New Grad/RN Program in California

smn2010, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

i rn a:

for any position you apply for, there will always be a description of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. the state and federal job sites always provide you with this information. also, with the federal site (usajobs) they will even inform you about tuition repayment plans, etc. the usajobs website may look confusing at first; but once you get used to it you will know which tabs to view. also, you can input your resume online (one time) and use it to apply for all the positions you are interested in. they also have a tab on the website (this is after you set up your own username and password) where you can initiate specific searches (that can be saved) that will be sent directly to your personal email address. this saves you from having to go to the website all the time and do searches. don't forget, the federal system (v.a. hospitals) has new grad programs also. on the website, the position will not be listed as new rn grad/nurse residency... so don't expect to see these words when you hunt/search for jobs. as you begin searching (on the usajobs site), even if you don't see a position that fits your current level of experience review the point-of-contacts for the Nursing Jobs that are listed. the nursing recruiter/point-of-contact will point you into the right direction and he/she may even send you a packet (a large packet) to complete for any new grad programs in his/her area (city). if you do not see any positions in the cities/states you want ...don't forget overseas... if you want to travel to get more experience... just plan to phone or email the recruiter that is listed within the job posting.

again, good luck!!

loloann · May 10, 2009

If it helps, my place is hiring for a nurse right now.

I RN A · May 10, 2009

Where are you located?

loloann · May 10, 2009

Im located in central valley, the job is in lodi, ca

emmanewgrad · May 16, 2009

Wow...smn2009! you gave out very important information...I just graduated Friday May 15, 2009 and very optimistic some will call me. I hope so at least, with this economical times you never know. I have applied to every hospital in Southern California with a new grad program and those that are willing to hire new grads. Some hospitals will specify "NO new grads accepted for this position" upon posting the job description. State and federal sites are some sites to look into...I have search for jobs in immigration (no opennings at this time), correctional (applied to several positions in Az), and the VA hospitals in both CA & AZ but they want me to pass the NCLEX first before taking me under their wing, there are no opportunities for hospital jobs in Az. Anyways, I've gone bananas applying to many positions in Southern California and crossing my fingers ! I was reading through the sites to see if there was anything else I have missed on and your cover letter hints have narrowed my thoughts to more specific information that would greatly benefit my chances of getting into this profession I so dearly love and want to grow old with.

Thank you for your professional point of view!

Emma

silicaRN · May 17, 2009

i have the same difficulty with i rn a, only that i live in louisiana and has california license. it's not easy. some of the places where i turned in my resume called me but they need at least a year of experience which i don't have because i only had my license around january 2009. my license endorsement in louisiana is taking forever though..a friend of mind said she had to wait for 7 to 8 months.

hartmom · Jul 30, 2009

I just graduated in May of 2009. Got my license in july of 2009. I personally applied to each job in southern ca with my resume and a coverletter and was not getting any relpies, I thought it was going to be easy to find a job because I have a bachelors (non nursing degree) and a RN. I called the nursing recruiter from the hospital I really wanted to work at and explained to her my need for a critical care position. I got a interview on last monday and they hired me on the spot. I start on Monday. Sometimes you have to go the extra mile and call in for this position there was over 800 applicants for 3 spots. hope this helps

cc_RN · Jul 30, 2009

wow!! thas great. i hav a bsn and got my license in early july. i have applied to every hospital in la county just about..and have not received much luck.

what hospital is this that you called? and did you attend school in soCal? or out of state?

emmanewgrad · Jul 31, 2009

I called every hospital I applied for; reply was that priority was given to in-state grads. I graduated in AZ but applied for CA license. Anywho, after applying since April, I finally did get a job in northern CA. I'm moving tomorrow morning!!!!!!!!!!!! call if you haven't called and keep calling if you are calling! NEgotiate negotiate negotiate!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cc_RN · Jul 31, 2009

im happy for you!!! :up:

im still applying and searching...but to no avail, no luck..i am in southern california...in the los angeles area..

do you think that by this fall or early next year, there will be a better chance for new grads? i just graduated in may 09 and im praying that 1 year wont pass before i get a job :cry:

hartmom · Jul 31, 2009

did u write a coverletter. A friend of mine said she called the department of the hospital she wanted to work in and sent her resume to them(fax) and they brought her in for a interview.IN sept the NEw Grad programs are taking applications again. Loma lInda University in san bernadino is the only one that will take a nurse without a new grad program www.llu.edu apply for clinical nurse B position. try that and Glendale adventist hospital has a new grad program that begins the third monday of each month. Good luck to you and be patient something will happen. Prayers and Blessings

cc_RN · Jul 31, 2009

yes, i have wrote cover letters for all of the positions. actually i have great news! ( i think ) lol

i applied to the VA in west la for their new grad OR position that was posted a month or so ago.

when i called to check on the status, they said they had already chosen their person.

however, i got a call from them this morning saying that i am 'tentatively' selected because of my letters of recommendation. the letters that i turned in at the time were faxed copies because my school is in washington, dc. she said that if i can get original letters from my professors with signatures that she would continue with the progress.

so ya kno what i did, right? i called every professor that i could and to my avail, so far i have 1 professor who said that she would overnight it for me on sunday..i just need to get another one.

furthermore, they told me to come in next week for a physical and security..so im assumming that i hav the job...all i need is to get my letters of rec in and im officially hired!!

let's all pray that my assumption is correct!!

btw, thanks 'hartmom' for that information!