New to VA

[angiemarie22554]

Hi, I am very new to the Stafford/Fredericksburg area and I'm a ADN RN from New Orleans. I am a new graduate, graduated in May with over 900 clinical hours. I will be applying to a BSN program within a year but so far have had no luck with finding a hospital job. I have 7 years past experience in a doctor's office that provided a lot of experience with skills and my nursing school was very hands on but so far, business managers look at my resume and listed skills with surprise, almost as if it's not the norm around here to gain that amount of experience in school or that my last job was as a CNA but then now I'm an RN.

I do know that finding that first job will take time but I'm starting to worry about it with the little feedback I'm getting and I also know some times it's about who you know. Hoping to get some feedback from some experienced local RN's with some advice.

[KellyRN2013]

Do not worry! Hospital jobs are very competitive in that area. If you already have CNA skills, I would try to apply at a long-term care facility. I know you probably prefer a hospital, but if you can get your foot in the door anywhere and get at least a year of work and skills experience under your belt, then you should have no problem landing a hospital career :) I know this is kind of vague but I hope this helps!!! Good luck!

[angiemarie22554]

Thanks for the response. I am currently at an urgent care center and doing per diem work doing flu clinics but am still searching during any free time.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

A lot of hospitals won't give credit for any healthcare experience obtained before the RN, no matter your time in a doctor's office or your clinical hours in school. Have you looked for any new RN fellowships or residencies? You might have better luck pursuing that angle.

[angiemarie22554]

I have looked into a few things but there aren't any available in the area. I'm going to keep looking and applying and gaining any experience possible while I wait for an opportunity to open up. I'm also registering to start an acceleration Adn to Bsn program for January so I'm hoping that'll also help.

[DrmofJeannie]

I used to live in that area and unfortunately there are only three hospitals. Two, Mary Washington in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center and they don't do much hiring for new grads. You can also go south about an hour to look for hospital jobs. All the hospitals up north in Alexandria, Arlington (Virginia Hospital Center) and Falls Church (Inova) are magnet hospitals and require a BSN. So, its good that you are going back to school. When I got out of school I worked in a nursing home, that might be where you need to start at.