How to get acute care experience when you are no longer a "new grad RN"

[arose26]

Hi everyone, I am looking to get experience as an RN preferably in the acute care setting but it is so hard to get a job in the hospital when you dont have any hospital based experience. The hospital environment is perfect for me to further my skills, knowledge and experience. I applied for the STARN New grad program a couple months ago but was denied because i am technically not a "new graduate RN" anymore and they were seeking out real RN new grads who preferably did clinical rotations in their hospital. However, I was told at time they will consider an outsider like me when they have an open spot they need to fill and will keep me on file. The position is for a intense residency position which would provide me with the exact training and hands on skilled experience to get my foot in the door and get hospital experience on my resume. My question is how do I get acute care experience and training in a residency program when you keep being told you are not a new graduate nurse but meet all the credentials and licensing?? I think there is some injustice in this system and willing to take it to a higher level if necessary when the hospital bases itself on equal opportunities for all employees.

[foggnm]

There are probably thousands of facilities that will give you acute care experience despite your previous RN background. Apply to several hospitals and I guarantee you will have a job. Areas like med/surg and tele are almost always hiring because they are a high turn-over and not always the most enjoyable nursing jobs.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Do you want a year (or more) of nursing experience to make yourself more attractive to acute care employers? Try long term care. These places are hiring!

The OP very recently (within the past month) secured employment at a long term care/rehab facility, but resigned after one week.

She is seeking acute care hospital employment.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP; that's because you're not a new grad RN. You're a new grad RNP. Hospital residencies are going to see the RNP and think (incorrectly, but you can't blame them) that you must have had prior acute care experience and/or already possess the basic knowledge every RN should possess. You are, by the nature of your license, an advance practice nurse.

So no injustice here..it feels unfair, I'll allow that. But you're not a new grad RN. No harm, no foul on their part.

The OP very recently (within the past month) secured employment at a long term care/rehab facility, but resigned after one week.

She is seeking acute care hospital employment.

IMO, if you're not having any luck applying to acute care, I'd go back to the LTC/Rehab facility with hat in hand and ask for your old job back.

Or do as others have said and try LTACH or even consider relocating.

Best of luck.

[Ben_Dover]

SNF VS LTAC.... I'll apply for the latter if you want to have a higher chance of getting hired into an acute setting of a major hospital. The general concensus is basically telling you to apply at an LTAC facility. That in itself says a lot and...and hopefully that answers your question.

My piece of advice for "NEW grad." nurses that are still on their probationary period and you were hired as a part of the NEW grad. program, DO NOT RESIGN, unless it truly is a necessity and necessary!

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

This is confusing...why would a FNP seek a job as an RN? The employer would be just as bewildered as I am. Can they get an new grad FNP job in hospital and build related experience from there?

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

OP I read the other posts and have further understanding. I would stick to looking for an FNP job. Its almost always impossible to be hired by an employer knowing you will be underpaid. You need to seek out professional resume help and expand you job search, first to other counties, and if you have to to other states.

If you don't want to move to where work is, then stick to what you know, home health was your thing then own it. Many are moving in direction of less hospital stay and more home health and NPs are needed in that area. There are NPs who do house calls etc. and you could start a business out of that. For now it may not be the field you want but you need to start working with what you got.

Acute care is over-rated.

I guess this could be a teaching lesson for others who jump straight into grad school with all the promises they offer.

[Oh'Ello, BSN, RN]

How flexible is your living situation. The other side of the state has TONS of acute care opportunities, and I personally know of several practitioners that were hired as RN's (most of them as Casuals and PRNs for supplemental income) because our acute care nurse situation over here is so dire.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Exactly! I hope word gets around to those new grads who plan to go straight to the top. I applaud the ambition and motivation; but you have to actually be able to do some of the things taught in nursing programs as well as knowing why you're doing them.

It'd be very unfortunate to be in the OP's shoes. Having had no desire to become a FNP myself, do the powers-that-be not require continued employment or X-amount of recent years of hands-on clinical experience as a condition of acceptance/continued enrollment in the program?

Perhaps there's a major misconception that advanced degrees will teach all the skills that are acquired from a tour of duty in the trenches.

I want to like this x 10.

I was in a Direct-entry program. One that strongly encouraged work as an RN after getting licensed as an RN and many switched to the FNP portion part-time when doing so.

I got a job as an RN, realized I needed a lot more RN experience to be a good FNP and ended up leaving my program with my BSN. And honestly, I'm not sure I'll go back as I find my current role as an RN in school nursing very fulfilling and there are other master's degrees I can pursue that are better suited to my career path.

Several places won't hire an NP with no RN experience; folks in my Direct entry program who did not work as an RN found that out rather quickly. They even struggled with finding RN positions given their education level. They did finally find employment, but not in the roles they wished and some are struggling with little to no orientation in those roles.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I want to like this x 10.

I was in a Direct-entry program. One that strongly encouraged work as an RN after getting licensed as an RN and many switched to the FNP portion part-time when doing so.

I got a job as an RN, realized I needed a lot more RN experience to be a good FNP and ended up leaving my program with my BSN. And honestly, I'm not sure I'll go back as I find my current role as an RN in school nursing very fulfilling and there are other master's degrees I can pursue that are better suited to my career path.

Several places won't hire an NP with no RN experience; folks in my Direct entry program who did not work as an RN found that out rather quickly. They even struggled with finding RN positions given their education level. They did finally find employment, but not in the roles they wished and some are struggling with little to no orientation in those roles.

I wonder if the same thing happens to Physician Assistants? Most school only require they have 2500 hrs direct patient care and its not even at the level of an RN. For example some work as CNA's or EMT's and aides but do new grad PA's get hired easier than NP's?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

For example some work as CNA's or EMT's and aides but do new grad PA's get hired easier than NP's?

The answer is yes...many doctors actually prefer PAs since they tend to have a more robust education in the empirical sciences. PAs are also educated and trained in the medical model of care provision.

On the other hand, some NP programs are rigorous and others have a lower degree of difficulty. Inconsistency in the quality of NP programs is concerning to some.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

The OP very recently (within the past month) secured employment at a long term care/rehab facility, but resigned after one week.

She is seeking acute care hospital employment.

Well, that isn't going to get the OP anywhere.

OP, it is unfortunate that you decided to pursue advanced education without basic nursing experience, but what's done is done. I recommend that you find a job, any job, and stick with it for a year or more, whether it is in LTC or a med/surg unit before trying to find a job as a family NP.

[arose26]

I was offered a nursing position on medsurg/ortho floor despite being overqualified. Its all about selling yourself and explaining your long term and short term goals in your career. Nothing is impossible you just have to believe in yourself, know how to market yourself and be patient. The right job for everyone is out there. Whomever said above that my situation is a lose-lose situation I strongly disagree and almost took that to heart and wanted to walk away from a discouraging comment like that. Regardless I will always be a fighter and work hard for the things I want and will be the best nurse I can be.