Tell Me Why??? Frustrated

Hoping LVN2BSN · Mar 18, 2006

I am an LVN student and was at a Career Fair yesterday. As I was waiting to talk to the recruiters, I actually heard quite a few of the largre hospitals tell people that had 15-20 years experience they would have a hard time getting into the ER, ICU, PICU, NICU if they had no experience already. This was because they preferred new grads who they could train to do things rather than a seasoned nurse who would be bringing their own way of doing things. I guess they think new nurses have no way of doing things since they're new. It seems to me they think they can't "teach old dogs new tricks." Please don't think I'm calling anyone old or that you all in this situation are unable to learn new things, I think it's simply untrue.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 18, 2006

That was one of the reasons I left hospital nursing. After five years of Med/Surg/float experience, my career was more or less stalled---even though I had critical care and OB-GYN experience under my belt, I would apply for openings in those departments and be passed over time and again for new grads. Why? Probably because they were younger, worked cheaper, took the less desirable shifts, and could be trained any way the hospital wanted.

I don't think this is a new thing. I remember being fresh out of school nine years ago and pretty much able to pick and choose anything I wanted, which was why I worked part-time in a hospital and part-time in a LTC facility. I turned down a $19+/hr. job in one hospital to work for $14 an hour at the LTC and $16 an hour at the other hospital, just because I didn't like the politics at the first hospital. I also had offers from a rehab facility 25 miles from home, an ICU at still another hospital, and an OB-GYN unit at the facility where I'd done my clinicals. The world was my oyster back then.........now, I'm happy just to be a big fish in a small pond at my assisted-living community.

carachel2 · Mar 18, 2006

Johnson...keep trying ! Just because that one hospital thinks that way doesn't mean this is a closed door. I guarantee you there are hospitals out there that value experience and intuition over fresh out of school. I was in an office/tele environment for 10 years and they still took me. Just keep trying !

jenni82104 · Mar 18, 2006

So then, when people tell new grads to go into med/sug for the great experience, that is probably not good advice, because you could end up getting stuck there. Seems to me you should just go into what you think you like when you start out, because you may not get a chance later.

Jolie, BSN · Mar 18, 2006

So then, when people tell new grads to go into med/sug for the great experience, that is probably not good advice, because you could end up getting stuck there. Seems to me you should just go into what you think you like when you start out, because you may not get a chance later.

EXACTLY!!!

kitten77 · Mar 18, 2006

So then, when people tell new grads to go into med/sug for the great experience, that is probably not good advice, because you could end up getting stuck there. Seems to me you should just go into what you think you like when you start out, because you may not get a chance later.

I completely agree!!!! They don't teach you this in school!

Nutmeg5575 · Mar 20, 2006

So then, when people tell new grads to go into med/sug for the great experience, that is probably not good advice, because you could end up getting stuck there. Seems to me you should just go into what you think you like when you start out, because you may not get a chance later.

wow I am so glad I read this thread. My mind is made up now. I hope that you can get in the ER eventually, if not at that hospital another one. thanks for letting us pre-grad students know that we shouldn't feel obligated to start med surg.

AMBER ICURN · Mar 20, 2006

Hi, I'm an ICU nurse and just want to make a couple of comments. Please don't be discouraged and give up trying to get into the ED. I had a varied amount of experience in multiple areas when I went into ICU. so it can be done. Right now hospitals are dying for experienced nurses. I am also one of those nurses who believe new grads should start in the med/surg areas. I think new nurses need that chance to learn organization and also need the chance to see what is normal. They need to be able to recognize what is normal to be able to see and respond quickly to someone going bad. Just my thoughts

weetziebat · Mar 20, 2006

Well, this has nothing to do with ER nursing, but I ran into a similar problem and still can't figure it out.

I've been a nurse for many years, and wanted to switch to working in the O.R. I actually searched the entire U.S.A. for a hospital that would be willing to train me, and could not find one.

They were welcoming new grads with all kinds of training programs, some taking more than 6 months, but no experienced nurses from other areas were wanted.

I realize it takes a hosptial a bunch of money and time to train an O.R. nurse, since very few get any hands-on training in school. But why the willingness to train new grads while refusing experienced nurses from other areas??

I always advice new grads to get med/surg experience first - to learn all the time management and critical thinking skills - and still think its the best way to go. But makes me wonder if I shouldn't have taken the new grad. offer to train in OR when I had the chance. Won't get it now! Grrrr!

vamedic4, EMT-P · Mar 20, 2006

I realize it takes a hosptial a bunch of money and time to train an O.R. nurse, since very few get any hands-on training in school. But why the willingness to train new grads while refusing experienced nurses from other areas??

Cuz they're stupid. Maybe it's because they may have to pay you more?? I dunno, but it's crazy..I feel your pain.

jenni82104 · Mar 20, 2006

Wow, weetziebat, I am so sorry. How frustrating. So much for nursing being such a wide open field that you can do anything with.