New Grad RN Jobs

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

Go rural. Just about any state.

MassagetoRN · Jan 24, 2011

Go rural. Just about any state.

I respectfully disagree. The rural hospitals are smaller, and have less resources to hire and train new grads. Also, they usually take local people who are invested in the community.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

I respectfully disagree. The rural hospitals are smaller, and have less resources to hire and train new grads. Also, they usually take local people who are invested in the community.

Just sharing how I got a job as a new grad. Others here on the board have shared the same with me, that they had to go rural to get that first job. About 1/3 of my former classmates from nursing school moved away for jobs, and many moved to rural areas in my state and others. When I shifted my job search to rural areas I suddenly had multiple job offers, and I had the luxury of picking the one I liked the most. I still get calls.

We found that big cities have fierce competition and the rural areas tended to have greater needs and be willing to hire new grads. The big metropolitan areas are saturated with new grads because of the multiple nursing schools located in these areas - rural areas are lacking this, and many still have the famous "nursing shortage."

Sure, you won't find the structured training classes like the big city hospitals provide - but training in a more informal manner. Good luck to you as you search.

:twocents:

yooper86 · Jan 24, 2011

I agree with you. I had to go very rural and many states away to get a hospital job. But it was worth it to me hoping that I will be able to come back and get a job once I have some experience. I'm hoping it doesn't take TOO long but with this economy I know I might be stuck here awhile but at least learning a lot!

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Jan 24, 2011

You mentioned that you were hired by a hospital in Michigan. What hospital? Did you apply to many hospitals in Michigan? I am originally from Michigan, and plan on moving back after I finish nursing school here. I moved here to take a teaching job, but discovered I didn't like it.

yooper86 · Jan 24, 2011

What part of Michigan are you from? I'm from the U.P. and can tell you the names of hospitals up here that I know hire new grads. As far as the lower peninsula I'm not sure about jobs, but I've heard it is harder to find hospital jobs down there in the cities (not sure about rural). If you want more info let me know! I graduated with a class of 50 people and no one had trouble finding jobs up here.

Did you move to AZ to teach? I moved out there after graduation last May. I do like it there (don't miss the winter here!) and I really hope I can get a job out there once I get experience.

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Jan 31, 2011

I am from the Metro Detroit area, and yes, I did move here to take a teaching job. I started working on my masters degree in library science, but realized there isn't a big market for that. So, I moved out here, and have been teaching for about 2 years or so.

I am still on the waiting list for the LPN fast track program at Gateway Community College. I hope to start in fall and then do the last 2 blocks at another community college. I am just fearful after reading all these posts that once i finish, I won't be able to find a job when I move back home.

I wouldn't mind living in Northern Michigan temporarily just to get some experience, but would ultimately like to move back to anywhere in the Detroit or Ann Arbor area. I don't like it here in AZ. The schools are terrible compared to Michigan, and I just don't find myself staying here permanently. I miss my family too much, and am not happy professionally now as a teacher.

I would appreciate any tips you can provide.

yooper86 · Jan 31, 2011

Would you consider school here in MI? Do you have pre-req's done? I went to Bay College in Escanaba, MI. It has a really good reputation and no wait list when I got in the LPN program back in 2007. Their deadline to apply is April 1st and you find out in June if you get in. Just an idea. I tried going to an RN program in AZ and couldn't stand to wait 3 semesters (minimum) so I came back here and finished the RN program in 8 months. I've heard the wait lists are horrible for all the schools out there.

Do you plan on working while you are in school?

If you do stay out there for school and can't find a job in Lower MI when you move back, you can try Marquette General hospital, OSF St. Francis hospital, Helen Newberry Joy hospital, Schoolcraft memorial hospital, etc. They all hire new grads. Marquette is the biggest and a teaching hospital I did all my clinics there. These are all in the U.P. And if your looking non-hospital I can give you some more names. lol

JSTARZ · Jan 31, 2011

I had the same issue when I graduated. Fortunateley after 1 month of numerous denial emails I decided to take things a step farther. I suggest you call the units you applied to and ask for the Nurse Manager...sell yourself and explain how interested u are in a position with them. Most times the Nurse Managers are not opposed to new grads, the HR reps are the issue. Worked for me. I walked right into the Surgical ICU. Good luck!

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 27, 2011

Would you consider school here in MI? Do you have pre-req's done? I went to Bay College in Escanaba, MI. It has a really good reputation and no wait list when I got in the LPN program back in 2007. Their deadline to apply is April 1st and you find out in June if you get in. Just an idea. I tried going to an RN program in AZ and couldn't stand to wait 3 semesters (minimum) so I came back here and finished the RN program in 8 months. I've heard the wait lists are horrible for all the schools out there.
Do you plan on working while you are in school?
If you do stay out there for school and can't find a job in Lower MI when you move back, you can try Marquette General hospital, OSF St. Francis hospital, Helen Newberry Joy hospital, Schoolcraft memorial hospital, etc. They all hire new grads. Marquette is the biggest and a teaching hospital I did all my clinics there. These are all in the U.P. And if your looking non-hospital I can give you some more names. lol

How were you able to finish the RN program in 8 months? I am starting the LPN program here at Gateway in the fall, and was thinking maybe I could just do the bridge program in Michigan if the wait was too long to do the RN part here in Arizona. Do they hire LPN's anywhere in the U.P. area? Did you start the program in Arizona and then finish in Michigan?

I do have all the pre-reqs and co-reqs done except for Microbiology. I have a degree in another field, so I have all the general ed classes done for an associates degree, so it would really just be the nursing classes I would have to take. How did you like doing the nursing program in MIchigan?

Music in My Heart · Mar 27, 2011

Go rural. Just about any state.
I respectfully disagree. The rural hospitals are smaller, and have less resources to hire and train new grads. Also, they usually take local people who are invested in the community.

I am a living testament to the truth of what MulticollinearityRN says. After a fruitless search in my area (which includes over 10 hospitals), I finally contacted a tiny rural facility - and was hired. We've since hired a number of other new grads. The truth is that the rural places sometimes have trouble finding nurses because they're (a) not within commute distance of the population hubs and (b) tend to have lousy pay and benefits.

On the other hand, you will get opportunities at a small rural hospital that you'd not quickly get at a big one.

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 28, 2011

What area did u relocate to?