Volunteer for lower waged/free RN internship to get foot in door???

[elprup, BSN, RN]

We all know New Grads cannot find jobs. This includes New Grads, like me, who are not considered New Grads anymore. My local small town hospital is seeking experienced RN's. What do you all think about going into Nurse Manager's office, and if they are interested in me, volunteering that I would be willing to take a cut in the starting wage to intern and learn the ropes? I would also be willing to shadow a nurse for a day or two to make sure it would be a good fit for me. I would take the cut in pay because I really want to be able to "learn" and not feel pressured that "We are paying you a full RN's wage, so you need to be one" - which is what I was repeatedly told at my first job/med-surg where I "failed" orientation.

But, how would I go about stating this idea to the manager? Make appt first? Submit resume and put this in cover letter? I really want to get my foot in the door. I know I can do this...I just need a little help to learn everything. I have continued studying and am trying to think "out of the box".

Any experience with this? Would employers like this idea or does it seem like I am putting myself down volunteering my time (RN, BSN) for free/lower wage?

Thanks, Elprup

[MiaNJ]

We all know New Grads cannot find jobs. This includes New Grads, like me, who are not considered New Grads anymore. My local small town hospital is seeking experienced RN's. What do you all think about going into Nurse Manager's office, and if they are interested in me, volunteering that I would be willing to take a cut in the starting wage to intern and learn the ropes? I would also be willing to shadow a nurse for a day or two to make sure it would be a good fit for me. I would take the cut in pay because I really want to be able to "learn" and not feel pressured that "We are paying you a full RN's wage, so you need to be one" - which is what I was repeatedly told at my first job/med-surg where I "failed" orientation.

But, how would I go about stating this idea to the manager? Make appt first? Submit resume and put this in cover letter? I really want to get my foot in the door. I know I can do this...I just need a little help to learn everything. I have continued studying and am trying to think "out of the box".

Any experience with this? Would employers like this idea or does it seem like I am putting myself down volunteering my time (RN, BSN) for free/lower wage?

Thanks, Elprup

I don't know if that is possible. I have tried looking for a volunteer nurse position in hospitals or clinics, but they simply don't allow you to do any nursing functions unless you are working as a nurse. I was told that I could only do things like bring guests books, greet them, work in the flower shop, etc. But nothing to do with patient care, not even giving some basic health education about their condition. I know there are volunteer doctors in some clinics in the NYC, but have not found a place that allows volunteer nurses. I have also been told that even if I volunteer in a hospital, that does not guarantee a job, and does not give me an edge in getting a job either. I guess it's good on a resume, and it's something that many people just enjoy doing. But the experience itself doesn't count for anything in terms of what I've been told by HR managers. Plus, when I tell them I'm a nurse, they seem reluctant to even take me as a volunteer since they think I have plans to leave as soon as I get a job, and just doing it to get my foot in the door. Also, in many large hospitals, there's actually a waiting list and interview process for volunteering, and they require recommendations, etc. It's not always easy to get those positions either.

I don't know about taking a lower pay, or if that's even legal. I am desperate for a job too, but it seems that it's just extremely difficult w/o some experience or w/o knowing someone who works in the dept or hospital you are applying, and gives you a recommendation.