Austin recruiters not interested?!

U.S.A. Texas

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I have been trying to get my foot in the door at the hospitals in Austin. I won't graduate for a few more months but the recruiters I've spoken to here do not seem interested in... well, recruiting. Last month I called for several weeks before a recruiter even returned my call. And then there was no small talk or interest in my academic experiences, my clinical experiences or my plans to move to Austin. There were only 2 questions "When will you graduate?" and "What do you need to know about the hospital? Have you visited the website?" I was very disappointed that no tours or preliminary visits were setup in areas of interest to me.

I had a very different experience in Houston. Recruiters returned calls promptly and were more than happy to have me tour hospitals and meet the nurses there. I wanted to consider nursing in Austin when I graduate but now I'm not very sure. Is this a typical recruiting effort in Austin? Are G.N.s treated with more respect and value? Do I need to wait until I'm just a month or two from graduation before contacting recruitment here?

I look forward to any insight on being recruited here in Austin or being a G.N. here from those who have been through it or been part of it in recent years. Thank you.

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Well, that is dissapointing, but it doesn't shock me at the moment. I am from Austin and moved to Houston simply to go to nursing school. I'm starting to apply for jobs around the state, and noticed that the Seton website no longer has the extensive information on new grad internships that it had several months ago, and St. David's website is only slightly more helpful. Strange. It makes me wonder if the market is saturated or if primary new grad spots are being held for ACC/UT grads, or if something else is going on?

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Specializes in Trauma, Neuro, M&S ICU.

I should be finishing school in the next year, and this information is quite disturbing. Do you think it is because they are so overwhelmed, and super busy? I sure hope that's what it is.

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Specializes in NICU.

I actually started as a new grad in Austin last June, after graduating in May. I did have some trouble getting my foot in the door, but I was very persistent. I applied online late one night, and the next day started following up with phone calls. The hardest part was getting my application to the manager of my unit...I had to keep following up with HR to make sure it got there. Eventually it got there, I interviewed, and got the position - and I did not go to ACC or UT. In fact, in the last year we have hired 8 or 9 new grads, and I believe only one person went to school in Austin. I had always been under the impression that getting a job in nursing would be easy because of the shortage, and I hate to say it, but it was NOT easy. But, I was also very specific about what I wanted to do, and I only wanted to work in the NICU (which is where I did end up). There is hope, you just have to be persistent! Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Home Health Case Mgr.

DON'T give up!!! There are over one hundred open jobs in Austin easy!!! Try the burbs...Round Rock, Georgetown, San Marcos, etc.... Also Scott and WHite in Temple has a hundred or so openings. Keep in mind, two NEW hospitals are opening in WIlliamson County very soon, plus a new children's hospital in Austin. It is a great place to live, just come on down and you will get a job!!!!

Rock on and good luck on nclex.

ERDude

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Thanks everyone. I'll keep looking once I pass my boards!

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm a student at UT and it's my impression that the nursing market in Austin is saturated. Pay isn't anything to get excited about either (~18 for new grad), especially considering the cost of living in Austin is so expensive.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.

I worked at Seton Medical Center for over six years. I would not go through Human Resources, or a Seton Healthcare Network nurse recruiter. IMHO, you should contact the Direct of Nursing of the specific area you want to apply.

BTW, for the cost of living in Austin being on the high end the RN pay is on the low end for GNs.

Good luck!

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