I just applied for a job that looked very promising!
Oh, but then the computer sent me an e-mail saying, "no new grads." So, I walked my résumé in by hand to at least get by the screening. I was, however, told that they're looking for experienced nurses -- you know, "it's so expensive to train new grads."
So, I was thinking about contacting them and offering to work for minimum wage for 3-6 months in order to help offset the expense. (This is a non-union place so there's nothing to stop them from paying a training wage.)
I know several new grads who are working as unpaid interns (actually, they're doing it through a nursing school so they're actually paying to be med-surg nurses... good gig for the hospital, huh?) and it seems like this would be a step up from that.
So after that 6 months at that wage will you be happy with an increase to $8.00 an hour because now you have experience?
Of course not.
Once I've garnered some experience and have shed the "new grad" label then I'd expect to be paid the prevailing market wage. If the present employer were unwilling to do so then I'd start looking for a new gig with someone who was willing to pay the going rate.
While I understand where you are coming from as new grad this dec 2010 myself, willing to be paid at such a low rate sets a bad precedent and is disrespectful to the sister/brother nurses of the past who worked so hard to get us where we are today
It is amazing that so many people agree with this crazy idea. What we see now is all the no new grads, at least one year experience. What do you think we would see if everyone was willing to work a year for min wage? We would find that hospitals who want experienced nurses would just change their ads to say 2 or 3 years of experience. They would catch on to why we are working: to get experience but then all you would have is a market filled with new grads who have one year experience. Hospitals will than just look for those with 2,3,4+ years experience as burnout is the next thing they will be worried about. And trust me thousands of new grads working for min wage will only increase the burnout rate leaving what? You got it, the same experienced nurses they are looking for now.
I think one of the reasons it is so hard for us new grads to find a job is because a new grad will jump at the first job, figuring it will get them some experience. So they take the position and the company pays for them to train them and then what happens? A few months off orientation they quit and go look for a position they really want. Its a sick cycle and its not even just about money. Its about taking the time to teach the new grad- build up their confidence and make sur ethey are comfortable before leaving them alone with a patient.
Its one thing to accept a job going in with the attitude of this may not be my dream job but I am gonna do my best- and its another thing to go in thinkin I need a pay check(which of course is on our minds but not the sole reason) and will work til I find a better job.
Specializes in NICU, School Nursing, & Community Health.
Where are you working that you need 6 months to 1 year orientation? I went straight into NICU out of school and only got 12 weeks orientation. I thought most orientations were only 6 weeks long. In my area, even experienced nurses precept with another nurse on the unit for 6 weeks. I guess I'm not understanding the rationale that hospitals aren't hiring new grads because of training costs- unless new grads are just quitting right after orientation?
Are the new grads who are having trouble finding work in metro areas? Here in NW FL, we are hiring new grads. Also, have you tried networking? Almost every job I've had, I knew someone there first who was willing to put in a good word for me.
Music in My Heart
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Once I've garnered some experience and have shed the "new grad" label then I'd expect to be paid the prevailing market wage. If the present employer were unwilling to do so then I'd start looking for a new gig with someone who was willing to pay the going rate.