Just moved to colorful Colorado and seeking advice from RN's

U.S.A. Colorado

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Hello everyone. I just moved to Colorado two weeks ago and I am very excited to be here. I graduated this past May with a BSN and I have additional experience through various internships and employment. I have been contacting several recruiters and they told me it's very difficult to find a job unless I apply to a new grad program. These programs only seem to be offered 2-3 times per year and competition is great. When I look at other positions, they all require 1-2 years of experience. I was even informed to extend my search into other nearby states. I would very much like to work in Denver or somewhere closer to the Rocky Mountains (I love the outdoors) on a medical surgical unit. I thought that since I am not interested in any particular specialty yet, for example pediatrics, that it would be easier to find work. If anyone can give me advice on how to find potential job opportunities for a new grad RN, how to network, or know of any upcoming job fairs, please email me ([email protected]) or respond to my post. I will greatly appreciate the advice!! I don't want to give up by looking for CNA positions or consider relocating to another state like some recruiters had suggested. I really like Colorado and see a future for myself here as an RN.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Dorsky

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Check Craigslist. Occasionally I will see ads that say "new grads welcome to apply". Usually these positions are for SNFs or home health, rather than hospitals, though.

Check out the big networks - HealthOne, Centura, etc.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

PVHS has a few listings on their website now that state in the description "new grads may apply".

I am working in Cheyenne and living in Ft. Collins--- I love it!

Welcome!! I hope you find something soon!

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Check Craigslist. Occasionally I will see ads that say "new grads welcome to apply". Usually these positions are for SNFs or home health, rather than hospitals, though.

Check out the big networks - HealthOne, Centura, etc.

Hey, I looked at craigslist and most of the jobs that appeal to me require 1-2 years of experience unless I wanted to work in a correctional or SNF. Even temp agencies told me they could not find me a placement because they hold contracts for experienced nurses. Perhaps I should look at SNFs to gain more experience then apply to hospitals later. Do you know if a lot of new grad RN's do that? I also looked at the big networks and still have not come across to any openings for new grads. Thanks though.

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PVHS has a few listings on their website now that state in the description "new grads may apply".

I am working in Cheyenne and living in Ft. Collins--- I love it!

Welcome!! I hope you find something soon!

Thank you! Yes, Fort Collins is absolutely beautiful! How long is that commute for you? I actually took a tour of PVHS last summer. I can definitely see myself working in that hospital. I applied to one position a week ago that said "new grads may apply." I hope they call me in for an interview. Are you referring to the position in the department labeled "PVH Mtn Crest - Inpatient Psychology?" That seems like the only position now that does not specifically state "experience required or a minimum of one year of experience in ICU." I wonder If I should apply to those positions anyways despite how much experience is required. What do you think?

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Try Banner health too. They take new grads and most of their ads say experience preferred. They just got authorization to open a lot of new positions and they do have a new grad residency program that you would be enrolled to that happens 3 or 4 times a year, but that won't keep you from getting the job now. They would just enroll you in the next class that starts. I have my last class next week and the next one starts in Oct.

They are closing 2 units in Nov. but they are opening 2 new units around Feb. is the goal. They are closing CARE and TCU (Short term care acute units). They will be opening an observational unit that is more for the short stay surgeries or obs that will be staying less then 48 hrs. Then they are also opening like an acute care medical unit that is more psych stuff that is bogging down the ED. Such as ETOH withdrawal and stuff. That way these patients free up the ED and aren't being sent to the medical floors causing a huge distraction to those floors and requiring sitters and stuff. All the rooms will have video cameras and stuff.

I have been very happy working for them and I live in Fort Collins and commute to Greeley.

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Try Banner health too. They take new grads and most of their ads say experience preferred. They just got authorization to open a lot of new positions and they do have a new grad residency program that you would be enrolled to that happens 3 or 4 times a year, but that won't keep you from getting the job now. They would just enroll you in the next class that starts. I have my last class next week and the next one starts in Oct.

They are closing 2 units in Nov. but they are opening 2 new units around Feb. is the goal. They are closing CARE and TCU (Short term care acute units). They will be opening an observational unit that is more for the short stay surgeries or obs that will be staying less then 48 hrs. Then they are also opening like an acute care medical unit that is more psych stuff that is bogging down the ED. Such as ETOH withdrawal and stuff. That way these patients free up the ED and aren't being sent to the medical floors causing a huge distraction to those floors and requiring sitters and stuff. All the rooms will have video cameras and stuff.

I have been very happy working for them and I live in Fort Collins and commute to Greeley.

Hello,

Thank you so much for that info! I just checked Banner Health and saw several positions I can apply to. This is exactly what I need. Since you are familiar with the hospital, what is a good unit to work on? and is the staff really helpful towards new employees? I am always afraid of nurses eating their young. I was warned about that by my professors.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

You might want to broaden your search and include nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. The job market for new grads is oversaturated and it's difficult to find jobs. Good luck to you!

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You might want to broaden your search and include nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. The job market for new grads is oversaturated and it's difficult to find jobs. Good luck to you!

I completely hear what you are saying. I am going to continue applying for hospital related jobs for the next two weeks. If I still don't hear anything from recruiters by then, I will start to broaden my search. Thanks Jen.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Hello,

Thank you so much for that info! I just checked Banner Health and saw several positions I can apply to. This is exactly what I need. Since you are familiar with the hospital, what is a good unit to work on? and is the staff really helpful towards new employees? I am always afraid of nurses eating their young. I was warned about that by my professors.

I did clinicals there as a student and never had problems. Everyone was really nice. I have really good bosses and do not have any problems on my unit in that aspect. If I did have a problem though my boss would be supportive. They are very big on new grad retention and so they are very very supportive of new grads. I don't know how every unit is as a new nurse but the 3 units my boss runs are good.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Home health.

You really need to expand your search, I've been told by multiple recruiters and managers they have 100+ applicants for almost every job posted, it usually goes up to 200+ for ones that are open to new grads. Good luck in your search, but it's taking people here, especially new grads, 6 months or so to find jobs, mostly in LTC or some other non-hospital area.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

It's a tough market here, I wouldn't be too choosy about the type of unit. You just need to get experience.

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