New grads 2011, Northern Virginia/DC, who is hiring?

MissIt · May 6, 2011

Are there any traditional 2 year BSN programs in your area? I had a biology BS before I went to nursing school and did the junior and senior years of the BSN program. At the time they didn't have an accelerated program, although I have heard that the accelerated programs are becoming more and more the norm for second degree students. With the regular 2 year program you have more time for networking and doing other nursing related activities so that when you get out, you have the contacts you'll need to get a job. Honestly, that plays a bigger role in whether you get a job than just about anything else.

sKris · May 10, 2011

No, there are no 2 year programs near me. The university I'm planning to apply to has one, but if you have a bachelors you are ONLY allowed to apply to the ABSN program. I think I'm leaning back toward sucking it up just getting it done (if I get accepted). Who knows. I may change my mind, I still have some time. At a minimum, I've decided to definitely complete the harder set of pre-req's so that I can apply to both programs. thank you so much for all the input. It's so helpful to have a sounding board!

RN_Ev · Jul 12, 2011

I believe the low end for new grads is around $24/hr (found in NoVA and DC), and the highest is up in DC, though not much higher, at around $27.50 (plus more for shift differentials)- I don't know about other parts of VA. Is it really that hard to Google hospitals in Northern VA and DC and then start calling around? I moved here shortly after graduation (not by choice), so as soon as we had orders in hand (military) stating we were coming here for sure, I started searching and pretty much found all of the hospitals, though info on new grad programs located online vary from hospital to hospital. I called around and asked about dates for new grad programs, whether they anticipated having any new grad openings and when the jobs would be posted. Even searching this website, which I didn't know about before I moved, will yield a significant list. Let's see, off the top of my head:
VA-
Virginia Hospital Center
INOVA (several within their system)
Reston Hospital Center
Potomac Hospital
Stafford Hospital
Mary Washington Hospital
DC-
Washington Hospital Center
Georgetown (already selected their July new grads)
George Washington
Howard University Hospital
National Rehab Hospital
DC VA
Children's
Providence
Sibley
I don't know that all of them have new grad programs (or if they're hiring new grads), but I know that many of them do. Good luck.

Very useful info especially for someone from out of state. THANKS! =)

Pokytrokyt · Jul 12, 2011

I'm a May 2011 Georgetown BSN. This summer, I know of people in my cohort who found jobs at Inova, GW, Childrens, Washington Hospital Center (they hire every few months), and Virginia Hospital Center. Several of us also got hired at Johns Hopkins, in downtown Baltimore.

RN_Ev · Jul 12, 2011

I'm a May 2011 Georgetown BSN. This summer, I know of people in my cohort who found jobs at Inova, GW, Childrens, Washington Hospital Center (they hire every few months), and Virginia Hospital Center. Several of us also got hired at Johns Hopkins, in downtown Baltimore.

Any chance you have the nurse recruiter info at INOVA or Johns Hopkins? Can you PM me? I'd greatly appreciate any help! Thank you sooo much :)

Pokytrokyt · Jul 12, 2011

I'm no expert on getting hired by hospitals after you have years of experience. I'm a new grad.

You may try contacting Nurse Recruitment at Inova and Hopkins directly, but all job openings are posted on their website. Some jobs are posted for only one day on Hopkins website. Here's what I have:

Inova: [email protected]

Hopkins: 1-800-638-7214

I'm starting at Hopkins on July 25th, working in critical care. It's a 90 minute commute from my home in Northern VA, so I guess I'll be moving sooner or later to MD.

RN_Ev · Jul 13, 2011

Yea I've already applied for various positions at INOVA and have yet to receive anything. Granted it's only been 2 days. lol. I'm counting on my friend to score me an interview so fingers crossed. But I will def. check out the Johns Hopkins site. Thats definitely an option for me. What floor did you get on if you dont mind me asking.

RN_Ev · Jul 13, 2011

oops. you said critical care. wow thats awesome! best of luck to u =)

Rachelle82 · Jul 30, 2011

So does it look pretty bleak for an ASN (ADN, same thing)?? I am really worried and I don't even graduate till next May. I'm not from Maryland/DC but wanting to move there. :confused:

Pokytrokyt · Jul 30, 2011

So does it look pretty bleak for an ASN (ADN, same thing)?? I am really worried and I don't even graduate till next May. I'm not from Maryland/DC but wanting to move there.

I just started at a hospital in Baltimore, this week. Several of the folks in my new grad program are ADN prepared RN's. That said, most were BSN prepared. My guess is you'll have a harder time getting a hospital job than you would if you'd worked as a tech in the local hospital before graduation. You may have to start out working someplace less fabulous, and work part time upgrading your degree to a BSN.

Rachelle82 · Jul 30, 2011

I just started at a hospital in Baltimore, this week. Several of the folks in my new grad program are ADN prepared RN's. That said, most were BSN prepared. My guess is you'll have a harder time getting a hospital job than you would if you'd worked as a tech in the local hospital before graduation. You may have to start out working someplace less fabulous, and work part time upgrading your degree to a BSN.

Do you mind if I ask what hospital it is that you got the job at??

Pokytrokyt · Jul 30, 2011

Do you mind if I ask what hospital it is that you got the job at??

Sure. Johns Hopkins.