Home Care for new grad?

[Aleirax]

Hi! I've recently graduated from nursing school in May, and I've essentially put working in a hospital on hold. I've applied to every hospital in the tri-state area multiple times, faxed, emailed, called, have gone into HR directly, NADDA.

I'm working on getting my NJ license now so I can apply to hospitals out of the city.

I've been looking into home care jobs in the NY area now.

Does a/o know how much these agencies, (Quality, Revival, SeniorCare, VNS) pay hourly??

I would appreciate if a/o has any info/knowledge!!! Tha

[Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm in the same boat as you are. I just wonder whether a NJ state license is going to be of help. I talked to people who said it is also very hard now to get a job in NJ. I don't want to have to move, but i am thinking I might have to get another state license but I haven't figured out yet which state might be a hot spot for hiring nurses now.

I am thinking of home care but at the same time, have you heard anything about new grads and home care? Don't they usually want experience since you'll be visiting patients at their homes? It just seems unsafe to send someone new out on their own. It is a little intimidating, but I'm thinking I might have to go in that direction since it's difficult in NY right now to find a hospital position.

[MsQueensRN, LPN, LVN]

I know from someone who works with Bayada that they like it if you have some experience with ventilators and trach's

[NedAboutRN]

I hold both a NJ and NY license--the NJ market is actually even worse than NY if you can believe it. All of NJ, from north to south, is not hiring (for hospitals, at least)--at least NY you can leave the city to find a job.

I actually applied--and interviewed--with a number of NJ home care agencies. Bayada wants one year of experience and won't even talk to you. However, when you apply, they will send you a rather lovely letter in the mail with two lines--"Thank you for your application. Unfortunately, we require a year of experience." I mean, literally two lines; waste of a stamp.

PSA (Pediatric Services of America) and Preferred Healthmate are both hiring as home health agencies for new grads (or were as of a couple months ago). They'll train you and the pay is decent (around $27/hr). I would have accepted a position except I had a new grad friend who ended up getting reported to the state over the summer from her health care agency. PSA and Preferred seemed like quality organizations, however! Best of luck!

[MsQueensRN, LPN, LVN]

I'm a little scared of the home care area myself. I know some people who do it, but it can be rough for some new grads depending on the level of care that your individual patient needs, and the fact that some agencies really only give you the bare minimum of training. We have worked way too hard to get the license to lose it so quickly.