MCI Grads - Question regarding Employment

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Specializes in CNA, CMA, EMT-I.

Hi all, I will be starting MCI's nursing program soon. Excited about this opportunity :yeah: (after being a CNA & Med Aid), I shared the news with some friends of the family who work in various hospitals in the VB/Norfolk area.

I was told as a MCI grad, I would have a difficult time finding work at any of the local hospitals because MCI's program is not taken as seriously as some of the other programs and usually HR hires new grad's from other colleges first, and then MCI grad's as last choices to fill left over openings. :cry: That basically if I go through MCI to be prepared for a career in LTC. Don't get me wrong, I worked as Cert Med Aid for almost 15 years in several LTC facilities & loved working in all of them. You really get attached to residents and begin thinking of them as Grandma/Pa and their families become your family. As much as I loved LTC, I would prefer to work at a VA Hospital.

I'm not sure if these "nurses" were serious, or were they just venting their own thoughts of what they think about MCI's program, because they were grad's of traditional colleges & universities. (their kind of nose in the air type people anyway, so I usually take what they say with a grain of salt - but I don't want to make a $35k bad decision).

So I guess my question to MCI grads (and maybe HR or Nurse Managers in the Norfolk/VB area if you're lurking ) what facilities in the area are you working in as new MCI Grads. Have you had any problems in regards to what school you chose to get your degree, has it ever come up during interviews? Would love to know if anyone is over at the VA Hospital in Hampton, and if during your interview your 'choice of school' was brought up

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on the subject!! :twocents: :twocents:

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Hello! Just wanted to answer your post regarding MCI grads. I am a graduate of their LPN program and I had multiple offers of employment before I graduated from school. One from a local hospital and another in pediatrics among others. I was fortunate to have a choice that didn't necessarily include LTC. I love my job!

I think some people will always have a negative opinion about MCI, but you have to make the ultimate decision for yourself. MCI worked out best for me because of my family's needs and schedule. Sure, it was the more expensive route, but it was what worked for me. Good luck in your adventure and hope you have a successful career!!

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Specializes in ICU & IV Therapy.

I have talked with a lot of people in the program and those who have graduated and MANY, if not most of them have been offered positions before graduation. The key is that they were actively pursuing job openings (before graduation) and not just waiting until they passed the NCLEX. I also have had 3 family memebers graduate from MCI and all three had jobs once they passed their NCLEX. So I dont see a problem, we all, no matter where you go to school, have to pass the NCLEX and if it came up in an interview, that is probably how I would answer that question.;)

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I've heard that that they have a great career assistance team and most students have jobs lined up three months before graduation. Are you starting in Jan?

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Hello...here's my 2 cents...

I graduated from MCI in Dec of '06, when the program was REALLY,REALLY new! Upon graduation, most all had positions that they wanted whereever they wanted. We had some go to ER, ICU, L&D, MEd-Surg, and at all the facitilities. No one cares where you graduate from out there, just as long as you have a license and show yourself to be professional and clinically sound. The WORST new grad nurse I have ran into graduated with a BSN from MCV (presitigious nursing school) and she was awful. Everyone hated working with her because she didn't know what the he!! she was doing. So, don't sweat it. I work in labor and delivery at Leigh and work along side other MCI grads. I am an RN by the way.

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I just graduated from the RN program Jan 8th. I was offered several positions by the 12th, and had accepted a position by the 14th. I start on the 30th. Finding a job is not an issue, but you have to get off you a$$ and do it yourself. Start applying for jobs at the end of peds/ early dimensions.

The career services is good for LPNs, but nor for the RNs; all they get are nursing home and agencies. That lady is not a nurse, and she does not know what nurse managers are looking for.

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Any MCI RN grads get hired by Sentara? I'm really looking at Sentara or Riverside for employment after getting my RN. Most specifically Sentara General as I would like to work in a Level 1 Trauma hospital.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nurse.

I am not a graduate of MCI but I know of many, many MCI graduates (RN program) who currently work within the Sentara hospital system, long-term care (LTC) facilities and home health. They had no problem getting jobs. As someone previously posted, it doesn't matter where you go to school. The main interest is in acquiring your state license.

Right now, just focus on your studies. When you enter your last 3 months of school, you should begin the process searching for a job. Practice your interviewing skills and create a great resume'.

Don't worry, you will find positions in hospitals, home health and/or LTC upon graduation.

Good luck!

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alwyslrning,

Yes they hire MCI grads, but you have to be realistic. No hospital is going to hire a hew grad for a level 1 trauma center. Norfolk general, even the careplex require 2 years nursing experience, before you can get into the ED. The want ACLS, CEN, or CCRN nurses.

One of my classmates is a Riverside in the ED, but they have a level 2 tauama center.. so that could be a good place for you to start. I'm sure you have heard it, but you may want to do atleast 6 months on a med-surg type of floor.

At Norfolk general, they have several floors that are a med-surg type, but with higher acuity of patients (Burn trauma unit, vascular stepdown, stroke, trauma surgery unit, etc). Those floors do hire new grads, and they are great floors to work on becuase you have 4-5 pts. Not 6-8 line a normal med-surg floor. They also expose you to the trauma patient, which looks good when interviewing for a trauma paitent.

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Specializes in Orthopaedics.

I graduated MCI on April 30, 2009. I currently work for Sentara. I was picked up weeks before graduation, even in this tough climate. No matter what, your license is your license, and you are who you are. My orientation class has 5 RN's, and 3 are brand new MCI grads. Work a good resume, and speak a good interview. Nothing comes easy, but MCI is nothing if not a bonus. Good luck!

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Specializes in Surgical Trauma Burn ICU, Oncology.
alwyslrning,

Yes they hire MCI grads, but you have to be realistic. No hospital is going to hire a hew grad for a level 1 trauma center. Norfolk general, even the careplex require 2 years nursing experience, before you can get into the ED. The want ACLS, CEN, or CCRN nurses.quote]

Not true. I just got hired as a new grad in the Level 1 Surgical Trauma Burn ICU at UVA. I did have to call them and stay on them though.

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Specializes in Home Health, Med/Surg.
alwyslrning,

Yes they hire MCI grads, but you have to be realistic. No hospital is going to hire a hew grad for a level 1 trauma center. Norfolk general, even the careplex require 2 years nursing experience, before you can get into the ED. The want ACLS, CEN, or CCRN nurses.quote]

Not true. I just got hired as a new grad in the Level 1 Surgical Trauma Burn ICU at UVA. I did have to call them and stay on them though.

Well Norfolk General doesnt. And an ICU and emergency room are two completely different areas. Norfolk General has hired new grads recently into the ICU as well, but not the emergency room. Patient's in the LEVEL 1 Trauma area of the ER are not yet stable enough to be in an ICU!! There is a huge difference. I work for Norfolk General in one of their Med/Surg Unit and we are considered acute care as well.

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