How can I get hospital experience as an RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm hoping others can offer me some advice or help. I received my bachelor's degree in nursing in 2010 and at that time it was close to impossible to find a job in a hospital. As a result, I worked in an office setting up until now. I have networked and applied to almost every hospital in Massachusetts with no luck. Every job posting states "Prior experience in a hospital setting required." I have personally gone to the HR departments at the hospitals and still with no luck. I have also tried applying to all other areas of nursing such as home care, primary care, nursing homes, etc. The companies that do reply say I should check back once I have had hospital experience. I have had my resume critiqued and it is up to par as far as I know. I am certified in Basic Life Support for the Professional Healthcare Provider from the American Red Cross and I have an active RN license. I have three years of experience, I am not a new grad, and I have excellent references. I graduated at the top of my nursing class and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing. I am totally discouraged and feel as though I should go back to school for something else but should I rack up more debt in school loans? Advice please!!!

Move to Memphis. You go to one career day (job fair thing for nurses) and they'll jump on you. They'll be shoving interviews and applications down your throat. The only difficulty is getting a job in the pediatric hospitals, but otherwise, nursing recruiters are everywhere and they want YOU.

That would mean I love nursing so much that I would be willing leave my family, my home, my friends. NOT the case.

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Specializes in Pedi.
That would mean I love nursing so much that I would be willing leave my family, my home, my friends. NOT the case.

To be fair, you asked what you could do and Tmari1 gave you sound advice. The jobs in Massachusetts just aren't there. Have you considered looking in Southern NH?

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Are there any agencies nearby that may hire for temporary hospital positions? That could possibly help not only get experience in the hospital setting, but also "get your foot in the door".

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

Is it possible to find an RN residency at this point?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Is it possible to find an RN residency at this point?

It depends on the facility and their eligibility requirements. Some have deadlines in fall, winter or spring. Others only accept applicants who graduated in the past 3/6/9/12 months and have not failed the NCLEX (meaning you can apply post graduation while waiting for your NCLEX test date). Others offer specialty residencies that new grads and nurses with experience in a different area are eligible for (such as an OR nurse residency that anyone who just graduated or an experienced nurse who never worked in OR/PACU/SDS/peri-op services can apply for )

Most residencies are highly competitive. Try looking online at hospitals in your area. Most post the qualifications, deadlines and application process online.

Good luck

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Is it possible to find an RN residency at this point?

Possible but not probable. Most residencies go by either graduation date (accepting people who graduated within a year/18 months/2 years) and/or experience (must have less than 1 year/6 months experience as a RN).

OP can certainly try and play up the "lack of acute care experience" card, but it's a very long shot as when residencies refer to RN experience, most refer to ANY RN experience whatsoever. Office nursing would be included in that.

However, the OP won't know for certain until she tries.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

OP: try LTAC (long-term acute care) to start gaining some experience that way.

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You have three years of experience in what specialty? You might want to jump in an ACLS which probably will make you more marketable. Have you also considered looking in states like Arizona or New Mexico? They are ALWAYS hiring.

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OP: try LTAC (long-term acute care) to start gaining some experience that way.

I agree. They usually hire anybody.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Are there any agencies nearby that may hire for temporary hospital positions? That could possibly help not only get experience in the hospital setting, but also "get your foot in the door".

Those kinds of positions are typically reserved for experienced HOSPITAL nurses as there is little to no training involved.

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I have the same problem in Texas. I have done home health, endoscopy and adolescent psyche since getting my ADN in 2009 and I got my BSN in 2012. I want to do the nursery or post-op. Since I am not looking for an intern position and have no hospital experience I keep getting turned down. I was out of work for 4 months before getting a call from the endoscopy job I did as a new nurse and am working 2 days a week while still waiting for that dream job.

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If you was living in a state that had a military base, you could've worked on post at the hospital. As of right now the Army is looking for graduate nurses, you should go check it out. Inbox me if you need any information about that.

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