Honolulu, Hawaii new grad job

paRN12 · Feb 5, 2015

All I can say is good luck...I have been on the island for 2.5 years (moved out here as a new grad) and STILL haven't gotten hired into a hospital after applying to 100+ RN jobs. It's VERY competitive here for nursing, unlike many other places on the mainland. I would suggest getting hired back in Arizona and getting acute care experience before moving to the island. Hospitals here require new grads to work as CNAs or unit secretaries for at least a couple years before they'll move you into an RN position. I'm moving in a few months and although I'm sad to be leaving Hawaii, I can't wait to get back to the mainland to start working in a hospital. The only places here that will hire new grads are assisted living facilities and SNFs (which is where I had to work the last couple years).

Honza · May 9, 2015

Hi,

My wife got her new Grad program in Hawaii after she worked for one year as a desk clerk at NICU. Many friends who are nurses took that road. It is very challenging to get in to the Grad program unless you know somebody here.

Wb808 · May 12, 2015

Don't recommend it at all. Tons of new grads haven't found jobs in acute care and are working as Aids/clerks just to have the opportunity to be considered for the position (noticed I said considered!!!) most new grads leave island to go to the mainland to get a job.

LVHI_RN · May 13, 2015

There are new grad programs, but they only hire in-house. I would stay in the mainland and get experience before moving to Hawaii. 1 year minimum, at least 2 years if you want a good chance. Like the previous repliers stated, most new grads are working as aides/techs for 1-2+ years before going into an RN position.

Wb808 · May 13, 2015

Only 2 hospitals, maybe 3, are doing new grads. Of those 3, 2 of them hire less than 10 new grads per 6 month cycle. With 3 nursing schools just on Oahu, it is competitive.

Honza · May 13, 2015

Wb808, you are right on point. It is very competitive and many new grads had to move to mainland to practice nursing.

mcubed45 · May 20, 2015

Only 2 hospitals, maybe 3, are doing new grads. Of those 3, 2 of them hire less than 10 new grads per 6 month cycle. With 3 nursing schools just on Oahu, it is competitive.

Make that 4 nursing school on Oahu graduating 500+ new nurses every YEAR. There's really no way the job market here could ever sustain that kind of output.

Wb808 · May 20, 2015

I think the job market actually can, but not the acute care job market. If you aren't looking for acute care, plenty of jobs.