Now I've heard it all

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Yesterday I received a phone call from a hospital I'd been trying to get an interview with. Just the day before I had spoken with the nurse recruiter and she had told me about a NICU position that would accept new grads applying. Well, yesterday she told me the would not be able to go ahead with the interview. What had I done that was so awful that the chance to interview was recinded? It seems my RN program, not being NLN or CCNE accredited means I do not qualify to work for this particular hospital system. Nevermind that I passed NCLEX and now hold an active license, and am now eligible to apply for reciprocity in any state. Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong but what does the program I graduated from have anything to do with whether or not I'll be a good nurse? Heck even passing NCLEX doesn't guarantee that. Now I have to wonder just how many applications have been turned down due to what school I graduated from, especially since I'm now looking for employment out of state.

Since when did employers start caring what program you graduated from? I know this happens when you attempt to get into a BSN or MSN program, but not when your looking for a job.

This really burns me up, as it was the closest out of state employer for me to even apply to. I sent an email to my schools admission rep telling him which hospital system so it could be posted. This way, no other graduate will waste their time applying there. Sad part is, my school is working on their NLN accreditation...its just going to take several years of jumping hoops to get it.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Since when did employers start caring what program you graduated from?

In my area, since they decided they'd rather have BSN new grads than ADN new grads.

[Callinurse]

I would ask her exactly why she couldn't interview you. Just ask her like you are asking her "How are you?"

"Can you tell me why you will not be able to interview me?"

See what she says. She may have forgotten to tell you that she'll have to get back to you, or perhaps JCAHO just showed up and she lost her mind.

Hopefully its not what you are thinking. If it is look for hospitals with a new grad program.

Good luck,

Calli

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

In my area, since they decided they'd rather have BSN new grads than ADN new grads.

I know of one hospital that I've applied to that want BSN grads over ADN grads in their critical care areas..ED, NICU, PICU, ICU, etc. I went the ADN route because I couldn't afford to get my BSN right now.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I would ask her exactly why she couldn't interview you. Just ask her like you are asking her "How are you?"

"Can you tell me why you will not be able to interview me?"

See what she says. She may have forgotten to tell you that she'll have to get back to you, or perhaps JCAHO just showed up and she lost her mind.

Hopefully its not what you are thinking. If it is look for hospitals with a new grad program.

Good luck,

Calli

She flat out said they couldn't interview me because my school was not on the list of accredited RN schools. I asked "so, it doesn't matter that I have passed NCLEX and now have an RN license?", she said.."nope". They do have a new grad program. A lot of the places I've been applying to do. Some applications have a pull down list of RN schools, mine isn't listed so I have to type it in.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Many hospitals plainly state that they only accept grads from "accredited" institutions. Is this how they list jobs?

[amjowens]

With the economy turning like it is, even affecting nurses in some regions, employers can pretty much decide as they wish regarding what requirements they expect of new grad nurses.

As for accredition for a school, I wish more pre-nursing students realized how important this stuff is. I'm noticing more new nursing schools, and I feel really bad for the students because the schools certainly aren't telling them straight just how their lack of accredition potentially affects them. I also see these tend to be the private schools with outrageous tuition. I mean, if students know and understand what it means, that's one thing, but most people I speak of think it's no big deal (the schools tell them they can take the NCLEX, and true, but more to this story). It really makes me mad.

[Jules A, MSN]

Many hospitals plainly state that they only accept grads from "accredited" institutions. Is this how they list jobs?

I agree and don't think it is unusual for hospitals to want their nurses to have graduated from accredited institutions. Hopefully others will write in if they have different info and good luck with your job hunt.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

My school has a National accreditation through The Council on Occupational Education. Since the RN program is only 2-3 years old they haven't yet gotten the NLN accreditation, though while I was there they had just started the process. They are a member of the NLN, though I know its not the same as being accredited by them. I knew when I went I would have trouble going to a state school to get my BSN, but that's not a problem now since the school I want to go to will recognize my ADN for the nursing courses anyway.

Boards of Nursing are supposed to be the ultimate authority of program standards, otherwise an individual schools graduates wouldn't be allowed to sit for boards.

So pretty much what these hospitals are saying is that I'm not really an RN even though I've passed boards and have my license because I chose to go to school where I got my LPN from. Doesn't matter that the quality of my education matches that of the local community colleges, just which accrediting body currently hold my schools accreditation.

Its stupid.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

With the economy turning like it is, even affecting nurses in some regions, employers can pretty much decide as they wish regarding what requirements they expect of new grad nurses.

As for accredition for a school, I wish more pre-nursing students realized how important this stuff is. I'm noticing more new nursing schools, and I feel really bad for the students because the schools certainly aren't telling them straight just how their lack of accredition potentially affects them. I also see these tend to be the private schools with outrageous tuition. I mean, if students know and understand what it means, that's one thing, but most people I speak of think it's no big deal (the schools tell them they can take the NCLEX, and true, but more to this story). It really makes me mad.

I just don't get it really. If there is such a need for nurses shouldn't the only thing that matters is that the state itself approves the school. I don't know all it takes to be an approved program, but it can't be that easy to get. I do know NLN accreditation takes years to get, and like I said my RN program has only been graduating RN's for about 2-3 years now. I think they had to wait at least two years before starting NLN's accreditation process, but I'm not sure. I knew it would be a problem for continuing my education, but not for getting a job. Even continuing my education past the ADN level isn't as much a problem if I wanted to go to University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University or Indiana Weslyan.

If this is the reason I haven't been getting interviews, then I guess I wasted a year of my life getting a useless degree and wasting even more money taking an NCLEX exam that means even less. (can you tell I'm not a happy person?)

[llg, PhD, RN]

Boards of Nursing are supposed to be the ultimate authority of program standards, otherwise an individual schools graduates wouldn't be allowed to sit for boards.

.

No. That's not correct. The State BON exists to protect the public from unsafe nurses. They set a minimum standard and that is all. It is a political process and it is almost impossible to get a school of nursing closed -- or even put on probation -- in most states. In many states, a school has to be outrageously bad before the state BON will step in and close it.

Professional organizations (such as accrediting agencies) set higher standards in an attempt to encourage schools to do more than just meet the minimal standards accepted by the state. That's why it matters which agency did the accreditation, etc. Some agencies have higher standards than others. Also, some accrediting agencies represesnt NURSING groups and set standards related to nursing and others are not focused on nursing, but rather on education in general. All accreditations are not equal.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Yes, accreditation by the NLN "means something". And nursing students really should investigate these issues when choosing a program.

I am sorry that you are having a difficult time and will keep you in my thoughts. There should be other employers out there that will be okay with your degree, though they may not be your first choice, or the most convenient. Good Luck!!!