First Job: Clinic? Home Health? Hospital? etc

[CaliRN2010]

My question: What type of experience is acceptable to later be hired as an RN on a hospital floor?

My background: I graduated in California in May 2010 with a BSN. I still have not found a nursing job. Originally, I was mostly looking for New Grad programs, since I would prefer to work in the hospital setting. I was hoping to work on floor (med-surg or similar) for 1-2 years approximately and then stop working (or go very part time) so I can be a stay-at-home mom. I wanted to have that 1-2 yrs experience so I could go back to working as a nurse in the hospital setting later in life, more easily.

So... Now that I have been out of school for more than a year and still haven't gotten a position in a hospital, I am planning on pursuing positions in different settings (such as, a clinic, SNF, home health, etc). I am wondering how nurse recruiters for a hospital would look at a nurse who does not have any hospital experience right out of school, but instead has only 1-2 years of experience in a different setting.

Thank you in advance for your input! :-)

[RNnicu42]

I am a new grad as well and from I have heard, LTC, SNF, clinic, etc. work experience does not count toward acute care experience. So for positions that require 1-2 years experience, these positions would not count. I know it sucks and I wish you luck. Would you be able to look for acute care experience in rural areas or even other states?

[CaliRN2010]

RNnicu42,

Oh okay... That's a bummer! May ask what state you work/live in (just in case that might be different for different states)?

Because of my husband's job, we have decided to stay in this area. We would move in a heartbeat if my husband didn't have this job. Thank you so much for your input!

[amarilla, RN]

If it were me: keep looking for the hospital job, (on *any* floor who will see you), and try for other jobs utilizing skills: flu shots, clinics, urgent care, doctor's office, so on. IMO, I'd pass on any home health agency who would hire you without 1+ years acute care experience. Assessments and home care without another pair of eyes (or hands) to help is downright scary if you aren't sure what you're looking at.

I started on the same surg floor where I was a tech through nursing school. I've been there now a little over a year and am looking to transfer to a similar floor at one of our sister hospitals when eligible. I've also done flu shot clinics, health screenings, and pre-op admission/testing at an asc. While there might be something to working a year or two in acute and then taking a break, that may hurt you too when you try to return. The hospitals here (NYC area) ask for 1-3 years *recent* acute experience from their experienced RN hires; even a break for advanced education won't excuse an employment gap when the hiring pool is so darn large.

Take a nursing job and be a nurse. Let it take you...somewhere! Then compare notes to get where you want to be.

[CaliRN2010]

If it were me: keep looking for the hospital job, (on *any* floor who will see you), and try for other jobs utilizing skills: flu shots, clinics, urgent care, doctor's office, so on. IMO, I'd pass on any home health agency who would hire you without 1+ years acute care experience. Assessments and home care without another pair of eyes (or hands) to help is downright scary if you aren't sure what you're looking at.

I started on the same surg floor where I was a tech through nursing school. I've been there now a little over a year and am looking to transfer to a similar floor at one of our sister hospitals when eligible. I've also done flu shot clinics, health screenings, and pre-op admission/testing at an asc. While there might be something to working a year or two in acute and then taking a break, that may hurt you too when you try to return. The hospitals here (NYC area) ask for 1-3 years *recent* acute experience from their experienced RN hires; even a break for advanced education won't excuse an employment gap when the hiring pool is so darn large.

Take a nursing job and be a nurse. Let it take you...somewhere! Then compare notes to get where you want to be.

Hi Amarilla,

Thank you for your advice! I agree about taking a home health position with no experience... That would make me feel like the agency might be sketchy.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Most of the people in my class are taking the first job they have been offered. No such luxury as choosing.

[SunSurfRN]

I am a new grad as well and from I have heard, LTC, SNF, clinic, etc. work experience does not count toward acute care experience. So for positions that require 1-2 years experience, these positions would not count. I know it sucks and I wish you luck. Would you be able to look for acute care experience in rural areas or even other states?

Don't discount subacute/SNFs...I took a job at one as a new grad and the job and pay were much better than what hospitals were offering. I was NOC charge and the leadership experience plus doing virtually everything that is done in med surg in a hospital helped immensely in getting a hospital job vs. having no experience whatsoever. In a way the hospital was much easier actually.

[studystudy]

I feel like in this economy, as a new grad (or old grad!), you can't sit and wait around for an acute care hospital job. The new grad spots in acute care are so few and far between, there just aren't enough to go around. Take any nursing job you can, it at least shows that you are an employable RN, rather than someone who graduated over a year ago and still has NO nursing experience whatsoever. While working in your clinic, nursing home, or SNF, keep looking for that acute care dream job. Some experience is better than none.