ADN new grad jobs

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I am getting ready to graduate with my ADN and am worried about getting hired as I know most places are looking for BSN graduates. I also have no healthcare experience. Do hospitals still hire ADN students? Any input would be helpful :)

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I am getting ready to graduate with my ADN and am worried about getting hired as I know most places are looking for BSN graduates. I also have no healthcare experience. Do hospitals still hire ADN students? Any input would be helpful :)

Yes, they do ....but in some saturated markets, the BSN is very heavily favored. You really need input from people in your specific area (unless you're able and willing to move).

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Specializes in critical care ICU.

I have an ADN and no healthcare experience. I got a job in Telemetry in a large city hospital. It really has to do with how you sell yourself. I used my retail experience to talk about how I bring positive customer service to the unit. Start applying for BSN programs and show them proof that you are working towards one. Look for positions that have a new RN residency program. This is a good way to ease into the profession.

I start in November -- I am excited :D Good luck!

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You'll get a lot of rejections, but don't let it discourage you. keep applying, and make sure you tailor your resume to the opening you are applying for. It's very tempting just to send a 'catch-all' resume cause you are casting your wide net, but a tailored resume is more impressive and shows you took the time to do it.

Don't be afraid of rejection or 'looking foolish' - when I went for a position, I knew HR would give me the usual "we're evaluating your resume, blah blah blah" - so I called the hospital operator, requested a transfer to the unit, asked for the manager's name and if I could be connected. some places told me they couldn't do that, some places forwarded me to the nurse manager's voice mail.

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Try looking in unconventional places if you can't find anything in a hospital setting right away. I found my job on Craigslist. I was unsure at first because of where I found the job listing but it really was the only option after several months (before and after passing NCLEX) of searching and not even getting interviews for new grad programs. I think this will be fairly short term though...about a year or so and then I'll find a job in a hospital setting (hopefully).

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Specializes in critical care ICU.
You'll get a lot of rejections, but don't let it discourage you. keep applying, and make sure you tailor your resume to the opening you are applying for.

Oh I forgot to mention that too. I put out almost 20 applications before getting a single interview. And I know people who have taken more than 20 apps to get an interview. Tough to get into as a new grad, but if you are successful you can transfer anywhere later on (or so I'm told).

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Specializes in Critical Care, ER, Cath lab.

Yes, they hire ADN nurses all the time! I had no problem finding interviews or job offers with mine and my area had a very large and well-known BSN program.

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Thank you all for your responses!

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I have my ADN, got hired in July in a hospital ICU/CCU position. Most hospitals will give you time to get your BSN.

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That's awesome, congratulations! What state are you in?

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I am in Ohio

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Specializes in Psych.

Depends on your area and the hospital. My local (huge) teaching hospital originally was only hiring BSNs but switched over to ADNs (as long as you get your BSN within 5 years) so they must've been desperate lol.

I work in a smaller hospital and had no problem getting this job or my previous VA job. I also live in Iowa.

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