Request advice from Nursing Managers

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Advise from Nurse Managers

My story

I have desired an RN degree for many years but could not attend the traditional nursing programs due to my fire department schedule of 24 hours on duty. Well, a few years ago I met a nurse who had obtained his RN through Excelsior College's self-study program for paramedics and LPNs. After contacting my state board of nursing to ensure they accepted Excelsior grads, I applied and just recently graduated this past November and passed the NCLEX in January 2010.

I work ten 24-hour shifts per month at the fire department as a paramedic. Therefore, I have an average of 20 days per month off duty in which I can work as an RN. I do not believe most RNs work 20 days per month, so I assume I have plenty of time to work as a nurse.

The problem I seek advice for is that all my applications for part time RN positions in the Memphis, TN area have been summarily rejected. Unsure why because no one sends any feedback, but I believe it is because they all ask for one year of experience.

So I ask you, how can I get one year of experience if nurse managers will not give me a chance?

I have been under the impression that I would not have any difficulties obtaining an RN job because I have been a paramedic for so long. Apparently I have been incorrect in that assumption. It seems to me that a new RN with Paramedic experience would at least have a little bit better chance of obtaining a job than a new nurse with no patient care experience other than from clinicals.

As an extra, I am currently studying for the BCEN exam and should take it in about one month, with the hope that passing the emergency nurse's exam will help me.

I would appreciate ANY advice.

Thanks in advance for your time

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Well I'm not a nurse manager, but I am a new grad and have been in your position. The answer is "get it somewhere else." No one seems to want to give a new grad a chance unless you have a BSN, worked as an RN, and plenty of experience. There are plenty of experienced RNs in the market looking for jobs, employers don't need to take the risk and cost of new grads regardless of non RN experience.

As a fellow new grad I'd say apply EVERYWHERE. Put aside your preconceptions of where you'd be and what you'd be doing when you graduated. Some of the best advice I got was to walk into every nursing home within driving distance and ask if they were hiring. Every single one said yes, although they later called and said they weren't hiring at the time but are interested now. I did that in January and finally got calls in March and got a job. Search the forums there. You have to weed through lots of judgemental an unhelpful posts but I took a peice of paper and wrote down any advice that was something I hadn't tried and wasn't overly simplistic.

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You mentioned you were applying for part-time work. From what I've heard, most hospitals will not take a brand-new grad nurse just part time. Most require that you be full-time at the beginning because of how different "real" nursing is from what they teach you in school.

Just something to consider. =) :cool:

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Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

My suggestion: cut back on your hours working as a paramedic (if this is possible). This will allow you to work full-time as an RN. As a previous post stated, you need to be available for FT work to gain experience. Perhaps you may be able to work 12 hour shifts (I'm too old for that now, but liked it when I was younger; gave me a lot of free time) if that is palatable for you. It really must be discouraging not being able to find a job after all the time and energy you devoted to obtaining RN status. I have been a nurse for 30 years; never had a problem getting a job, but that was in the late '70s when diploma grads would almost always be hired by the hospital that was their "home base." Hospital-based nursing schools had an allegiance, so to speak, with their students. This was another great reason I decided on a hospital-based diploma program; it's a shame diploma programs are basically non-existent.

I hope your job search will eventually be profitable. Get your foot in the door somewhere; if at all possible, get a med-surg position, as this will be a stepping stone for furthering your career should you decide you would like to specialize in ICU,PACU, ER, etc.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Streptococcus, Evidently, you have heard this one before but I just hired 4 Rn's all of them new grads. 3 LPN's, and 3 CNA's. However, here's a site that might be able to help you, it wouldn't hurt to check it out... http://www.advancejobfair.com http://www.advancenurse.com they have listings for all over the states, lastly,Congrats on passing the NCLEXRN :yeah:and I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors~

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Thanks for all of your advice.

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I'm here in Memphis as well. I currently work on a cardiac floor at St. Francis. What hospitals have you applied for, also what areas are you open to working in? I know my manager in looking for help like mad. I know most of the new grads to a Versant program here but I wonder with your experience as a paramedic if that could be bypassed. Let me know if you want me to contact her.

Good Luck,

Brian

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

As someone said earlier ... a lot of employers require that a new grad work full time at first to get properly oriented and comfortable with the job of an RN. And while you have paramedic experience, you have zero nursing experience - and you will be viewed as a new grad, not an "experienced nurse."

Also, a lot of employers may hire Excelsior grads ... but they may be extra cautious because your program did not include clinical nursing experience. They may only be willing to give you a chance if you are willing to make their job your #1 priority and work as a nurse for full time.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Hello Brian,

I have applied for a few positions at St. Francis as well as Baptist and Methodist systems. I basically would take what ever position I could get, because my view is beggars cant be picky. I also realize that no matter what position I start in as an RN, I have a tremendous amount to learn.

I believe the Cardiac floor would be a great area to work in and would appreciate the assistance.

Thank You Sir!

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I'll shoot her an email Monday and ask what exactly the policy is on new nurses. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with some more info about yourself and I will let you know what she says.

Brian

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