Moving to Hawaii - new grad

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Aloha everyone!

We just received word today that my husband (USMC) has received orders to KBay in Hawaii. We are excited/nervous about the entire move as well have 3 young boys in addition to pets coming along with us. However, my biggest concern is going to be my new grad status.

A little background. I have had my LPN since May 2009 and have about 10 months of experience working in a medical clinic. Prior to that I also had my CNA and worked in a nursing home for about 3 months. I am anticipating graduating this May with my BSN and will - which puts me in new grad status!

Our dilemna is that I am sacrificing some great opportunities out here to get right in with a job as a new grad. I am unsure about the availability of new grad jobs for BSNs out in Hawaii and would greatly appreciate some feedback from those living there to help weigh our options before having us all move out there (as my husband knows that he could be a geo-bachelor for a year if it comes down to it).

Thank you in advance!!

KC

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most new grads are hired after working as CAs in the system...into a new grad academy (through the hospital system). I've worked acute care for 5 years as an RD and rarely see a clinical assistant (essentially a ward clerk who can perform certain CNA tasks) who isn't an RN. I am in my 1st year of nursing school, and also worry about the new grad stuff. another consideration for you may be the proximity to KBay....Castle (private) hospital is the closest, but there are assisted care facilities and community clinics also on that side. if you've never been here, 7 miles on a map may not look far, but driving to and from kaneohe with traffic can turn into a trek on this small island!!

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hi. I'm a new grad and recently got hired at Hilo medical center on the big island as part of their new grad program. if you're a new grad you'll have to work as an aid first. I hear at queens the wait is a while. your best bet is Long term care. it's very difficult in hawaii to find an acute care position as a new grad. I had two years LPN experience and I still was not qualified enough. I'm lucky I got into one at Hilo medical center. if you want to move to the big island they will have another new grad program starting in oct. if you can wait. good luck!

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Specializes in Clinic Nursing, Family Planning, OR.

Hi rnkc13,

I also moved here as a new grad RN in 2010. Unfortunately, the market is not very good for new grads. As Jenniecubbies said, almost every CNA and clerk in the hospitals are RNs waiting to get a position. However, having LPN experience may help you secure a position in LTC or outpatient facilities. I finally found a position after 4-5 months of looking in a family medicine office. There are a lot of other posts on here regarding the new grad situation. As long as you aren't expecting to land a job in acute care, you should have a decent chance of finding something if you're persistent. I was initially heart broken to not find something in the hospital setting, but I grew to really appreciate the Mon-Fri daytime schedule so I could spend more time with my husband in between deployments. Good luck to you, Hawaii is a beautiful place to live!

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Hi jtgaddi!

I am highly interested in the Hilo Medical Center New Grad Program (October). Could you please tell me more about it and how to get more information on it? I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much!

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hi jhi808

you need to look on the Hilo medical website sometime in oct. it'll be posted under "report to admin RPN II" it'll be in the employment section. fill the app out and turn it in. there's two interviews once they start the interviewing process. good luck

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hi jhi808

you need to look on the Hilo medical website sometime in oct. it'll be posted under "report to admin RPN II" it'll be in the employment section. fill the app out and turn it in. there's two interviews once they start the interviewing process. good luck

Thanks jtgaddi for your reply! :)

Is it only open in-house? (Ie: you need to be a volunteer or employee there). Where you an employee/volunteer when you applied to the program?

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Thanks jtgaddi for your reply! :)

Is it only open in-house? (Ie: you need to be a volunteer or employee there). Where you an employee/volunteer when you applied to the program?

hi jh808,

I actually worked at the sister unit of the hospital. before the interview process there is a two week shadow period, but that portion is hands-off and not mandatory. I didn't do the volunteer portion.

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I'm somewhat new to this website and I see some comment threats have the full date (ie March 3, 2012), but this thread doesn't have a year. Can I assume these posts are from 2013? As in there may possibly be a new grad program at the Hilo Medical Center in October?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Man, I would love to live in Hawaii, but working as a cna while you're an RN? Seriously? I wonder what the pay would be.

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WOW! Here in California they will not allow you to work as a CNA, or tech, or ward clerk if you are an RN. Due to liability issues. You are only allowed to work under your highest obtained license. I wonder what kind of money these RN's are making as CNA's. Here in SoCal CNA's only make $9-13 per hour. That is not nearly enough to live on in Hawaii or SoCal for that matter. I was thinking of moving to Hawaii but it looks like I will try to work as an RN in california first before trying to move. Although it is just as hard of for new grads here to find a job, I guess I'll have to stay put.

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CNA/Tech pay at the major hospitals on Oahu is around $16-20/hr.

RN pay after 2 years experience is about $50/hr

The average wait for a new grad working as a CNA is usually 1 year at MINIMUM. There are many new grads that have been out of school 2+ years.

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