Hospitals paying for your stay?

[sillymu, BSN, RN]

I'm a nursing student graduating in May. I've started applying for nursing jobs out of state and I'm currently waiting to hear back for possible interviews. My boyfriend has this idea that if a hospital is interested they should pay to fly me out and pay for my accommodations to stay during the interview process. I've worked in healthcare for 5 years, including a very prestigious hospital. I don't think they do that sort of thing unless you're like some big shot doctor. I am wondering if hospitals actually do this for nurses. If so, would they do it for a new grad? I'm sure the answer is no, but I'd like some feedback or info from those who have experienced something like this.

His reasoning is because he works for an Ivy League institution and they did all of this for him when he was interviewing. For some reason he thinks this is normal across all career fields, but I tell him it's not realistic when you have hundreds of candidates trying to get a job. You can't just throw money at every new grad that wants to work in your facility. Relocation package sure, but to pay to get me there for an interview sounds a little weird. We're willing to drive and pay for accommodations if need be.

[SaltineQueen]

Unheard of around here. Honestly, I don't even think a relocation package is realistic. Like you said...there are plenty of candidates out there. They don't need to cater to anyone like other industries might.

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

No, I've never heard of a relocation package or providing for travel/accommodations for interviews for a new grad staff nurse.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Next opportunity you get, facilitate a formal introduction between your boyfriend and reality... ?

[Sour Lemon]

I did work with some new graduates who received relocation assistance when I lived in South Texas ten years ago. I've never heard of interview expenses being paid for.
It might not hurt to request some sort of preliminary phone interview before spending your own money flying out. If they have a strong need for nurses, they might go for that.

[2Ask]

I recently made a transition out of state. All interviews were conducted via video conferencing. The hospital did provide relocation reimbursement of 2500 (which made a dent but didn't cover all my expenses to move a household). The airfare and car rental for apartment hunting were reimbursable expenses.

Not sure if relocation reimbursement is available for a new grad though? They were recruiting experienced nurses. I recently saw a Florida hospital system advertising a $10K signing bonus plus $3K relocation for experienced nurses- wow! Get some experience in the right specialty and the perks go up.

In my former career, I graduated from an elite school and was flown around for all expense paid interviews as a new grad. Nursing has a lot more blue collar feel to it. We aren't valued like white collar professionals.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

It has happened to me as a new grad. Vidant Health in Greenville, NC. They paid for my airfare, two nights hotel in Greenville, and rental car. I was amazed that they would do that for a new grad interview.

[sillymu, BSN, RN]

I didn't expect so many responses so fast. Literally walked out of class expecting nothing lol. I'm glad I'm not crazy for having sound logical thinking behind it not being expected. He also works in a niche field at a school where they can barely keep people in the department (but that's a different story for a different forum/day).

My plan is to state that I am available for phone and video interviews and that I am willing to travel however I will need to plan weeks in advance. I'm hoping that video and phone interviews are great and they love me enough to hire me. The travel/accommodations part comes in because some of the units offer the opportunity to shadow for a couple of hours. I don't want to pass up on the opportunity to get a feel for the unit and people that work there. I'm still willing to sign an offer without having visited the hospital or unit at all.

Two of the hospitals I've applied for do offer new grads relocation packages so there's that to look forward to, but by no means do I anticipate anyone offering to pay for my travel/accommodations to come shadow. That's flat out not happening.

[sillymu, BSN, RN]

Just now, NICU Guy said:

It has happened to me as a new grad. Vidant Health in Greenville, NC. They paid for my airfare, two nights hotel in Greenville, and rental car. I was amazed that they would do that for a new grad.

Wow. That's pretty cool, but I'm still unsure/on the fence about it happening in a larger city.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

14 minutes ago, NICU Guy said:

It has happened to me as a new grad. Vidant Health in Greenville, NC. They paid for my airfare, two nights hotel in Greenville, and rental car. I was amazed that they would do that for a new grad interview.

That's really cool - when was this? Recently? My experience is skewed by living in the NTX- no real nursing shortage (what we have is a shortage of well-trained acute care nurses willing to stay) so a bonus is pretty much out of the question.

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

I was flown out and put up for interviews by and large for my role as NNP, but I would not expect the same for staff nurse.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Like most previous posters, I think that the employer paying for the interview is rare (and I have worked for many hospitals over my 40+ year career). It's common for advanced/leadership positions, but not for new grads in staff nurse roles.

My first thought when I read that someone got that from a hospital is, "Wow! They must be really desperate for staff nurses," and wonder why they are so desperate.