Petition to help new grads get experience

[Brian]

In light of the struggles that new grads are having securing a job, this petition may be of interest to many of you.

allnurses.com has nothing to do with this petition. We are not endorsing it at all. We are just sharing this to let you know it exist for discussion purposes.

You can find the petition here: Create a Plan to Help New Graduate Nurses Gain the Experience Needed to get a Nursing Job.

Please post your opinions here as well!

[Susie2310]

''

I am speaking about the petition.

The petition benefits the health care industry through federal funding; that is what I was referring to.

[Mulan]

The petition benefits the health care industry through federal funding; that is what I was referring to.

I was referring to the petitioners.

[cienurse]

The truth is that, it is difficult for everyone. And although new graduate nurses are having difficult finding employment now, I truly believe this is temporary. The future is bright for everyone in healthcare. We are better off then many other types of careers. Or at least I hope so.

I also believe that healthcare still has a bright future. It may be moving in directions that we never anticipated but that makes it all the more exciting. The problem, IMO, is that new nurses no longer want to have to go through the right of passage, ie taking whatever position is open at whatever pay rate being offered and truly starting "at the bottom." Most want their dream job right off the top and make a salary that it took most of more than 20 years' of our careers to make, because we were willing to start with anything!

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

You guys are nuts! I don't see any problem with asking the government to assist in this matter. First of all, the number of MDs produced in residency is tightly regulated and results in an adequate number of jobs per graduates. Here, we have nurses investing in their education only to come out of school and be told that a costly residency is not in their future. The cycle continues when they prematurely apply to grad school or leave the profession all together eventually leading to another boom bust cycle. Sadly, some of these people have been seduced into shady programs that leave them with no viable job options even if they have passed NCLEX.

President Obama has spoken so often about how important nursing is to the future of healthcare and I don't see how we can't implement some of the same protections the MDs have to protect our future as a profession.

Did you know 1 in 6 people with federal student loans is in default? I believe in the future, if the government is going to continue lending money to people to pursue their educational goals, we (as a people) are going to have to make a decent effort to make sure they come out with a degree they can use.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You guys are nuts! I don't see any problem with asking the government to assist in this matter. First of all, the number of MDs produced in residency is tightly regulated and results in an adequate number of jobs per graduates. Here, we have nurses investing in their education only to come out of school and be told that a costly residency is not in their future. The cycle continues when they prematurely apply to grad school or leave the profession all together eventually leading to another boom bust cycle. Sadly, some of these people have been seduced into shady programs that leave them with no viable job options even if they have passed NCLEX.

I agree completely. But unfortunately, the petition does not address those issues. I would be much more supportive of nurses petitioning their state board (and the accrediting agencies) to shut down those poor quality schools and stopping the flood of under-educated new grads entering the job market. Unfortunately, this petition asks the government to spend money on those new grads. That is something I cannot support -- and will actively fight against.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

I agree completely. But unfortunately, the petition does not address those issues. I would be much more supportive of nurses petitioning their state board (and the accrediting agencies) to shut down those poor quality schools and stopping the flood of under-educated new grads entering the job market. Unfortunately, this petition asks the government to spend money on those new grads. That is something I cannot support -- and will actively fight against.

I would not be opposed to rebalancing some of the money used to fund medical residency to help fund nursing residencies, either by new grads rns or nps in teaching facilities.

[funfunfun550, BSN, RN]

Where is this petition>?

I have a suggestion to help those that are struggling to find jobs AFTER getting out of school....but hindsight is 20/20

Work....yes work..while you are in school...and shine so they WANT to hire you at THAT institution...why...

1. EXPERIENCE>...while it may not be RN experience it sure will lessen that institutions burden of hiring you and the learning curve is less because you already know the hospital(or institution)

2. Get a 4 year degree....yes it IS true...They put new grads with 4 year degrees to the head of the line over all others...

WHat my opinion of all this is matters not...and yours doesn't either...these are the cold hard facts...at least in the job market I am in.

3. Expecting a great job right out of school....lucky if that happens but yes we do work off shifts.weekends and holidays....undesirable staff positions(for those of you that think med surg is a crap hole some of us are honored to be working there and you dont have to have a career aspiration beyond being a "regular bedside nurse". I am praying some of you new grads will LOVE bedside nursing as I may need you sooner than I plan!!!!!

Good luck..practice also interviewing and being assertive....Confidence etc. Dress the part for interviews. I can recall once two friends came in for an interview together and well they looked like they were coming to work together to hang out as friends. Its a place to work...making friends is a bonus...bringing them with you...not required.

[cmbuckley]

Be carefull what you ask for. In Ireland the salaries of new grads have been reduced to a pittance in order to give them jobs.

[Nightingallow]

Was ist nuts??

