Sacramento New Grad RNs.... Are You Having A Difficult Time Landing A Job?

CityKat, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2009

Remember that schools can vary a lot. My school didn't have a senior practicum either.

That's surprising b/c most schools I know of have senior practicums or internships. Your last semester in school, you weren't assigned to a certain area in a hospital and assigned one nurse? It's pretty much a general requirement of the schools I was looking at I looked at about 12 schools. That really sucks your school didn't offer one b/c this is where a lot of independent learning comes from; working one on one for an entire semester with just ONE nurse.

If you didn't have this, then I don't know what other options you might have in the world of the job market. Usually, most new grads have a good chance of placement at their places of rotations and internships. If you have neither, then I have no idea what you should do:(

jjjoy, LPN · Feb 17, 2009

You were not allowed to switch clinical groups with your classmates?

I don't remember anyone switching clinical groups, but we generally all had our rotations at the same local facilities, just on different units or we'd swap half way through the term. For inpatient clinicals, only critical care rotations were at variable locations where we had some choice and had to jostle a bit for preferred locations & experiences. Critical care was the only rotation where we worked one-on-one with a nurse, as opposed to working under the direction of our clinical instructor, shared with the other students on the floor. But we generally had no more than two shifts on one unit as we rotated through various speciality units.

I always find it interesting to compare different nursing school experiences. There is quite a bit of variability between programs. From what pre-reqs are required for admission to how care plans are used and graded to how many patients a student is expected to handle by their last term... it can vary a lot!

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Feb 17, 2009

There are a variety of styles of nursing schools, and there is no requirement to offer a "preceptorship" where you are assigned to follow one nurse at a specific location on a unit for a while. I believe it's about a 50/50 average of preceptorships. Some view it as useful as to getting a job offer, others view it as pointless because of new grad programs. I had a preceptorship, but it was at the VA, and they were having a hiring freeze so it didn't do me any good anyway.

nursinguy · Feb 17, 2009

There are a variety of styles of nursing schools, and there is no requirement to offer a "preceptorship" where you are assigned to follow one nurse at a specific location on a unit for a while. I believe it's about a 50/50 average of preceptorships. Some view it as useful as to getting a job offer, others view it as pointless because of new grad programs. I had a preceptorship, but it was at the VA, and they were having a hiring freeze so it didn't do me any good anyway.

A classmate a semester ahead just got hired at the VA becuase he interned their and they loved him, despite a so-called hiring freeze people are still getting hired. It is not what you know but rather who you know and what they think of you.

youknowho · Feb 17, 2009

It doesn't really matter who has senior preceptorships and who doesn't or if you can do all your clinicals at one place. Even if you do and do a marvelous job, it doesn't mean they will hire you. I thought the main point of this thread was that there just isnt the New Grad positions out there, period. And if there are you are competing with HUNDREDS of equally qualified nurses.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Feb 17, 2009

Exactly, they WANTED to hire me at that facility at the VA, but they were told they couldn't because of the hiring freeze. Like the above poster said, there's just not a lot of jobs. They may love you, but they don't have supreme control in facilities. For some it works out, for others it doesn't.

And as far as "who you know" I KNOW several people who work in HR nursing recruitment, and several nurses where the facilities are hiring, and they still can't get me in.

So as of right now, it's not even necessarily who you know....

Foreverplaid1 · Feb 18, 2009

UH-YEAH! I WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULD ALREADY KNOW THIS FACT B/C IT IS DRILLED INTO OUR HEADS AS NURSING STUDENTS-"THE REAL WORLD VS. THEORY/SCHOOL WAY...... :twocents:

nursinguy · Feb 18, 2009

It doesn't really matter who has senior preceptorships and who doesn't or if you can do all your clinicals at one place. Even if you do and do a marvelous job, it doesn't mean they will hire you. I thought the main point of this thread was that there just isnt the New Grad positions out there, period. And if there are you are competing with HUNDREDS of equally qualified nurses.

I agree, but all my male friends a semester ahead have jobs, seems like more than a coincedent.

LOVEJRT · Feb 18, 2009

Please do not tell people to come to Southern CA to get an RN position. THERE THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY NEW GRADS IN SOUTHERN CA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Experienced RNs are working multiple positions (many have laid-off spouses, so the have to work extra hours to pay the bills), so there are not a lot of open spots for experienced folks. Most county facilities (LA, Riverside, San Bernardino) have hiring freezes.. Tough all over!!! GOOD LUCK FOLKS!!!

nursinguy · Feb 20, 2009

Please do not tell people to come to Southern CA to get an RN position. THERE THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY NEW GRADS IN SOUTHERN CA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Experienced RNs are working multiple positions (many have laid-off spouses, so the have to work extra hours to pay the bills), so there are not a lot of open spots for experienced folks. Most county facilities (LA, Riverside, San Bernardino) have hiring freezes.. Tough all over!!! GOOD LUCK FOLKS!!!

Go SOUTH!

metalmom · Mar 1, 2009

No stay where you are. California is way too crowded, filthy, crime-ridden etc. Oh and need I mention-BROKE. I am a native daughter of native parents plus an RN trying to keep my own head above water, working several jobs. As soon as I find the balls to say bye-bye to my large family, I will high-tail it out of this god-forsaken state.

fiveofpeep · Mar 2, 2009

california sucks