Attitudes of Nurse Recruiters

U.S.A. Georgia

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I called a nurse recruiter at Emory Eastside Med Ctr today to get some information on their new graduate program. I was told the internship program would be for 12 weeks. After completing the 12 wk program, you would be assigned to an area of the hospital and they could not guarantee it would be in your area of choice. I was told that new grads need to be open to all areas and that there would not be any new grad on day shift. My main concern, was about the areas I know I don't like. I could not believe her response! The recruiter told me that new grads don't have a clue where they want to work and they are not in a position to make an informed decision, since they have not had any experience. I was absolutely disgusted in her attitude! I feel that a lot of us do know where we want to work and know where our passion lies and where it does not. I would hate to be under contract for a year and working on a floor I hated from the start. I'm wondering if any new grads are experiencing this attitude from recruiters?

af_faithful

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

I've only had good experiences with recruiters. However, keep in mind that they are recruiters and KNOW which departments really need nurses. And so, may push a new grad towards that area. If you want a certain area, then ask for that area. Some areas are harder to get into due to limited new grad spots, but not impossible to get into. I wish you lots of luck.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
I called a nurse recruiter at Emory Eastside Med Ctr today to get some information on their new graduate program. I was told the internship program would be for 12 weeks. After completing the 12 wk program, you would be assigned to an area of the hospital and they could not guarantee it would be in your area of choice. I was told that new grads need to be open to all areas and that there would not be any new grad on day shift. My main concern, was about the areas I know I don't like. I could not believe her response! The recruiter told me that new grads don't have a clue where they want to work and they are not in a position to make an informed decision, since they have not had any experience. I was absolutely disgusted in her attitude! I feel that a lot of us do know where we want to work and know where our passion lies and where it does not. I would hate to be under contract for a year and working on a floor I hated from the start. I'm wondering if any new grads are experiencing this attitude from recruiters?

af_faithful

Who is the nurse recruiter you spoke with? I'm considering Emory Eastside as a new grad and am feeling defeated that I went to school and spent so much to get my RN, but not feeling the love to be hired. :o

Suggestions?

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I'm not trying to criticize or discourage you (or defend the recruiter in her/his interaction with you), but please be aware that new graduates are a significant financial liability for hospitals -- they pay you their standard RN salary from the get-go, but it is a very long time before you "produce" at the same level an experienced RN does. Also, these "nurse internship" programs for new grads are very expensive for hospitals to offer. They could simply choose to only hire experienced RNs -- they are doing you (all new grads, I'm not trying to single you out specifically) a big favor by hiring you at all, so it's not surprising that they would want to use you where they need staff.

If you don't like what Emory is offering you, you can always go somewhere else that is more open to accomodating your preferences. Every hospital is different in that regard.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
I'm not trying to criticize or discourage you (or defend the recruiter in her/his interaction with you), but please be aware that new graduates are a significant financial liability for hospitals -- they pay you their standard RN salary from the get-go, but it is a very long time before you "produce" at the same level an experienced RN does. Also, these "nurse internship" programs for new grads are very expensive for hospitals to offer. They could simply choose to only hire experienced RNs -- they are doing you (all new grads, I'm not trying to single you out specifically) a big favor by hiring you at all, so it's not surprising that they would want to use you where they need staff.

If you don't like what Emory is offering you, you can always go somewhere else that is more open to accomodating your preferences. Every hospital is different in that regard.

Just out of this interview w/ I'M SURE the same recruiter...she was awful to me!! She said I just missed my opportunity to join the new Intern program, and I need to be a CNA in order to gain an invite by the hospital to join in Feb!!!! She said my instructors in school should be preparing their students for the hospital instead of to take NCLEX and we have no idea what to do when we start in the hospitals. She said we should be working at least the entire last semester in PCT or role transition instead of worrying about graduation and passing boards.

She actually turned mean and I swear I saw her skin change red and bumpy when I replied that I did 2 years of clinicals as a PCT and a summer externship and I understand about humility and humbleness, but as a licensed adn educated BSN I should be on an upward ladder rung, not sliding backward. I told her I'd prefer the Unit Secretary position she was dangling aside first before I would take the CNA position. She made me feel unwanted and completely unworthy.

Seriously, where is the love for all the "critical thinking" my nursing school told me would be held in higher esteem for the job market and that I'd learn the skills OJT?!?!?! :angryfire

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I never said anything about salary, so I'm not sure where that comment came from. Salary is not the issue. I realize the programs are expensive, but it's well worth having for new nurses to be prepared. Your comment about the recruiters doing me a favor is a JOKE! Are you kidding?! The interview process works both ways!

The whole purpose of my original post was to vent about the bad experience with the recruiter. I understand the needs of the hospital. Let's not state the obvious! I'm not going to settle and be unhappy just to please the hospital when there are so many choices out there for us as nurses. I'm not exactly sure what you were trying to accomplish by your post. It was so negative and uncalled for.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
I never said anything about salary, so I'm not sure where that comment came from. Salary is not the issue. I realize the programs are expensive, but it's well worth having for new nurses to be prepared. Your comment about the recruiters doing me a favor is a JOKE! Are you kidding?! The interview process works both ways!

The whole purpose of my original post was to vent about the bad experience with the recruiter. I understand the needs of the hospital. Let's not state the obvious! I'm not going to settle and be unhappy just to please the hospital when there are so many choices out there for us as nurses. I'm not exactly sure what you were trying to accomplish by your post. It was so negative and uncalled for.

Just to clarify...if Atlanta is giving us this kind of "welcoming" for our hard work getting thru nursing school and boards, where can we go to find work? WHERE is the work for a new nurse grad who has the ability to learn, is not yet burned out, but wants to be appreciated and earn a living doing what we've studied so hard to do?????

Ar, your reply came right on the heels of my reply but yours was without a quote attached. If I didn't see your thanks at the bottom, I'd think you were calling me negative and uncalled for. I think tho that you and I are feeling each other's pain?

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ChloeinAtl,

There are other hospitals out there that are not like this! I've called just about every hospital in the Atlanta area and have found the majority to be really excited to hear from new grads! In fact, I have interviewed at 3 different hospitals and have already accepted a position to start in January. They are waiting on me to graduate and to take the NCLEX. I'll be working in the area of my interest, Oncology. Keep looking and don't settle, you've worked too hard for your degree to be treated like dirt.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
ChloeinAtl,

There are other hospitals out there that are not like this! I've called just about every hospital in the Atlanta area and have found the majority to be really excited to hear from new grads! In fact, I have interviewed at 3 different hospitals and have already accepted a position to start in January. They are waiting on me to graduate and to take the NCLEX. I'll be working in the area of my interest, Oncology. Keep looking and don't settle, you've worked too hard for your degree to be treated like dirt.

Where ya gonna be AR?? I'd love to work oncology! Among others!!!

Thank you for your positive reinforcement. The other poster on this site could learn something from a nursing student such as yourself. :icon_hug:

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That comment was for Elkpark, who was negative and her comment was uncalled for. Sorry for the confusion

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Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. The recruiter is so friendly and really cared about my interests! The hospital is growing and I'm extremely excited to be a part of it!

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
That comment was for Elkpark, who was negative and her comment was uncalled for. Sorry for the confusion

She brought up some good points regardless, so I ended up thanking her. But I agree, such negativity toward new nurse grads who are trying to make a diff, and her only pointing out the obvious do hurt. I feel completely beaten down and depressed right now as a result of Emory E's recruiter interview this AM

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