Hello!

I'm on the hunt for my first RN position and in looking at the job page of one of the bigger hospital's in my area, EVERY single job lists "one year of experience or the equivalent" as a requirement. Forgive me if this sounds ridiculous, but what exactly could be considered "equivalent?" I have zero experience working as an RN in any setting and have searched their site high and low for anything available to a total newbie, finding nothing.

Someone with nine months of experience, but who picks up lots of PRN shifts giving lots of overtime, could certainly have the equivalent of "one year". Not a chronological year, but....equivalent.

You, with no experience, are not what they are asking for.

Good luck!

That's a good question, OP and a good answer RNsRWE. I would say in the 2,000 hour range would be equivalent to a full time year. It's sad that new grads are having such a hard time getting that first job now. Good luck.

ETA:

I would call these places for clarification.

Ask if they will count clinical hours as experience. It won't get you to the 2,000 hour mark, but it would help.

I agree with AcuteHD, call and ask how many hours are considered equivalent to one year full time. In Canada, this information is usually found in nursing union contracts, full time equivalents (FTEs) range from 1,500 to 1,700 hours.