Job outlook in Western Wa

NewYorkerGirl · Mar 26, 2015

Seemed really tight to me. I sent my resume almost everywhere last fall in Seattle and Spokane. Only had one interview with Franciscan in Federal Way, but already had another job by then so didn't take it. It's not a job I want, though, I took it in desperation. I've applied to Swedish's residency a second time (this time for summer), but haven't heard anything yet. I'm not sure if my 4 months of RN experience will help or hurt ('job hopper' they might think?).

Willyummy · Mar 27, 2015

Hi tokmom!!!

I just did my interview for the Swedish Residency with HR a couple of days ago and I finally got a reply today regarding a second interview with the managers. It has been very frustrating looking for a job in Seattle, but I finally got my chance with Swedish!

NewYorkerGirl, I just want to let you know that in order for you to qualify for the residency program, you cannot have more than 6 months of experience, otherwise you will have to apply for a regular RN position. The residency program teams us up with a preceptor and will help us along our way which is why I really didn't want to settle for a nursing facility job. So in terms of your 4 months, you are still good! I hope you get into the program, I hear they have openings in the Med-Surg department.

There are plenty of other facilities in the greater Seattle area that are currently hiring, but most of them require atleast a year of acute care experience. There's a catch 22 going on, so its kind of tough on us 'baby' nurses.

Good luck on your job hunt!!!!

rainier93 · Mar 27, 2015

Willyummy,

I've been following the process of the Swedish Cohorts and you're the only one I've seen post about getting somewhere this round. Congratulations! (: (: (: You mentioned you lived in Washington, do you know if they are only looking at Washington residents? I'm from Washington but have gone out of state for college, and I applied on the 12th, I'm just trying to see if I've been phased out or not. My application changed to under consideration shortly after applying, but I haven't gotten a call. I'd love to be put out of my misery if you have any input on that.

What unit(s) are you interviewing/applying for??

tokmom, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2015

What about other hospitals other than Swedish? I all this question because I know a couple of new ADN grads that think they are going to graduate and find themselves a hospital gig. I'm trying to tell them that may not be the case, but they don't believe me

GemTwist · Mar 28, 2015

I just graduated with my ADN and will be taking the NCLEX in April. Will let you know how my job search goes. At our clinical orientation at Swedish we were told they were not hiring ADN's and were only hiring BSN grads. Unless you have a big foot in the door already working there and know someone. They are working towards Magnet like others in the area. I'm not sure how Prov in Everett is handling their horing of bsn/adn, they own Swedish but not sure if they are following same hiring path. I think it is tough for new grad ADN's to get a residency in this area (seattle). Will let you know how my journey ends :)

tokmom, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

Thanks. They aren't looking into Seattle proper, but more south sound area. Those hospitals are a bit more lenient with ADN, however there seems to be a glut everywhere, north and south of Seattle.

They actually have two hospital positions held for them, but they don't want night shift. I tell them they are crazy if they thumb their nose at these offerings.

Good luck with the NCLEX!

krrbrr, ADN · Mar 29, 2015

tokmom I do know Providence in Olympia and Centralia will hire new ADN's (depending on the school they're coming from), however when I turned in my nursing application to a school the administrative staff that I spoke to mentioned her daughter in law worked @ the Centralia location and said they were going to be downsizing. (no clue how accurate this is since it's 2nd hand info)

I live south of Ft Lewis so I really hope in 2 years when I graduate more is available for ADN's, but I do plan on trying to get a job wherever they'll take me and immediately going after my BSN so it helps my chances for future opportunities.

anichka · Mar 29, 2015

Thanks for asking this - I will be looking for a job this fall. I am planning to apply all around the sound (as far south as Centralia and north to Tacoma and Shelton, west to Aberdeen). I will not be an ADN but rather midway through an entry-level MSN program. I'd really like to find something in an ED or behavioral health, so I will apply to those positions first and then broaden my search as time goes on.

GemTwist · Mar 30, 2015

Thanks Tokmom. Wow, they are lucky to have spots held. I would take it in a minute. Nights are hard, but as a new grad that is what I am expecting from any hospital.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

That is what I thought too. They really think they can walk out there and snag an immediate job as a new grad. Our ratio's are much lower then most hospitals too, so that's another plus.

Willyummy · Apr 2, 2015

Its going to be tough for ADNs to get a hospital job right out of college, at least that's how it is in my experience. Most of the hospitals in the greater Seattle area are trying to work towards their magnet status and that is just one of the reasons why.

Rainier, I believe it might be best to apply when you are actually in Seattle, since I applied last year and I was still in California, and I got no response whatsoever. Do you have an ADN or a BSN? I interviewed with a couple other people and I was talking to them in the waiting area, and they seem to all be BSNs as well. It is very competitive specially for new grads, since there are tons(hundreds) of people applying for the residency, and having a BSN will give you a one-up compared to the other candidates. The residency started a couple years ago with just 40 spots and I believe they have expanded upto 100. They still have openings for Med-Surg when I asked my interviewer, but no more spots with the ED, so there's a heads up for you since they only let you choose up to 2 departments where you would like to train.

Btw, everyone should listen to tokmom, she gives awesome advice!!