Does Anyone Hire New Grads?

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I hear that there is a need for psych nurses, but it seems hard to find a job in psych as a new grad. Is that how it is? Anyone know of places that hire new grads into psychiatry? I'm looking to relocate, anywhere in the country.

I'm interested in both inpatient and outpatient/ambulatory services.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I started as a new grad. My hospital advertises for nurses with 2 years psych experience so don't let that stop you from applying, imo.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I started as a new grad too. I don't think age matters if you come across as mature, self-assured, logical, able to problem-solve, AND, I don't think it hurts if you're not too little. Everyone I worked with on the psych unit was average height or bigger. Ads that advertise for nurses with experience are merely saying what the employer would wish for if a wish could be granted. That doesn't mean they won't hire someone with less experience, if other things outweigh the experience factor.

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It is funny you asked I got my paper stating that I am now a GPN in Florida yet all the places I call and my friends call will not hire GPN nurse, strange right

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I started as a new grad and my hospital hires new grads all the time. I think the larger teaching hospitals are more likely to hire new grads than community hospitals, imho.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Even if they say experience required I would apply anyways!! At least put in some applications and go from there, it can't hurt any right? If you just can't get hire go somewhere for 6 months to get some hospital experience and then reapply (6 months in the hospital you will learn a LOT).

I know the hospital system I now work for hires new grads into psych.

Good luck!

I'm brand new to psych and am nervous and excited!

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Specializes in Forensic Psychiatric Nursing.

Oregon State Hospital.

but you wouldn't want to live here... the rain and all...

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Specializes in psychiatric, rehab.

I also got hired as a new grad (I just graduated in May 08). Nursing is my third career behind archeology and teaching, so I played both of those up to compensate for my utter lack of experience as a nurse. I started PRN and ended up going full time within about a month, so they were happy with me. I have to admit, I am happy that this wasn't my first time around the block career-wise, but I don't see as to why you would have to have experience to be a psych nurse.

We all start somewhere.

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Thanks to all. For now on, I won't always dismiss every job posting I see with a year or two of experience required. Who knows!

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