I graduated May 12th, passed my NCLEX June 1st, and am having a terrible time trying to get into ANY MA hospital!!
currently I work as a Visiting Nurse, but I don't really like it and would love to be in a hospital setting. I have applied everywhere with no result... and I've been applying since March!! It seems that unless you are related to a current nurse or HR that they won't even give you the time of day... I'm so frustrated I want to cry!!
I have an advise to all new grads who can't find a job in MA. Don't waste your time! Go somewhere else! A lot of hospitals in other states offer relocation assistance. Go to new places, meet new people! But please, please, please, don't waste your time in Mass. Because time is money
What I don't get is why most Boston hospitals don't offer the degree of miscellaneous (fringe?) benefits that other hospitals do- such as tuition assistance and relocation allowances. Hospitals like HUP in Philly and John's Hopkins in Baltimore will pay a generous portion of their RNs' grad school tuition, while most hospitals in Boston only offer "tuition reimbursement" at ~$2,000/year or less. I just don't get it.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
What I don't get is why most Boston hospitals don't offer the degree of miscellaneous (fringe?) benefits that other hospitals do- such as tuition assistance and relocation allowances. Hospitals like HUP in Philly and John's Hopkins in Baltimore will pay a generous portion of their RNs' grad school tuition, while most hospitals in Boston only offer "tuition reimbursement" at ~$2,000/year or less. I just don't get it.
I guess its supply and demand. Where I work (Beth Israel) there were over 250 applicants for 60 new grad positions. With all of the nursing programs within a a 20 mile radius of the large hospitals in Boston they can be a bit picky.
You're probably right about the whole supply/demand factor. Hospitals will make the benefits that much sweeter if the demand for RNs (new grads AND experienced) is great but there aren't very many applicants. It seems like Boston hospitals have their pick of new grads, but they are always looking for RNs with >1+ year(s) of experience.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
Gerry,
You're probably right about the whole supply/demand factor. Hospitals will make the benefits that much sweeter if the demand for RNs (new grads AND experienced) is great but there aren't very many applicants. It seems like Boston hospitals have their pick of new grads, but they are always looking for RNs with >1+ year(s) of experience.
You are correct in the fact that if you are experienced it is much easier to find a job. There is no shortage of new grad nurses, but there is a shortage of experienced nurses willing to work in the hospital setting.
The VA /federal government has excellent benefits, but getting hired takes a while. There convoluted hiring process.
I agree the hiring process can take a while but they usually do have openings for RN's and they hire new grads no problem. It's just a tedious application process. I think that it's worth it though.
Not at all. The base starting rate is about 58,000 but that doesn't include locality pay which right now is about 7% of your base pay plus you get shift and weekend differential. After a year you jump up about 5,000. You also start off with 5 weeks paid vacation as an RN. Not too bad.
drmorton2b
253 Posts
True about that. Westwood Lodge Hospital (a Psych Hospital) in Westwood, MA is always looking for new grads. They'll take anyone even LPNs.