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

Nursing Students General Students

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I saw a couple of you have had interviews for positions as RNs in NICU and other various areas. Do those hospitals have "new grad" programs? Or are you just interviewing for open RN positions?

I'm just wondering how that works. Say I'm going to be graduating in two months. I see an opening on a hospital's website for a position in OB. Can I just apply for it? Or do I have to go through the hospital's new grad program?

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
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.

Thank you! That was exactly my question, and you answered it! :)

Specializes in NICU.
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.

That sounds like a really good way to do it. The big hospital system that I've been looking at in Phx wants you to specifically apply for a certain new grad program, in a certain area.

That's really exciting, good luck with the interview on Mon.!

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
What would you ask? If they have an orientation/how long?

Thanks for all the info!

Here are a few questins off the top of my head. I'm sure other people can and will add to the list.

How long is the orientation? How much of that orientation is spent in class? How much supervised clinical with a preceptor? How much is comprised of self-study modules? When you are having clinical with a preceptor... what is the typical assignment?

How many different preceptors? How are preceptors selected? Are they volunteers? (or are people forced to do it that don't want to do it?) How are preceptors prepared for their teaching role?

Who will be overseeing your orientation? What type of preparation does that person have for that important role? I would want to meet with that person if at all possible. What types of common problems do they see with their orientees? How are those problems/issues usually resolved?

After orientation, what types of education are available over the following couple of years? (No one learns it all in orientation. Look for a place that follows up orientation with on-going education throughout your career.)

What types of behaviors do they look for in a new employee? How many new employees don't complete the orientation program successfully? -- and why? How many leave within the first year? -- and why?

That's where I would start.

llg

Specializes in NICU.

Thanks, llg! This is all just so knew to me, I feel so unknowledgeable about the whole thing, so I thank you for your help :) When is a good time to ask all these questions?

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