Anyone have trouble finding a job after Excelsior

Published

I just passed the NCLEX last week and started applying for jobs. I had my first interview today and have two more scheduled for tomorrow and Monday. However, the lady was not at all nice or encouraging and I think once she found out I graduated from Excelsior she no longer seemed interested.

Here's my story for background. I actually was grandfathered into Excelsior's program as an EMT-B and CNA way back before they changed the requirements. I took my time and tinkered away at general requirements until about a year and a half ago when I really pushed myself and got through all the NC and CPNE last December. This is my dream and the only way I could achieve it. Being the sole insurance carrier for my family I had to remain working full time through school. I am so glad this oppurtunity was availabe. However the only clinical experience I have is working as a CNA a few years back before having to change jobs for insurance reasons.

While going through Excelsior I called all the local hospitals to see if they would work with me on clinicals and not one of them would. So I was unable to find a way to get clinical experience which is now a problem.

The interviewer today expressed concerns that I didn't have clinical experience but at the end of the conversation told me that I have such a positive attitude that I will end up being successful. However, she also answered a phone call from her manager during the interview and spent 5-10 minutes talking with her. Can you say ackward?? The interview tomorrow is the position and hospital that I really want to work up but am now feeling discouraged.

Has anyone experienced this sort of prejudice or have any advice? I have worked my tail feathers off to get my RN license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i would like to give you some advise but really just want to applaud :yeah:you for you perseverance....never mind what people tell you about ec. you have completed a program that not many people can complete. it is rough and tough...you will get a job and be a great rn with a long and wonderful career... hang in there....good things are coming your way .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Amber, have you considered trying to get a nurse extern position? I'm not sure if you can get one now that you have graduated, but it's worth a try. That way, you can get clinical experience under your belt, and get paid for it. You also may want to consider getting a job in the ER- your EMT background will be more valued there.

Good luck in your job search.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Amber, have you considered trying to get a nurse extern position? I'm not sure if you can get one now that you have graduated, but it's worth a try. That way, you can get clinical experience under your belt, and get paid for it. You also may want to consider getting a job in the ER- your EMT background will be more valued there.

Good luck in your job search.

There are some hospitals in my area that offer a residency program to new grads to help them transition into working. However, I missed the two that were open for June as I was studying so hard for the NCLEX. There are a couple more that will start in September that I could try for but I was hoping to be working by then. Two months of missed RN wages would be very helpful right now.

While I was going through school I tried to get several extern positions but all the hospitals told me that they weren't contracted to work with Excelsior for these positions so I was unable to.

I guess I just need to keep my chin up and be proud of my accomplishments and hope I find someone that isn't so close minded and prejudiced about Excelsior.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I've already been offered a job in the ER where I work. I am so sorry you had a bad interview, but keep your chin up!! That's just one person with a misconception. Hopefully they won't all be that way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So sorry to hear but don't let one person spoil your dreams. Do you think the problem is because you were a CNA and not so much that you went through Excelsior?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
So sorry to hear but don't let one person spoil your dreams. Do you think the problem is because you were a CNA and not so much that you went through Excelsior?

No it was Excelsior. She asked if I went to New York to learn and what I did for clinicals. Then she matter of fact stated that a lot of local colleges use them for clinical rounds and she was concerned with my lack of rotations. When I was starting to explain about the clinical test she got the call and after she got off the phone she moved on and never brought it up again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Have you ever heard that saying, "A mind is like a parachute: it functions best when open"? Her mind was closed from the beginning, I think. And how rude to accept that phone call in the middle of the interview! I mean, good grief.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry about your interview! How rude of her to take a call during your interview. Hopefully your interview tomorrow will go much better. I had interviewed at a well known hospital last week and they called me Friday to inform me that I didn't get the internship. Of course I was disappointed, but then the recruiter goes on to tell me that the thing with the ICU's is that they want more clinical experience than I received at Excelsior College, umm hello!!! I've been an LPN for 2.5 years, that's more than a new grad would have! Then he goes on to tell me I should apply for their acute care internship in August. No thank you. I started a job Monday for a position in the ICU. The hourly wage is less, but with the sign on bonus and loan repayment, it equals out to more. Not that the pay is everything and they obviously don't discriminate against Excelsior College. The drive sure does stink though! Anyways...good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP/WHNP.

Amber,

Congratulations on passing CPNE and NCLEX. Try not to be discouraged. A girl I met at the EC workshop got her EMT license just to get her RN through Excelsior. She had NO clinical experience except her EMT clinicals. She passed CPNE, applied and was accepted for a new grad position in big city ICU. It is very common in larger cities for new grads to be hired into speciality areas.

I applied for several positions, had all the interviews and not once did my school of nursing come up. In fact, it's been 4 years now and no one at the job I did accept has asked me where I graduated from.

The job I wasn't offered was in Same Day Surgery. I didn't get that one because the interviewer said that I had no experience. Actually, I had worked as an LPN for years assisting with procedures so was quite familiar with the routine. She'd already decided who to hire before I was even interviewed I found out later!

Yes, the ER would be great experience for you with your EMT training and you would find it easier later to transfer to ICU as you would have critical care experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg Nurse, Homecare, Visiting Nurse.

Ah, don't worry about that move on. I've learned even though I'm an LPN who works on a busy Med/Surg floor, if I applied at a local hospital here in NYC I wouldn't get in....why? they would deem me unexperienced because the lack of RN clinical experience....helllloooo.

Hey, you've worked hard for that title, don't give up because one unprofessional told you no....look into an externship, you really don't get much hands on experience but it looks good written down on pape:Dr.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical Telemetry.

I actually experienced several instances of problems because I was getting my degree through Excelsior. I had attended a traditional nursing school for about a year and a half before taking a leave of absence for medical reasons. When I decided to return to school I neglected to go back to that school because I was not happy with their attitude towards students who also had to hold full-time jobs. So I found Excelsior's program and decided to get my degree that way.

Back in December my friends from traditional school advised me that I needed to start applying jobs by February because that's when all the new grads in the area start applying and if I waited I might not get a position that I wanted. I applied to several local hospitals, one of which I had worked at previously as a Patient Care Assistant and Telemetry Tech. I managed to get 2 interviews at that hospital, one for surgical telemetry (transitioning to a step-down unit) and MICU/SICU. I interviewed for surgical telemetry and the nurse manager loved me, she appreciated my previous work experience and was very pleased with what I had done. The second interview was in the ICUs where I actually I really wanted to work but the interviewer was just so rude to me because as she put it new grads usually don't have enough clinical experience to work in the ICU in the first place and I especially didn't.

The nurse recruiter from the second hospital called me and stated that because I went to Excelsior I wouldn't be able to work there until after I passed boards (I am in Pennsylvania where I can work with a temporary permit) and I would only be allowed to work on a med-surg unit, which I wasn't going to drive 45 minutes to an hour every day to work med-surg.

I ended up being offered and taking the job in surgical telemetry and I start in September.

Jessica, GN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion