New grad program?

[setownsley, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone!

I was wondering, is it more advantageous to do a new grad program first or is it all the same to just start a RN job? I am graduating this June with my ADN but I am also in a bridge program for my BSN which will be complete summer 2016. Once I get my license, my plan is to work while I finish my BSN. The new grad programs are difficult to come by because of the demand here in Los Angeles, so I was thinking of finding a RN job that accepts ADN. Should I hold out for a new grad program?

What are your thoughts?

Thank you!

Sarah

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

In my area, new grad residencies are the best way to get started in a highly specialized area that is typically not open to new grads, but many of them strongly prefer a BSN or list it as a requirement for entry. If you're interested in getting some experience under your belt on a general medical floor, it may be possible to land a position without a residency...in my area, the hospitals still hire ADNs, but it is getting much mor competitive in acute care.

That said, my understanding is that the California market is HIGHLY saturated with new grads and that both residencies and entry level nursing positions in acute care are hard to come by. I believe a statistic I saw stated that 50% of new grads in California are still looking for work a year after graduation.

I will defer to the California posters for further details on the best way to land your first position since I'm in the Pacific Northwest. I know several people personally who had to leave the Los Angeles area and move out of state to get a job at all, though. Do you have a specialty in mind?

[RescueNinjaKy]

My question is are jobs a plentiful in your area, because most new grads are at the grab whatever you can areas