Do you think this is an unfair hiring practice?

[Work in Progress]

I am a senior student in a state university BSN program. I will be graduating in May. The only hospital that is hiring new graduates in the area is the hospital associated with my university. There are 26 positions and over 400 applicants, per HR.

My fellow nursing student who is a nurse intern at said hospital was emailed the other day informing her that, while she still has to "interview", she has a guaranteed job. She was told that they basically hire all of the interns into their new grad program and that any spots that are still open are hired from schools out of state to promote diversity.

I understand that you would give preference to employees, but I don't understand why they won't even interview people from our state for the leftover positions. I wish someone would have told me when they were hiring interns that the only way to get hired there is to get one of those positions. I am a bit distraught over this because I don't know how I am going to get a job. The hospital I work at as an intern is not hiring any new graduates. Even the nursing homes and clinics in the state are asking for at least 1 year of experience.

We may have to move to another state, away from our family and friends and my husband may have to transfer to another school to finish his degree. That is if anyone in any state will hire a new grad. I know everyone here is pretty much going through the same thing and I am not unique. I guess I was just really upset that I don't even have a fighting chance to get hired for the only new grad program around after spending hours on the essays and getting recommendations.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

That is the opposite from a position I interviewed for. The manager said she hired local graduates and nurses first to keep people in the area.

[itsmejuli]

Yes its very frustrating. The hospital I want to get into is also not hiring outside new grads.

[Work in Progress]

What do you think about only interviewing out of state candidates for the positions not filled internally?

[morte, LPN, LVN]

unless this is first hand knowledge i would take it with a grain of salt.....and continue with the application process.

[Work in Progress]

It is second hand knowledge, you are right, but it is a reliable source. I have already completed the application process. I am not going to get my hopes up, though!

[Jolie, BSN]

No. It is not an unfair hiring practice. Frustrating to applicants, no doubt, but not unfair.

As long as they do not discriminate against certain "protected" categories, such as age, sex, race, religion, etc., employers are free to set the qualifications for candidates they choose to interview and hire. They can't legally deny an application to anyone, and I doubt that they are doing that. But they don't have to interview or hire anyone that does not fit their specifics.

While it is frutrating to new grads to be unable to "break into" a particular facility, it may be a very smart move on the facility's part to institute these restrictions in a time of economic hardship. You entered school at a time when the economy was good, and you probably expected to graduate and have your choice of jobs. Unfortunately, things have changed. Hiring new grads is risky even in the best of times. It is very expensive to orient a new grad, requiring 2 years or more of service in order for the facility to recoup its investment. Oftentimes new grads leaves prior to that time (for a variety of reasons), costing the employer a great deal of money.

By limiting expensive new hires to employees who have already established a track record and probably have shared their long-term employment goals with their managers, the hospital lessens the financial risk. I undertand that is frustrating to someone on the outside looking in, but it is not unfair, and it's not unwise.

Instead of allowing yourself to get discouraged by this, try to find a way to make yourself a "known quantity" to the facility. Volunteer there. Network at professional functions. Take a class there. Get to know people on the inside so that when positions open up, they can and will recommend you.

After being out of practice for a number of years, I decided to return. My first step was to take a CPR class at the local hospital. Turns out that the instructor was a friend of a friend. When she heard why I was taking the class, she offered to put me in touch with a unit manager. I didn't even have to break a sweat to make my first contact. You can do the same.

[caroline147]

it is definitely unfair, speaking from my experience

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Good advice Jolie

[Work in Progress]

Thank you for the advice! I just realized the phrasing I was using. I did not mean that in "legalese," or mean that they are breaking any laws. I just meant that it was an unfair method of doing things. Once again, I understand why they prefer hiring internally, but what do you think about the "hiring out of state" preference?

With your logic (which is very sound!) about wanting to ensure that their investment is returned, it seems like out of staters would be more of a gamble, not less of one. They may hate the state they moved to, get home sick, etc. I am just wondering what anyone thinks about that aspect of this topic. They will not hire new graduates in any other capacity other than this twice a year new grad program and you have to have graduated less than six months ago, which means I would not be eligible the next time around anyways.i

I actually never thought I would have my pick of jobs after nursing school. Our state is highly saturated with nursing schools and new graduates. That is why I have worked all through nursing school as a CNA and a Nurse Intern (at a different facility). It is why I have volunteered at several different hospitals (including the hospital in question). I have maintained a 4.0 and been involved in professional organizations. I tutor other nursing students. I have tried everything I can to network, network, network and get experience. I chose an expensive, but very respected, BSN program.

I just wish someone would have mentioned, when they came to promote the nurse internship program at the school, that it was pretty much the only way to get hired as a new graduate. P.S. I did apply and was interviewed for a nurse internship at the facility in question. I was offered a job. But I could not attend the orientation days due to my clinical schedule. This happened twice. They only have the intern orientation for it on Mondays and Tuesdays, which is when I have always happened to have clinicals (obviously I have no choice in that matter).

I am done with my childish whining and whatnot. It just seems ridiculous that the ONLY new graduate positions in our entire area are being given to out of state applicants. I am hoping that this one hiring manager that stated this is the only one that prefers hiring out of staters, but it sounds like a universal practice there. I will keep plugging along with networking, volunteering, calling nurse recruiters and whatnot. Hopefully the other hospitals will open positions for new grads. When my husband is able to, we will try relocating to somewhere that has more opportunities. In the mean time, I suppose I can always waitress or work in a daycare, like I used to...

[sunrock]

They are hiring new grads at Vassar Brothers hospital, Check out indeed.com, this is located in the hudson valley, N.Y. , poughkeepsie, n.y. to be exact.

[caliotter3]

While I agree that they should hire their interns over people off the street, I also agree with you that others should be interviewed for left over spots. Are you certain this will not happen? It is such a shame that you went through the trouble to become an intern and it seems you will not have an advantage to get a job. Hang in there.