Frustrated in Philly - CCP past Grads advice welcome

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

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Just graduated the ADN program (CCP), and am prepping for the NCLEX. However, I am having the hardest time lining up a position anywhere! I've gone on interviews that seem to go very well, but no callbacks. Several of the area hospitals are now going strictly with BSN students (and this info would've been handy three years ago, when I elected to go into an Associate's program!), and in general the pickings have been scarce. Far as I know, about half of my graduating class is employed, and half are in the same boat that I'm in.

I've been externing at a local community hospital, which is a fine place but a little distant for me. However, this experience doesn't seem to be counting for much.

My specific questions, before this turns into a rant/therapy-session:

1) Is the market "flooded" in Philly? Everywhere? Worse at this time of the year or pretty uniform throughout the year?

2) Is the market better when you put "RN" next to your name, post-boards?

3) Am I just freaking out prematurely, expecting too much too soon, borrowing trouble when I should just be hitting the review questions (which I have been doing, BTW. 30-60/day)?

If you've read this far, thank you. If you're responding to any part of it, thank you even more!

-Kevin :madface:

I think the closure of hospitals and departments at still funtioning hospitals over the past couple of years may have left less openings for new grads in this area. You may have to broaden your search. You say the place you are externing is too far. Well you were to be able to get there and go to school. Now you'll be less fatigued.

There are suburban hospitals, Crozier, Lower Bucks, Abington. The university systems are not the only places to work. How about Jersey? After you pass the boards you can get a license there. Lourdes and Cooper are just over the Ben Franklin.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Temple Health System:includes, Jeanes, Northeastern and Lower Bucks

no new grad program, lists RN licensure, no degree specified

Mercy Health System: Mercy Hsp Phila, Nazareth, Mercy Fitzgerald, St Agnes Cont Care, Mercy Suburban

no new grad program, lists RN licensure, no degree specified

Mont Co: Main Line Health Lankenau, Bryn Mawr, Paoli, Bryn Mawr Rehab

no new grad program, lists RN licensure, no degree specified some positions

DELCO: Crozer Health System no new grad program, lists RN licensure, lists diploma ADN for some at Crozer

Crozer is PASNAP union with great starting rate.

These are major players I can think of to help you on your way.

Just curious--will a recruiter take into consideration a BA and MA in another field? I'm just starting an ADN right now, with plans to go further, but I'm wondering about my first job, and what choices I will have in the S. Jersey/Philly area. I turned down an accellerated BSN program to attend my local CC because the cost difference was SUBSTANTIAL. I feel good about my choice, but this thread is giving me a twinge of doubt. I'd like to go straight into a masters program, which I think I can do with an ADN, licensure, and things like statistics and chemistry covered...am I on the right track?

Hey David, what do they mean by "season"? Is that mean they don't hire till next year? till fall? till the end of the summer? oh boy....

Recruiter at Presby tells me that they're going strictly BSN now as well, but that Pennsylvania Hospital accepts Associate's-level candidates.

I'm also told that Jefferson is "done hiring" for the season, having placed all their students already. I also hear that they're going the way of HUP (BSN-only).

Prospective CCP students may wish to take note of this and decide accordingly! :angryfire

Jeff hires ADNs. In fact, the university just started an ADN program two years ago, so they're not likely to go all-BSN anytime soon. That doesn't mean that a BSN wouldn't get preference over an ADN - I don't know.

However, Jeff is a university hospital - the university has a nursing program, and I know that the managers are "encouraged" to hire those nurses. That being said, a lot of the new hires from last year came from schools other than Jeff.

The main problem with your job search is more likely that you started it too late. By the time recruiters got your resume, they had a huge pile of new grad resumes already on their desks.

Just keep plugging away. The Philly area is by no means saturated with nurses, and they're always looking for new nurses to replace the experienced ones that they've used up and thrown away.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

BA and MA in anther field not taken into consideration for staff nurse position by many recruiters. it's the depth of nursing knowledge that one posesses when considering applicants for staff positions.

While taking courses for associates, obtain BCLS certification if not required by program and take any additional nursing courses program offers above those required. That helps you to stand out above other applicants.

Good luck!

Under Jefferson Health system, Methodist Hospital School of Nursing transtioned to Associate program in past year. That will help feed into Thomas Jefferson's BSN program more smoothly. Temple Health system had University BSN, 2 diploma (Northeastern and Episcopal) and LPN program at Episcopal. Both programs at Episcopal closing due to financial pressures so less graduates in coming years.

Thanks very much for the info, NRSKarenRN!

Thanks for this thread.

As an international student, with the tution almost 4 times that of in county residents, I thought i'll relieve my parents a bit by attending CCP at the reduced cost. I do not qualify for any of the financial relief available to citizens. My decision was purely money and the desire not to be too much burden to my parents even though they were willing to sacrifice for Temple.

Just pray I made the right decision in the long run.

Specializes in Post Surgical.

Here are my two cents... I graduated last year and did not start my job search until July after I found out I passed boards. Honest truth I sent my resume out on a Friday on Monday I had calls from three hospitals. In one week I went on and recieved 5 job offers. Right now the recruiters for hospitals are swamped. You are competing with all the other graduates from other Nursing schools and colleges.

As for the BSN issue the only hspital in the city that requires a BSN to my knowlege is HUP. I know RNs with ADNs at all the other hospitals you mentioned including CHOP,Jefferson,, Pennsylvania, and Presby. Also keep an open mind... there are a alot of hosptals in the city that are not university hospitals that have great learning envirnments for new grads.

Specializes in oncology, transplant, OB.

jkal- I'm in the same situation as you are. I have a BS in business and currently am in CCP's program. I looked into 's ACE program but heard bad things about it such as nurses who have had DRexel ACE students for clinical said the students were not prepared and that one year for clinicals is not enough to prepare you for being a nurse also that their NCLEX pass rate was fairly low (but that's just what I heard from someone else so I don't know how true it is!) Also Drexel's program was very expensive. I was told by HUP that you need a BSN, not a BS in another area! Which stinks! Good luck!

Specializes in PICU.
jkal- I'm in the same situation as you are. I have a BS in business and currently am in CCP's program. I looked into Drexel's ACE program but heard bad things about it such as nurses who have had DRexel ACE students for clinical said the students were not prepared and that one year for clinicals is not enough to prepare you for being a nurse also that their NCLEX pass rate was fairly low (but that's just what I heard from someone else so I don't know how true it is!) Also Drexel's program was very expensive. I was told by HUP that you need a BSN, not a BS in another area! Which stinks! Good luck!

Glamal, How is the program at CCP? Did it take you long to actually get in the program. Mu husband is looking for a program and is considering CCP. I appreciate any advice.

Thanks, Cina

Specializes in oncology, transplant, OB.

Overall, I'm happy w/CCP's program. A lot of the material is only online which has its positives and negatives. The faculty is very very supportive and will do anything to help you out. Also there are so many different hospitals where you can do your clinical at so I like that as well.

It didn't take long for me to get into the program at all. In fall 2005 I started taking my science courses and I applied in Nov, 2005. I took the allied health test in like feb 2006 and found out I got in a few weeks later and started the program fall 2006. Don't believe the whole "two year waiting list" rumors- they're not true!! You just need a decent GPA (I would say nothing below a 3.5) can't have dropped any classes and a good score on your allied health test.

The only thing I would be a little bit concerned about is a lot of the hopsitals in the inner city only want nurses w/their BSN or above. Not all of the hospitals yet but I know all of the hospitals w/HUP health system are. Just keep that in mind. Most of the other hospitals still hire nurses w/their ASN I believe, esp. those in the suburbs. But then again, male nurses are in greater demand than female ones (that's just my opinion.)

Good luck w/everything and if you have any other questions let me know! Michele

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