murse96706

I would definitely try to get experience there before coming back. Prior to starting college, I was told getting a degree from the mainland would impress employers more than graduating from a Hawaii program. Fast forward to post-grad and I think it's more advantageous for those who went to school locally because they did clinicals in the local hospitals and had time to network with the managers and employers. But they'll more than likely hire an experienced nurse from the mainland over a local new grad (I've noticed they prefer that, unless you've done serious networking with the staff and say maybe precepted on that unit). furthermore, the job market in WA is so much better for new grads. I actually just started at a hospital in the Seattle area (graduated from UH Manoa and worked as an aide at a hospital on Oahu). The wait to get an RN position is so long and many of the aides were graduated RNs who were waiting for a position to open up (up to 2 yrs for some of them). ultimately, it matters on you too. You mentioned you have kids so that factors into your decision. Good luck in nursing school and whatever decision you make:)

Check out Seattle, they have a bunch of RN residency programs. I graduated from UH in December, started working as a tech at straub, and got into a new grad residency in Seattle that starts next month.

I'll be moving there next month to start an ED RN residency program at Overlake. My advice would be to research the hospitals that offer residency programs before moving there. Start applying now as some places are still accepting apps. Also, keep in mind that once you get your RN license, you can't work an aide position in the hospital (if you thought you could get your foot in the door through that way).

I have seen places in Kirkland and the bus ride to Bellevue does not seem bad at all. I've visited Seattle a couple of times and Capitol Hill looked like a nice place to de-stress after work and meet new people. Any areas in Seattle that I should try to avoid?

Hey skip219, I'm from Hawaii and just accepted a new grad position at Overlake in Bellevue. Trying to look for a place around where I could take the bus it to work as I plan to bus it to work. Any suggestions?

What unit did you interview for?

My top choice was ED. Interviewed in mid-March, no callback yet. It doesn't seem like they have contacted anyone yet so I'm not too anxious yet. But I'm hoping they will in the next week or two before I contact them and/or start losing hope lol.

Got an interview with them next week. Any tips as to what they'll ask? It's a Skype interview so that'll be a first for me.

I interviewed a little over a month ago as well. I have read on here they might start calling by mid-April and maybe until the end of the month so I'm not too anxious yet. Was just curious if anyone else may have heard from them.

Did anyone get a second interview yet?

It's unfortunate that you have family obligations that force you stay here because I would say check out the mainland. You are right in the sense that it is hard to get into the New Grad program at any hospitals here. I also agree on you about the travel nurse issue. The hospitals would rather invent their time in nurses who probably won't stay after their contracts are up and then they are back to having no nurses to fill their spots. Instead of just investing in a new grad nurse...who actually has a better chance of staying in the long run. I don't know, it probably depends on management. As far as your claim that they tend to favor UHM students, I can see why you say that. I just think it's because many of the graduates who get hired must have either done clinical or their last senior preceptorships on those units. I was offered a position where I did my senior preceptorship so it's a good start to get into the system. I would say keep trying and get a per diem aide position to get your name in their system!

I have a couple classmates from Hawaii who are in the most recent cohort and from what one of them told me, they paid for her plane ticket and the shipping costs for her car and dog. As far as applying for the July cohort, I spoke with one of the recruiters and she mentioned that we can just apply for the Feb cohort listing and they'll contact you for the first interview.

Question for any of the new grads: Did you already take your NCLEX? I wanted to apply for the Feb cohort but being that I just graduated in December, I thought it'd be better to get all that done and get my license transferred before applying. Also, I'm debating whether I should move to Seattle earlier and find a tech job or stay at home and work as an ER Tech (I was offered the position in the unit I did my senior preceptorship in). I really want to move now, as I figure getting into the system now will help my chances of when I do plan to apply.