(Imagine this is a cardboard sign) Will work for free!

Nurses New Nurse

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I'd give anything for 1 yr of experience. I got my license in April and started my Job Search that day. I have gotten to the point to where I am willing to take a position and work as an RN without pay in exchange for experience, fortunately I can still rely on the financial support from my parents (I have a non-nursing job but, I still live at home). I ran across a program or two that offered such positions like this while I was still in school, has anyone heard of any programs like this recently??

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I have heard of such programs.

The one that I'm most familiar with operates through a local community college and places "students" (read new grad RNs) in local hospitals in order for them to get some real-world experience.

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Specializes in Float Pool-Med-Surg, Telemetry, IMCU.

Yeah, it's called indentured servitude and it was pretty popular during the US colonial period. Don't mind me...I'm a frustrated grad too. :devil:

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Keep in mind though that when a hospital says 1 year experience required it means 1 year paid as rn. Not to burst the bubble. It's tough out there

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I would suggest that you check with the Memorial Hermann system in Houston, TX. They have developed a couple of very innovative approaches to helping new grads get experience. I believe one of them is a formal nursing residency program that only pays a stipend rather than full salary. It's worth a shot. If nothing else, they may be able to direct you to similar programs in other areas.

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Memorial Hermann has RN fellowship program that provides 6 months experience on various fields of interest with stipends. It is a good opportunity to gain experience and networking.

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Memorial Hermann is HARD to get into, too many applicants. I graduated with honors and have been applying there to no avail.

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Does anyone know how much their monthly stipend is?

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if you're from nj there's an unpaid nurse residency program at St. Clare's hospital. The next program is in January and they're interviewing in November.

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Specializes in critical care nursing, ED, education.

seriously, this is exactly what I did after getting my license. I worked for free. ;-) Check your local communities for free clinics and see if they need any nurse volunteers. The hours are not many, and the experience was not skills oriented. but it was experience and I was building relationships with other medical contacts and it was a great experience. Put a little time in and you have some experience on the resume and hopefully also a great reference.

I also very much enjoyed the work they do and will continue there as my schedule allows. ;-)

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Where do you live? Lots of home health agencies hiring in Dallas. The work's not that bad and at least it's a paycheck. and you can quit any day when you find a new job

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MH fellowship: You have to pay a 500 registration fee if accepted. Kind of crazy if you ask me. But i guess the monthly stipend should makeup for it. I suppose. But experience is experience.

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