Will Graduate Dec 2011 w/ BSN and BA (Social Work) - Advice Please

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2011

I don't want to be a downer, but RN residencies at those hospitals, particularly Cleveland Clinic, are extremely competitive. Cleveland Clinic is one of the top ranked hospitals in the US and there are a lot of people who apply there. I'm not saying that you can't get in there, but you have chosen 4 well known, very competitive programs. I would recommend extending your search to other hospitals and securing a job offer before you commit to moving. It gives you much better opportunties to be employed and the security of having a job upon relocation. There are new grad RN's who have been searching for employment for months or even over a year. You'll also want to know where you will be practicing when you apply for the NCLEX. So start applying before you graduate school. Good luck!

trina9230 · Jun 5, 2011

Thanks ashepherd for the advice but I wasn't planning on relocating until I have a firm offer from one of my choices...I have a long list of places but those are a few that I am seriously targeting.... thanks for the best wishes on the nclex...can't wait to finish school and get started with my new career...nursing really offer so many avenues...really exciting♥

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jun 5, 2011

I agree - the RN residences at The Cleveland Clinic & Metro are extremely competitive. One of my roommates from nursing school landed a job in the SICU at Metro. Her interview was over 3 hours long and included meeting with the nurse manager as well as a peer panel interview (meeting with the nurses on the unit to see if she would be a good fit). Her orientation consisted for 3 weeks of class and 12-ish weeks of actual orienting on the unit. I believe her pay started out at $23 for a new grad and they do rotating shifts (2 weeks of days then 2 weeks of nights) and her shift differential is an extra $3/hr. Not sure about the weekends. The Cleveland Clinic does rotating shifts as well. I think pay for new grads is similar, about $23/hr.

I worked at The Cleveland Clinic as a PCNA (patient care nursing assistant) and I honestly hated it. A lot of the nurses I used to work with didn't seem very happy there, either. I worked on a VERY busy telemetry/general medicine unit. I think part of it was the hour drive I had to go to work and they charge you for parking - I had $50/month come out of my paycheck just to pay for parking.

Both Metro & The Cleveland Clinic are renowned hospitals. I think The Cleveland Clinic is higher up there on the list, but Metro is also a great place to work based on my roommate. Both are level 1 trauma centers and Magnet hospitals.

I do not really know too much about UH.

If working for a Magnet hospital is something you really want, there is also Summa Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio, which is about an hour southeast of Cleveland. I used to work there as a nurse tech and it is a GREAT place to work. Just recently achieved Magnet status this February/March. I have floated to various units and all of the nurses are very nice. Akron City is also a level 1 trauma center. The Towers (which is where the ICU units are) are the newest addition to the hospital and they are also revamping/expanding the ER. Summa currently does not do rotating shifts, and pay for new grads is $22-$23/hr - not sure about the shift differential. I remember as a tech, it was $0.50 for evenings and I believe $1 for nights, but I don't know how it is for nurses. Summa also has weekend options, but those are usually reserved for those nurses who have been there for awhile.

If you are interested in pediatrics, there is also Akron Children's Hospital, very close to Summa. They are also a Magnet hospital.

If you have any other questions on those hospitals I mentioned I can try to answer them for you! Best of luck on your last semester of school and definitely apply EARLY! Finding a job as a December grad *could* be easier because not as many people graduate in December like they do in May, but I can tell you that I graduated in December 2010, passed my NCLEX on March 2011 and just got hired this past Wednesday. I did not start looking for/applying for jobs until February though, because I was moving and wasn't sure where I would end up. The earlier you start applying, the better!

trina9230 · Jun 5, 2011

Melosaur RN-

Thanks for the information, yes I think I will actively start applying in October...I do have other options for a secure full-time position, if the nursing search bottle neck.... I can always go back to my previous career in banking until something opens up in nursing...(nursing is a second career)... Most programs are so competitive which is why I am keeping my GPA up currently a B+ and chose to do a second degree in Social Work....I'm excited about beginning my new career...thanks for the well wishes♥

trina9230 · Jun 5, 2011

By the way the starting $$$ could be an issue, that would be a heck of a pay cut for me....as a new grad would I be eligible to work overtime or for an agency?

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jun 5, 2011

By the way the starting $$$ could be an issue, that would be a heck of a pay cut for me....as a new grad would I be eligible to work overtime or for an agency?

You should be :) I know a majority of new grad positions are full-time and those positions are eligible for overtime. Not sure about part-time and I'm pretty sure PRN nurses cannot get overtime; however, you could still get time and a half for working holidays.

$22-$23/hr is actually great for starting out as a new grad RN imo. It also depends on the cost of living, though. Areas where cost of living is higher will pay nurses more vs. areas with lower cost of living. For example, I know nurses starting out in CT make about $40/hr but that is because the cost of living is much higher than in OH.

I live in TX, and my base pay is $23.50/hr as a new grad. I am working nights, and from 1900-0000 my pay bumps up to $27-something and from 0000-0700 it bumps up to $29-something/hr. On weekend nights, I am bumped up to $31-something an hour + overtime/time and a half.

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 5, 2011

By the way the starting $$$ could be an issue, that would be a heck of a pay cut for me....as a new grad would I be eligible to work overtime or for an agency?

Most agencies don't hire new grads. You need a year (sometimes more, especially in this market) of experience.

As far as overtime - as a new grad, you would be on orientation, and as such, not part of the nurse count. So no, you wouldn't be able to get overtime while on orientation, but possibly once you're on your own with your own patient load.

Yes, starting pay for new grad RNs is pretty low, especially for second career nurses who are used to making 80K or more in their previous field.

trina9230 · Jun 5, 2011

Wow thanks all-

Actually Houston, TX was another area I was considering....I would not be opposed to working weekends, I am a divorced empty nester so I am hoping the availability that I can offer will be an asset in my favor.

So excited about the prospect of living some place new and starting a new career...

A little concerned about the pay, but I am sure it will work itself out:)

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2011

dual degree in nursing and social work could give you a leg up in public health / high risk populations / field case management / governmental affairs (esp with a banking background). a few years in acute care will hone your skills and give you the background you need for a host of out-of-hospital opportunities, or management ones if you find you want to stay in the hospital milieu. you could be running your own business in five years, as a case manager, life care planner, or consultant-- think about that! (it also helps that you present as literate, lol)

trina9230 · Jun 5, 2011

Too funny and very insightful....

I plan to actually work for two years and hopefully get some of these loans forgiven then do a year long masters program in a dual MSN/Public Health degree....some schools such as Emory U and Vanderbilt U offer this option.

I would like to eventually lobby for health care reform/nurses etc. I know a few folks who are case managers and they hate their job so I would definitely stay away from that arena...

But right now my goal is to finish the program(s) this December, find a new grad program and hone my skills.:)

trina9230 · Jun 5, 2011

MelasaurRN-

How did you adjust to working nights? I would like to try the 7p-7a on the weekend shift, but have never worked overnight before. Was it a killer to transition from day to night...

For me, if I stay up past 11pm I get ridiculously sleepy and cranky...so not sure how I would fair.

If I wanted to change my shift as a new grad would I be able to or would I be stuck for an entire year?

:crying2:

Anyone else have any tidbits on how to make the transition?