Advice on getting an oncology position as a new grad- Atlanta

CherGC · Aug 27, 2014

Hi CherGC,
Thanks for your help. I'm moving to Atlanta to be near my Grandmother in order to spend more time with her and oversee her care. I do submit a cover letter but usually it's the "general" version rather than the oncology version I have. This is due to the fact that none of the new grad programs I have applied to offer oncology positions and so I don't want to pigeonhole myself and be dismissed from consideration. If I can't get a job in oncology I still need to find a job of some kind! lol The only hospital that I've seen that even allows new grads to apply to oncology is Grady and I did apply to Heme/Onc position there a couple of days ago. So far I've applied to Emory, Northside, Piedmont, and Grady which all have new grad programs. I have been googling "community hospital Atlanta" but haven't come up with anything yet. It's a little tough because I'm not from the area so that's why I've come on here to ask my Allnurses team for help :-)

I'm not familiar with the Atlanta area either but I have looked into hospitals in that area and what I've seen is that most if not all the hospitals there have a new grad program. And I'm kind of bummed to hear that Emory St. Joseph's doesn't allow new grads in the oncology unit because I applied there But I think it's because a lot of people who get hired in the unit without actually having a rotation/preceptorship in oncology don't know what they're getting themselves into beforehand and can't handle the deaths and end of life care that happen which is unfortunate for applicants like you who absolutely know that oncology is where they want to go. Keep applying though! The worst they can say is no. There's always exceptions being made.

beachybutt · Sep 7, 2014

Hello! I'm also a new graduate RN with a passion for oncology (and kids). I graduated this past May, but had been applying to new grad programs and other RN job postings in my area since March! While all my other classmates started their first jobs as RNs, there I was still submitting applications each and every day. Though my goal was to get a position in Peds Heme/Onc, I applied for all sorts of areas with the hopes that I could get my foot in the door and gain experience. One wonderful day in August, our local children's hospital called to see if I was still interested in their new graduate program! I interviewed with heme/onc and was selected!!!! Apparently, they decided to do another round of hiring new grads! Two other hospitals that I applied to also re-opened positions in their new grad programs.

So...do not give up if you applied and have not been selected for a new grad program. Follow-up with the nursing recruiter in HR and ask when they plan to hire new grads again. Once hospital I was interested in hire new grads 4 times per year. You could also ask HR if they can give you the contact info for the heme/onc nursing manager. See if you can email or call him/her to introduce yourself and express interest. When a place says "they never hire new grads in _______ specialty", this isn't always true for every employer. It wasn't true for my first RN job!!

I think you are a very marketable new grad and have an impressive resume. You clearly have a motivation to work in oncology and it shows with your history. Keep at it and know that anything you do can become a pathway to oncology.

Best wishes to you!!!

LoveHonorCourageRN · Sep 7, 2014

Thanks for everyone's feedback! I actually just landed a non-oncology new grad position but I'm still very excited. I'm going to continue volunteering for American Cancer Society and my ONS CEUs to get my oncology fix ;-)