afgawler71

Hi ladies! I was accepted to GW on 5/5, I'll be starting their AGPCNP program in the Fall. We just had a Webinar last night actually! Only nervous part, is the web cam proctored testing! I'm glad they're concerned with accountability, I'm just one of those anxious test takers :)

Hi ladies! I also applied for the Fall AGPCNP program. I got my e-mail stating that it was forwarded to the admissions committee for final review on 4/23. It's only been a week, but I'm anxious to find out! What are your nursing backgrounds? I feel that I have a good chance, but never know what the competition is like!

Hi there, I just wanted to post on a relevant thread. I applied to the AG-PCNP program at GWU this year (awaiting response!) and was curious to how some of you who have started this program are doing? Also, what some of your "stats" were that lead to you getting accepted! Any info would be great.

A TNCC course is Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum, it's a certification that I have seen hospitals listing as preferred, for Trauma, ER, and it probably would be helpful with an ICU position as well. They're hard to find, but I'm taking one at a Community College here in Portland.

I graduated from an Associate Degree program in Virginia. I live in Portland now and I'm having a VERY hard time finding a job. My classmates in Virginia have been facing trouble, as well. From what I gather, all hospitals seem to prefer a BSN-and there are a lot of BSN programs, so that doesn't help with competition. If you don't have a background as a CNA, LPN, or any other medical job, then it makes it even more difficult as an Associate Degree graduate. The benefit that you may have, is perhaps when you finish the program, the economy will be better and more jobs will allow for equal consideration between BSN and ADN. Well, good luck! You will get hired, it just may take a REALLY long time.... :/ It's been 4 months for me so far...

Pardon me, but I don't think there's any need to be condescending... I have been merely stating the situation as of yet in Portland, since that was the request of the original thread. Do you live in Oregon? Texas is an infeasible place to relocate from here and I appreciate the suggestion, but this is about the situation in Portland. Those who choose to stay, can stay on their own accord after weighing the positives and negatives of the situation. My suggestion would be, and the agreed suggestion from recruiters, is to keep trying in Oregon and get all the CEU's that you can get, and your chances will be better. If that is not promising for an individual, than they can choose to go to Texas. KEEP POSITIVE PORTLANDERS! Things have been picking up with the job postings!

I will go out of town, if the prospects of employment seem better. I.E. if there are more new grad positions and job postings, or my application is reviewed more often. I am waiting it out as long as possible, but the amount of money saved is running out...Vancouver is very close to Portland, but you will have to have a Washington License to be considered...I have not been working as a CNA, but I have gotten an ACLS and ECG certification, enrolled in a TNCC course and have been volunteering for the Red Cross. The OHSU recruiter said these are excellent things to be doing...My major hope is that things get better in Portland...FAST!

Hi! I am a new graduate in search of a job in Portland, as well. I was worried about losing my skills too, but getting a foot in the door seems like the best option and there are lots of internships for nurses with experience, so when you get a hospital job, they will have the appropriate training. There are lots of classes at PCC that can help keep the skills up. Also, what is the name of the Assisted Living Facility you are working at? Are they still hiring? I also love the geriatric population...

I moved to Portland from Virginia after I graduated in Dec 2009. I am still unemployed. I got my nursing license on February 24th. It has been EXTREMELY difficult to get a job, or even an interview. I have applied to every single hospital, long-term care, clinic, recruiting agency, within a 100 mile radius. I have applied in southern Oregon and all over Washington. The job market is very bad right now and there is lots of competition. I got an Associate's Degree, which at OHSU, the recruiter said they accept equally, but they prefer BSN because it's a teaching hospital. I did not realize how bad it would be before I moved here, I thought it might be difficult, but my application's don't even get considered half the time. (they are mostly online so you can check the status) Legacy has been reviewing their internships since February and still have not decided if they will offer any this summer or fall. Also, Legacy will absolutely not hire a new grad if you don't have 6 months nursing experience or you've completed their internship program. Providence never seems to have appropriate jobs for new grads, and my resume has never been considered. The problem about these 2 hospital systems, is the fact that they have multiple facilities around this area, but you won't be able to get a job at any of them. This severely limits the hospitals that you can apply to in the surrounding areas. The VA Medical Center said they are also not hiring new grads unless they completed their preceptorship there. So, that's ruled out too. Basically, OHSU and nursing homes are the best shot right now, but those are even stagnant. Samaritan Health services is a hospital system in Corvallis, Lebanon, and Albany areas, which is about an hour and a half from Portland, and they have some new grad opportunities. (although, I still haven't heard back) Anyway, I just wanted to give a more recent view of the situation. If I would have read this before I moved, I would have reconsidered. It's very sad, but getting a nursing job is not easy AT ALL. Especially in Portland.