New Grad, FL Hospital Heartland Division

Jen_Jen88 · Nov 14, 2013

Florida Hospital just opened their application process for the GN program that starts in Feb 2014 and March 2014. I just applied two days ago. I graduated in August and took my boards Oct 2. due to some misunderstanding (I was scheduled to take it September 16). I've been having a difficult time getting hired in south florida. All hospitals want experience.

xoxJanexoxDoexox · Nov 15, 2013

Did you apply for the GN program at the Florida Hospital locations in Orlando/Tampa or for the Heartland Division? I'm looking at Heartland because I was told that branch of Florida Hospital does NOT have a GN program. Several of my classmates were accepted into the GN program at Florida Hospital in Orlando. They are off orientation now and said they really love it there. Good luck!

Jen_Jen88 · Nov 15, 2013

Oh well now i'm not completely sure. I know they allowed you to choose from a number of locations. Orland Health also has a GN program. Look at the career center and apply for jobs that classify as RN I. I applied there as a last resort since I'm from ft. Lauderdale i'm hoping for a position in my area. However thank you! And good luck to you as well!!

CP2013 · Nov 15, 2013

Did you apply for the GN program at the Florida Hospital locations in Orlando/Tampa or for the Heartland Division? I'm looking at Heartland because I was told that branch of Florida Hospital does NOT have a GN program. Several of my classmates were accepted into the GN program at Florida Hospital in Orlando. They are off orientation now and said they really love it there. Good luck!

They do have a GN program but there is not an application for it. They utilize the same program of orientation but not as many education classes. Overall it's the same experience from my understanding from the new grads who went there.

xoxJanexoxDoexox · Nov 15, 2013

I read somewhere that they were hiring new grads but I'm not sure how outdated the source was. I'll be putting in an application and crossing my fingers!

Jen_Jen88 · Nov 20, 2013

So I didn't even get considered for the GN program. I don't understand what they are looking for. I have a 3.94 gpa and I was ina residency at the VA called the VALOR program and I'm still getting shut down from GN programs. Very depressing .

xoxJanexoxDoexox · Nov 21, 2013

How long was your residency? Do you have a FL license? When my classmates applied they were competing with almost 500 other applicants. They spent all their rotations at FL hospital locations, had good GPAs, and almost all spoke a 2nd language. Even being a FL hospital graduate does not secure you a spot in the GN program. Oppertunities out here are scarce. My GPA is isn't great..that's why I'm looking for hospital that does not have a GN program.

Nurse Neddie · Nov 21, 2013

Check Fl Hospital Zephyrhills ... There always hiring, even if the post is old still apply

xoxJanexoxDoexox · Nov 22, 2013

Thanks! I actually called them yesterday about a new grad posting from almost a year ago. The nurse recruiter said to go ahead and apply. My heart land division application have all been turned down do you work at Zephyrhills? What's it like?

campercass · Nov 22, 2013

I work at the Lake Placid location. I was hired as a new grad in April, for the emergency department! Heartland Division does hire new grads. They use the same orientation books and schedule for new grads as the Orlando locations. They just do not have the classroom part. It's all clinical. They do not have postings that specify for new grads. Another new grad was hired into my department in September. There's a couple new grads on Med/Surg. I don't think there's any in the ICU. You just apply to a regular opening that does not specify a specific number of years of experience. I love working there! The orientation was fantastic, four months. Everyone has been super nice and helpful. Always willing to answer questions and help. None of that "nurses eating their young" that is so prevalent. They pay for you to get your certifications. I now have ACLS, PALS, CPI, NRP. Taking TNCC and ENPC in the spring. The Sebring hospital is much larger than the Lake Placid hospital, and I haven't worked any shifts there, so I don't know if the climate is the same or not.

I too had applied for Orlando and Tampa as well. Had an interview for one in Tampa, but this was the only offer I got. So far, it's been a great experience though, and I'm not sorry I took it.

xoxJanexoxDoexox · Nov 23, 2013

I was so disappointed when I checked my application status and saw that I was "no longer being considered". I think I put in the application under an opening for surgical services, it did not have a specific location nor did it require experience. I really liked my clinical rotation at FL hospital south so now that I moved back to the west coast, from Orlando, I'm hoping one of the FL hospital locations over here will take me. I like that they don't make you apply for the GN program since my GPA took a beating when I was younger. Sadly I don't have any connections over here to help me. I plan on bringing an application to the nurse recruiter at the Zephyrhills location on Monday. Glad to hear that you love it there and feel like you were prepared well. I guess I'll have to keeping trying hearland division and hope they decide to hire a few more new grads soon!