggestions on what hospitals are good for new nurse graduates? (if it helps, my goal is to work as a critical care nurse--any advice related to that is welcome as well!) thank you! :redbeathe

Specializes in Quality Management.

Oh, and I failed to mention what a GREAT opportunity the military is for nurses. Pick your service: Army, Air Force, Navy...pay's not bad, "controlled" hospital setting with few "code grey" incidents, respect of subordinates and peers...every nurse's dream. Too bad I'm too old.

Good luck!

paganoid

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Specializes in Gas, ICU, ACLS, PALS, BLS.

Cleveland Clinic, good orientation, treat new grads very well

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Specializes in med/surg.
i'm currently in the lpn-rn program and i have these reoccurring nightmares of graduating, being hired, excited about my first day as an rn and then realizing that i have no support system, no one is going to help me and may even hate that i'm on their unit. i've worked some as an lpn, but mainly to gain my mandatory 500 hours for applying to the lpn to rn program so i would really love to find out if anyone has any suggestions on what hospitals are good for new nurse graduates? (if it helps, my goal is to work as a critical care nurse--any advice related to that is welcome as well!) thank you! :redbeathe

if you are in san diego, sdsu has program for new grads only. also i think they have something similar at sharp hospital.

good luck!

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Right now any job you can get is a good job for a new grad. I had to take a job at a small hospital 2 hours from my house. I live in a big city (San Diego) with a dozen hospitals but with the recession there are very few new grad openings. My last interview at a San Diego hospital, they interviewed 168 new grads for 8 jobs.

Darci

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I am graduating in May and can and will relocate anywhere...............Some of the hospitals mentioned, I am not familiar with or what state they are in. I am in NH right now. Can you clarify where some of these hospitals are? And do they mind someone moving from far away? Thanks!

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Go to a Magnet hospital. They have more of a commitment to "growing" great nurses. And by all means ask when you interview what your training will be like.

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Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.

To the OP and all new grads: Do not be afraid! I personally think that the "Nurses eat their young" business is alot of hype. I can count on one hand the number of nurses that I have had a problem with in the 16 years that I have been a nurse. Yes, there are jerks anywhere you go but you have to just be yourself, admit when you dont know something and dont be afraid to ask for help. Most nurses are nice people and wont give you are hard time. Just be considerate and understand that they might be under stress too. Dont be afraid to use your own judgement for the little things so you dont have to go bugging them every minute. Just be considerate and you will be fine. Good luck.

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Does anyone know of a hospital that is hiring new grads for the L&D dept? I currently live in Tucson, Arizona but am willing to move. Please include the city and state of the hospital in your reply.

Thank you so much,

Beth

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Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott Valley, Az is in the process of extending their L&D. The new addition is schedulaed to open soon. I'm not sure about the opening date but if your willing to move 4 hrs North of Tucson, it's a great place to live. The weather here is perfect. You get a little bit of all 4 season....never too much....You should plan a visit during a break in your life, and it you don't have a little break....make one, you won't be disapointed.

Good Luck, Let me know what you think.

dchris RN NS

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg, MICU.

I would suggest doing your preceptorship in an ICU at UAB or St. Vincent's. That way you at least have a foot in the door. I have heard good things about Brookwood also, but they were not an option for my class to do our preceptorship at. I don't know anybody who has even had a chance to interview at Brookwood unless they were a tech there previously or knew someone to get them on. Trinity is another possibility, but they RARELY have any RN job openings. Since graduating in May I have applied to literally every position at every hospital within about a 75 mile radius. I have had 3 interviews at UAB (where I did my preceptorship at) and 1 at St. Vincent's, and I had to cancel an interview at Trinity and Gadsden Regional after I accepted the position at St. Vincent's. Maybe by the time you graduate the recession will be over and the hospitals will be hiring again, who knows. But until then network, network, network! Sometimes it is just a matter of who you know that sets you apart from the 600 other applicants applying for a job. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, Mother/Baby.
I would suggest doing your preceptorship in an ICU at UAB or St. Vincent's. That way you at least have a foot in the door. I have heard good things about Brookwood also, but they were not an option for my class to do our preceptorship at. I don't know anybody who has even had a chance to interview at Brookwood unless they were a tech there previously or knew someone to get them on. Trinity is another possibility, but they RARELY have any RN job openings. Since graduating in May I have applied to literally every position at every hospital within about a 75 mile radius. I have had 3 interviews at UAB (where I did my preceptorship at) and 1 at St. Vincent's, and I had to cancel an interview at Trinity and Gadsden Regional after I accepted the position at St. Vincent's. Maybe by the time you graduate the recession will be over and the hospitals will be hiring again, who knows. But until then network, network, network! Sometimes it is just a matter of who you know that sets you apart from the 600 other applicants applying for a job. Good luck!

Hey Deb :)

Are you at St. V East or downtown? What dept did you go to? Im at DCH in the MICU. Glad to hear you got a job! Many from our class are still looking!!

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg, MICU.

Hey Stef! Congrats on the job! :yeah: I actually accepted at St. Vincent's St. Clair, literally 5 minutes from my house and with the same pay as St. Vincent's B'ham. I am working in the emergency department and float to the ICU. My nurse manager is NM of both departments, so he cross trains his RN's for both depts. We are also building a new hospital here, so that will be really nice! I know it is really hard for those who have not found a job. I was very stressed for a while too! Can you remember Mr. Cresswell telling us that the economy would not affect us getting jobs? Ha! I thank God that I was able to get an RN job, and doubly blessed that it is in the department(s) that I wanted. I will be praying for those still looking. Hopefully this mess will end SOON! Keep in touch!!! I miss all of ya'll!

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