cynr131

I work for a hospital system with about a dozen hospitals. To solve the problem of other healthcare workers calling themselves "nurses", everyone has to wear a bright yellow tag which extends beyond the length of your name tag. On the bottom of the tag, the person's title shows such as "RN", "LVN", "PCA" (Patient care tech / CNA), "TECH", "RT", etc. Problem solved!

I work for another of the MHHS facilities that's approximately the size of Woodlands. On the Med Surg unit, the nurse to patient ratio is about 1:5-6. There are PCA's, usually 2-3, on our 40 bed unit who do VS, ADL's, linen changes, etc. They have 1-2 unit clerks (the unit is split so there's usually one on each side if the unit is full) who take orders off, etc. The charge nurse usually does not take patients unless the staffing is short. I hear from nurses that come from other MHHS facilites that's about the norm.

When I was looking into HCC, I called to request information, like pre-requisites, and they kept telling me that I had to attend one of their nursing school information sessions, over & over. I think that's why they don't list a lot of information on their website (so you'll go to the information sessions).

Most of the new grad internship programs in the Houston hospitals are for June (since most grads finish school in May) and required that you have completed and turned in your application no later than March. Some required your application in by January. At other hospitals, I've been told by the HR depts, will hire a new grad if the director of the unit you're applying for is agreeable to taking on a new nurse. I'm a new grad myself and had a hard time finding a job here. I was even told by my hospital, which I've worked for 12 yrs as an LVN, that we didn't gire new grads. Luckily, one director took a chance and interviewed me & I get to stay here in our IMU. I suggest looking at various hospitals' web sites in the area you want to move to and they should have more info, if they require internships for new grads and if they require BSN or not (found out some only hire BSN's now!). Good luck!

(Don't forget that if you move to the Gulf, you may have to deal with the occasional hurricane.. just saying!)

I'm a new grad myself and Methodist, if I looked at their web site correctly, only hires BSN's now

I'm a new ASN grad in Houston and the internship programs usually start in June and the deadline for application to the programs were back in March. Apparently, some hopsitals go to some of the nursing schools to recruit from the area and since I didn't go to a traditional program, I didn't know they did this. I suggest calling around like I did and some of the HR people told me that some directors will hire new grads but it's on a case by case basis. I've been an LVN for 13 yrs and they're treating me like I have zero experience just because I'm a new RN. Good luck with your search. (By the way, be aware that some hospitals in the Houston Med Center only hire BSNs now)

havefaithrn, i looked at the kipp website and it says you have to have experience! the following is required of all applicants: registered nurse in the state of texas prior experience working as a school nurse in an elementary/middle/high school setting cpr and first aid certified vision/hearing screening certified scoliosis screener acanthosis nigricans screening certified bilingual (spanish)

Oh my gosh! I'm going through the same thing here in Houston. I graduated from Excelsior ASN program in Feb and passed my boards in March. I've been an LVN for 13 yrs & worked med/surg, total joint, even PACU but case managment for the last 2 yrs. I started looking for a job around the hospital I've worked for 12 yrs because I love working on the floor and the nurse recruiter told me, "We don't hire new grads". My heart dropped to the floor. Mind you that I went back to school for my job security and when our CNO came into office, she was known for getting rid of LVN's. Good thing I was close to getting my RN, right? WRONG! Turns out that most hospitals in Houston, even with our LARGE well known medical center, only hire new nurses once a year in June for the internship programs. I applied for every one that I could and am waiting to hear back. Some hospitals only hire BSN's now so that narrowed the field. I applied for my system's internship and want to stay with the company because I used tuition reimbursement and have to work here for 2 yrs to pay it off but if I can't find a job with them, how am I supposed to do that?? If anyone has the hook up in the Houston area, help me out!!