Atlanta area nurses...I need to vent!!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · May 8, 2009

I sympathise with you, but am confused about "residency." If you need money and are told you might have to wait a year or more without guaranteed placement, why don't you start out as a new grad nurse instead? I think you should put your BSN to use!

TeeTee,RN · May 8, 2009

A residency is the only way a new grad can get hired at a hospital. Did they use to hire new grads without a residency? Because they don't now. All new grads have to go through a residency that lasts about 4 to 6 months then they stay on at that facility. You are paid during residency but the positions are limited. Once you've completed a residency you have some experience and can apply for other positions.

Honnête et Sérieux · May 8, 2009

If you only became an RN just for the purpose of job security, then yes...nursing was not the right choice for you.

The market has tightened up, but there are jobs in Atlanta...I don't know what to tell you. Is it possible that there is an element to this story that we are not aware of?

I just received a recruitment flyer from Piedmont about a month ago. A bit surprising, but clearly someone is hiring.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · May 8, 2009

What a tough situation! I live in Iowa, so new grads just apply as new grads without residency. It's, probably why Iowa nurses get some of the lowest wages nationally.

If you go into specialty or LTC would it be next to impossible for you to get on at a hospital later?

TeeTee,RN · May 8, 2009

This is my second career. I went into nursing because it has always been my dream. I wanted to be a nurse when I was a child and I always had one of those little nurse kits with the little white hat and all. I love nursing. I'm good at it. I graduated with a 3.2 gpa. I didn't get into the field for job security, no job can actually give you that. But we were fed the nurse shortage bull all through school, so I didn't expect to be struggling to pay my rent because I can't find a job.

There is no other element. I am a new nurse grad with a BSN and I can't find a job. I have talked with other new grads that are in the same boat. Hospitals want you to have some experience otherwise you have to do a residency. But how can I get experience if no one gives me a job. I talked with the recruiter from Atlanta Med and she said they only have about 40 residencies and over 200 new grad applications.

TeeTee,RN · May 8, 2009

Tanzanite,

Yes, it would be hard to get into a hospital after starting in a LTC facility. They don't believe you receive proper training for med/surg or other areas unless you start in the hospital setting. I am thinking about moving. I am sad because I really love Atlanta. But, I need to work.

ivanh3 · May 8, 2009

TeeTee,

Its not just you. My wife and I are both Atlanta area nurses, and yes, right now it is hard for a new grad to get job right now. I haven't asked my wife to see if this has changed, but I know they were not hiring new grads were she works because of the expense associated with the training. That could have changed, and I will ask. Did you try Children's Hospital? They have three hospitals and several clinics/outpatient areas. You might have to take nights/weekends. That is pretty much where they are starting new grads these days.

Keep the faith, it will happen. If you have to make due with something else in the meantime, that is okay, just keep plucking along.

Ivan

rollie · May 8, 2009

I understand your frustration. I work at Emory and the majority of the senior nursing students I've worked with lately said they are all having problems finding jobs - same reason as you. The only ones who had jobs were ones who were already working as cnas at hospitals. I know Emory is hiring no new grads this year except ones with the Emory scholarship thingy. It sucks. I only graduated 3 yrs ago and it seemed like you only had residencies for certain specialty areas like L&D, OR, ICU, etc. So they don't have any jobs like at Grady on a regular med surg floor?

snowball33 · May 8, 2009

Check out Tanner health Systems. They hire new grads all the time.

chexycat · May 8, 2009

If you only became an RN just for the purpose of job security, then yes...nursing was not the right choice for you.
The market has tightened up, but there are jobs in Atlanta...I don't know what to tell you. Is it possible that there is an element to this story that we are not aware of?
I just received a recruitment flyer from Piedmont about a month ago. A bit surprising, but clearly someone is hiring.

There is no element missing to her story. Most of the hospitals are hiring, experienced nurses. Minimum of one year in most cases but typially 2+ is what I have found. Positions that are not specifically posted as "new grad" spots will not acknowledge a newly graduated nurse unfortunately. Piedmont is one of the hospitals that requires a residnecy for new nurses.

Tee Tee-

It took over a month to get my ATT and I passed my boards in March. Since then I have really busted my backside to get my name, face and work ethic out there. I have finally seen light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there and don't give up. I was very close to jumping off the edge too. Persistence was the key to my success; I hope you find what works for you soon. It is difficult out there, just keep going. Who told you it would be difficult to transition from LTC into the hospital?

Honnête et Sérieux · May 8, 2009

I stopped counting positions for Piedmont at 20. I understand they closed their residency program, but it may have just been a cost-containment method.

Emory...greater than 20 positions. Same at Northside and St. Joe's. Grady isn't sporting much of a selection, but I was surprised to see more than four or five postings.

And I don't know what some of these facilities are thinking, but our hospital specifically welcomes new grads. I suspect it's because they are no different to train to our specialty than experienced nurses and they are CHEAPER.

I have no doubt that the market is tightening, but there are jobs for the creative new grad who can manage to get noticed. That's why I'm asking about other factors...what does your resume look like? Have you placed any personal restrictions that might be disqualifying you? Missed any phone calls?

One can't speculate in your favor unless they know all the circumstances.