Has the new Nurse Practice Act changed hiring procedures?

Jolie, BSN · May 29, 2008

It might be helpful if a mod moved this to the Illinois forum for more replies.

I'm not living or working in IL at this time, so my answer is just speculation, but I believe that many hospitals will change their process of offering jobs to new grads due to the recent changes in the Nurse Practice Act. (The most relevant being that new grads are no longer allowed to practice in a professional capacity until they pass boards.)

It used to be commonplace for the larger hospitals to interview and hire their "incoming class" of new grads during the Spring semester. When I graduated from NIU, most of my classmates had job offers by spring break, with start dates ranging from late May to July. Some new grads had completed orientation by the time they received NCLEX results, and were able to transition to staff nurse roles. Others were in the process of orientation when they received their board results. I can only think of one classmate who postponed working until she had her board scores, and that was because she had surgery after graduation, and needed recovery time.

I feel strongly that working as a GN (or RNlp, as was the case in IL) was the best preparation possible for NCLEX, and no longer allowing the option is a serious dis-service to the candidates and to the employers who must delay orientation of badly-needed new nurses.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · May 30, 2008

As of May 1st our hospital no longer recognizes a graduate nurse. You work as a CNA until you pass boards then you start your training as a nurse.

I dont agree with it, but it is the way it is. I was fortunate enough to be able to work as a GN my final semester than while waiting to take boards and it made my transition alot smoother.

On the flip side though we had a lady that went to nursing school, graduated- signed up to take Nclex and panicked and didnt show, she just kept working as a GN for a year!! She was happy as a clam, she got her 2 patient assignment each day, got GN pay (as she didnt fail boards, she just didnt take them!) and was in a bit of denial about ever having to take Nclex. Finally our Mgr said "Suzy---if you dont take your test with in 90days we will have to let you go" God bless her she took a month off and studied till her eyes went fuzzy and passed Nclex, she is a fab nurse whom I love to work with...very smart, she just freaked out.

Trauma Columnist · May 30, 2008

Thanks Jolie - will move to IL forum. I think that yes indeed the change in the nurse practice act does influence the way hospitals are hiring.

Melony, RN · May 30, 2008

I just graduated from a RN program and I do have a job already. Here in the Lasalle Peru area the hospitals were eager to get us new grads in the door. However we are not allowed to start working until we pass the boards and have the official results in hand. The hospital that I chose to work at has my start date at the end of July. I am taking my boards on the 13th of June to give me ample time to get all of my documents in. There are many hospitals in this area and they all seem to be following suit on this. Its just the no work till pass BS that we have to go through.

bunsterj · Dec 15, 2008

I just graduated from a RN program and I do have a job already. Here in the Lasalle Peru area the hospitals were eager to get us new grads in the door. However we are not allowed to start working until we pass the boards and have the official results in hand. The hospital that I chose to work at has my start date at the end of July. I am taking my boards on the 13th of June to give me ample time to get all of my documents in. There are many hospitals in this area and they all seem to be following suit on this. Its just the no work till pass BS that we have to go through.

Hi,

I am responding regarding the LaSalle-Peru area. For various reasons, I anticipate moving there in the next year or so. How are the hospitals there? Are they hiring full time? The ones I can recall are IVCH, St. Margaret's, Mendota, and Ottawa. How is the staffing at your hospital? Any insight you can give me would be great.

Thanks.