New Grad RN Jobs?

bellatrixrn · Jun 2, 2014

What everyone else said already is completely true. Most of the nurse aides I know are RNs waiting to get into new grad programs. If you're not willing to start at the bottom then I suggest not coming to Hawaii to look for work as a new grad. Nobody here is being hostile- just realistic. EVERY hospital here ONLY hires in house- with the exception provided by LVHI_RN. If you really want a nursing position here as a new grad, your best bet would be working at an SNF or looking into psychiatric nursing if that's what you're into. But if you're looking for a new grad program, you have to start at the bottom. I know that's not the answer you want to hear, but it's the truth.

ml52789 · Jun 2, 2014

Take home message is that you will (absolutely) not be hired for an RN position as a new grad RN.

Noted. Thanks for your help.

fairdinkum · Jun 7, 2014

I'm not completely sure why someone who does not live here thinks the posters are offering untrue and naive advice, but I definitely support all that the other Hawaii posters have said. Please listen, as they/we have the experience you don't and are really only posting for your benefit:

You absolutely will not get a job here. You will not get a CNA job, you will not get an RN job, you will probably not get any job. Your best bet is to apply as a CNA through an agency, work your 500 hours and then try to get hired at the hospital (as a CNA). After a year or so (after the year you put in as agency) you may get hired. But you will only get hired by an agency if you have at least 1 yr of hospital work experience as a CNA (not an RN degree). I agree that you might be able to find something in long-term care, but believe me when I say that those places are truly heartless in Hawaii and I think you'll become very disheartened.

Don't watch TV thinking you know Hawaii and then discount the advice of the people who live here. I'd do anything in the world to get out of here, but unfortunately I'm probably stuck here forever because the pay is so low and the jobs so few, it'll be something like 40 years before I even save enough for a cab to the airport.

Ecstatic2014 · Jun 24, 2014

I am curious as to which hospital facilities on Oahu, have new graduate RN programs....besides QMC and some of the Hawaii Pacific Health subsidiaries.

I doubt Kaiser - Moanalua has any new graduate programs. Neither does Castle or Wahiawa General.

How about neighbor island hospital facilities? Anybody here had to end up going to Big Island, Kauai or Maui for training because RN training was not available on Oahu?

Tripler Army M.C. is only looking for nurses with experience. Their only new graduate program is through the US army military, which I don't want to do, as chances are, you can be deployed at the same time.

JLoya · Jun 29, 2014

Here are some emails from Kapiolani Hospital...

"We thank you for your interest in employment opportunities with Hawai'i Pacific Health. We greatly appreciate your consideration in taking the time browsing our website for a job opening. At this time, we have very limited opportunities for New Graduate Nurses. All RN positions require at least one year of RN experience. What most are doing is they would apply for Nurse Aide or Clinical Assistant positions and then they would later apply for the new graduate RN program."

"I apologize for any miscommunication. The New Graduate RN program is for current employees only. In my previous e-mail, the suggested a route would be to apply for a Nurse Aide/Clinical Assistant position. Once hired in either of those roles, then you would be eligible to apply for the new grad RN program."

ajbrooks · Jun 30, 2014

I am an RN with 6 years of nursing experience. I know 2 girls that got jobs in Oahu but it's been years ago. I want to move to Hawaii in the next 1-2 years. I have been doing a lot of research. So is there no chance of me getting a job there since they are only hiring in house?

JLoya · Jun 30, 2014

I believe judging by the topic, this is about NEW GRAD jobs. From what I gather from friends who live there (or who have moved from the islands, and those with more knowledge please correct me), they are preferential to hiring those who live on the island for several reasons. A couple of those are 1: They already live there and have established residency there 2: HR, from what I understand, doesn't want to hire someone who may only be there for 3-5 years; they want "lifers". 3: It exponentially increases the who you know clause for getting a job.

ajbrooks · Jun 30, 2014

I knew that the hospitals there like to hire people who already live there and by looking at this forum that seem to like to hire inhouse. I have the experience but do not want to move there without a job. I know some people just move there and then look for a job but I am not that spontaneous lol I do know someone who have connections in the women and childrens hospital since she worked there for years and only left 1 year ago so maybe that will help me.

LVHI_RN · Jul 1, 2014

ajbrooks,

Since you have the experience, it doesn't hurt to try. The whole hiring in-house mainly applies to new grad RN with no prior healthcare experience.

banarna · Aug 23, 2014

good luck with your last year of nursing school!

EDNurse74 · Oct 14, 2014

I managed to get a job in Hawaii after getting 5 years experience working in the mainland. I originally applied as a new grad and got nothing from Hawaii, then I tried again after one year and still no bites, then again after two years. Not to bust your bubble, but a lot of people that graduated from nursing school in Hawaii and moved to the mainland for jobs came back to work at Queens or Queens West and they all had several years experience. Good luck whatever you decide

vglass82 · Nov 12, 2015

So, whatever happened @ml52789? I am also a military wife that'll be a new grad moving out there. I am moving out there in July. Did you ever find any position in an RN capacity? After reading through your posts, I am in the exact same situation!