My late father innitiated a government program that helped disabled veterans learn skills to help them re-enter the job market. They were taught computer skills as well as Spanish as a second language for starters. He fought for veteran's rights and was successful doing so. He also helped out former IVDU enter the workforce. I've seen ideas first hand become reality...

The petition I drafted is far from perfect. It only gave suggestions. I asked that our President help come up with a plan. I'm pretty sure it's our country's best interest that new nurses are hired. New nurses hired=less on public assistance=more paying into social security...and of course, gaining experience now instead of the last minute...I am very glad that this subject is getting the attention it deserves. Let's continue to brainstorm and help each other grow...

As an interesting sidenote...I just learned that one of Harriet Tubman's jobs in PA was a nurse. I was aware Walt Whitman was a volunteer nurse in what is now a community hospital on Kingshighway Brooklyn, but I never knew that about Harriet Tubman...Which makes me ask...is it really only education that makes a great nurse?

[funfunfun550, BSN, RN]

Ok I now "see " the petition...wow....

Well first of all I am glad I live in the USA where we have freedom of speech. I am NOT try to flame anyone here but as an experienced nurse AND consumer of health care.. I have some thoughts..

We ask President Obama to help new graduate nurses gain the experience needed to get a nursing job.

Sorry I dont think we need to make a "presidential case" out of these as there are MANY nursing lobbyists and organizations that have more expertise on this than he does. Start with the CNA....they have helped nurses across the country I believe raise the standard of care and protect against the erosion of some policy makers decisions gone awry. Wow I could see where some hospitals might capitalize on your suggestions and for greedy purposes find and incentive to hire only new nurses....

If you are looking for loyalty that is institution driven mostly. Do some research on Magnet hospitals.

Recently there has been a great amount of help wanted ads from hospitals and agencies that are looking for nurses. Unfortunately for new grads, these jobs require at least 1 year of experience as a professional nurse. Hospitals are reluctant to hire new nurses due to the high cost of training each nurse and fears that they will not be loyal.

Some possible solutions may be: 1. give tax breaks to experienced nurses who will take on a new grad as an apprentice

I don't think you have a real insight as to how precepting works at hospitals. Again back to my advice to WORK in a hospital or institution that you PLAN to work in and you will become enlightened to many things. One of which is how precepting works. I don't think there is a shortage of preceptors. I have never seen that and I have been in health care for DECADES.

Secondly you are asking for government support to help nurses find jobs...that should not be something the goverment has to do. Jobs are out there.. you need to relocate like other professions do if you choose to get an education for a job where there is no market for you. There are jobs... maybe not the ones you want.

. 2. give hospitals more funding for externship programs. 3. Setting up standardized hospital training programs (similar to CPR classes) in order to lessen the cost of hiring new grads in hospitals

An 8 hour CPR class is a drop in the BUCKET to most hospitals to the year long mentorship program with 12 weeks of preceptorship to find out you cant hack it . What about bringing back more practical experience in nursing programs and require some of you new grads to volunteer somewhere so you really know what you are getting into if you can not or do not want to work your way through school. That way its a "free trial" for the hospital AND you to see if you are a match.

I work for a magnet facillity...people are lined up to work there... but you must have a 4 year degree AND be a top notch student and person to even gain an interview. The only exception...tada..u worked there...got a 2 year degree...were a stellar employee..they like you..AND there is a job opening AND you have to agree to complete your BSN within I think 5 years...

So....I would suggest people do some homework up front before they go out and become a nurse and expect there is "the " job they want.

Go work for an LTAC a year be an stellar employee with good references...get back in school to get your BSN and then transfer to the job you "really" want

[funfunfun550, BSN, RN]

Oh and work for a top notch stepping stone job..not someplace with a a bad rep....your first year of experience should be GOOD experience..a new employer does not really want to "rehab" you from bad habits of work ing for some place that has a less than stellar reputation. This probably equates to ...working nights in a good long term care facillity or LTAC>..long term acute care... you will gain LOTS of experience in an LTAC...just keep your eyes on the prize..dont get in a comfortbable rut and transfer back to that acute care hospital your dream job lies in. Be prepared to start part time off shift etc. Once you get your foot in the door and you are a great employee opportunities for improvement should exist. Net work network network!!

[JZ_RN]

Nuts!

Talk about entitlement!

You mean like seniority? What a bunch of entitled whiners. We all should work holidays on rotation. Just because someone is younger than you and has less years in the workforce doesn't mean they don't deserve a fair chance at a holiday. SOOOOO sorry I wasn't born sooner, jeez.

Maybe you should ask for the new grads' help since healthcare is a mess and you're chronically understaffed. But God forbid you don't feed the old nurse versus new nurses monster.

Love,

someone who was once a new grad and couldn't find a job and when she did, worked with "experienced" nurses who were lazy, mean, and totally unhelpful. Remember that we were all once new.