Job placement after grad

essarge · Jan 16, 2003

Two suggestions:

1. Go to the hospital as a "visitor" and talk to the nurses working there. Ask questions...a biggie is nurse patient ratio.

2. If you like what you hear, go talk to the nurse recruiter and NEGOTIATE! Don't settle for what they say the pay scale is. I would start at double what you want and work from there. If they want you bad enough, they will negotiate a good pay.

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2003

Sounds like good advice to me. Good Luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 16, 2003

One suggestion is to let us know the city to which you will be moving. Maybe there are some nurses on this board who could give you some suggestions (though I would give out my real name, if I were you).

Get a list of local hospitals (from web pages, newspapers, etc.) and write or call them to find out about salary ranges, benefits, scheduling options, orientation programs, etc. While it's fine to state what you would like, hospitals will only negotiate within a certain range. Don't lead them to believe you are stupid and arrogant because you want twice the pay that experienced nurses make in that region of the country. Find out what's considered reasonable in that area of the country by checking with a couple of hospitals before assuming that the pay rates in your old city are typical of your new city. Also be aware that a lot of hospitals have a set pay rate for new grads with little or no negotiation possible. Negotiation comes more into play as hospitals decide how much credit to give you for your previous experiences.

Never pick a job based on money alone. As a new grad, you will need a strong orientation program and a supportive environment to facilitate your transition to "independent" practice. In the long run, it pays to get your career off to a good start. That's more important than a few bucks.

Good luck,

llg

renerian, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2003

WRite the chamber of commerce where you want to go and they will send information on the cities, employers as far as members. Can usually do that on line.

Where are you looking to go? Someone here might be connected.

renerian

vaughanmk · Jan 16, 2003

Thanks for all the great advise. I'm going to Nashville, TN. I have a list of the hospitals in the metro area. I'm getting ready to call one of the hospitals later in the afternoon.

I'm afraid I'll choose the wrong hospital and not find out until after I start there. I'll take all the advise I can get.

Thanks again

MKV

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2003

Keep in mind in any work situation, no matter how good a fit it looks like it will be, is a crap shoot. Sometimes the best of places for a lot of people isn't the best for you. There is no way of knowing for sure until you work there. Be prepared to be flexible, to bear with the disorientation of being in a new work situation in a new place. I have found that, as an experienced nurse, it takes me a solid 6 months to pass from honeymoon to hatred to it's a fit I can live with. Usually, at about 4-5 months all my friends are telling me to quit or shut up. Another 6 weeks, gets me to the decision, without alienating all my friends.

Good Luck