Vent: Isn't this a contradiction??!!

[Black Jade, BSN, RN]

"Preferred Qualifications: New Grad RN's welcomed to apply. One or more years acute care experience preferred."

I just went to an open house where they were looking for nurses to travel to different companies to administer flu shots around the flu season. As a Medical Assistant, I have had experience administering adult and childhood vaccines. I also administered flu vaccines as a student nurse as part of our clinical requirements. However, this staffing agency (first choice) turned me away because it was required that I needed at least one year of experience as an RN. I also called another staffing agency looking for nurses for the same reason, and all they cared was that I had my RN license and that I was comfortable working alone. I was thinking about doing this in the meantime, until I found something better.

How are we supposed to get experience as an RN if most facilities/companies are not willing to give us the opportunity?

[PetuniaRN]

I think it is stupid wording, but what I have found it means in everyday English is, "We need to fill this position and we are willing to train a new grad, but will hire a nurse with experience before we will the new grad to save us money." It always boils down to money.

I actually had a nursing recruiter at a large hospital in Southern California tell me, "We don't hire new grads at all, ever. We do not see the point in spending all that money on someone with poor skills who doesn't know what kind of nursing they want to do or are good at. It isn't financially prudent." Really, I am just glad I don't have to work at a hospital that allows people to work there with such rude attitudes towards new grads. Imagine how the rest of the hospital acts!

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I am running into that problem. I have LPN experience, but no RN experience of course. What's worse is seeing BSN preferred when I just got my ADN. Nothing against BSN's, but everyone has to start somewhere right....so why is it so hard to get a job as a new grad to gain the experience these places say they want you to have?

[PetuniaRN]

As my mother told me, "Preferences aren't the same as requirements."

So apply anyway and hopefully they will give us a chance. I surely will remember this whenever I am a seasoned nurse and a new grad needs help finding a job!!:typing

[MB37]

That's bad wording if the experience is actually required. Definitely apply and apply for any position that even considers new grads - I had gotten my spirits down after hearing right before the interview for my dream job that the hospital was not currently hiring any new graduates - and that I was just getting an interview because they'd offered it to me a month ago. Plus, it was for critical care and I was going up against other new grads and who knows how many internal transfers and experienced applicants from other hospitals. And I never even worked as a tech. I just got offered the job today though, you never know what can happen!