New Grads and Acute Care Hiring

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello!

I've recently posted about the difficulties of finding employment in NYC. I see multiple commenters mention that being hired is virtually impossible as a new grad. I am not a new grad; however, I find it be ridiculous that new grads are looked down upon. I am still at a loss as to how employers expect for new nurses to have experience without hiring them. I feel the policies and thought process behind this should be questioned. The new grads I work with are usually more invested in the work. Very detailed oriented. They're always eager to go above and beyond and usually error on the side of caution. The "experienced" ones may be nonchalant about situations that require investigation, they usually don't take the extra step, they're stuck in their ways, etc. I've noticed that they're so used to a routine that they bypass steps sometimes and that one off time may be the time they make an error. I've witnessed the after effects!

I think this whole no new grads thing is another way of corporations attempting to save money by decreasing the amount of orientation time, classes, and certifications. This is getting out of hand in my opinion. There will forever be a shortage in nursing as long as these politics of health care aren't challenged.?

Specializes in Dialysis.
22 hours ago, Wuzzie said:

What does that have to do with anything? 

Exactly, we all endured it!

21 hours ago, CardiTeleRN said:

It’s not about who can juggle the most hardships, it’s about patient safety. If one person can juggle a family, 2 jobs, and run the flower shop while working night shift and still perform their job safely, yes, they should work the night shift over the day shift nurse who cannot physically handle working night shift. It’s not a competition or character building. Nursing is not the military.  

I'm not following your logic in any way shape or form

Specializes in Dialysis.
On 10/24/2020 at 4:49 PM, CardiTeleRN said:

Valid point! This is what I mean! This is why I say associates are better than bachelors. Associate degrees spend more time in the clinical setting than classroom like bachelors which is why I don’t understand why acute care facilities are phasing out associates. 

I know quite a few new nurses of both ASN and BSN who don't know their butt from a hole in the ground. Some programs are better, regardless of degree attained. It's the quality of the instruction

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
On 10/26/2020 at 4:34 PM, HiddencatBSN said:

I’m aware of the history. I don’t get wistful for days of increased employer control over their workers or limited rights and choices for women. 

I don't see anyone here advocating for restoring any of the religious order restrictions of old diploma programs.  It's a lament about the lack of clinical hours.  I have often advocated on this forum for a return to the old 5 year programs of Columbia and Cornell.  You apply after two years of pre-nursing classes and attend the hospital program of each respective institution for 3 years at diploma program fees.  Soooo, that would only cost one the two years at a community college and very little for the next 3 years.  After that, one can be up and running.  

On 10/22/2020 at 3:14 PM, CardiTeleRN said:

This is true. I believe nurses that hold associates are much more prepared clinically for acute care fresh out of school than BSN holders. Associates focuses solely on clinical practice. ASN holders are being phased out for BSN - saves money for corporations. Don’t have to pay for BSN as well as possible MSN. 

Hello! New Grad RN here who did not read this whole thread but has some thoughts.

I graduated in June of 2020. My last obstetric clinical day was cancelled (out of four total). That removed my one day in L&D, which is the specialty I was most curious about. Then, my senior practicum in the PICU was cancelled because the hospital could not spare PPE. My cohort instead did a community health clinical at a COVID-19 call line. I learned a lot, but I agree that I am not ready to "hit the ground running" in an acute care setting. How could I be?

Then, the hospital I planned to work at cancelled the August and November new grad residency programs due to finances. So, I moved across the country to NY to be near family, where I thought there would be more opportunities for new grads. The process of getting my ATT took 3 months and I was not able to take the NCLEX until September. After passing, I applied to 45+ positions in New York City, on Long Island, and in Utah and Washington. I constantly met roadblocks and felt stuck in the circle of: --> they require experience so I can't get the job --> I can't get experience if I don't get the job. It was painful.

It is now November and I've just accepted a position at a fantastic teaching hospital, not in the location I hoped to work. 

I'm sharing my path because I want to remind commenters of how much the nursing student experience has changed in the COVID-19 context.

Specializes in oncology.
1 hour ago, nurseG333 said:

I've just accepted a position at a fantastic teaching hospital,

Congratulations on your new position! Glad you perserved.  While Covid has really caused hiring problems it is not the first time this has happened for different reasons. When the government adopted 'DRGs' and the nature of short term hospitalizations with subsequent home health were promoted, there were a couple of years new grads had difficulty getting hired because of the decrease of acute care beds. Even in OB the average post-partum stay became very limited. There have been other times too. Managed care really changed the hospital landscape over night.

I am glad you posted as your enthusiasm and perserverance through the search for employment will help the hopes of others.

Specializes in Med/Surg.
On 10/22/2020 at 9:02 PM, CardiTeleRN said:

I blame that on the nursing schools that are not preparing new grads what nursing is really like.

If you want your nurses to stick around, make them want to stick around.  Stop passing the buck.  Work on the culture of the unit.  I have worked a two hospitals in my lifetime, but have taught clinical at many in my area.  The units simply over-work the nurses, talk behind each others' backs, bully each other, and demand more than a person can handle.  Who on earth either a new grad or a nurse with 30 years of experience would want to work in that kind of environment? Be the change you want to see.

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if this is the right thread to post in but since I'm a new grad and just got off orientation about a month ago I just wanted to share my experience. I had a really difficult time finding a job after graduation and I think it had to do with COVID. I heard from someone close to me in HR (still couldn't get in) it was because they lost a lot of money during COVID due to surgeries being cancelled. So, of course budget probably has a lot to do with it. 

A little off topic but is it normal for a new nurse to be thrown to the wolves like this? I feel like it's wrong of me to constantly complain but I had to speak up last night. 8 patients and 1 aid on the entire floor with the census full to 20. I was doing both the aid work and obviously my nursing duties. What gets me is management barely asks how I'm doing, and the oncoming nurses in the morning expect you to know every little detail and do every little thing. I'm just totally overwhelmed and didn't think nursing was like this. Does it get better?

Specializes in Dialysis.
8 minutes ago, Rachellynn11 said:

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if this is the right thread to post in but since I'm a new grad and just got off orientation about a month ago I just wanted to share my experience. I had a really difficult time finding a job after graduation and I think it had to do with COVID. I heard from someone close to me in HR (still couldn't get in) it was because they lost a lot of money during COVID due to surgeries being cancelled. So, of course budget probably has a lot to do with it. 

A little off topic but is it normal for a new nurse to be thrown to the wolves like this? I feel like it's wrong of me to constantly complain but I had to speak up last night. 8 patients and 1 aid on the entire floor with the census full to 20. I was doing both the aid work and obviously my nursing duties. What gets me is management barely asks how I'm doing, and the oncoming nurses in the morning expect you to know every little detail and do every little thing. I'm just totally overwhelmed and didn't think nursing was like this. Does it get better?

This shouldn't happen like this, but unfortunately, sometimes it does. Covid is driving some of it, but some places are garbage start with. So sorry that you're going through this. It will get better as you learn time management skills and prioritization. That takes time. 

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