[mikejsmithrn]

Very interesting. Hmmm. Am I naive? I live in maine. I am an RN ASN senior student. In my first year at CMCC, I had the option of graduating as a LPN, then re-entering the school to finish the RN program to finish the degree. I did that and tried to find a job. What a joke. It was HARD to find a job. One place that actually offered me a LPN job was just so desperate. They were very desperate to hire any warm body (as long as they were legal). I turned them down for a camp nurse job who as it turned out only needed me for 4 days (they told me all summer, but let me go when the hard times were over). So I beat the street again and applied everywhere, but got nothing. They wanted 1 year experience or there were so many other applicants...so on and so on. Is this what I will experience in the spring when I graduate? For real? I didn't think that I would. I thought that LPN's were just outa luck because the trend in nursing is that LPNs don't have the acuity experience. Will this be the climate when I graduate as a RN? Ugh. Maybe I will move. :-( I just love it here, so I will be sad to leave.

[jam2007]

Ok, now I'm really discouraged! I live in MA and am finding it impossible to find a job. I was considering relocating to ME (I vacation in OOB in the summer and enjoy ME). No one ever told us it would be a problem getting a job

[miss_anneRN]

suggestion.... try smaller hospitals. i graduated in 2001 and was hired at my one & only interview. my goal was to get in a place close to home...not somewhere with drama & action. this facility hires lots of EIP's (entry into practice rn's). i have gained a broad scope of practice on this medsurg unit ranging from babies to old ladies and everything in between. i work on a 22 bed m/s unit on midcoast maine. i work 7p-7a. we have 4 rn's and 2 cna's all shift. more staff on days.

[ParrotheadRN2B]

I am really beginning to get discouraged as well. I am supposed to start in May in an accelerated BSN program but am seriously considering not doing so. I have spoken with Portland area nursing recruiters who tell me that local hospitals rarely hire new grads and that they are very well staffed anyway. It seems everyone wants at least a year of experience to consider you.....where are you supposed to get the experience???? Are there any recent grads out there who can lend some more insight?

confused and discouraged

[jbeau]

Hey nep, I would consider getting a job as a CNA at Maine Med like I am going to because that gets your foot in the door. Also, your clinicals will do so as well as your practicum if you go to USM and want to stay in Maine.

After I graduate from USM I don't plan on staying in Maine at all, and I have connections to hospitals in MA and NYC so I am not too worried.

[ParrotheadRN2B]

Hey jbeau,
I actually have thought about the CNA course at Me Med for that same reason. Are you already a CNA or have you yet to take the class?

nep

[jbeau]

I am actually taking it right now!

[ParrotheadRN2B]

How's the class going for you? I noticed the next info session is Jan 28 but don't know when the course actually starts...There may not be time to finish the class before USM starts in May. Speaking of which, do you know any others who are in starting in the BSN program?

nep

[jbeau]

I don't know any others.

The next CNA class would start March 14th I believe, and it takes 11 weeks to finish. HOWEVER after your first semester at USM (which will technically be in the middle of July for us) you can apply to be on the CNA registry and work at Maine Med. The first nursing course we start with in May (NUR 209/210) will count as basic CNA training so you'll be all set.

From what I've heard, MMC is VERY flexible with your schedule while in school and everyone that becomes an RN at SMCC or USM while working there gets hired to be an RN as an internal applicant (they don't list all jobs on their website).

[wonderwomanchels]

this has been really helpful...i'm actually moving from boston to maine, pending i get a job up there. i'm going to put my application in at a few hospitals in the boston area now, just to be sure. i still really want to work at maine med, though!