Problem getting a job in hospital as a new grad?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

My niece is graduating in 20 days as a RN she is told that it is almost impossible to get a job in a hospital as a new grad, is this the norm? She really need to work so she says she will go to ltc even though it is not her preference. I am asking for her as well as me because I am taking pre-reqs to enter nursing school and I scared to death I wont be able to find work. thanks for your imput.:uhoh3:

Specializes in m/s, icu.

suggestion.... try smaller hospitals. i graduated in 2001 and was hired at my one & only interview. my goal was to get in a place close to home...not somewhere with drama & action. this facility hires lots of EIP's (entry into practice rn's). i have gained a broad scope of practice on this medsurg unit ranging from babies to old ladies and everything in between. i work on a 22 bed m/s unit on midcoast maine. i work 7p-7a. we have 4 rn's and 2 cna's all shift. more staff on days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am really beginning to get discouraged as well. I am supposed to start in May in an accelerated BSN program but am seriously considering not doing so. I have spoken with Portland area nursing recruiters who tell me that local hospitals rarely hire new grads and that they are very well staffed anyway. It seems everyone wants at least a year of experience to consider you.....where are you supposed to get the experience???? Are there any recent grads out there who can lend some more insight?

confused and discouraged

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

Hey nep, I would consider getting a job as a CNA at Maine Med like I am going to because that gets your foot in the door. Also, your clinicals will do so as well as your practicum if you go to USM and want to stay in Maine.

After I graduate from USM I don't plan on staying in Maine at all, and I have connections to hospitals in MA and NYC so I am not too worried.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey jbeau,

I actually have thought about the CNA course at Me Med for that same reason. Are you already a CNA or have you yet to take the class?

nep

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

I am actually taking it right now!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How's the class going for you? I noticed the next info session is Jan 28 but don't know when the course actually starts...There may not be time to finish the class before USM starts in May. Speaking of which, do you know any others who are in starting in the BSN program?

nep

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

I don't know any others.

The next CNA class would start March 14th I believe, and it takes 11 weeks to finish. HOWEVER after your first semester at USM (which will technically be in the middle of July for us) you can apply to be on the CNA registry and work at Maine Med. The first nursing course we start with in May (NUR 209/210) will count as basic CNA training so you'll be all set.

From what I've heard, MMC is VERY flexible with your schedule while in school and everyone that becomes an RN at SMCC or USM while working there gets hired to be an RN as an internal applicant (they don't list all jobs on their website).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Burns, Cardiac, NICU.

this has been really helpful...i'm actually moving from boston to maine, pending i get a job up there. i'm going to put my application in at a few hospitals in the boston area now, just to be sure. i still really want to work at maine med, though! :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Up here in central maine and in the Bangor area I don't believe that it is very difficult to find a job. When I graduated 5 yrs ago, everyone got a job in the place they wanted. I work with a lot of new grads that come here for the experience and don't want to work in a bigger hospital. The rural hospital I work at is always looking for per diem and usually have openings in all departments. Atleast you get your foot in the door until a full time position opens up. You get some experience this way also. As the instructor said earlier in a post, you can't be picky at first. Worry about getting the experience then you can be pickier as time goes on, to what position you want. The problem about Maine is that some times people don't want to work in the rural smaller hospitals because they don't feel they will get a lot of "action". We do get our share, stabilize them, then send the pt. off to Bangor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am actually taking it right now!

Hey JBeau -

I'm going to be taking the MMC CNA course starting on March 17th! I just got my letter! I'm really excited - MMC is where I hope to work after graduation, so being able to work there during clinicals will be a great!

Tell me about the CNA program - what did you like, what's not so great, how to prepare, what do I need, how much time to allow for studying/homework, where did you get to do your practical work, etc. I want to know everything!

Also, I'm interested to know your feelings about the companion program. They are strongly encouraging everyone to do it, so I'd be interested to know your experience.

Thanks! Good Luck at USM!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

The CNA program is ok. I love the instructor. She's so nice and really understanding and really made the course work. I really like the skills lab during class. However, I found that the class moved waaaaaay too slow for my tastes (I already have a BA). The book is kinda common sense stuff too. I didn't find any of the material very challenging and I have yet to study for anything other than just reading the chapter once and doing the homework and I am passing just fine.

Our clinicals actually start tomorrow. I'm doing mine in nephrology. From what I've heard, they change them each class though. Our clinicals are on R3, R4, R5 and R9. You do 10 clinical days.

As far as the companion program goes, I am doing that full time, 36 hours a week, 12 hour shifts on third shift during the weekend. I love it, and it's great experience. I have noticed I am miles ahead of other classmates when it comes to interacting with patients and going into rooms. I've also gotten to see so many nursing procedures because they know I am starting school in May so I am getting exposed to things my classmates aren't. I'd definitely urge you to do it as much as possible.

You also can apply for jobs before the CNA class is over. I've actually been hired on SCU and I start March 17th. SCU is the ICU at Maine Med. I'm really excited and I'm the first one from my class to get a job. I got it at the interview, they didn't even bother interviewing other classmates for the job :)

Any other questions just ask :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great info! I'm excited to hear that you've been working full time in the companion program. I'm going to have to leave my current job when the CNA program starts, so being able to earn some $$$ during the training will be a huge help. What I don't exactly understand is what you do as a companion. Can you fill me in on that?

Congratulations on the SCU job! I love that you can apply and interview before the program is even finished. Will you stay on nights? I enjoy nights, and night shifts never conflict with my class schedule!

Thanks so much for all the inside scoop!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment