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

[positive_nursing]

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 :-)

[LV3677]

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!!

I was struck by you saying you didn't want to settling for a LTACH or part time position...You could be earning money and gaining valuable experience if you eat some humble pie and accept that your dream position may not come right away.

I cannot tell you how many nurses I know who started off PRN or part time an gained full time positions within a few months. You're passing up opportunities to get your foot in the door by not applying to part time positions.

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

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.

First off, teaching hospitals don't nurture nurses. The worst nurses I saw, in terms of assessment skills and nursing practice expertise, were at a teaching hospital.

Everyone relied on the Interns and Residents to carry the ball. I saw a Pediatric asthma patient, the nurse didn't put her stethoscope to his chest once during the shift.

As for Magnet status? That's largely a Marketing ploy. There is no more commitment to the Nursing staff than at any other hospital. As for positive work culture?? Yeah, ok.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Please cast a wide net in your job search.

Research where you are applying to

15 applications is nothing

I applied to over 200 positions to work in a SNF my first nursing job

Now 4 yrs after that 1st nursing job in that SNF that so many new grads refuse to apply to

I am working in a Peds ER adjacent to a level 1 trauma center.

Do your homework and really research your facilities and do not limit yourself to "magnet or teaching facilities"

Experience is experience, it is what you do with that experience that will help get you to the dream job

[Nienna Celebrindal]

I got my first job less than 2 months after get my license but I am not kidding when I say I applied to hundreds. I applied to everything that I could within a drive-able distance from my house.

As for the teaching hospital. I work in one and love. They provide soooo much education to nurses (could just be my hospital ) and I learn so much listening to the doctors do rounds. Additionally our attending are almost always happy to stop and explain things to the nurses. Same with the residents. And we teach them things in return. It's a great environment.

[jh408]

To explain further, I feel like it would hurt me more, because the hospital did not have a good reputation and the experience in LTAC does not count as hospital experience if I were to apply for a magnet hospital in 2 years. PRN positions also do not give you benefits and the orientation time is much shorter because they are expecting you to know what you are doing within 4 weeks. I want a hospital that will fully support me and allow me to grow as a new nurse. There are also contracts here that tell you how long you must work with that hospital as a new grad.

It is not me not being humble. I am very anxious at the moment about not taking the first offer and not being able to find a job yet when others have. It is what I believe would help benefit my career in the long term. I'm sorry if I came off that way.