Jobs for New Grads?

Columnist · May 2, 2008

I am interested to hear what CO resident BSN new grads have to say. I am a BSN grad from another state, and I have run into nothing but brick walls while trying to find employment in CO. And I ain't being picky!

Good luck to you!

bearitto · May 2, 2008

why do you think it's hard? have you found a job and when did you graduate? I'm graduating in two weeks and had to move to CT from CO where I live just to attend an accelerated BSN program. It was too difficult to get into school here.

bridgfor428 · May 2, 2008

i'm am a bsn student in colorado right now. i can't say that i have perceived a difficulty in getting employed as a new graduate, at least in the denver area. my cohort of 20 is eight months from graduation, and i would say that 6-7 of us already have implied job offers (i.e., we have attained nurse externships at hospitals that plan to hire us on into their departments when we pass the nclex). and i believe that, of the 13-14 remaining, not too many of them have tried for very long, if at all.

that said, i think it helps significantly to go to school in state. i am considering moving to portland, oregon and am having trouble getting a clear read on my chances there.

what are you specifically looking for, in terms of specialties, hospitals, etc.? perhaps i can point you in the right direction thru what i've learned. i've spent a large amount of time in 2008 just trying to find a nursing support type position--but the offers that i am finally getting are also coming with attached graduate offers.

bearitto · May 2, 2008

Hi,

I'm heading back home in a month and live between Denver and Boulder. So working in Denver wouldn't be a problem (or at Boulder Community Hospital for that matter). As for specialites, I've spent my preceptorship in the ED at Yale and have really enjoyed that experience, but to be honest I will work on any unit. I don't want to limit myself. I've applied to ELMC's new grad program as well as to some new grad positions at Childrens and UCH. My main priority is to just secure a job, learn and then decide from there as to where I want to go. I do have my dream list of specialities, but again if one of those jobs isn't available then I'm not going to stop looking.

As for Portland, OR, one of my cohorts is from there and heading back when we graduate in the next couple of weeks. She hasn't applied for any jobs yet, but I do know that some hospitals won't allow her to do so without having passed the boards.

Thanks

bridgfor428 · May 2, 2008

i take it you are graduating in a month?

like i said i've gotten some success applying for nurse externship positions, since i won't graduate for almost 8 months.

i don't know what kind of specifics you feel comfortable getting into--with regards to where you have applied, want to apply, etc.-- but it seems like working in the ed at yale is a tremendous advantage, even for denver employment.

i have also heard about elmc's program. i had a clinical there too and it is a good place in my opinion. skyridge, in lone tree off of i-25 has a new grad program they are actively recruiting for. i know that rose medical center is in the same situation (both of those have programs that begin this summer.). presbyterian st luke's seems somewhat welcoming to new grads, and i'd also try the medical center of aurora. a lot of these health one hospitals seem more friendly to new grads than other hospitals, based on my focused icu search.

swedish (health one) is, in my experience, *very* friendly to students and new grads. and they have every department you might be interested in.

denver health is a huge resource to tap into. one of my classmates just got an internship in their icu. i think their er is competitive to get into as a new grad, but i think there are plenty of other departments to get into.

bch is, at least as far as undergrads, desperate for people on their oncology floor. i will venture to say that they are looking for RNs as well.

there is also centura health (porter, st anthony's central [huge hospital in lakewood]. littleton adventist and parker adventist are centura hospitals that are not too friendly to new grads.

if you need some direction, i'd try swedish first. i can even give you a couple of names there that *could* be of help. you did elmc, i'd try skyridge, i'd try denver health and st. anthony's. and of course you mentioned uch. they have a lot of new grad positions.

let me know if i can answer more questions for you or provide you with additional info, opinions, etc.

Hi,

I'm heading back home in a month and live between Denver and Boulder. So working in Denver wouldn't be a problem (or at Boulder Community Hospital for that matter). As for specialites, I've spent my preceptorship in the ED at Yale and have really enjoyed that experience, but to be honest I will work on any unit. I don't want to limit myself. I've applied to ELMC's new grad program as well as to some new grad positions at Childrens and UCH. My main priority is to just secure a job, learn and then decide from there as to where I want to go. I do have my dream list of specialities, but again if one of those jobs isn't available then I'm not going to stop looking.

As for Portland, OR, one of my cohorts is from there and heading back when we graduate in the next couple of weeks. She hasn't applied for any jobs yet, but I do know that some hospitals won't allow her to do so without having passed the boards.

Thanks

bridgfor428 · May 2, 2008

ps if you know anything of portland i would greatly appreciate it. i might stay in denver but i might be in portland.

Columnist · May 2, 2008

FWIW, the nurse recruiter at Swedish told me she wanted me to have my "license in hand" before speaking with me about employment, and she preferred me to already be residing in the state. That said, she definitely sounded very nice, and welcoming.

Do you know, in general, if new grads in the Denver area tend to get stuck on night shifts? I am not picky as to the type of floor I work on, but I simply can't do night shifts.

Thanks for the great info, bridgfor428. This is extremely helpful for an out-of-state new grad with no contacts!

bearitto · May 2, 2008

Thanks everyone.

Any hospital contacts would be greatly appreciated. It's hard because I had to go out of state for the year to go to nursing school and have no hospital contacts in CO, but I live here and know where everything is. Since it is so hard to get into nursing school in CO, I hope that they don't mind that my education is from out of state although I am a Colorado resident. I'm also hoping that my work at Yale will only benefit me. It is so competitive to get placements there and I was very fortunate to have done so.

If I find out anything more about Portland, I'll send you info.

Later gators

bridgfor428 · May 2, 2008

i don't think you necessarily get stuck on nights as a new grad in denver.

it seems to be some of both, to be honest.

if you have any more info on portland, it would be greatly appreciated, bearitto. i think i am in the same position as you if i leave denver.

trace_element · May 8, 2008

This may be a bit off subject but i will warn anyone who is interested in the northern front range communities (fort collins, greeley, ect) it is VERY competitive to get hired into these area hospitals as a new grad.

deanyluv · Jul 28, 2008

I have also just recently graduated from a school outside of Colorado and I am finding it IMPOSSIBLE to find a job! i passed my NCLEX and recieved my licensure in Colorado, thinking okay i will be able to find a job in my home town. I have applied at almost every hospital i can and have got turned down at all of them! I cant even get a interview, its like i hit a road block. :cry: i just dont know what to do, maybe i shoud just move.....