Your right about managers preferring new grads &training them their way.Experienced nurses are usually set in their ways & some don't like change.Me, I go with the flow. Plus with todays economy,I've encountered most bigger teaching hospitals want new grads because they are cheaper wage at this time. (No pun against you!) Hospitals work with pay scales based on your years in nursing itself. In other words, I would fall into the 15-20 yr scale. And you can guess they don't want to pay that high! Saw the ad with County of Riverside. Had left resume with them at job fair. To be honest, Throughout my years, I've never even interviewed at a hospital. You would fill out the application, they would see you worked CCU, ED, OB etc..and hire you on the spot! Not anymore, esp. in this economy. Nurses are knocking down the door. Coming out of retirement too. I used to work in Corona, but actually come from the East Coast. Anyway, Good luck with your job! Hope you like it at St. Bernardines!

Wow that's crazy! They seem really picky from what I'm hearing from a lot of applicants....I wish you the best! Have you had any other job leads? Doesn't seem like there is a lot of nursery jobs right now.

I find that crazy that they wouldn't train you. I mean, they have 11 openings in CCU, you think they'd want to fill them? I know that the department manager for CCU is partial to new grads though that she can train "her" way and there are so many people scrambling for jobs maybe they're just specifically looking for those. I hope you get a break soon.
Where did you work last?

Thanks for the info. Went to Ontario Career Fair yesterday, talked with Pat Taylor, recruiter for St. Bernardines. She was inviting all resumes and sign ups for new grads into the ICU/CCU. I asked about experienced nurses applying to CCU. She said "of course!" She then asked me about my experience, I told her I had CCU. experience, but had not worked in that area for 6 years,that I still have ACLS, read rhythm strips, EKG, mix cardiac drips, etc.She told me, "You need to go back to school and take a critical care course"! Then threw my resume aside and said I was not qualified and she probably wouldn't entertain it! Can you believe it.Been nursing 18 years. Last 5+ yrs.worked OB/Nursery, but there are no positions in that area out there.(only L&D ,I didn't do that). I've done OB, CCU, ED,PACU,M/S, Ambulatory Surgery... I think what she told me is ridiculous.What happened to "orientation".It's provided when one transfers from 1 area to another. Just sounding off. Thanks for input!

Sure no problem.
Bobby sets you up with the initial phone interview with the Nurse recruiter, who basically just asks you "what are your strengths, weaknesses, what nursing skills would you like to improve, what makes you an asset to our company, etc." I believe she also wanted an example of a difficult client interaction and how I had handled it.

Then if she likes you she will set you up with a CCU Interview. She doesn't set you up on the phone that day but will have Bobby call you back in a few days with the information.

After that, you should be meeting with Chris Wolf. Unfortunately she was out sick the day I interviewed so I interviewed with the ER manager who had trained Chris. She kept it really simple at that interview, asked why I wanted to work CCU, what made me a good candidate. I think if you have experience though they might ask more detailed questions and scenarios
It took a week to find out I had the job. Good l uck!

Hi NickiLaughs, First, congratulations for acing the interview and getting a job at St. B's! I know I did mention on the forum that St. B's had lots of CCU positions. But I was trying to get into NICU. Unfortunately, most all hospitals want to hire for CCU/ICU, L&D. ER and Telemetry, as they are the most difficult to fill. They are still posting few CCU positions, I'm guessing its for new grads only, but I'm thinking of applying...except I have 18 years and they may not want to pay me the higher wages. I've done CCU before, but only 7 years ago but still maintain my ACLS. There are only day shifts left. Can you tell me anything about the interview process? Questions, Etc... Thanks for your input ...OB6658 (aka: erdoreen)