Soon to be new grad wanting to work @ Harborview.

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I graduate from a nursing school in Chicago, IL this December. I've known for a while that I wanted to live in a different state after graduation, and after a few months of research and thought I'm pretty sure Seattle is a best place for me.

I know there are a bunch of threads about Harborview Medical Center on this site, but they're a few years old. I was looking for an updated opinion -- how receptive is Harborview to new grads, particularly out-of-state new grads?

And, because I'm still unfamiliar with applying to an out-of-state job, could I just do a phone interview or does Harborview want me to fly in to do an in-person interview?

Any info would be great!

Thanks! :)

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I am not a new grad but I am also looking to possibly relocate to Seattle. I have one year experience in med/surg (post-op unit) and an ADN. I applied at Harborview on Thursday last week (a general posting for several RN positions they had) and got a call Friday from a recruiter! I was really surprised. She asked me if I currently worked at a level 1 trauma hospital (since they are one as well). I asked her how the interview process would work and she told me they do not do phone interviews and I would HAVE to fly out there to interview. That is a real bummer so if I did go interview I would ideally hope to have several interviews lined up. I can't answer about new grads but I had heard they prefer BSNs but that did not seem to be an issue. I am still really on the fence about going out there. Anyone know the pay for RNs at Harborview? I have heard that RNs in Seattle make about what I make here in Detroit (and we have a WAY LOWER cost of living).

Good luck to you! Maybe we will both end up there!

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I have known quite a few ADN's that work or have recently worked there with no problems at all.

Harborview belongs to SEIU199NW union. Here is the link. You can look up contract info and see what they make.

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW | United for Quality Care

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thanks for the info corazondeoro! really helps out a lot. it sucks that they require us to fly out there for an interview... it's like $400-$500 to fly out there from chicago. :/ i was looking at wages too and it says that for experienced nurses the range is

$4598/mo - $8273/mo.

and thanks for link to the seiu199nw union tokmom!

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If you're looking to move to Seattle from out of state, especially as a new grad, I wouldn't set your sight on harborview. The main UW hospitals are extremely hard to get into and rarely look at outside candidates let alone those looking to move from out of state. The job market in Seattle is extremely tough right now and it's hitting new grads the hardest. If you feel that Seattle is where you want to be that's great but you should know the reality going in. Most of the centrally located hospitals in Seattle like Harborview, Swedish, and Virginia Mason will not give your application the time of day if you are out of state (a lot of DON have told me that flat out). I would set your sights on other hospitals that are a little farther out such as Multicare and Fransiscan in Tacoma, providence in Everett or Harrison in Bremerton. They are a lot more likely to hire our of state new grads.

Another tip if you are sure Seattle is really where you want to be try and secure a job at a LTC and move out here. You'd be surprised how far a little experience and a Seattle address will get you.

I've had a lot of experience with being an out of state new grad in Seattle so if you like anymore tips feel free to message me :)

Good luck!

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

There are hospitals in South Seattle as well. You can try Highline Hospital. Franciscan is in the process of buying them if you want to be part of the FHS organization.

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Specializes in Cath Lab/ ICU.
. The main UW hospitals are extremely hard to get into and rarely look at outside candidates let alone those looking to move from out of state. The job market in Seattle is extremely tough right now and it's hitting new grads the hardest. If you feel that Seattle is where you want to be that's great but you should know the reality going in. Most of the centrally located hospitals in Seattle like Harborview, Swedish, and Virginia Mason will not give your application the time of day if you are out of state (a lot of DON have told me that flat out).

Respectfully, none of this is true.

I had multiple offers as an out of state (and with NO WA license) applicant.

Multiple.

As far as the market here is concerned, I have had a job offer at EVERY place I've applied. (I have an ADN). And there are lots of openings! The market here is just fine, great even, at least for those of us with experience.

Ive had my pick of the litter as far as jobs are concerned. I've really been ale to pick and choose the perfect job...Just don't let people tell you that you can't make it here as an out of state applicant...not true.

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Okay @ CCL RN.. Respectfully, I was only speaking about the opportunities for new grads as the OP had asked, not those with experience. The job markets are extremely different in Seattle depending on which group you may fall into. There are many new graduate posters in this area who would agree with me.

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I agree with the last comment. It is really tough to find a job as a new grad in Washington never mind Harvorview and UW medical center unless you have a acute RN experience under your belt. I am a recent graduate myself and it looks like it is impossible to get a job at either of these hospitals. Some of my friends are getting hired for RN residency position because they did their preceptorship at the unit or they worked as a nurse tech or CNA on the floor that they got hired as a RN. Sorry to burst your bubble but if you are out of state and a NEW GRAD it is going to be really hard to get a job at the Harborview and UW. But it doesn't hurt to try!

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Specializes in 1 PACU,11 ICU, 9 ER.

I spent 9 yrs at Prov Everett and generally enjoyed it. I worked ICU and ED. It is not a long commute out of Seattle. Just a suggestion.

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I agree that it's still hard even for local new grads to find jobs--though not as hard as it was a couple of years ago--but it has nothing to do with having gone to school "outside" UW. Harborview hires from all schools. If there's a backroom preference for UW grads, it certainly isn't coming out in the actual hiring.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

To the OP, I'm a WA native who went to school in Michigan - because the WA state nursing school situation is extremely difficult to get into as well, even with great grades - and I'm graduating in December, looking to come back home! I know its tough for us new grads, but I wanted to let you know that Harborview is currently hiring for new grad positions and they are giving us a 3 month grace period to graduate/get our licenses. Here is the link:

https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm?szCategory=jobprofile&szOrderID=81333&szCandidateID=0&szSearchWords=&szReturnToSearch=1

I'm working on completing my senior preceptorship in an ICU at Swedish in Seattle's First Hill Campus and I'm praying this will give me an edge when I apply (I'm also a CNA/care aide on cardiac floor in Michigan). Let me know if you'd like to "team up" and hunt for new grad opportunities and share them on AllNurses. :) I'm looking for openings/residencies but school takes up time so I'm probably not as thorough as I could be.

P.S. Great username haha - I'm currently pulling an all nighter myself! Also if you have an way of getting an Seattle address for your application I'd consider it...I've heard Seattle-area hospitals have a bias towards hiring "natives" (which is why I'm using my family home's address haha).

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