any new grads getting jobs?

U.S.A. Massachusetts

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Hi, I just graduated and have been applying to hospitals since March with no luck. Any helpful hints or words of wisdom please.

hi Hollyhox,

Unfortunatly it is illegal in MA to work in an RN position, even as a new grad, without a liscence. It is even illegal for them to hire you into an RN position until you are an actual RN; However a lot of the hospitals will hire you and then delay your start until you pass boards.

I was hired by a MA hospital back in April and start in a couple of weeks. Most of the new grad programs in that state do not start until July for that reason, so that you have time to take the boards.

Good Luck.

Swtooth EMT-P, RN

Sorry Swtooth, but not clear on your post. You said, "It is even illegal for them to hire you into an RN postion until you are an actual RN." But in the very next sentence, you write, "a lot of hospitals will hire you and then delay your start until you pass boards."

So, which is it? Is it ILLEGAL for them to hire you before you are an RN, or is it LEGAL for them to hire you before you are an RN? You can't have it both ways.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

According to the board of nursing web site it is illegal; however what I meant to relay is that many of them will hire you anyway into an RN position and just won't let you start orientation until you are licensed.

Swtooth

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According to the board of nursing web site it is illegal; however what I meant to relay is that many of them will hire you anyway into an RN position and just won't let you start orientation until you are licensed.

Swtooth

Ok, I guess they must be able to hire you legally, but can't let you start until you are licensed. Thanks for clearing that up.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

No, it is truly illegal to hire someone into an RN position if they are not yet an RN.. Here is a quote directly from the MA board of nursing web site.

"No Graduate Nurse Status in Massachusetts

The state law permitting nursing practice by graduate nurses (ie: nursing practice from the date of graduation from a Board approved nursing program until the issuance of a nursing license following the publication of the results of the first licensing exam after graduation) was repealed in Spring 1994. Both employers and soon-to-be nurses are reminded that in order to practice as either a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse in Massachusetts you are required to hold a current, valid license issued by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Board).

As a result, it is illegal to practice nursing in Massachusetts as a "graduate nurse". This includes being hired into a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse job, starting orientation/perceptorship, or performing any activities that requires a valid nurse license, regardless of what the job title may be called.

You are permitted to work in any role that does not require nurse licensure."

Swtooth

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Specializes in SICU.

I think you are getting the two things, being hired as a GN and being hired as an RN contingent on your have an RN license by the start date mixed up. In MA you can not be hired as a graduate nurse, that would be illegal. You can, as you did, be hired before obtaining your RN as long as you do not start until you are an RN, which would NOT be illegal.

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I think I've got it now. Looks like you CAN get hired into a new graduate orientation program, but cannot BEGIN the training until you are actually an RN. This is called a provisional/conditional offer of employment in most states or with most companies.

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Thanks so much for your help :)

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Specializes in cardiac rehab, medical/tele, psychiatric.

Hollyhox, Just an aside, I'm not sure if you're aware, but if you take your boards in MA, your employer can check the mass division of professional licensure for your license number so you don't need your license in hand (It does take about 21 days to get it sent).

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Hi everyone,

I just got my first interview last week and will hear next week if I got the job; I have been applying since late April. I am prepared to keep looking, though...One thing I had to do was to shake out of the mentality that I could ONLY look at formal "new grad" programs...There just aren't enough of them and there are too many of us. So my suggestion is: look for med-surg jobs that do not specify that you need a certain amount of experience and apply to them. The place I interviewed at does hire new grads but has no formal "new grad" program in place, just a good (or good-sounding) orientation and preceptor program to get you started. I will hold them to it if I get the job and feel like they're not living up to what the website describes (and what the NM described in my interview); I am ready for hard work and lots of challenges, but I need support. I told them this flat-out: give me what I need to do this safely and you will get 150% from me (in nicer terms of course) :lol2:.

It would be great to hear from MA nurses who started years ago when there were no "new grad" programs in place...you survived, so I think we can. too.

Good luck and blessings on everyone who is looking for that first new job. YOUR job will come, and I have made it a priority to be happy and try not to get jealous or resentful when I hear of a classmate that is already "in." I'm here to compete with myself and no one else. So let's support one another. Stay encouraged! ;)

Peace...

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