In the state of New York can you work as a graduate nurse?

tachybradyRN · Mar 23, 2008

You mean right after you graduate, before you pass your boards? I don't know about all hospitals, but my mom works at NS Plainview and she was hired as a new grad before passing boards, and NS Manhasset had also offered her a position.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Mar 24, 2008

I'm pretty sure it's legal to work as a graduate nurse before passing your boards anywhere in the state of New York. That being said, some hospitals still might want you to pass them first, but there are definitely those that take GNs.

Hydakins · Mar 26, 2008

Some hospitals may give some type of grace period (if you will) to take the boards and will hire you before. I know someone who just communicated when she planned to take her boards and kept them up to date with any changes or reminders, and management was ok with it. I dont know if they had a policy or not. As a previous post mentioned, it depends on the facility.

weaveworld21 · Apr 8, 2008

The state of New York lets you work as a graduate nurse, but it depends on specific hospital policies as to whether or not they will hire you until you pass the boards. I am graduating from the University of Rochester and the local hospitals (Strong (now URMC), Highland, & RGH) all are hiring and starting new hires immediately after graduation. Depending on hospital, most new hires are allotted 90 days to take and pass their boards from date of hire. However, I have a classmate that wants to work in NYC, and they basically told her not to bother applying until she was licensed.

Hope that helps.

CalypsoRN · Apr 10, 2008

The state of New York lets you work as a graduate nurse, but it depends on specific hospital policies as to whether or not they will hire you until you pass the boards. I am graduating from the University of Rochester and the local hospitals (Strong (now URMC), Highland, & RGH) all are hiring and starting new hires immediately after graduation. Depending on hospital, most new hires are allotted 90 days to take and pass their boards from date of hire. However, I have a classmate that wants to work in NYC, and they basically told her not to bother applying until she was licensed.
Hope that helps.

Where are these hospitals that you are talking about?

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Apr 10, 2008

Strong (University of Rochester Medical Center), RGH (Rochester General Hospital) and Highland Hospital are all in Rochester, NY.

weaveworld21 · Apr 10, 2008

The hospitals I was speaking of are all in Rochester, NY. I have classmates that have already accepted positions in Buffalo as well. I have heard the same for Syracuse. If you are interested in looking at nursing jobs, or even just talking to recruiters for some general information, here are the websites with contact info and job listings for the Rochester area. They hired some of my classmates as far back as December (grad in mid-May).

http://www.viahealth.org/

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/nurserec/apply.html

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/hh/for-nurses/apply.cfm

If you want any further information about the area, I am happy to help.

CalypsoRN · Apr 10, 2008

THANKS !! This whole relocation process from Boston has really been stressfull I will take all the advice I can get :bow:

weaveworld21 · Apr 10, 2008

No problem. If you decide you want to live in the Rochester area, you are pretty much guaranteed a position. The hiring process at all three hospitals is pretty laid back. There isn't an interview process so much as a courting process at most hospitals. The 'interview' consists pretty much of the recruiter and the charge nurse telling you about open positions and trying to sell you on it instead of you having to sell yourself to them. I did two shadows and was offered both positions by the time I got back to the recruiting office in the afternoon. That is not uncommon.

The downside is that you have to deal with a LOT of snow and a relatively low pay rate for nursing (though great tuition benefits if you want to go back to school). However, the cost of living here isn't terribly high.

weaveworld21 · Apr 10, 2008

No problem. You will have no troubles finding work if you decide to relocate to Rochester I can assure you. They hire immediately. The interview process is more like them trying to sell you on a position than any questions being directed your way. I shadowed a few places and was offered positions at all of them by the time I got back to the recruiters office. It is strange compared to other places where they seem almost put off by the fact that you are a new grad. The downside is the weather (LOTS of snow) and the pay rates aren't great. The upside is really good tuition benefits for continuing ed through URMC and Highland. I can almost guarantee you would have a position within a week up here.

ca2ny · Apr 10, 2008

No problem. If you decide you want to live in the Rochester area, you are pretty much guaranteed a position. The hiring process at all three hospitals is pretty laid back. There isn't an interview process so much as a courting process at most hospitals. The 'interview' consists pretty much of the recruiter and the charge nurse telling you about open positions and trying to sell you on it instead of you having to sell yourself to them. I did two shadows and was offered both positions by the time I got back to the recruiting office in the afternoon. That is not uncommon.
The downside is that you have to deal with a LOT of snow and a relatively low pay rate for nursing (though great tuition benefits if you want to go back to school). However, the cost of living here isn't terribly high.

Hi..I was wondering are you starting out on a med surg floor? When I complete school Strong is my first choice.