Question for those of you who are graduating and interviewing for RN positions...

grinnurse, RN · Mar 18, 2005

I believe that most of the bigger hospitals now have either "residency" programs or "internship" programs for grad nurses. Some of the smaller rural hospitals I think do mainly the preceptorship programs. At least that seems to be the norm for the DFW area.

I will be curious to see. When you look on the website you could search for either of the above and see what it pulls up!! Good Luck

icyounurse, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2005

the hospitals i applied at last year when i graduated didn't have "new grad" programs. i just applied to some positions online for "rn positions". the MICU i work at now called me back for an interview, so did most others. also you can call the hospital's nurse recriuter and have them set up interviews for you. its easy to find a job most everywhere, so do not worry.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

I'm applying at the big hospitals in the Phx area and they all have new grad programs, for many different areas. That's the route I'd want to go anyway, a new grad program with a good orientation. It includes class time, as well as the training with the preceptor.

The recruiter I've been talking with at Banner says they don't have new grad programs for the NICU. The only place I've been able to find a NICU new grad program is Phx Children's. That's the area I really want to get into too, I'm doing my 144 hour preceptorship in the NICU this semester and want to continue in that area after I graduate. But I'm starting to think I might have to move out of Phx to get a NICU job?

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

I think you have to apply to the new grad program. All of the other openings that are listed say they require so many years experience in certain field, etc. But the openings that they take new grads in will say "new grad program available in this area", "new grads encouraged to apply", and things like that.

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

I think you have to apply to the new grad program. All of the other openings that are listed say they require so many years experience in certain field, etc. But the openings that they take new grads in will say "new grad program available in this area", "new grads encouraged to apply", and things like that.

Well, I know with OB at our local hospital, it requires one year of OB experience, but I'd *think* that an externship would count (maybe I'm wrong, though). At another local hospital, OB requires one year of med-surg, and one year of OB *preferred*. I'm thinking that externships have to apply towards these one-year prerequisites, or new grads would just never be able to get a job anywhere.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

Yeah that's a good point, that'd be something to ask the recruiters, if the externships count towards that, I'm sure they'd take that into consideration. I know Banner has a L&D new grad program, as well as med/surg, psych, critical care, telemetry and a few others I can't think of. I just wish they had one for the NICU.

Have you already done or planning to do an externship?

Aneroo, LPN · Mar 19, 2005

The hospital I will be working at had a new grad job fair. I will have a 14 week orientation/preceptorship in the ER. Different areas have different lengths of time. I have heard of hospitals doing the nurse residency, but I do not believe our hospital does it. -Andrea

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 19, 2005

I'm not a new, but rather someone with many years of experience in running orientation programs.

You have to be careful not to "fall for" the marketing terminology that some hospitals choose to use. Don't make your decision based on whether they use terms "new grad orientation ... residency ... internship ... etc." or not. You have to look at the specific details of each program.

Some hospitals use those popular terms in their recruitment materials and when talking with potential recruits because they know that new grads will be attracted by them. However, if you look at the details of the program, you will see that it does not meet your needs. Another hospital might provide a terrific individualized preceptor program that is actually better.

For example, I work for a children's hospital that provides all of the pieces of a new grad residency program. When we compare our program to those of other hospitals that use the term "residency, internship, etc." we compare quite well. However, we don't use those terms because we also hire nurses with a couple years of adult med/surg experience who also need that type of orientation. We make those "special new grad services" available to any new hire that needs them. So we don't label them as being specifically for the new graduate.

So ... if someone asks, "Do you have a new grad residency program?" we would have to answer "No." But we actually have all of the things that most such programs have.

So ... be sure to investigate the specifics ... don't judge too quickly based on the recruitment material terminology.

llg

grinnurse, RN · Mar 19, 2005

So you found that a preceptorship worked for you? Did they also have written work that you did as well? I am wondering because I learn more from hands on experience versus book.........Which alot of the hosp in DFW say "internship" with didactil (sp) too. To be frank, I am not sure that I want to hit the books again so soon after graduation you know what I mean? I would like to actually be able to read a "regular" book for a change. Did you have skills check offs that you had to complete with your preceptor? I am in an ADN program so we didn't get alot of experience on alot of the skills that we did in skills lab.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

So ... if someone asks, "Do you have a new grad residency program?" we would have to answer "No." But we actually have all of the things that most such programs have.
So ... be sure to investigate the specifics ... don't judge too quickly based on the recruitment material terminology.

What would you ask? If they have an orientation/how long?

Thanks for all the info!

HappyNurse2005, RN · Mar 20, 2005

Well, I am one of hte ones who has a NICU interview-it is on Monday. the hospital system I applied to is a fairly large one-has several hospitals in its system, is a teaching hospital, is the regional pediatric referral center, next closest NICU is 2 hours away, etc etc. Meaning I don't know the exact bed count, or if its "big" compared to university hospitals in large cities (probably not), but its big for this area.

Anyhoo, new grads (before graduation) don't apply for a specific position, but for the position listed "new grad RN" then on there you mention the areas you are interested in. That's what I did, NICU being one of the areas I mentioned. The recruiter called me and told me that the NICU wanted to interview me.

This hospital system has a preceptorship (or something like that) for new hires. You are on orientation for about 12 weeks with an experienced nurse.