agency and travel nursing for new grad?

[confused06]

Hello

I'm a recent a grad I have been looking for about four months, I've had a handful of interviews but nothing has panned out...so now I'm starting to consider working with an agency or work as travel nurse locally but I'm not sure which agencies I should look into or might be good option. Do you guys have any advice or recommendations?

Thank you

[zzbxdo]

Agencies and travel gigs usually also require the one year experience minimum, unfortunately.

[BD-RN, BSN, RN]

It's actually not unfortunate agencies won't take new grads. If anything, think of it as a protection to you. Assignments have a minimal if any orientation period, and you're expected to be confident in your skills as an RN. New grad programs offer an orientation period with a preceptor so you can gain experience with a helping hand. Travel RNs are also usually first to float and you need to work in the assigned area safely and competently, which would be a different specialty. My advice for new RNs in California is to leave CA for a bit, go get experience, then come back as a travel RN in a couple years. I couldn't even get a permanent position here after 2.5 years of experience. There's a ton of competition out there. Leaving and coming back as a travel RN gets you in to the managers, so they can get to know you.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Almost no agency will touch you without experience, because agencies expect you to know Nursing 101. Your orientation at a facility as an agency nurse is usually only a day or two, because all it is is an orientation to the facility's routine and P&P. After that, you're expected to function competently on your own.

Forgive me for being blunt, but the permanent staff at a facility looks for agency nurses to help with the patient load; they do not want inexperienced nurses whose hand they may have to hold. I say that as both an agency nurse and as the permanent staff member.

I'm sorry the job hunt sucks. I agree with the PP: you may have to look outside of CA for your first job. Or try inland CA, or along the border in Imperial County (San Diego County is saturated with grads).

If you do find an agency that would consider a new grad, be sure they'll give you as much orientation as possible. And be prepared for a steep learning curve as you'll probably have to teach yourself most everything.

[confused06]

Thanks everybody I really appreciate your feedback...I think I'll have to start expanding my search outside of California.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Confused,

I attended a conference a few weeks back and talked to several managers from California. They indicated NO vacancies for new grads due to the glut of them being pumped out by CA schools. I would start looking at other states sooner rather than later.

And what the above posters have stated, agencies and travel companies do not hire new grads, is true. Sorry...