Applying for Positions That Aren't Part of New Grad Program

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

Most of the hospitals I've seen with new grad programs will tell new grads to apply only for their new grad program because they will not consider grads for anything else.

However, individual hospitals can vary...so the best source for your answer would be the hospital's HR department.

Good luck in the job hunt!

AJPV · Mar 14, 2012

I'm in a new grad residency and it is the only path for new grad RNs to get hired at our hospital. Hospitals that offer this program are often using curriculum from the AACN/UHC and the development of a residency program is one of the magnet-aspiring initiatives hospitals can pursue. If a hospital has a residency program, they likely want uniformity in new grad training and will require it for all new grads. But you'll have to check with each hospital to be sure. I would encourage you to apply for the residency programs anyway - you've got nothing to lose. The programs do offer great support as you begin your career.

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2012

None of the hospitals in my area hire new grads outside of their new grad internships, which are, of course, very limited in terms of available openings. I am in one now - we had three weeks of classroom work and now I am on the floor with the first of my preceptors. I will have a second one before all is said and done. This gives them an organized, systematic way of "bringing up" new nurses and allows for uniformity in the kind of training these nurses recieve as well as permits the implementation of EBP in how these nurses are trained.

Leonardo Del Toro, RN · Mar 14, 2012

I think that hospitals at this point have no shortage of experienced nurses. There is no need to hire new grads since it's a risk they are taking. You can apply because you never know but I think is pretty much useless.

AJPV · Mar 14, 2012

Marcos - that's simply not true in many areas of the country. Sure, if you're insistent on limiting yourself to a highly saturated region (eg, NYC, the east coast, or many of the metro areas of California) and you won't consider applying in other locations or moving, you might find yourself very frustrated. But in our metro area and in many areas of the country (eg, the midwest), there is still a very high job placement rate for new grads. It might mean less offers (1 or 2 instead of 5 or 6), and it might take a few months after graduation to land one. My class just graduated in December (we're "only" an ADN school, although we have a great reputation for strong clinical skills). It seemed to me that around 90% of us had nursing jobs (almost entirely in hospitals) within 30-45 days after graduation. Many were hired before graduating. You do have to do your homework and be aggressive in networking thoughout your school years, you'll want to have a high GPA, and you'll need to apply for tons of jobs, but it is a totally reasonable goal to land a job as a new grad.