New Grad interested in Trauma

Specialties Critical

Published

I'm a new nurse grad (as of May, 13, 2012)... currently studying to take my board exam. On my breaks, I view blogs... trying to find out if its realistic to apply for Trauma: entry-level.

I believe most hospitals are reluctant to higher any new grads into ICU, ER, or Trauma. Despite their differences... I am willing to travel anywhere in the world... just want to earn the experience.

Any suggestions as to what your experience was when you first applied to BSN/RN jobs? What steps did you take to get into Trauma?

Specializes in ED, trauma.
That is the forum I was originally looking for, but when I went to post (and when I just re-checked) the forums I can see go from correctional nursing straight to developmental disabilities...

MichaelaR27, were you able to find the critical care nursing forum you were looking for?

C'mon Maros9999, really? Rio de Janeiro's trauma center is the closest thing to war?

I believe that you need more experience before working in trauma. Your EMT experience would help, but hospitals will probably start you off in the ICU.

Specializes in Trauma/ ED/ ICU.

Great news to share with regard to Page 1 and my request for info on Trauma. I just landed a Trauma RN job, full time, nights... with a Trauma Level I hospital on the east coast. I have no previous experience working as an RN... only EMT. I'm excited about the opportunity. Thank you for Page 1 folks who gave productive feedback. I'll be sure to share feedback as I learn more about my dream specialty.

What I learned (about the job application process):

1. Everyone talks about Trauma being too hard and needing more experience before joining... its a slam in your face. A big door swinging your way and I don't like it. I say open the door... A lot of my friends encouraged me to apply for residency programs... I didn't want to. Why? Because most if not all, require you to rotate on different floors. If you already know what you wanna do... why rotate a different floor every week for 3 months. Makes sense to others, with perhaps less direction. To me its better to get molded in the area of interest right off the bat. So residency programs - as great as they sound - aren't necessarily the only option... you might be luckier applying directly to a position of interest (and be surprised when they call you in for an interview).

2. I was willing to relocate... anywhere... AND when one manager said no... I didn't let it bug me. I kept applying... overall I applied to 600 jobs in 2 months... and earned a position in Trauma... right where I wanted to be... so persistance helps. Its not about how little or how much experience you have... every hospital has training programs... if its not a residency, they have a 3 month transition program in your specialty... This hospital is offering me 3 months of intensive training...

I'll revisit my thread to share more about my experience in the future... thanks again for everyone whose input helped me feel encouraged.

=)

PS - Mexico... war zone... whatever the situation... if you can learn and make an impact on people's lives... you should be there. This is what nursing is all about and will always be about.

I had a similar experience and was promptly told that my calls were "too much" that was their "reason" for not hiring me. I was always under the impression that proactivity was a sign of diligence and determination, both qualities that I thought were admirable. Just be careful and feel out the HR or administrative staff.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Great news to share with regard to Page 1 and my request for info on Trauma. I just landed a Trauma RN job, full time, nights... with a Trauma Level I hospital on the east coast. I have no previous experience working as an RN... only EMT. I'm excited about the opportunity. Thank you for Page 1 folks who gave productive feedback. I'll be sure to share feedback as I learn more about my dream specialty.

What I learned (about the job application process):

1. Everyone talks about Trauma being too hard and needing more experience before joining... its a slam in your face. A big door swinging your way and I don't like it. I say open the door... A lot of my friends encouraged me to apply for residency programs... I didn't want to. Why? Because most if not all, require you to rotate on different floors. If you already know what you wanna do... why rotate a different floor every week for 3 months. Makes sense to others, with perhaps less direction. To me its better to get molded in the area of interest right off the bat. So residency programs - as great as they sound - aren't necessarily the only option... you might be luckier applying directly to a position of interest (and be surprised when they call you in for an interview).

2. I was willing to relocate... anywhere... AND when one manager said no... I didn't let it bug me. I kept applying... overall I applied to 600 jobs in 2 months... and earned a position in Trauma... right where I wanted to be... so persistance helps. Its not about how little or how much experience you have... every hospital has training programs... if its not a residency, they have a 3 month transition program in your specialty... This hospital is offering me 3 months of intensive training...

I'll revisit my thread to share more about my experience in the future... thanks again for everyone whose input helped me feel encouraged.

=)

PS - Mexico... war zone... whatever the situation... if you can learn and make an impact on people's lives... you should be there. This is what nursing is all about and will always be about.

CONGRATS!!! I concur. Take a chance a apply to a specialized position...be open to all roads as well. I did a phone screen and after the process will be starting as a new grad in a PICU. The RECRUITER at the hospital SUGGESTED the position! I will be learning ECMO, Dialysis...have everything from trauma, transplant, hospice, oncology, etc...They have an intensive program as well. This particular hospital actually abandoned nurse residency rotations because of the hit and miss feedbacks from new grads, now intensive programs and clinical ladder programs, which have been giving them better results.

Keep pushing, I wish you great success BlueSun!!!

BlueSunRise: what state did u get a job at? Like how far from home? And do u have an ADN or BSN?

Specializes in ICU.

Go to a small level 4 trauma center in a rural area. Heck I am finishing up my senior preceptorshp and I had a pediatric code role through the door. Get your experience or go through the military.

Specializes in Hospice.

I am interested in trauma as well, although I don't even start my ADN til August. I have done some research and I think you need your BSN for trauma then the trauma certification on top of that. Lots of people are saying I will have to do my time in Medsurg which is fine with me, but don't think for a second I won't be working toward that ultimate goal of Trauma!

I have to leave a comment on this. I just graduated May 10 with an ADN. I have a BS, but not in nursing. In April, I applied for a nurse residency position at the only level 1 trauma center in my state. I just got called today and offered the position. It was the very scariest interview I've ever been on, but it totally paid off. I could not be more excited.

SO, do not be discouraged by those who say there is no way you can get in a trauma ER without experience or with "just" an ADN. It can happen!

Specializes in ED, trauma.
I have to leave a comment on this. I just graduated May 10 with an ADN. I have a BS, but not in nursing. In April, I applied for a nurse residency position at the only level 1 trauma center in my state. I just got called today and offered the position. It was the very scariest interview I've ever been on, but it totally paid off. I could not be more excited.

SO, do not be discouraged by those who say there is no way you can get in a trauma ER without experience or with "just" an ADN. It can happen!

That's great! I will have my BSN, but is there any feedback you received about what made you such an attractive candidate for them? I would love to hear if there is something that made them really interested in pursuing a new grad. Veer having the toughest time breaking in to a level 1 in Florida.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

They so hire new grads in south Florida for level one trauma centers

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