New Nurse Graduate

[Tewani, ASN, RN]

Only opportunities for a new nurse with no RN experience is to accept an offer in any of the hospitals. Stay there for the 24 months commitment. What if you don’t like the way things are going during the training with preceptor and the unit? Now you are stuck to do your residency commitment time. 
am in Fort Lauderdale FL

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

There are many programs like this. For some people the commitment probably works out fine. Those people rarely post here. For many, they find the work environment unacceptable. Sometimes it's hard to discern whether there were truly unusual circumstances or they just weren't realistic about the job in the first place. Sometimes this means people have to pay back large sums of money, for some they are put on a "do not rehire" list for that facility or system.  It's a gamble, works out fine for some, not for others.

You can try long term care facilities for initial experience and despite what many people think, you can transition from LTC to acute care. I did it myself. Good luck!

[Red Shirt 6, CNA]

The medical field is filled with bad jobs, people that want to leave/not work and employers that will take advantage of you. The solution to this is to gain experience and know how to avoid the bad workplace next time. 

So, if you end up with an undesirable employer. Then do you time and do things that will put you into a better position next time. By finding your own mentor, obtain additional certifications and training, build some savings, make friends that will help you and make sure to go to the dentist, eye doctor etc... before you leave. 

[JKL33]

On 10/4/2022 at 6:09 PM, Tewani said:

Only opportunities for a new nurse with no RN experience is to accept an offer in any of the hospitals. Stay there for the 24 months commitment. What if you don’t like the way things are going during the training with preceptor and the unit? Now you are stuck to do your residency commitment time. 

As mentioned above, it might work out well if you are realistic about what to expect and you take some basic measures to protect yourself.

1. If this involves any kind of agreement that you will have to pay back a dollar amount for your training - make sure you understand that. Understand that you are agreeing to pay for this opportunity, and decide whether it is a good value to you--just like buying anything else. Understand that if there are no specifics in your contract (such as the unit on which you will work, the hours, the availability of a dedicated preceptor, the number of training shifts allowed, the number of patients you will have or any of the other details that could be relevant to your success), then you won't be able to get out of your contract based on those things.

What is told to you verbally during interviews or any other part of the hiring process is not part of your contract and therefore is not enforceable. 

2. If this involves any kind of conditional signing bonus then stash the money and be prepared to give it back if you decide not to meet the conditions (I.e. if you choose to leave prior to the end of the contract).

 

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

Also apply to other jobs. At graduation, I got an outpatient job. The ad said “experience required” but I applied anyway. They were desperate, I interviewed well, and they hired me. So don’t feel like you HAVE to take the med/surge jobs that actually advertise for new grads.