New grad or not?

[KaliNurse19, BSN, RN]

Hi, 

I’ve been a nurse for a year and a half and I’ve been working at a snf and a clinic. I Would like to work in a hospital but they ask for at least one year critical care experience. Do you think I could apply at a new grad residency program even if I’m not that new? I read that they want nurses with less than a year experience but I still feel like a new grad.

What should I do?
 

[chare]

My thought is that you won't be considered for most new grad residencies with 1.5 years experience.  Having said that, as this is facity specific, you might consider reaching out to nurse recruitment at the facilities you are considering.  

Best wishes.

[KaliNurse19, BSN, RN]

Thank you Chare, I tried to call different facilities but they all say the same thing: due to covid there’s less staff working in the recruitment office, send us an email. 
I’ve sent emails and nobody replies, so frustrating. I just don’t want to get stuck at a snf forever...?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Most facilities cut off their residency program at having graduated within the last 12 months and never worked as a nurse. You aren't considered a new grad anymore once you work your first job.

You may wish to look for internships, which are becoming slightly more common (but still are not common), which are open to experienced nurses looking to change specialties. 

You should also consider going to an LTACH, which is a step closer to acute care.

Getting into a different specialty is a lot harder these days, particularly coming from a SNF. You will want to look for positions nobody else wants and who need people badly. Think rural hospitals on the night shift. 

[NewGradBSN_2020]

On 12/7/2020 at 10:48 AM, KaliNurse19 said:

Hi, 

I’ve been a nurse for a year and a half and I’ve been working at a snf and a clinic. I Would like to work in a hospital but they ask for at least one year critical care experience. Do you think I could apply at a new grad residency program even if I’m not that new? I read that they want nurses with less than a year experience but I still feel like a new grad.

What should I do?
 

Hi! A lot of hospitals do fellowships, internships, or bridge programs for experience nurses. They normally open up shortly after the new grads positions or at the same time. Some hospitals will have it where new grads and experience nurses are interviewing for the same position.  Hope you are able to find one in your area.