Should i apply for RN II jobs even as a new grad?

blah_blah_blah · Sep 7, 2015

Eh, that can be a tough call. I taught in nursing school to not apply for jobs you are not qualified for, but I know of new grads that have gotten hired for jobs that they technically weren't qualified for. I'm also a new grad and one could argue that the job I recently accepted I would not be qualified for as a new nurse.I mean some jobs have a mile long list if requirements (I wouldn't suggest a new grad to apply for THOSE jobs obviously). Realistically, how many nurses that apply for those jobs possess EVERY SINGLE qualification listed on the job posting? Probably not many. The way I see it is that qualifications (when they are extensive) are what an ideal candidate would possess in a perfect world.I would say if you're desperate enough, go for it. Like a previous poster said, best case they don't call you. Worst case, you're put on a do not hire list. I've never heard of the latter happening, but you never know. It's up to you. Good luck!

Riawahine, BSN, MSN · Sep 7, 2015

I guess my question is this: do you meet the qualifications for the RN II position? You may be able to call their HR department and gather more information. Much luck!!

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2015

I was not trying to be snarky. It would be like me applying for a job that requires two years progressive management experience. I don't have it- so why would I apply?

Some hiring managers are willing to take a chance on applicants who don't have the exact qualifications listed for a particular job. If an applicant seems mature, sensible, wise, smart, creative, or whatever, the decision could very well go in the applicant's favor.

Of course, it might or might not be a good thing. I think there's no way to know unless a person tries.

Or what if the applicant has 1 year and 8 months experience? Or 15 years as a nurse but has never been a manager, yet has been shift Charge many, many times? Or has done many of the duties I'd want the new hire to do, yet has never been called a manager?

As for being blacklisted for not following directions, I guess that's a possibility. I would, I think, applaud the courage of the person applying. I think.

To the OP - any way you can casually meet the hiring manager and just sort of feel out the situation?

kass333 · Sep 8, 2015

always apply to anything you are interested in, you really never know. I made a huge career move by applying to something I wasn't qualified in and I got it!

Upward_Bound · Sep 8, 2015

About2k15, don't let these Negative Nancy's ruin your day. (See my post "Please help, what should I do?" and you'll know what I mean)

Congrats on graduating, and don't ever, ever, EVER be afraid to apply for what you want.

Best of luck to you.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 8, 2015

About2k15, don't let these Negative Nancy's ruin your day. (See my post "Please help, what should I do?" and you'll know what I mean)
Congrats on graduating, and don't ever, ever, EVER be afraid to apply for what you want.
Best of luck to you.

No one is being negative. She asked an opinion & everyone has a different opinion.

am27 · Sep 8, 2015

YES!!! apply! I was hired as a new grad on my dream unit. my managers happened to have graduated from my school therefore that stood out to them as far as getting an interview. you never know when a little confidence or guts will pay off, and you have nothing to lose. go for it and good luck!! and plan on following up with the application, whether it's making a call to HR or the Nurse Manager on the unit his/herself. Put yourself out there and pull out all the stops. Trust me, it will pay off!! í ½í¸Š

Upward_Bound · Sep 8, 2015

No one is being negative. She asked an opinion & everyone has a different opinion.

Some people are discouraging, and discouraging is negative.

And don't you have anything better to do than to follow my comments around? I thought you were a nurse?

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 8, 2015

Some people are discouraging, and discouraging is negative.
And don't you have anything better to do than to follow my comments around? I thought you were a nurse?

She asked for opinions on a public forum, that is what she received.

I am not following you around. When was the last time I replied to you? No, I am currently a SAHM, if you must know.

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Sep 8, 2015

Short answer - no. Longer answer - here you go.

I work at a large teaching hospital. The RN II position is not just given to people with experience; it involves doing a project and lots of documentation exhibiting growth and best practices etc...it is designed for nurses who may be transitioning from one floor to another. As an RN II you are expected to be a capable and competent clinician who operates independently and needs just a short orientation to a new floor. An RN I new grad will get up to 12 weeks of orientation with a preceptor and a year long induction into the hospital's nursing program with

meetings every month. It is a completely different animal, and for good reason. Every minute of orientation as a new grad is needed and remember you don't count as staff. On orientation the preceptor is still responsible for the patients. When floors advertise RN II positions, they may be counting on that person being able to start working on their own SOON and aren't signing up for a whole year of having an RN new grad. There may be charge nurse and preceptorship duties expected of that person. You cannot do either as a RN new grad, so they can't entertain hiring you. As an applicant we were advised by nurse recruiter of a large, multi-city hospital to apply ONLY for RN NEW GRAD positions. This is the ONLY position we were qualified for. Even if the hospital will interview you, you will have to explain to several people that you are a new grad, not an RN II. Recruiters are busy and might just say "What?" and get confused. I would not want that to be their first impression of me. Also if it is a big enough hospital to make the distinction in the first place, I would apply only for their new grad position. HR is difficult enough! You don't want to risk them forwarding your application to some unit manager because *HR* doesn't know the difference, only to receive a huffy email or phone call where they say "No New Grads." I think the possible confusion is only worth it if you have an established connection at the hospital willing to stick their neck out for you. Good luck to you! There are new grad positions out there in hospitals!

kittyvenven · Sep 10, 2015

I would and have. It doesn't hurt. Better yet, call them or go in to speak with someone. That's what I did. I got the job.