New grad hoping to move to Chicago

[AveryJane]

Hi Everyone -

I have been searching around these forums a lot throughout nursing school, and today I thought maybe I could use a little help.

I'm graduating in May (yay!) from nursing school with a BSN. I live in Kansas City now, but I'm moving to Chicago if I ever get a job. Therein lies the problem.

I have applied at quite a few hospitals, but I'm just not hearing back from places yet. I'm learning now that while there is a nursing shortage, hospitals really aren't all that eager to bring on a whole bunch of new graduates who they have to train completely. I just thought it'd be a little easier for me because I'm pretty flexible about what I want to do - I'm willing to work nights, in fact I want to work nights. I'd like to start out in Med/Surg, but there are only a few areas I wouldn't want to work in.

I just really don't know what to do now, and it is really really starting to worry me that I have no job and no prospects.

I've applied to Rush, Northwestern, University of Chicago, Lincoln Park Hospital, Advocate Illinois Masonic, and I think that is it. Does anyone know of other hospitals (that wouldn't be impossible to get to from Lakeview with no car) to apply to?

Any advice is greatly appreciated - I'm definitely into freak-out mode now.

[romie]

From my own and my cohort's experience, don't even bother applying for jobs unless you have a test date. Get yourself organized, go to recruitment fairs, have your resume reviewed by your professors, but most HR departments won't even give you the time of day until you have your NCLEX scheduled. Once you've passed the NCLEX, then you will start to get calls and responses.

Also look at what kind of positions you are applying for. General Medical floors are almost always looking, especially for 3-11. But if all you are doing is applying for pediatric ICU's at the top hospitals in Chicago, then forget it. The more glamorous areas of nursing, espcially anything involvoing critical care (ED, ICU) and OR are extremely competitive.

Your chances of getting 12 hour day shifts are extremely slim. Most new grads work 2nd shift. (not all, but most).

If you are set on getting a job in a critical care area, make sure that your last clinical rotation is in that area, if at all possible. Your leadership rotation can make or break your chance to get in. Finally, there are about three hospitals that have New Grad programs where they start you off in your preferred area. Mt. Sinai, IL Masonic and Weiss all have new grad programs.

Good luck.

[mzjones6]

Well wouldn't you know it but I got a call back from Children's Memorial wanting me to come in and interview for their new grad internship in the PICU which starts in March. I have an interview beginning of next month. I'm super excited and nervous at the same time.

I do plan on continuing to bother hospitals though looking for jobs.

[FaLaLa134]

mzjones- i'm in almost your exact position, except a few months behind, and would LOVE some advice!

i'll graduate in may, taking the NCLEX in new orleans. i want to move to chicago and start working ASAP after that. i really wnat to do a new grad program, as they don't offer them in my state.

timing-wise, how should i go about this? when do i need to start applying? and how long did it take you to transfer your NCLEX scores to IL? are you going to work in KY until you go to chicago in march? do you know if they are looking for other new grads at children's??

any help/words of wisdom apprciated!

[romie]

Congrats on the internship at Childrens! Like I mentioned before, Chicago has three new grad programs: IL Masonic, Mt. Sinai and Weiss. Masonic has a 24 week orientation, Weiss is 12 weeks. Masonic is VERY competitive. Another thing to consider is pay/hours/commuting. It can be really hard getting around Chicago and all of the big academic hospitals can have quite the commute. I love where I work because I walk to work everyday. Be prepared to shell out money in gas and parking!

[mzjones6]

mzjones- i'm in almost your exact position, except a few months behind, and would LOVE some advice!

i'll graduate in may, taking the NCLEX in new orleans. i want to move to chicago and start working ASAP after that. i really wnat to do a new grad program, as they don't offer them in my state.

timing-wise, how should i go about this? when do i need to start applying? and how long did it take you to transfer your NCLEX scores to IL? are you going to work in KY until you go to chicago in march? do you know if they are looking for other new grads at children's??

any help/words of wisdom apprciated!

I would gladly like to help you out.

I finished an accelerated program in Baton Rouge in July and didn't take my NCLEX until October. I tried to arrange to take the NCLEX in IL but it didn't work out due to the way Illinois lets you take your NCLEX and the way Louisiana does it. So I took my boards in October and got my license in LA and am now going through the paperwork process of getting endorsed by the state of IL.

The timing of when you take your NCLEX depends on how long it takes the school to send your paperwork off the state saying you've completed your coursework. My class finished in July and we all took our boards from September to October. I took my boards 10/23 and got my license on 10/27.

I am actually not working in the between time. I relaxing and looking for jobs in Chicago. I've moved back home with my dad in the interim.

I did inquire about the new grad program at Masonic, which is very good, but the application deadline had already passed. I believe their next new grad program starts in early summer or sometime around there. I believe you have to apply by March or so to be considered for the next program.

Children's is looking for new grads in 3 departments. PICU, Hemat/Onc, and OR at this time. I choose to apply for PICU since I did my preceptorship there. I applied and they called back a few days later. They suggest you apply early because its competitive and lots of grads want in. I don't know how many spots are available but at least 2 in each department, at least in the PICU. Their internship programs start in March, July, and September I believe. You'll have to check their website to be sure. If you are a new grad you can ONLY apply to the positions that say new grad because that's the only way they take you.

Good luck with your last semester and if you have any other questions I'll be around.