Sharp New Grad Program Fall 2012/Winter 2013 - Page 5

I did think it was intense, but I was VERY nervous as Mary Birch is also my dream job. (After doing a lot of applications and interviews now, I actually think UCSD's new grad program interview was more difficult, I think this is because they have a higher population of high risk moms whereas Mary Birch may not be as high risk, but delivers A LOT more babies.) Questions were pretty common- strengths, weaknesses, goals, most/least fav clinical area. After I got rejected via email, I responded asking for advice and what was given to me was to: get ACLS and NRP, become an AWHONN member, take the Maternal Newborn Nursing Course through RPS, build interview skills, and to have some sort of RN experience. Since then, I have done all of the above except have RN experience and I think we can all agree- how can I get experience if nobody will hire a new grad?

I think it also can't be overemphasized how much it matters if you have a connection to a hospital- I'm pretty sure relatives make a difference for Sharp, but I definitely know Scripps hires mostly based on connections with employees of the hospital- at least for their new grad program. This is the most frustrating part to me, because none of my family is in the medical field- I'm the first one, so I don't have that connection. I just don't see how having a connection makes someone more qualified for a job... that's probably because it doesn't.

Sorry for the long, vent-ful response, but thus far, my career search has been long and tedious and my patience and hope is wearing thin. Good luck to us all this time around! ::crosses fingers::

NurseMandoCommando you can always get RN experience by working in SNFs or LTCs. I work in a subacute/SNF right now. It may not be the ideal experience any new grad is looking for but it's something and probably the only places that will hire new grads.

Coriander-- when sharp first contacts an applicant..is it by email or phone? just want to be sure to know what I'm looking out for (hoping that I will get a response ).

Sorry, just got back into town today.

I have always been contacted by phone. PLEASE give them a phone number that you know will work. Unfortunately, I have the experience of a certain cellphone company not getting a voicemail through until two weeks too late.

No, and that's something I should have asked the recruiter when I saw her this weekend at our Convention.

What convention was it? Where volunteers invited?

Everytime the phone rings or I get an email I'm like please let it be Sharp! Lol Dx: obsessive Compulsive email checking disorder 😀

Ugh, sorry, I was so brain dead when I got home I forgot to say. It was the nursing student convention for California. Sharp was represented there, but she was so swamped that I didn't have a chance to say more than a few words.