New Grad Dilema

BABO · May 5, 2009

I am in the exact same boat as you, graduated in May 2008 and have been turned down by so many hospitals, because no one is hiring, or lack of experience.

Good question, I would like to know, also what does everyone think about working at a clinic setting?

denimar86 · May 6, 2009

Im wondering the same thing How do new grad fit into a snf? How do they train you? How diffierent is it from the hospital? and It is hard to then transfer into a hospital with snf experience? Good luck with your search and hopefully hospital will start hiring people SOON!

deliverator, MSN, RN, NP · May 6, 2009

Check out the registry companies. I called Westways Staffing here in Southern California and they take new grads and train them in their contract hospitals.

It is registry and is limited to Med Surg and Telemetry. You have to be really flexible with this though. It's an 18 month contract and you have to go wherever they place you. In my case, I live in Orange County, but I can be placed in LA, San Diego, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties. They do give you a housing stipend if you are a US Citizen.

This is a great idea if you're single and can't find anything. You will be doing acute care. No SNFs, LTCs, or LTACs.

Acosmo27 · May 6, 2009

What do you mean lack of experience? As in aide or externship experience?? Because I feel like all new grads have a 'lack of experience'?? If I were you (which I may be in Dec 09) I prob would be searching for jobs, even in the SNF's... its better than nothing, and you could get some experience.. good luck!!

ChickenJoyRN,BSN · May 6, 2009

What do you mean lack of experience? As in aide or externship experience?? Because I feel like all new grads have a 'lack of experience'?? If I were you (which I may be in Dec 09) I prob would be searching for jobs, even in the SNF's... its better than nothing, and you could get some experience.. good luck!!

Are nursing homes examples of SNF's?

RNLola035 · May 6, 2009

yup basically the same thing

JJ0213 · May 6, 2009

I also graduated Dec. 2008 in FL. Prior to that I was an LPN in a Level 1 ED, but, due to budget cuts,they couldn't keep/train me as a new RN with no RN experience. I decided on a job on a surgical oncology floor at the same hosp, with hopes of transfering. I have 15 years of experience, mostly SNF. SNF is a good place to "get your feet wet," and would prepare you for med/surg, but probably not give you enough experience for an ICU or ED setting, just because the patients have a higher acuity level and you wouldn't see the drips, trachs, chest tubes, ect. in a SNF. If SNF is your only option, I say take the job. You'll get great experience with time management and managing a team, which is important in any setting, and you'll become more confident with nursing judgement. These skills will only help you to land the job you really want later on. We all have sort of bad timing, with graduating during tough economic times. All the hospitals in my area had a hiring freeze for a few months, but that seems to be easing up a little bit. Keep your chin up! The first nursing job you get will not be your dream job, but it's a start. The best thing about nursing is that you always have options! Good luck, and God Bless!

50caliber · May 9, 2009

Here is my situation:
-Graduated December 2008
-Active California Registered Nurse License
-No experience, except from clinical rotations from the nursing program
-I stay in the Northern California (Bay Area)
-Want to work in the hospital setting. Prefer ED, ICU but is willing to get my foot in the door through MedSurg.
-BUT NO NEW GRAD PROGRAMS IN SITE!!!!! I have heard some in the Bay Area starting in the summer, but I anticipate it is going to be about 300 applicants applying for about 5-7 positions.
-All hospitals turned me down because I have no experience or they are not accepting new grads at the time.
That's basically my situation in a nutshell. Now I've spoken to a few recruiters, friends that are RNs who already work in the hospital, and family and they all recommend I start looking at "skilled nursing facilities" to get experience for about 6 months to a year. Now my question is...
-Are nursing homes the only skilled nursing facility? (Is a skilled nursing facility basically a nursing home or are there other types?)
-Is it common for new grads to begin their career in a skilled nursing facility? Will skilled nursing facilities accept new grads?
-Given my situation, is a skilled nursing facility my only best shot to begin my nursing career?
-Is 6 months to a year at a skilled nursing facility adequate experience if you are considering to work in an acute care setting (ED, ICU) if they ask for experienced nurses?
-Pros and Cons on working at a skilled nursing facility?
Thank you in advance for your input.

I'm in the same position as you. Graduated in Dec 08 as well and live in the Bay Area. I know you probably don't want to hear this but I think its way too difficult to land a job unless you get very lucky. I'm so fed up that I'm not not gonna sit here and wait for the Bay Area hospitals so i'm looking in the SoCal right now as they appear to be a little more new grad friendly plus I'm looking out of state for at least 2 years to get my experience. I can't afford to wait any longer as i feel my nursing knowledge and skills will deterioate the longer i wait.

Going out of state has its advantage. I feel like I can get what I want in the hospital I want by going out of state. After 2 yrs, I think that should be enough experience to come to CA (Bay Area) and basically have a ton of more options. Hopefully the economy picks up by then and all is good.

ERP1006 · May 10, 2009

Graduated in May 2008...no jobs in MN where I am from. Jumped on a plane to interview in CA with no luck. I feel your pain!

ChickenJoyRN,BSN · May 10, 2009

If you plan to work in a far location, how does the interview process go? Since I'm in the Bay Area and I wanted to work in SoCal, would I have to take a trip down there just for an interview even though its not a guarantee I'll get the position?

ERP1006 · May 10, 2009

It really sucks because it is an investment of time and not to mention money. But I figured I have nothing to lose...even if a job is not guaranteed. I have family in CA so after I passed my boards in October and started finding it difficult to find a nursing job in the Twin Cities I applied for my CA license around Feb...hoping it would open up some doors. I had two interviews...one in Pasadena and one in Glendale. I am still waiting to hear back from the hospital in Pasadena, although it is extremely competitive. I flew in for their new grad orientation and about 500 people showed up for about 20 positions. As for Glendale Adventist...I was interviewed by the rudest and least professional nurse recruiter I have ever met. She interrupted me in the middle of my sentences and asked ridiculous questions (like my GPA in nursing school?? Hello, I graduated and passed my boards, it's good enough to be an RN obviously) I wasn't sad to see that they "chose another candidate with qualifications that better suited their needs." I would be interested in getting updates on any new grad programs in CA when you hear of anything!!