New Grad facing unique issue

[ichigoismyhomie]

I finished school december 08, got CA license on June 09. Been looking around for new grad program around inland empire/OC/LA area but no luck. I'm still BLS cert'd and going to get my ACLS next week. Hopefully it will increase my chance at landing a job.

About getting started at LTC or SNF, I tried 4 different facilities around my area but still no luck. I have been working as patient care tech at a major teaching hospital in the area for over 2 yrs now but most facilities (hospitals and SNFs) don't count it as experience. I missed out my workplace's new grad hiring session because I hadn't get my license at the time, so i'm out of luck.

One thing that bugged the crap out of me right now is the statement from the recruiter from one of the hospitals I tried to apply. Lemme give you some background. Got my license in june and been applying everywhere since then. This hospital was one of the first batch of hospital I applied for a position. They always have listing for CCU and ED, but my apps weren't selected. I thought "no biggie, they probably want experience".....One of my co-workers, who happened to graduated this past may from the same school I went, told me that she applied at that same hospital AND already got a scheduled interview. she said that hospital is starting their new grad program and opening up a bunch of openings on various floor.

So, I applied for few more positions on their website before going for my lunch. when I get back from lunch, all of my apps status changed to "not selected". The past few apps that I tried at that hospital usually take few days to a week before the status being updated. this time they just straight up trash out my apps. I emailed the hospital's recruiter about this issue and she called me the next morning.

this is what she said (to sum it up),"Our hospital new grad program are available for those that graduated within may/june of this year. based on your resume, you did not qualify for our new grad program because you graduated on december of last year"

I was like ***???? what is the difference between new grad from may/june and new grad from december of previous year? I took a time off to spend time with my family before getting my license and didn't even bother to use my IP. So, technically I am a new grad because I never use my RN license to get a job.

I told this encounter to some of the RNs I work with. They said that's ridiculous. One of them even said it look like discrimination.

So here are my question? what do you think of this situation? If any nursing recruiter happened to read this thread, is this a normal practice/policy in hiring new grad? if it does, what would new grads that have similar situation like me can do to land a job? I'm pretty sure there are some new grads out here who didn't/can't get licensure for whatever reason.

Although this issue is bugging me, I still keep my eyes open for other positions at other hospitals around my area. I just feel like to let out this one and hopefully I can get some helpful feedback and suggestions out of this forum.

[Sensoria17]

bummer83,

I'd think you wouldn't have any problems getting into a SNF. I'm in the Bay Area and it seems some of the SNFs are starting to prefer RNs over LVNs given the choice. On my follow-ups, a number of facilities said they were currently only hiring RNs.

[socal_nurse]

So this is true? If you are 6+ months past graduation you are no longer considered a new grad? Is this what most hospitals are doing or just CHW? I graduated in May passed my boards in July but I wasn't able to get into a new grad program in Jul/Aug. I'm hoping (scratch that I'm PRAYING) that I'll get into a Dec/Jan program. But if I don't does that mean I can no longer apply as a new grad? If that's the case, maybe I should relocate to another state

[Oranges3420]

Social_nurse,

It's not necessarily true: it really depends on the facility as to whether you are considered a "new grad" or not. I've talked w/MANY recruiters and it varies from hospital to hospital - even within the same organization. Don't give up hope. If you are going to try for a Dec/Jan program, try to find out info about it NOW. I mean, get the name of a recruiter and/or nurse manager and find a way to TALK to them! Even try volunteering there. Get your name known to secure an interview.

[roxannej_rn]

Oranges3420

Nikilaughs is absolutely right. I am in the same boat you are in. I graduated in May 2009 with honors and I am bilingual (English/Spanish) and I cannot get a job. This is the most discouraging thing I have experienced in my life thus far. I started in health care when I was around 13 years old as a companion, obtained my health aide cert. at age 15 and my CNA at 17. I worked as a CNA until 1997 when I moved to a different state and began office work as a bilinguist.

Last year, from what I understand from instructors where I went, a local hospital which is (Novant Health) hired 600 new grads from our area to fulfill available postions (dr.s office, hospital,etc.) This year, they will only hire 60. They had open house, but we were told we didn't have to attend but could apply online. The few people that chose to go to open house, got hired. Those who did not go, did not get hired. Also, I think it helps if you have someone speaking for you internally (facility speaking).

I have well over a 1,000 clinical hours and yet it counts for nothing.

Everyone else (other than hospitals) want a years experience. How can we get that if noone will hire us.

I search the web every day for hours on end looking for jobs that state "prefer 1 year experince." To me, the word prefer means, "we would like you to have experience but will still consider you if you don't.;" I must remain optimistic. It 'truly makes me sick to think I have been waiting on this for 20 years, I'm now a RN, and it don't mean a thing in the job market while there are 100's of jobs in my community for RN's and I cannot get hired.

This is not only happening to me, but about 2/3 of our graduating class (who actually passed the NCLEX) does not have a job.

One young lady received high grades (not honors) and an award for her clinicals and she still has no job.ou

whatever you do, don't give up. I'm dong the flu clinic for Mollens Immunization. It is only seasonal (3-4 months), but I will be working as a RN and getting a lot of experience giving shots.

Perhaps you should apply with them or search carrerbuilder.com for a temp placement that is hiring for that.

If you have too and can, get a job in homehealth or something and then after a year or so, you can be hired a hospital. All agencies around my area require 1 yr experience to do HH, Hopsice, and etc.

Best wishes in your search