ED jobs for new BSN grads?

[wroblow]

I'm graduating from OHSU's AccBacc program in two weeks. My practicum was at Legacy Emanuel's ED and I'd like to get a job in the ED if possible after graduation. Every hospital is rejecting my application right away because I don't meet the minimum requirements (I can't actually say I have my RN license yet because I haven't taken the NCLEX exam) and most of the ED residency programs in the area don't start until the spring - which is way too much time spent unemployed!

This wasn't unexpected, my program and my RN friends all prepared me for this rejection, but there is one hospital in Eugene - Mckenzie-Willamette, that hired me on the spot when I dropped my resume off. The manager blatantly told me they were desperate for nurses in the ED and that I could have any shift I wanted. I should be really excited, but I don't know anything about this hospital and it's the opposite response from every other place I've applied.....does anyone know McKenzie-Willamette? any advice?

I want to be able to transfer to somewhere bigger - hopefully Emanuel or OHSU in about a year, so I want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot if I take this job.

thanks!!

[nt2002]

Hi wroblow -- I'm curious to hear how this worked out - what did you end up deciding to do?

[NurseJD123]

I believe you should be applying to Nurse Residency programs in nearby states also. One of my OHSU accbac friends got a job at University of Utah as a new grad in the ER and now has relocated back to work at OHSU in the ER - another friend in the program did the same thing for oncology/cancer unit - got a job in a Residency Program maybe in a similar specialty - and now is back working at OHSU.

Its competitive to be chosen for Legacy's Versant Program in Portland but you could be a really strong candidate there. too. Initially the first round I applied to ICU and didn't make it through the first selection and the second time I applied to another specialty I have experience in and was chosen. I noticed the candidates they chose for the ER positions that round were very diverse and came from different colleges though definitely competition from Linfield grads is high with that program. If you are passionate and have a good interview story it's possible. I count myself very lucky. I love Legacy.

[khausig]

I'm curious wroblow, what did you find out about McKenzie-Willamette?

[Ames808]

I'm graduating from an ABSN program at George Washington University in December and I am moving back home to Portland immediately after. I am also planning on applying to the ED residency programs at OHSU and Legacy...but Legacy's application process doesn't open until the spring and I'm not sure when OHSU's is going to be open again. I'm kind of having similar thoughts as you Wrodblow - should I apply to a bunch of other programs that I'm not really crazy about around the Portland/Salem/Eugene area? Or should I wait it out and go for what I really want...

If you took the job at McKenzie-Willamette, please let us know how it's going! Maybe it's something I should consider as well. Anyway, best of luck to you!