New Graduate Application Process?

U.S.A. Colorado

Published

Hey there,

I am currently a senior in Nursing in Bismarck, North Dakota. I'm planning on moving to the Denver area after graduation in May. I was told by my adviser that I should start applying for jobs in Nov./Dec.

I have been just randomly going through websites and have only found one specific "New Graduate Application", which was at the University of CO Hospital. The online application asked for a licensure number, however, since I am still in school, I do not have one.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on the application process for new grads. I'm having trouble contacting the human resource departments, are there any hospitals in particular you would recommend?

ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!

:)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

In CO you cannot work on a gn license anymore - that changed 2 years ago. You have to show proof of passing the nclex - or even have license in hand - before you can begin working. Some places may hire you tentatively....but when I graduated 2 years ago I couldnt even apply before I had my license. Believe me it was very frustrating.

Most denver area hospitals hire new grads in may and december - contact them and ask them when they will be doing so. Most sites have email addresses of the nursing recruiters.

FYI - denver has alot of nursing schools so there are alot of 'new grads' competing for limited new grad positions within the hospitals.

It sounds like you have a BSN? You have an advantage with the univerity hospital as they only take BSN new grads. Another good resource is exemplajobs.com

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I can't tell you much about the licensure issue, other than that some hospitals will take you tentatively if you can bring proof that passed your NCLEX but do not yet have your license issued. I don't remember which ones.

I have researchd and found several hospitals that hire new graduates into most or all departments. So I can give you some hospitals. But it depends on what you're looking for. Large or very large, urban or suburban, Level I or not.

University of Colorado Hospital, as hope3456 mentioned is BSN only. And you're right they do have specific new grad positions, in most departments.

Denver Health is a Level I trauma center downtown. denverhealth.org

I know they pay well and have new benefits and have a specific section on new grad nurses too, in their career section.

HealthOne is the largest hospital interest in Denver. I think their website is Healthonecares.com, or .org . Their hospitals include Swedish (very large, suburban), Rose (urban), Skyridge (yuppie suburban), Presybterian St. Luke's (urban)...I can't think of what else. I know that Skyridge does not generally hire new grads but I have heard them spoken of as an exception in that sense. You can access all of these facilities through the above website.

Another hospital group is Exempla, which hope3456 mentioned. I know that of their hospitals, Lutheran (supposedly) hires new grads in all departments; St. Joseph's might, and Good Samaritan (a nurse called it a 'country club' hospital like Skyridge) does not hire new grads. They might have more hospitals that I'm not thinking of. exemplajobs.org I think.

There is Centura, another hospital group. They consist of Porter (large, south Denver suburban-urban), Littleton (ditto, but more suburban), Avista (much smaller, located near Boulder in Louisville), and St. Anthony's Central, the other Level I hospital besides Denver Health. Urban as well. And some others. Their website is centura.org .

Then there is Boulder Community Hospital. Smaller, in Boulder. I don't know their website but it's probably easy to find.

If that wasn't enough rambling, I can give you some actual recommendations:

Denver Health--based on pay, accuity, benefits, specialization.

Porter (Centura group)

Lutheran (Exempla)--is remodeling and they seem very friendly to new grads, and apparently get some other hospitals' patients when they become too complicated.

University of Colorado Hospital--large, brand new facilities, other benefits.

Swedish (HealthOne).

If you're interested in smaller hospitals I would look into Avista (Centura) and Boulder Community Hospital (unaffiliated).

Hope this helps. Sorry so long. If you have more questions maybe I can help.

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Specializes in Practicum: Med/Surg, Psych, PCU.

Wow! Not only did UMaryNurse benefit from these responses but I did as well. :)

Thanks to both of you for the updates. I should be looking to take my boards in late Jan to early Feb then its off to Denver for me, pending that I get a job that is, hehehe.

I'll definetly keep these hospitals in mind when applying. ;)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

attempting to 'bump' - if anyone has any more info on getting hired as a new grad in denver please post

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