Need advice on hospitals in Denver!!

Sweedish is not hiring new grads right now (and won't for some time). Quite frankly, everywhere in Denver it will be difficult for you to get a job right now. Times are tough, and hospitals are retreiting to nurses with minimal experience (1,2,3 years) so they can pay them less, but feel confident because they know what they're doing. Hiring freezes have taken place all over, unfortunately. I've been here for three months and have yet to find a job.

If you are looking for a Magnet hospital, the only two in Denver are The Medical Center of Aurora and the University of Colorado Denver hospital. The new grad program at CU-Denver is a tough selection, and requires letters and an essay. The Med Ctr of Aurora is less stringent, and they do not take huge cohorts, but rather hire on a unit-by-unit basis (at least, that is my understanding, but I could be wrong). The sad part is, they don't want new grads right now.

Overall, you might have a bit more luck this summer, as that's when the spring classes will graduate, but for now...the pickin's are sliiiiiiiiiim.

I wish you the very best of luck! Be persistent and positive!

Louiemed5, are you new graduate? How many years of experience do you have?
It's so hard to imagine that after significant nursing shortage the situation just turn over the night to complete excess of hospital nurses. Is the situation the same in LTF?

I am not sure I follow what you are saying, but yes, I am a new graduate. I have applied to over 100 positions all over denver, surrounding areas, and even cities throughout Colorado. I did have luck in being offered a position in Cheyenne, WY, but in the end, I just was not willing to move. If you are persistent with nurse recruiters, and plesant with nurse managers, sometimes they will invite you to career fairs. In those situations...make a WONDERFUL IMPRESSION (a.k.a. put on your "stunna" cap). I went to one, and it might have just gotten me a position (I'm still waiting to hear back). Something else I recommend is a suggestion i read from a posting here: If you see a position available (something obtainable-MANY hospitals do not like to put new grads in specialty areas unless you did an internship on that specific unit), find out the name of the nurse manager and when he/she will be ON THE UNIT. Next, type up a cover letter, resume, and even get a few references if you can to have in hand. Bring them to the unit, and meet the nurse manager in person. Introduce yourself, give the papers, and say something simple, like, "I would love to work on this unit, and I just wanted to put a face to a name amidst all of the other resume's you have receieved." I did this and got an interview on that unit. Unfortunately, the position went to someone with experience, but she invited me to the INVITE ONLY career fair.

Oh, I do not know what LTF is?

I hope this helps Marynochka!

Louimed, thank you for reply. LTF is Long-term facility.
I'm actually not a new graduate. I have 1 year experience as LPN in nursing home and as RN almost 2 years (can you count "almost"?) in med-surg unit in hospital. In the current time I’m in process of getting BSN; hope to graduate in 2010. But I'm still concerned about finding a job due to bad economics. I do appreciate your advice about visiting unit manager. Great idea!

That's so great! I don't think you'll have NEARLY as much trouble as I have had. I chose to work in a snowboarding shop (rather than get my EMT or CNA) while in school, and I'm paying for it now. Just try to network as much as you can while still in school...as I'm sure you're working in a hospital while in school.

You're genuinely on the right track, and again, I wish you the very best of luck in finishing your degree!!

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions. Although, it sounds like you would be a great resource for me since you've been on the floor so much longer!

Take care!

..they are actually NICE at Exempla, St. Joes...

"nice"...what the heck does that mean?...the pay is good, the training is cutting edge???

Nice???

Good luck in trying to find a job anywhere in Denver as a new grad. Forget what you hear about the nursing shortage. It doesn't exisist here.

SemperFI, what do you mean "nursing shortage doesn't exist in CO"?! Nursing shortage is nationalwide problem. Why is Colorado different? Where this information came from? And is it the same with nurses with some experience? I'm RN with 2 years of hospital experience. I plan to move to CO. Will I have too a real problems to find a job?!

I agree with semperfi that the 'shortage' (if it exists) is not as bad in CO as in other states. You definately stand a better chance since you already have hospital experience but i would recommend making sure employment is in place BEFORE making the move.