Must NOT have RN experience

[LoveMeSomeLDL]

Hi All,

I'm a new grad RN in the state of California who just got licensed. I have a few questions running through my mind that hopefully someone can help me out with :)

I'm not afraid to work in a SNF, hospice, medspa, etc.; however, like many, my dream job is to be an acute care nurse in a major hospital. With that being said, I am aware of how competitive the new grad rn residencies are and, although I am submitting applications as they open, i'm starting to wonder how long i'll be sitting at home jobless and money-less.

I want to start applying for other positions too in areas such as SNF, LTC, Hospice, etc. however, when I apply to new grad programs I've noticed that many of them say in order to be eligible you cannot have RN work experience. This places me, and many other new grads in a bind.

Should I go for the "other" jobs or should I wait for a new grad residency to pick me? Or should I work as CNA/MA/LVN/ETC while I wait for a residency? Both have cons: the RN job would mean I forfeit all New grad rn residencies that require us to not have any RN experience and a non-RN role would mean that I wouldn't be using my skills...

I just don't know what to do.

[Nonetheless]

I ultimately want to work in psych or Public Health, so for someone like me, it would not matter.

But if you ultimately want to work in acute care, then give yourself 6-8 months to find a job. In California, it is competitive and the job hunt is slow. You can take on a CNA job if you want to, but whether it be with a CNA position or with something else like an internship or something, work on building your resume with something while you continue to apply to nurse residency programs!

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Most places will not hire an RN to work a CNA job due to insurance and potential legality, at least in my state. In my state, which is different than yours, an RN can only delegate to an unlicensed individual such as a CNA (they're certified) and can only "assign" tasks to an RN or LPN. My hospital will not allow an RN to continue in a unit clerk job as long as they hold their license as it is a unit clerk/patient care tech and the insurance covers them differently than an RN. We had a nurse extern that was let go the day she had her RN because they did not have a spot for her.

I would give it about six months after licensure and then begin applying to the other jobs if you can afford to wait at least a year before you're hired. Most new grads take about six months to find a job after graduation based on how my graduating class was hired. On the boards, it seems like national average is more like 8 months to a year.

Most RN residencies I've seen were requiring less than a year of experience but then that's my area for you.

The best thing to do is to calculate how long you can safely wait before having a job to pay the bills. If it is only three months, then I would begin applying now. If it is six months, I would begin applying at the three month mark. If it is a year, then start applying around at six months. Even three months may not be enough cushion.