Memorial Hermann is planning on unpaid GN intersnship

[RNQueen]

Below is the email that I received from Memorial Hermann last week, what is your take about it?

Dear New Graduate Nurse,

Memorial Hermann is considering creating a RN Training Program targeted to new graduates who wish to gain invaluable hospital experience. This program would last anywhere from two to six months and would be offered in a variety of specialty areas throughout our system. While the Training Program would be unpaid, participants would be well positioned to be considered for employment at Memorial Hermann upon completion of the program.

We value your opinion and ask that you please take a minute to share your initial impression of such a program by hitting reply and indicating your thoughts below:

____Yes, I think such a program is a good idea.

____No, I do not think such a program is a good idea.

Comments:

Sincerely,

[krstxn]

"considered for employment" after completion?! Wow... I think the same sort of probationary period should apply to this as it does for a regular employee-- there should be a job waiting for you after completion unless you fail the 30, 60, 90 day probationary period like any other hired nurse would- I don't think it is fair to only be "considered" after working for free for that amount of time, unless they let you go once they knew you would not be a good fit, rather than letting you work for free for them.

[earthcrosser]

Two to six months is an awfully long time to work for free. Unpaid experience does not pay the bills, no matter how nice it is to get at least a foot in the door at a hospital. Plus, the more successful these endeavors are, the more standard it will be to not pay people during their orientation period. I understand that it is expensive to train new graduate nurses and sometimes, they just aren't great fits in certain units, but that still doesn't mean not paying someone for their work is the best idea.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Unpaid internships are very common in states such as California that are saturated with too many new grad RNs and not enough nursing jobs in the local employment market for everyone who wishes to work. Since many of the new grads cannot obtain hospital employment due to too many people applying for too few positions, some of these new nurses are desperate enough to work for free in these unpaid internships to gain experience.

[earthcrosser]

Yeah. I know that - and it's more than likely where the idea was inspired from. Still, I'm not fond of the idea of working for free. Experience is fantastic and all, but with only the promise of consideration for a job following the run, it's not ideal. Beggars can't be choosers, but for a lot of new grads, working without compensation will prove to be difficult.

I just hate the idea of not paying new grads for their work to become standard, that's all.

[Thangbom321]

I'm against this all the way. The idea and intent may have been aimed in the right direction,however it seems to be more to the benefit of the hospital than the 'interns'. It actually seems like the hospital is simply abusing their position and leading 'hopeful' new grads around. Sure, new grads are gaining experience among other things, but it is all in attempt to gain a job. Another issue is that while these new interns are working for free, they are also filling in and covering possible 'positions' that would otherwise be a hired new grad. What about the work ethics of the said facility? Do you think the 'interns' will be treated and taught at an appropriate manner or would they become lackeys that would be only taught and assigned task that the superior would rather not do (it's surprising what length people will go to get a job such as work for free for if this thing go though). Then there is the "intern's" work ethics. Yes their will be the kind that will try their best and work hard in attempts to get a job. Then their are some that think 'well, I'm not getting paid so I will only do what I want". This may become a big problem for both side. Patient's care may be neglected leading to severe consequences, hospitals may have to 'work around' useless interns or babysit interns and so many other things. All in all, this is a horrible idea. It's a big conflict in interest in the end. Hospitals are looking for free work, new grads are looking for paid work.

YzGyz

[RNQueen]

Thank you all. I just want to make sure that we share the same view. This is my reply to the email:

No, I do not think such a program is a good idea.

The "unpaid" part makes it a bad idea. While high profile hospitals and ICUs might be difficult to enter for new grads, they can obtain paid employment in smaller hospitals and LTCFs and seek jobs of their choice and liking after gaining experience.

How much responsibility and liability will a licensed RN has when she's unpaid? If she will have limited responsibility, how much experience can she claim at the end of the training?

Regards,

[CRIMSON]

This is a huge step back for nurses. We should demand better. As a profession nursing has worked hard to earn respect as professionals. NO ONE should work for free. It is ridiculous to even consider a "program" like this.

They will only offer programs of "slave labor" if individuals are dumb enough to sign on to something like this. If no one signs up for free slave labor, they will boot the idea. To remain a respected professional field nursing must say no to such insults. When was the last time a police officer or fire fighter was asked to work for free? This does nothing but drive the overall salary for nursing further down.

Nurses need to learn to look at the overall picture for their profession and want to uplift and support it, not drag it back to the old days where nurses were just dense, "yes doctor, whatever you say sir".

:flmngmd:

[NYSNOWBUNNY007]

uuh...id say ...No...a friend of mine and i who lives in houston were talking about this yesterday...good luck to that!....

[llg, PhD, RN]

The really sad thing is that if my hospital were to do something like this, I bet there would be some nurses who would take them up on it.

[RNQueen]

Someone is nuts at MH. Just because they got so many applications for their internship does not mean anything, other than new grads just applying everywhere. At least six of my classmates got jobs at Clear Lake Regional before our finals, one at Ben Taub, one was made a supervisor before taking the board. I got two offers already. Who cares about an unpaid internship with no job guarantee afterwards?

[missdeevah, NP]

how exactly are these gn's supposed to pay their bills for 6 months? and then, not to even be guaranteed employment at the end of all this?

someone is nuts at mh. just because they got so many applications for their internship does not mean anything, other than new grads just applying everywhere. at least six of my classmates got jobs at clear lake regional before our finals, one at ben taub, one was made a supervisor before taking the board. i got two offers already. who cares about an unpaid internship with no job guarantee afterwards?

supervisor before taking boards? how long did she wait to take boards? this sounds somewhat unusual. i wonder what type of facility this is...ltc, hh, hospital?