New grad RN -- current job market?

U.S.A. Hawaii

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I'm graduating from nursing school in two weeks and will be living on Oahu on May 1st. My husband was transferred with the military. I have been hearing nightmare stories about how hard it is to find a job when you 1st move to the island as a new grad. Is there any truth to this? I'm so excited about starting my first job because I want to gain that experience and begin the learning process. Does it really take months for most new grads to start their first position? I would greatly appreciate any input from the working nurses on this board. Michele

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Since you are affiliated with the military, what about trying at Tripler? There is spouse preference.

Hi! I'm looking for the same information. My husband is stationed at Schofield, and I'm in the same situation.

I read somewhere that Tripler won't hire new grads. Do you know if that is true?

Hi KMD,

Yes, I have corresponded with a lady from Tripler and she told me that she would be unable to hire me until I have one years experience. They don't hire new grads. So, I'm going to apply everywhere to get that one year experience and then try. I'm still a little anxious as I hear the process may be long for a new grad. Are you moving there in May of '07 or '08?

M

Hi! I won't be moving there until May 08, actually more like June 08. I am nervous about taking boards and then not being able to get a job. What about clinics or doctors offices?

Specializes in Critical Care.
Hi! I won't be moving there until May 08, actually more like June 08. I am nervous about taking boards and then not being able to get a job. What about clinics or doctors offices?

IME, the major clinic operations here require experience. Most of the ads for clinic nurses specify prior experience in clinic nursing or in a specialty. The clinic at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (a clinic run by Queens) prefers critical care nurses.

Doctors offices? Same thing. IF docs hire actual nurses (and not just office workers who wear scrubs) it is often because they need nurses to assist in procedures, such as outpatient surgeries (as in dermatology or plastic surgery practices or endo suites). They are looking for nurses with experience in these areas. They very often recruit these nurses from the hospitals in which the MD's practice. They've worked with the nurses and can skip the whole advertising/interview process. For regular office help they don't hire nurses.

Nursing homes here sometimes hire new grads.

I suggest you check out the websites of the hospitals and nursing homes here and also take a look at the help wanted ads in the Honolulu Advertiser. The ads and websites are usually quite specific as to what they are looking for and whether or not they have new grad programs.

Queens and Kapiolani both have new grad RN programs

www.queens.org

www.hawaiipacifichealth.org

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