New grad BSN RN looking for WA Job

U.S.A. Washington

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Hello everyone! I am a new graduate BSN RN from South Dakota and am looking for jobs in WA state. I already have my WA temporary practice permit. I realize that I decided a bit late to move to WA so it is even harder to find jobs this time of year. Just looking for some advice on the area hospitals. I have been in contact with recruiters from Providence Everett and they imply that new grads can only apply to residency positions. But other Providence hospitals may allow new grads to apply to general RN staff positions. Any hints on the process for other hospitals/systems? I would prefer to live and work north of Seattle, between there and Bellingham but would also consider SW Washington, like Vancouver. I have also looked into the Puget Sound Kidney Center, any information about them would be helpful. I had great well-rounded clinical experiences in MedSurg, Cardiac Telemetry, Peds, NewBorn LD PP, PSYCH, and a 5 Week Preceptor in PICU (and some NICU) at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. I also have work experience as a Nurse Asst. at a summer camp in the San Juans which was my major draw to WA. Any advice would be helpful!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

Hi Whaleluver33,

First off, welcome to Allnurses!!! I have been a member since before I started pre-reqs and it's a wealth of information, glad to have you on board! :)

Now to address your post. I graduated in May and moved to WA from CO. I too am a BSN nurse; I have an excellent GPA, fantastic reference letters, I worked as a nursing student in the largest academic hospital in CO and as a CNA before that. I now have both my WA & OR licenses and let me tell you, the market for new grads in both states is absolutely BRUTAL. Since April I have put in 151 applications, all to suitable new RN positions, and had barely a bite. However, I just landed my first job in WA yesterday. It is working for a non-profit clinic system and to be honest, while I desperately want to get into acute care, I'm thrilled to have any job at all.

One thing that is different here than in CO are the new grad residencies. In CO, you can not have had ANY RN experience, but here they consider a new grad to be

Whaleluver33, don't limit yourself to only hospitals and places you are targeting. I found my job on craigslist, which has a fair amount of jobs (SNF, home health, clinics) that are open to new grads.

Good luck and welcome to allnurses and the PNW!! :)

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Did you move to Washington before applying?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I applied to about 20 jobs before moving. The rest I have applied to since I've been here (late June).

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Do you know what the market is like north of seattle ? I will be moving to the Everett area. Do you know much about PSKC?

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Providence also runs a bunch of nursing homes...you may try starting there to get your foot in the door. You could also try some of the smaller hospitals in the area. There is Valley General in Monroe, Cascade Valley in Arlington, and Skagit Valley Hospital in Mt. Vernon. Another place to look is the Everett Clinic. They have multiple locations, including different specialty clinics. I know someone who works for them as a float nurse and absolutely loves working there.

Good luck with your search!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

Sorry, I don't know what the market is like up north, but it looks like Jenngirl34 has some good tips! :)

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Just wanted to update that I got a job in the Swedish Jan 2014 residency on the nephrology unit. Thank you guys for all of the advice!

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