New Grad Jobs in Charlotte

SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 1, 2009

I'm having the same problems too. I moved here last September and graduated from Excelsior College in June. CMC told me I missed their new grad application deadline so they wouldn't consider me with the June OR December graduates but after they looked at all of them my application would be considered! I haven't heard anything from Presby. :banghead:

I became a nurse after being a paramedic and everyone insisted it was a great idea and I'd have tons of opportunities but it's been nothing but let downs. :sniff:

I feel like if I had been able to stay in NJ I may have had a better chance because at least there I was working for a hospital. Oh well... (thanks for listening to me complain) :no:

miggamagaRN · Oct 24, 2009

I also just moved to Charlotte area from New Jersey. There were no jobs in New Jersey for New Grads, or so I thought. I am having such a HARD TIME finding a job! There are so many nursing jobs down here, but NONE for new grads! I have applied EVERYWHERE! any one have any suggestions?? I had to take a job doing something else just to get by! absolutely no one is hiring new grads, not even any long term care facilities, clinics, doctors offices, no one! I understand the way things are today, but someone has to give new grads a chance! Although I wish we could all get jobs, i feel a little better finding others in the same situation as me, and knowing it's not just me!

miggamagaRN · Oct 24, 2009

LeeLeeU

I am in the exact same situation! i definately feel your pain! i just moved down to NC from NJ, and I was working at a hospital as an aide, and i feel that if i stayed there, i would have been working as a nurse! everyone said that getting out of town would open up all these doors of opportunity, but it's been nothing but heartache!

AshleyA · Oct 24, 2009

I also just moved to Charlotte area from New Jersey. There were no jobs in New Jersey for New Grads, or so I thought. I am having such a HARD TIME finding a job! There are so many nursing jobs down here, but NONE for new grads! I have applied EVERYWHERE! any one have any suggestions?? I had to take a job doing something else just to get by! absolutely no one is hiring new grads, not even any long term care facilities, clinics, doctors offices, no one! I understand the way things are today, but someone has to give new grads a chance! Although I wish we could all get jobs, i feel a little better finding others in the same situation as me, and knowing it's not just me!

Charlotte is absolutely flooded with new grads that need jobs & more (like yourself) keep coming everyday since the job market everywhere else is horrible too.

I would suggest broading your search to areas around Charlotte like Gastonia, Greensboro, Columbia SC, Spartanburg SC. There are also rural hospitals around that would be more willing to hire new grads.

LABSN2010 · Dec 11, 2009

Has anyone tried Texas?

Never Give Up · Jan 10, 2010

Yikes! These posts are very discouraging. My daughter is going to be applying to Mercy for their RN program and she was under the impression that Mercy would contribute to tuition reimbursement if you 'give back' a year of working for them. Not true? It would not make sense to go through all that (she would be moving from New Hampshire as well) and not be pretty sure she would get an RN job at the hospital. WHat about LPN jobs? Are they more plentiful (without experience?) Does anyone know if there are more job opportunities in the other major North Carolina cities? Raleigh/Durham? Thanks so much for your help! LOVE this website! so helpful!

:)

elkpark · Jan 10, 2010

Presby is not even hiring their new grads and some of the Presby grads have gotten jobs at CMC.

Just out of curiosity, where did hear that Presby isn't hiring their own grads?

I know these are older posts, but, just to clarify, there is no such thing anymore as "Presby's own grads." The Presby SON closed years ago, and they "gave" the name to the Queens U nursing program for their ADN program (apparently some sort of misplaced (IMHO) desire to keep the name of the old school around) -- but there is no connection whatsoever between the "Presbyterian" nursing program at Queens (and its graduates) and Presbyterian Hospital.

(I am a grad of the original, "real" Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing.)

Abishag · Jan 10, 2010

Elk Park - Based on the phone call I received from a Presby Recruiter three weeks ago saying they were only hiring new grads from "their" program and would not be accepting applicants from outside schools, I'm not sure that is entirely true. She never named Queens specifically. I'm not saying they haven't severed ties, but she said this was the reason they were not considering any other schools right now. They have/had a new grad position open but its not available outside of "their program" and this is not just a call to me. A fellow classmate verified she received the same phone call with same info two weeks prior to mine (early Dec). They may not be an official/technical connection but there is definitely a favoritism there from the hospital to be calling it "their" program.

