Attention ER nurses and managers

Specialties Emergency

Published

Im a new grad RN and gradated November 2012. Our instructors told us because we were getting our BSN we would be so much more marketable. Yeah right! Its tough out there and we have to fight like every other RN. I have been out of work but looking for a job just about anywhere to get my foot in the door. I have taken ACLS, PALS and I have not been able to land an ER job. Most ERs in Cali say no new grad. Ive applied and gone to the facilities and talked to the nursing managers, they all say the same thing. NO NEW GRADS. I've been saving myself for a new grad program, but realized i have to expand my options and apply everywhere including SNF's. My question is, what says to managers and ED nurses that Im serious about the ED? Is it taking tons of ED Cert classes? Is it becoming a EMT and working on an ambulance? Or going to work in an emergency room as a tech hoping I can land the next RN job? These are all my ideas at this time, I am also pursuing other RN jobs just to get experience. My goal is to either become a ED tech or a EMT. Please help, any advice is greatly appreciated. I am sure this is the specialty I want.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Where Im from my local hospital wants new grads in the ER. Lucky for me because thats where I really want to go when I graduate. I just hope there is ana opening when I graduate because it fills up pretty quick. The ER takes up most of our new grads and the rest go to med/surg which is totally not for me! I want to work my way to a level 1 trauma ER.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hey now stella. I usually fly the flag at work, subtle but it's there. Good luck getting into the er, mine hires a lot of new grads too.

Plus if you spent any amount of time on the bus, you're well prepared to deal with schizophrenics who are off their meds. Just like that friend who got impatient and took the other half too soon...

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Hey now stella. I usually fly the flag at work, subtle but it's there. Good luck getting into the er, mine hires a lot of new grads too.

Plus if you spent any amount of time on the bus, you're well prepared to deal with schizophrenics who are off their meds. Just like that friend who got impatient and took the other half too soon...

I think we all have at least one of those friends on the bus! Your post literally made laugh out loud!

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Specializes in GENERAL.
Where Im from my local hospital wants new grads in the ER. Lucky for me because thats where I really want to go when I graduate. I just hope there is ana opening when I graduate because it fills up pretty quick. The ER takes up most of our new grads and the rest go to med/surg which is totally not for me! I want to work my way to a level 1 trauma ER.

That's awesome! Good luck. When do you graduate?

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In Florida they hire new grass in the ER. Especially south florida. They put them through a 4 week program at the community college and learn about er nursing. Then u go with a preceptor for 6 months

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If you are willing to relocate some of the ER's in Oklahoma hire new grads.

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Specializes in GENERAL.
In Florida they hire new grass in the ER. Especially south florida. They put them through a 4 week program at the community college and learn about er nursing. Then u go with a preceptor for 6 months

That sounds awesome! I wish.

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Specializes in GENERAL.
If you are willing to relocate some of the ER's in Oklahoma hire new grads.

I wish I could, but have a family and own a home in Cali.

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Specializes in GENERAL.
Is moving an option? I can't imagine trying to find any kind of job in the Bay Area.

No I can't move! Yep the Bay Area is the worst

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I lived in the Bay Area as well, but moved to Southern Illinois just after graduating to take an ER position with an RN residency. I've lived in Illinois for 2 years, and I don't regret my decision to move. Lucky for me, I didn't have kids, a boyfriend, or a house to leave behind! I sure miss my family, friends, and the Bay but I would have been absolutely miserable as a floor nurse! I sympathize with your situation though. If you really can't consider moving, I would suggest expanding your search to consider med surg, tele, etc to get some experience since California hospitals just plain don't hire new grads in the ED! Many of my classmates ended up moving out of state for jobs, even those looking for med surg/tele jobs. It's a rough market, but keep your head up! And good luck!

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Hi. I'm in the same boat as you are--looking. I graduated in December and have been doing camp nursing for a few months on a temporary contract (over next week, yea!). One of the best ways that I've learned for new grads to get into the ED is through residency programs. I'm sure some bay area hospitals must have programs for new grad nurses. There are six new grad programs in my area and it is smaller than SF. Also, I've heard from several nurse managers that they really like nurses who have worked in SNFs because they work independently, have a lot of patients, and have to make decisions that require critical thinking.

Good luck with your search. Make your cover letter specific. Remember that the universe often works wonders in the least expected places.

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Specializes in ED.

I say just take the best job you can get. ERs will always be here - going and getting 2 yrs experience anywhere else will give you that experience they are asking for. I started as a new grad in the ER in a residency/fellowship program that lasted a year and yes that was great and ideal (and nearly killed me!!) but my favorite story came from a senior nurse and educator in our hospital. She graduated - couldn't find a job, couldn't find a job, couldn't find a job! Her dream was critical care ICU or ER and no one wanted her because she was a new grad. Finally she was so broke she took a job in LTC. She was there 2 years and she found she had a knack for skin care. She became the go-to nurse at the facility for wound care. When she started applying again for critical care jobs with this one job now as her work experience she was offered several jobs immediately from different hospitals because she was able to honestly boast about her expertise in wound care. She got hired into the MICU, worked in a SICU, then in an ER - basically spent a few years in several different critical care areas and then went back to school and got her MSN and became an awesome educator.

So she always tells new grads - just get busy, get a job, all the opportunities will be there in abundance once you have experience on your resume - just get started.

Good luck!

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