How strict are employers in screening people with "1 year RN experience?"

Published

People keep talking about how 1 year of experience will open up the job market to you in a huge way. I often do see job postings that ask for 1 year RN experience or 1 year acute care experience. But my question is, how strict is that requirement truly?

What if you you had 10 months of experience, 11 months? It wouldn't truly be 1 year. But if you were full time for those 11 months, you would still have worked more and gained more experience than someone who just was part-time for a full 1 year or even longer than that.

What are your thoughts on this? Use this thread to talk about how strict employers are when screening people who have "1 year RN experience."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some are strict, some aren't. I had plenty of interviews as a new grad for jobs that required 1-2 years experience. It doesn't hurt to apply to jobs...you never know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

Here is the first thing I would ask "Why are you looking to change positions after only 10 or 11 months?" The answer would then guide the following questions.

One word of advice...............don't ever, and I mean ever, trash the institution where you are currently employed. If you trash that institution what would stop you from trashing the one you're interviewing with!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree, to be sure. Would never trash a prior place of employment publically or to a future employer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.
Here is the first thing I would ask "Why are you looking to change positions after only 10 or 11 months?" The answer would then where you are currently employed!

I agree. Why the hurry?

IMO, these employers are looking for a minimum of one year, and would definitely prefer more.

Also, does your 10 months include your orientation? If so, I'd stay put for at least another 6 months. In the meantime, you will be learning and growing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have seen some places that are very specific. A year is 2,000 hours of work. So if you worked part time for 1 3/4 years, you will have maybe something like 1600-1800 hours, which is not good enough.

I know that everyone can't be that mental about it, but I am sure some will be strict and some won't, you will just have to be honest and hope for the best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That seems odd, robinson. I have never seen an employer use hours of work to determine your experience. They usually just ask how long you were employed.

To nurseeducate, sometimes people are forced to take jobs that are less desirable or jobs that they like but are in undesirable areas, just to pay the bills and get experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.
That seems odd, robinson. I have never seen an employer use hours of work to determine your experience. They usually just ask how long you were employed.

To nurseeducate, sometimes people are forced to take jobs that are less desirable or jobs that they like but are in undesirable areas, just to pay the bills and get experience.

Not odd at all. Although they are not asking you how many hours experience you have, that's what they're basically looking at. If you want to sit for a certification exam, this is how they determine if you are experienced enough to take the exam.

Regarding taking a less desirable job: I know all to well about that. It took me years to get a job in the hospital, much less a desirable hospital job. I paidore than my dues, and in the end it has made me a better, well rounded nurse, with a great variety of experience. In your case, you're not quite at the point where you've gotten the level of experience that seems to be required (or preferred) by your would-be future employers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know at the hospital that I work at they count how many hours of work you put in not how many years. That's what they use to figure out seniority levels also. Hopes this help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I have started seeing trends. A lot of positions are hiring at Part Time status although the employees are getting schedules full time hrs. I think this is because a lot of the bonuses and benefits go off of what your actual status is, not how many hrs you put in.

In experience required I am starting to see a lot of 6 months required instead of a year. I am also starting to see a lof of places wanting to know if it's full time hrs or part time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That seems odd, robinson. I have never seen an employer use hours of work to determine your experience. They usually just ask how long you were employed.

To nurseeducate, sometimes people are forced to take jobs that are less desirable or jobs that they like but are in undesirable areas, just to pay the bills and get experience.

Agreed, not odd at all. They may not ask hours, but I have see postings that specify employment must have been FT. Even if they don't state this, they DO consider whether employment has been FT, PT, or PRN. It make a lot of sense if you think about it. How much experience does one really have if working only 1-2 shifts per week, or less? Is it fair to compare that person to one who has worked FT when considering him/her for employment?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I have never understood the "1 year experience" thing if the facility or hiring manager considers job-hopping a negative or doesn't want new grads

In this environment, you'll be getting a ton of new grad and barely-experienced nurses applying. What's the point of posting the job that way?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion