New Grad Residency

[kseniaap]

Hey guys

does anyone know if new grad residency programs only take new grads after they have finished their ADN or will I be able to apply for the New Grad residency once I graduate with my BSN. I am already an RN (graduated in December 2017) but have almost no experience. I was unable to apply for new grad residencies for the first year after graduating because I had a baby and was unable to commit the amount of time that those programs require. I'm really set on working in EM and I'm not sure if I should apply for med surf hospital positions that take new grads and slowly make my way into the ED after getting experience or wait until I graduate in the Summer of 2019 and apply for ED nurse residency positions.

any advice is appreciated :)

thanks!

[Seaofclouds, BSN, RN]

It really depends on the residency program and facility. You would need to speak to the hiring managers for the departments you are interested in working at.

The biggest issue I see is that you are going to be multiple years out from the clinical hands on experience of your original program. Does your BSN program have hands on clinical time? Have you done anything during this time to maintain your skills?

Personally, if I was you, I would be trying to get a job now rather than waiting. The longer you wait, the harder it can be.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

You are in serious danger of becoming an 'old new grad' and there are a whole raft of problems that accompany that. As PP said- you should be looking for a job NOW.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Depends on the programs. AFAIK, most new grad residencies will take new grad RNs of any variety (diploma, ADN, BSN). However, competition for these residency slots is very fierce and not having a BSN can put you at a disadvantage.

That being said, one of our most recent new grads is an ADN so it's not impossible.

And I agree with other posters: one of the things being worse than a new grad is being an old new grad because soon you will no longer be eligible for a lot of new grad residencies and positions. So you better start applying for any residency ASAP.

You also better start applying for any RN position ASAP as well, even if it's not quite your desired specialty/schedule. Any RN experience is better than no RN experience, and no one says your first RN job is forever. The longer you hold out for your dream job, the greater the risks you run.

[PeakRN]

We don't hire into our ED without a BSN, but there is no way that we would hire someone who has been over a year out of nursing school without any experience (and even six months is pushing it). I'd be surprised if you could find a ED new grad program that would seriously consider candidates that are over a year out their RN training without any time at the bedside.

Any experience would be better than nothing, you need to get a job as a nurse NOW.