Children's Hospital Oakland

RNLola035 · Mar 18, 2009

Honestly from what I know, a lot of times the managers know who they will hire ahead of time, such as those who have met the managers through clinicals or preceptorships. But, as part of protocol, human resources must post the position online for a certain amount of time. So a seemingly available position is in reality meant for someone else.

Sometimes those positions are available though and yes it would be best to have a managers number for that. My friend landed an interview for a new grad position in November from the NICU manager but she probably stood out because she was currently working as an aesthetic nurse. Good luck! I'll pray for you! I'm currently job hunting myself so I feel you! Oh and my friend said that in June they will be hiring new grads in the NICU again. So look for those postings!

itsthegreeneyes · Mar 18, 2009

Thanks for the info!!! I see from your previous posts you went to CSUEB too!!! I just finished at the Concord campus in December 2008. I kind of figured that was the case with Children's because most places nowadays you need to have connections to get an interview let alone a job. I was unfortunately the victim of the politics of the nursing school. I had a preceptorship set up there with a shift and preceptor, etc.., but it was taken away from me about two weeks before the quarter was to start (this happened to a few other students in my class trying to do a peds preceptorship at Stanford and various people trying to precept at hospital different from where they completed their clinicals). So its frustrating to know that I was so close to having that connection. My dream would be to do pediatric oncology (I precepted and work as an NA in a adult oncology) but since I passed the NCLEX in early Feb no positions have opened in that area for an RN I (I would not think that would be a hugely popular area, but with this economy people are tryin anything they can get their hands on). At this point, I am considering volunteering to just get my foot in the door, if that is what it takes.

Testa Rosa, RN · Mar 18, 2009

Good Luck CSUEB Grads--You are all in my prayers! It breaks my heart when I read that you are having these struggles after working so hard at such a rigorous program.

I have a husband who works full time and we squeak by. We've become accustomed to one income. I can't imagine having to face this hiring situation with no financial backing and school loans coming due. Bless us all!

I too wanted to preceptor in peds at Childrens--to date it has been hands down my best, most favorite rotation with Perinatal coming in at a close second--but because I am part of the JMMC cohort, I'm not allowed to preceptor at Childrens (politics). Especially bad for me as JMMC is not hiring new grads who are already employees (I volunteer at JMMC but have had to let that drop off).

JMMC Walnut Creek is literally a stones throw from my house, and Childrens is only 30-40 minutes away, so these would be ideal campuses for me. One of my classmates and I joke that we are going to find a one bedroom to rent somewhere near an outlying, rural hospital so we can take turns sleeping in the bed while working 2 12s in order to get our foot in the door and the joke might actually become reality. Sad because we are both mothers who own homes in the area and really can't move. We are also good students and normally would be very desirable candidates.

For now, I just have to survive nursing school and worry about the hiring market after NCLEX. I figure I will accept my lot and just do the standard med/surg preceptorship figuring it will help me get my foot in the door somewhere. I hope you guys get a lucky break soon; you are in my prayers!

Good Luck you Guys!

Testa Rosa, RN · Mar 18, 2009

Oh, the whole reason I wanted to reply (but got off track because my five year old needed a snack.....after a full breakfast) was that I do have a friend who works in the NICU. PM me directly and maybe I can connect you two as she may have contact info for you.

karoline221 · May 14, 2009

Hi! I am new to this, so I can't send private messages, but I am really interested in working at Children's, especially in the PICU and NICU. I graduate next wednesday from Columbia University in New York, and hoping to land something in the over-saturated Bay area. Any developments since this post in March?

Thanks so much if anyone knows anything...

Karoline

Testa Rosa, RN · May 14, 2009

It's even worse, so stay on the East Coast until you have a couple years experience.

itsthegreeneyes · May 14, 2009

I do not have much insider information, but I can tell you about the past few months. There have been a few postings for PICU and only internal postings for the NICU. There has been talk of them posting a group of NICU positions as they did this past fall, but nothing has come of that as of yet. However, with any position and the current new grad job situation it seems that knowing someone on the inside or working/precepting there is the only way to get in. Furthermore, I think having a PICU/NICU preceptorship definitely would help. Also Children's will not hire you until you have your license. I don't know if you are originally from here, but personally, I have found that your geography can play a large role in an orgranization considering you for a position. For example, I live in the Bay Area and I have tried looking into jobs in the Sacramento area, but many facilities will not consider me because I live less than 90 minutes away (even though I am willing to relocate). Lastly, unless you have the financial setup in which you could live here for months to even a year or more without a job in high cost of living area, do not move here until you have a guaranteed position. There are local graduates who graduated as far back as May 2008 who are still looking for positions. It would be wise to choose what is most important to you location or the PICU/NICU placement, because getting both is very, very difficult in these times. If you could go somewhere else and get the experience then move to the Bay Area you probably find more opportunities. Otherwise, Med-Surg would probably be your other route if you want to be in the Bay Area, but even those jobs are difficult come by at this point. Sorry for such a grim outlook, but it's the reality out here so you can make the decision about your next step. Congrats on graduating and Good Luck with the NCLEX!!!

rayhay · Jan 7, 2010

i've been trying to volunteer at childrens since sept! i've done everything on time and gone to the info meetings but i havent started yet ):

HOPEFULLY in the future i can work there, that is my ultimate goal!! anyone else?

MA Nurse · Feb 15, 2010

Take it from me, Children's is a great place to get experience. I worked in the NICU for 16 yrs. However, most nurses are stuck on night shift for many many years and you will work all major holidays for years because they ONLY go by seniority, not rotation as far as getting holidays off. I think the other floors are more fair about shifts and getting time off...good luck

gigglymo · Sep 16, 2011

I know this is an old thread, but I just wondered if any of the OPs are still around, and if anyone ever wound up getting in at Children's. I've been applying since Feb. with no luck - I'm currently working in an outlying area and renting a room there. Any updates from any of you would be appreciated - I sincerely hope things worked out and you're all happily employed!