RN grad looking for a RN opportunity in Houston

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Hi, I've passed my NCLEX in October and I've applied at pretty much all of the hospitals in the Houston area (Med Center, Katy, Woodlands, Kingwood, Sugarland, and even Conroe). The response that I get is that I have less than a year experience. I've applied for the upcoming internship programs coming in June, but I feel like I'm putting "all of my eggs in one basket." I didn't get in any of the programs for January 2010. If I don't get selected, then I would have to wait another 6 mos. Is there anyone that is able to point me to the right direction? I'm open to all specialties. Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

What are your grades like? Are you BSN or ADN? Do you have any work experience in healthcare or related? These things factor in when applying for internship programs. Most hospitals only have the their internship as an entry point for new graduate RN's. Have you tried Harris County Hospital district yet? Keep applying I know its hard. Maybe also consider the VA as well as long term care facilities.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.

I know MD is having a career fair March 12th. They are hiring new grads for the June 2010 pool. You might get lucky since you have your RN license and get an on the spot interview! Memorial Hermann does this too.

Good luck!

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Hey, thank you for the responses. I feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only one in this boat. For a minute I thought it was just me. I have an ADN and a 3.0 GPA from Houston Community College. It seems that the facilities are taking BSN over ADN, but I still apply. Thanks for the heads up on MD Anderson. I did apply for their internship as well, but I will definately make it to the career fair. I think Texas Women's will have one in Galveston next wed as well. I applied at the VA but I get no responses at all, not even a rejection email or letter. At least with the other facilities I get some type of response. I even try calling there but I get a voicemail box that won't accept messages b/c the box is full. Maybe they're being bombarded with applications. I'm trying to be more optimistic but this is not a situation that I was ready to deal with after graduation. At this point, I've sent applications to Corpus Medical Center and Dallas. If I can get an internship in Houston in June, that'll be great. But if I don't make the cut, I really need a contingency plan. I have alot that's riding on immediate employment (loans, baby, and bills). Thanks again, and I'll keep you all posted on my endeavor.

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Make sure you have some experience on your resume. I know you probably know this but I still find some of my classmates who don't know. Also, have your resume done perfectly. Filling an online application is a pain but take your time to to submit a perfect application. Play up your experiences (but don't lie about them). As a new LVN with only CNA experience "Entering data on hopital Epic/Meditech" and "Handoff communication to incoming shift" got me 5 interviews out of 5 applications.

You might also just start small. Nursing homes will be very happy to have you (and probably pay you more). It may not be where you want to be but it's not a bad start.

I wish you success.

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Hi, I too am a ADN RN in the Houston area. My looking was similar to yours it seems. Here is what I read after I became employed. "There is a shortage of nurses, but not a shortage of new grads." So this nurses advice to new grads in Houston area was to go to the smaller outlying areas around Houston to get your start, "rural". I concur with that completely because that is all that opened up for me. I was not in the best place, I DID NOT take a sign on bonus and when my year was completed I was able to get into the Methodist system and I love it.

Those bonuses (vacations, cruises, money, etc) put you at that hospitals mercy and I would not advise that. Also, familiarize yourself with the Nurse Practice Act of Texas often and do not be afraid to exercise our right to use Safe Harbor if it is really needed. Also, I don't know where you can consider but there is now a Houston area hospital, Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital, in Northwest Houston that is the 1st in Texas to be unionized for nurses. That might offer something good for new grad, maybe check that out.

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