Looking for my first RN job and hoping to get into a teaching hospital. Need pointers!

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I graduated nursing school in May 2015 and got my BSN from Chico State University in California. I did not get approval to sit for the NCLEX until September. I had some personal issues which left me with uncertainty about where I would apply and as such am just getting into the job hunt now. I applied to around 15 positions during the last month of nursing school but received little to no response from most.

I am really hoping to get a job at a teaching or a Magnet level hospital so I can learn the best practice possible and build awesome habits. During nursing school I participated in two extracurricular preceptorships, both in the ED, during a summer and a winter break. I went on a medical mission and fundraised for supplies to bring to West Bank, Palestine immediately after nursing school. I was the Vice President of my schools chapter of the California Student Nursing Association and held a job as a Developmentally Disabled Nurse Assistant at a care facility during school. I worked incredibly hard to make myself an awesome applicant and I do not want to settle for a job that I am not stoked on... at least quite yet.

My question is does anyone have any pointers on how to get into a teaching or Magnet level hospital? I am hoping to get a job somewhere on the West coast, preferably Portland, Oregon area to stay near family, but I am open to the idea of moving anywhere. Any hospitals that have residency programs? Finally, does anyone have thoughts on the time frame when I need to just get into (any) job for the sake of "being out of nursing school too long"?

I sincerely appreciate the input :-)

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Specializes in ICU.

Sounds like you have a solid resume. Branch out. Oregon is also challenging to find a job from what I hear- most of the students I graduated with who returned to Oregon ended up going to different states after a couple of months because they could not find a job. That's not to say you can't find one.

Idaho has some areas that are in sore need of nurses. East Washington has a variety of opportunities available. Utah, Colorado, Arizona. Hit 'em up. Residency programs are taking people now (or have already closed). Unfortunately, these aren't as close to Oregon as you may like. However, after gaining more experience, you'll be more marketable.

Some residency programs take people who have less than one year of experience as an RN. It may benefit you to get a job and then apply to these programs after 6 months. What kind of residency are you looking to get into?

I believe there is a thread out there that discusses all of the residency programs if you search for it. If you're interested in residency programs in Washington, Idaho, Colorado or Utah, let me know. I know of several.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You do realize that teaching hospital refers to physician/medical education and not nursing education, right? Many assume the teaching hospital is to cultivate nurses and allied health professionals but it's for educating & training physicians and surgeons.

Also research what a facility has to do to earn Magnet status and maintain.

Many non Magnet /non physician teaching hospitals offer successful new grad residencies

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Yes, I am aware that teaching hospitals refer to the education of physicians. I may be naive in my assumption, but I am drawn to teaching hospitals because I feel that as a generalization, these types of facilities are at the forefront of medical research and place a very high value on evidence based practice. This was my experience during a preceptorship I did in the ED of UC Davis medical center in Davis, California. This is not to say that other hospitals do not do the same, but in trying to shoot for the stars I wanted to start my search at teaching and Magnet level hospitals. I also hope to stay at the hospital where I get a job for 5+ years so in theory a Magnet level hospital should have a demonstrated history of positive work culture and a commitment to the nursing staff.

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Yes, I am absolutely interested in residency programs in those states! The types of residency programs/departments that most interest me are Emergency Department (both of my extra preceptorships were in ED), Cardiac ICU, medical ICU, telemetry, definitive care/step down unit... In terms of the unit I am really flexible about it if it will get my foot in the door at a great facility. I dont see myself making a career on a Med/Surg floor just because I thrive in the challenge of fixing the real broken patients and the higher patient load doesn't leave me with as much time at the bedside as I would like. I get my kicks from really delving in the pathophysiology of the patient and working with patient and family to find the lifestyle etiologies of their condition to make some lasting changes. I plan on throwing out my resume to a bunch of residencies but I am hoping for any way to help my application stick out from the masses...

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Are you certain you aren't destined to be an acute care adult practice nurse in an ICU setting? Go run over to the APN and critical care forums and take a gander.

There is nothing wrong with aiming for ED/critical care just don't be so hyper focused that you miss out on other valid opportunities. Cast a wide net you never know what you might catch.

Many assume teaching refers to nurses and allied health also.

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Specializes in ICU.

First off,

You're not in a huge area for teaching hospitals with these states. However, several of them have great residencies/opportunities, so please don't turn up your nose just because it's not a teaching hospital. Also, Magnet status...theoretically, hospitals that have it should have happy and involved nurses, but that's not what I've experienced. Personally, I think it's a crock.

Hospitals to consider in your job search:

-Providence Health Care systems (Oregon, Washington, Montana, Alaska) has new grad residency programs searchable in their career pages.

-Harborview; Seattle, WA

-Kootenai Medical Center; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. (ER, ICU, OR residencies)

-St. Luke's; Boise, ID (residencies available)

-St. Alphonsus; Nampa, ID

-University of Utah; Salt Lake City, UT (ER, ICU residencies)

-Intermountain Medical Center; Salt Lake City, UT (ER, ICU residencies)

-Primary Children's; Salt Lake City, UT (Pediatric and NICU residencies)

-University of Colorado; Denver, CO (multiple available)

-Denver Health; Denver, CO (multiple available)

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THIS. thank you that is definitely what I have been looking for. I was beginning my search with Magnet and teaching hospitals for the sake of having a place to start and to focus my job search efforts. However I had awesome experiences at smaller hospitals, Enloe Hospital in Chico, CA being one of my favorites. Having lived in the northern California area for most of my life, my goal with the first job is to branch out to different cities and places in the world as well as get a good gig. I will check out these hospitals. THANK YOU LV3677.

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Are you certain you aren't destined to be an acute care adult practice nurse in an ICU setting? Go run over to the APN and critical care forums and take a gander.

There is nothing wrong with aiming for ED/critical care just don't be so hyper focused that you miss out on other valid opportunities. Cast a wide net you never know what you might catch.

No, I am not sure of that. Ever since I became interested in Nursing I wanted to become a flight nurse. I am not sure if that will be a realistic goal or something that I will continue to desire once I begin my practice. My thoughts with seeking out an ED job first is to increase my work speed and my exposure to a large amount of different disease and injury physiologies. Granted as an acute care practice nurse I am sure I would accomplish both of these goals as well so casting a wide net is well advised. Long term I absolutely see myself pursuing a doctorate degree to become a nurse practitioner in either critical or acute care.

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Specializes in ICU.
No, I am not sure of that. Ever since I became interested in Nursing I wanted to become a flight nurse. I am not sure if that will be a realistic goal or something that I will continue to desire once I begin my practice. My thoughts with seeking out an ED job first is to increase my work speed and my exposure to a large amount of different disease and injury physiologies. Granted as an acute care practice nurse I am sure I would accomplish both of these goals as well so casting a wide net is well advised. Long term I absolutely see myself pursuing a doctorate degree to become a nurse practitioner in either critical or acute care.

In addition to residencies, I believe the University of Utah has a NP program for critical care and is a teaching hospital. Hits a couple of the things you are looking for in a place to work.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

You absolutely must apply to more than 15 positipns, for starteds. 15 is literally nothing. Not a drop in a bucket. Pound the pavement and apply apply apply. Don't miss out on an opportunity to get your foot in the door just because it isn't your first choice.

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I am also in the same boat. I am a new grad RN who graduated in August who is searching for a job, but I do not want to settle for long term care or positions that are part time. Good luck to you!!

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