rainbow11

Thank you for your input RN_MishMish!!

Thank you etaoinshrdluRN! I'm going to look into some LTCs in the area.

You are right AXIDR - any experience is good experience! I understand there is so much to learn, and I need to start somewhere. Hopefully after working in LTC (if I find one) for a while hopefully I can move on to a hospital position like you did. That's my plan. My nursing instructor said I need to apply EVERYWHERE! I realized she is right.

Thank you for your reply AXIDRN! I am aware that generally HH require at least 1 year experience. While I was searching for a hospital new grad job out of desperation one time I went to one HH agency. They were interested in hiring me because I speak multiple languages (I think that was the only reason they were interested in me). When I asked about orientation they said I was supposed to shadow another RN during three visits, and that's all! I'm not kidding! They only had part-time jobs. I didn't feel safe about that place.

Hi everybody, I'm a new grad RN/BSN. After searching for a hospital job for several months now I'm considering LTCs & Home health. I have a few questions for those who were in my shoes and found job in LTC or HH. 1) How long did it take you (days, weeks, months?) to land a RN job in LTC? in HH? 2) How many hours can/do you work each week on average in Home health? What kind of schedule do they offer? Can you work like 8 or 12-hours a day? I prefer working fewer days with more hours, like three 12-hours a week, if possible. 3) What things should I consider when comparing LTC facilities other than general ratings? I'd like to work somewhere that is as "close" to hospital setting as possible in terms of developing my nursing skills. Is there any difference between skilled nursing facility & nursing home? I don't know anyone who is in healthcare field where I am living, so I have to rely on my "research" only. Thank you in advance for your advice & time!! :)

If you go to United Hospital System (Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie) website under job description is says "Entry level" but most of them are NOT entry level!! I found out that after talking to HR. I wouldn't hope for a new grad position in those hospitals unless you know someone inside, or you did your clinicals there or you worked as a nurse intern. Good luck!

Thank you for your advice! I find this forum extremely helpful!! I am a new grad RN too. After months of searching for a hospital position (RN Residency programs) I think from now on I will apply everywhere including LTC and home health. I kept avoiding them simply because I was just afraid of not having adequate training and losing my license easily. I just need to start somewhere to gain some experience. Now I'm willing at least to try to go this route. I guess you don't know for sure unless you try. Good luck to all new grads in job hunting!

I was considering MSN option a while ago, but decided not to go that route. What I found out is 1) most NP & CNS programs require at least one year of nursing experience - it's almost impossible to get into if you are a "green" new grad RN , but if you really search hard you'll probably find a few that do not require experience 2) Nurse Educator will probably accept you without nursing experience - but be careful! - I was told by a chairperson of nursing department of one of the schools I was interested in that Nurse Educator entry positions in my state require a minimum of 2-3 years of nursing experience! May be you should investigate all those rules/practice of hiring in your state. I wouldn't want to spend another year or two doing MSN (paying it out of my pocket vs. if you are employed somewhere they are likely to pay your tuition) and still not be able to land a nursing job with my MSN degree because I still won't have nursing experience!! May be while you are in your MSN program it's better if you find a nursing job somewhere, so after you finish your program you have the required experience. I didn't meant to discourage anyone - it's just my thought!

I'm afraid "we-didn't-choose-you" part is right, lol.

My status says "waitlisted".

I've read all your comments here, wow... I'm happy for Bairkr. I have a question for experienced nurses out there: would you recommend a new grad RN a home health agency job or a nursing home job? I understand they are not ideal jobs for inexperienced new grads, but I was wondering which one of these poses less threat to having your license suspended?? Thank you,

Hi Meriwhen, Did volunteering help you to land a nursing job? I'm considering working voluntarily at some place where I can have at least some kind of hands-on nursing experience. Where should I look? What are free clinics? Are they community hospitals? Does anyone know a good place in Chicago area? A few hospitals that I contacted told me their voluntary service wasn't really nursing related, like directing patients & visitors etc. (it sounded really boring). Any input will be appreciated greatly!!

Thank you jsanteler for your input:). I c, they are much more expensive than CPR courses.

Thank you Chris for the link! Did anyone take online ACLS, PALS courses? I just wonder if I should take in-class course vs online, any suggestions? Thank you!

It seems like some people think that US-trained foreign nurses are the ones who haven't played by the rules. That's so wrong!! As I said before, and I'm repeating myself again, we have been playing by the rules too!! It's just there are some steps in the application process that we are allowed to skip, such as - TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), Spoken English Test --- I think it's a common sense that these exams are waived for us since we managed to successfully complete nursing programs (taught in English!) in the States; - CGFNS certificate - we took NCLEX-RN, and have US RN licenses, thus we do not need to take international licensure exam (i think that what CGFNS certificate is, I just know I do not need that) - since we are in the States we do not need to schedule a consular interview which seems like has a long wait period in many countries, instead we wil have to apply for an adjustment of status here in the US. - there is also a Premium Processing fee. My understanding is that if you pay this optional fee (about $1,000 I think) you can have your application processed a bit faster. I think this Premium processing fee applies to all applicants whether your are US-trained or non-US-trained. There are might be other steps US-trained RNs can skip. So, without knowing the details plese do not jump to a wrong conclusion!! I agree with Hashdawg, it seems like i'm talking to a 'dead' wall!