Getting hired as an RN EC grad

EricJRN, MSN, RN · May 5, 2006

My EC friends and I aren't having any trouble getting hired here in TX, but I suspect it may be different in California where the Excelsior court battle has been very public. But if you were already an LVN as opposed to a medic or RT, I think that should work in your favor.

Just wanted to wish you good luck!

nurse1717 · May 5, 2006

Thanks for the good wishes. My friend just was denied a job because she was an LVN to RN EC grad here in Northern California. I am wondering if any of the big hospitals will "bend" their rules about this grey area. I may just have to get real creative or else move to TX if this continues! (I'm working as an LVN right now--with 2 more courses, the CPNE & NCLEX to go)

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · May 5, 2006

Try a VA hospital if you want to stay in CA at this time. They have their own rules, as they are federal facilities.

Sheri257 · May 5, 2006

If so, will they consider 1-2 yrs. experience or are there company rules about not hiring us?

It varies by facility and, they're not always forthcoming about their hiring policies. You're best bet is going to RN job fairs and asking the recruiters. Check with your local colleges because they sponsor job fairs all the time. At job fairs you can talk to lots of different employers, not just hospitals (like home health, registery, dialysis agencies, etc.) and get a lot more info on your prospects.

Some employers have outright bans, others don't. Others will hire EC grads but only if you have acute care LVN experience, and won't take any other LVN experience or LVN's with no experience. There are exceptions but, generally, if you have LVN acute care experience then, you're going to have more job options as an EC grad.

The VA is another option but, the pay is sometimes lower (depending on the area) and you can get a lot more patients because they don't have to comply with state mandated ratios.

:typing

pedinurse05 · May 5, 2006

Not a problem for me here in southern CA. I graduated EC last year and moved here from FLorida. I had 10 years LPN experience. I was offered every hospital job I applied at (at least 7). I chose a large trauma hospital and have been there 6 months. I love it! I have received great evaluations. Not a problem for me. Good Luck!

nurse1717 · May 5, 2006

Hey, sounds great. Well, at my age (I'm an older LVN-2 more classes to go plus CPNE & NCLEX) I would like to ultimately find a PT rn job- maybe even in research, case mgmt--something with maybe less pounding of the footsies/less physical? with full time benefits as I have 3 kids---don't know what's up with these Northern California facilities--i'm still going to look into the VAs nearby and go to a job fair per "lizz" and "lgflamini"-thanks pedinurse05-sounds as though there's no problem with this in southern calif.--comments are surely welcome...

Jo Dirt · May 6, 2006

Here in Tennessee, it has not been an issue for me.

deej · May 7, 2006

I just got hired by a major hospital chain (not Kaiser) in the Bay Area. Excelsior didn't come up once during my interview.

Time from first application to first job offer: about 2 weeks.

featherzRN, MSN · May 7, 2006

I just added another employer (I now work for Kaiser and another local area HMO) and neither cared about EC. Actually, my new employer stated they had several EC grads working there. Kaiser didn't even blink an eye at my education. I'm in SoCal, however.

Disclaimer: Griping about my education would make me laugh anyways, as I've been a RN since 1989 and was an LVN from 1987-1989. I'd look at em pretty funny if they had a problem with where I went to school 17 years ago!

nurse1717 · May 8, 2006

motorcycle mama: thanks. yay for Tennessee.

deej: major hospital chain in the Bay Area? Can you email me directly at [email protected]? have you been an rn long? thanks.

featherzRN: S.Cal, hmm. I used to work for Kaiser, Honolulu Hawaii (as an LPN/LVN) and it wasn't an issue at all either. course you do come with all that experience! i've been an LVN since 2001--part tiime/registry and home health until this past Oct. when I went full time!

thanks for all the feedback. you've been so helpful.

nurse1717 · May 8, 2006

i'll have to put your words of experience in my files...reading them keeps me from getting too discouraged about finding an (ec) rn job that will suit me. thanks again rn advisors!:)