New Grad RN Training- Take it or Leave it?

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I'm a new graduate RN (since May) and finding a hospital-based job is so difficult, especially when you don't have any connections. Long story short, my mother met a doctor at work at he told my mother that I should work at his hospital (lets call this Hospital A). I went to HR and told them that I was referred by that doctor and they told me there's a training program for RNs. Basically you pick the department you want to work at and they'll train you for 8-10 weeks without pay. By the end of the training, they'll decide if they want to keep you or not. If they do, then you sign the contract. If they don't, then that is it. It is a tough training program/ internship. The question is, will it be worth it since other hospitals offer the versant program with pay.

Also, another hospital told me they are considering me for their program in November. The interviewer asked me to give her some time to think about it but I've heard from former classmates that she doesn't follow up and may even forget. Today will mark one week since I've interviewed. When will be a good time to call her to ask if she has made up her mind? BTW I did email her a thank you.

Any opinions/thoughts would be appreciated.

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I wouldn't work for 8-10 weeks with no pay. Keep trying. You'll get your foot in the door. It sounds like you are doing the right things by networking and talking with recruiters.

Also, I think the average Job Search for a new grad is about 4-5 months. I started my first job as a two month contract about 3.5 mo this after I graduated and start my second in a hospital at 7.5 months after. If income is a factor, consider working part-time or on-call on a SNF or other setting until you get what you want. They say its easier to get a job when you have a job.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

I would do it, because that's 8-10 weeks of skills you can practice until you find a job. If you are going to be looking for work for 4-5 months, why not keep up on skills and be able to carry that experience with you to the next job?

Plus if you do it, it still might lead to a job, right??

I don't see it hurting you, unless you had an offer for paid work right now or during the 8-10 week internship.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Ortho, Subacute, Homecare, LTC.

Wouldn't 8-10 weeks bring you to almost November? I would take the first offer and the second if you hear back. You could train for 8-10 weeks and if it doesn't work out start the other one.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

My decision would be based on how hard the local area is for a new grad to find a job and if you could afford to do it.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Don't get sucked into working for free for 8-10 weeks.

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Don't get sucked into working for free for 8-10 weeks.

Sorry, but I agree with this poster...especially being that there's no guarantee after you "train" w/ them. I've never heard of any program like this but I guess it's different for every state. Have you tried applying for other jobs/hospitals?

On the other hand, don't knock it til you try it right?

Good luck on whatever you decide to do!! :-D

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I would phone the department of labor and ask if working for free in this situation is within labor laws (it doesn't sound like it is to me). If it isn't, I would not help an employer violate labor law. Also, working for free is by definition volunteering, so technically it does not count on your resume as work experience.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I'd agree that 8-10 weeks may give you time to practice your skills -- it doesn't count as experience. Therefore the practice in theory could help you once you start a paying job as a new grad. If you choose to highlight the experience in your interviews later, you will have to deal with your recruiter knowing you were let go at the end of the volunteer/trial period.

As a caveat, if you feel confident in your ability to meet the challenge and the emotional make-up to deal with the setback working for free for 8-10 weeks followed by being terminated -- it might work. I know myself, and I don't think I could do it. Doesn't mean you can't, though! Best wishes!

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Hospitals in my area have started what sounds like an identical program for new grads. 8-10 weeks of training (no promise of a job), committing to 40/hrs a week. If you don't qualify for their reimbursement program, you actually have to pay the hospital for the training (approximately $4k). I personally chose to not do it, because nobody could tell me if there would even be any openings after the training program. I was told it's possible that nobody doing the program would be offered a job due to a lack of openings afterwards, and that was enough to scare me off it.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Pay them? Wow. They have sure succeeded in "fixing" the system beyond their wildest dreams.

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I never thought I'd see the day that new nursing grads were working for free or paying to work in America. I am shocked and dismayed.

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