Never Give Up - Mercy is the best school in Charlotte IMO (but I'm biased) and does offer the loan payback as long as you work for CHS at specific hospitals. However, getting hired at those hospitals is not guaranteed. So it is something to consider for those coming out of town. I know two girls in my class from NY that came specifically for Mercy's school but did not get hired as of yet.

Abishag · Jan 10, 2010

And just an additional comment. Before when I typed that comment, that was the rumor was they were not hiring ANY new grads (including Queens College whether or not they are related).

At this point they are only hiring from "their" program. Maybe someone should tell the recruiter they don't have a program?? :yeah:

Never Give Up · Jan 10, 2010

Abishag, thanks for your comment. I will have my daughter get more specific when she speaks with them next time. While I am at it.....What part of Charlotte would be the safest for a SWF to live; relatively inexpensively but conveniently(with a car) from Mercy. One more question...are you working for one of Mercy's hospitals now? or are you still a student at Mercy. Blessings!

elkpark · Jan 10, 2010

Elk Park - Based on the phone call I received from a Presby Recruiter three weeks ago saying they were only hiring new grads from "their" program and would not be accepting applicants from outside schools, I'm not sure that is entirely true. She never named Queens specifically. I'm not saying they haven't severed ties, but she said this was the reason they were not considering any other schools right now. They have/had a new grad position open but its not available outside of "their program" and this is not just a call to me. A fellow classmate verified she received the same phone call with same info two weeks prior to mine (early Dec). They may not be an official/technical connection but there is definitely a favoritism there from the hospital to be calling it "their" program.

That is interesting. There must still be some favoritism being shown, perhaps for "old times' sake." There is definitely no official connection between the hospital and the Queens program besides Queens having been given permission to use the name (and Queens maintains the old Presby academic records -- when I need a copy of my transcript sent somewhere now, it's Queens that I contact -- I think that was part of the deal with them getting the name). The program at Queens is Queens U's ADN program, and has nothing to do with the original Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing (which was a traditional, three-year hospital-based diploma program -- an excellent program which was well-known and respected throughout the Southeast, which I'm sure is why Queens wanted to use the name).

Abishag · Jan 11, 2010

Never Give Up (I almost called you "Hang in There" and decided I should look again! :lol2: ) - Here are the areas in order of Safety levels in my opinion. But with safety comes $$$$! Also, I will tell you right now not to even consider convenience that much. All of charlotte is widespread so basically expect your daughter to put at least 30 miles a day on her car. My husband and I put 20-25k miles a year on each of our cars. If she's close to school, she won't be close to clinicals and vice versa. If she's in the middle, she's not safe because of the area. So safety first and teach her how to change a tire! :rolleyes: (No seriously...make sure she can change her own tire or get the girl AAA).

Ballantyne $$$$$ Very Safe - extremely convenient to school (4 miles) not close to clinicals (18-20 miles)

SouthPark $$$$$ Very Safe - convenient to school and hospital (in between 8 miles either way?)

Huntersville/Cornelius $$$ Very Safe - not convenient but cheaper (20 miles from school 10 miles from clinicals)

Matthews $$$ Very Safe - not convenient to either (10 miles to school 10 miles to clinicals??)

Dilworth $$$$ Mostly safe - extremely convenient to clinicals (1 mile), 15 miles from school

Harris Blvd/University $$ Safety concerns!(college area / car break-ins) - 7 miles to clinicals, 15 miles to school

The mileage is definitely not exact. These are my "guestimates". But most of this driving is all highway. That is what most people drive around Charlotte is highway miles. The only exception is if she lived in Southpark then it would be all streets. Expect to pay at least $600 a month on rent for a 1 bedroom. But if she rooms with another student in class the could go in on a 2 bedroom. Its maybe $100 more but they could split the rent down the middle. $350 each. Check www.craigslist.org for apartment discounts and such. I hope this helps some!

Try to avoid putting her somewhere near South Blvd, Tryon St., Monroe Rd, Independence Rd, or anywhere in West Charlotte. The exception on Monroe or Independence is if the zipcode is for Mathews instead of Charlotte. These are all higher crime areas.

I hope this helps!