Who's Hiring New Grads?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jan 9, 2009

Gosh, it's worse than I thought.

Also, find out who the manager is and call them directly. I know it's awkward, but it may be necessary. Did you know that most managers never see all the applications? HR decides which app gets to the manager.

For me, I spoke with the manager on the phone, interviewed with him in person and was offered a job-all before HR even evaluated my app.

chocolateskye · Jan 9, 2009

Do you think that will work well here in the valley? Since many of the hospitals are now starting up new grad programs? I tried networking and what not when I done my preceptorship at County hospital only to be told that they do not hire individually directly on the floor anymore all new grads have to go through the new grad program and will be crossed trained into different areas? Or something like that? Thanks they may work with my out of state applications but I am unsure if it will work here since they all seem to be doing the same thing?

MsBruiser · Jan 9, 2009

I got both my new grad jobs by going directly to management. In fact, my most recent job they never hire New Grads (I was still technically a new grad because I only had 10 months experience) but they created a slot for me.

Pkkostura · Jan 9, 2009

all banner hospitals are on a hiring freeze. look at the job adds they say no new grads at this time. if anything they will only hire they banner fellows. i got denied tons of times through scottsdale, st joes, nursing homes, mayo, maricopa. i even went to a job fair and the first thing i asked was do you hire new grads? st. joes told me if you don't already work for them, that no, they were sorry. st. lukes will only hire apollo college new grads due to contracts.

chocolateskye · Jan 10, 2009

I truely believe you! I have went to all of the places that you have mentioned and even tried assisted living facilities and the indian reservation? Nothing? The job placement lady at my school cant even help as she boldly told me that she has never placed a Rn student before due to the fact that they have all already had jobs 3 to 4 months before they even graduated? So where does that leave us? My phone is only ringing from hospitals that are out of state. Anyone know how the compact license thing works?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Have you tried Tucson? I know some places that WERE hiring...what about Kindred?

mattsmom64 · Jan 10, 2009

I graduated last December and I remember that a lot of my classmates were experiencing the same thing you are. No one was hiring in December and January. Towards the end of January and February positions started to open up. Hiring is always slow around the holidays. Hang in there and apply for everything (RN, new grad, and extern positions) a job posting doesn't have to specifically state "new grad RN" to have them consider a new grad. Plenty of my friends were hired off of "RN" postings.....btw, Chandler just posted a bunch of Extern positions (every new grad is considered an extern until they have their license.....good luck:wink2:

oakbourne · Jan 10, 2009

When I was looking in 1993, and there was a nursing crunch or NO NURSING JOBS, never was I asked about grades or transcripts. THEY WANTED EXPERIENCE!!!! It was the ole catch 22.

I just quit whining and complaining and did what I had to do to get the med-surg experience by working in the boonies. That solved the whole problem, and afterwards I had experience and could work where I wanted to work.

Just because you have great grades, volunteer work, and passed the NCLEX does not guarantee you a job.

Do whatever you have to do to get the experience. Be creative, get a map,scope out small towns with small hospitals and call and call and call. Times are tough right now and you have to work hard like I did to get that experience. Just don't say I have the best grades, I have worked in a hospital environment, and I have done volunteer work. That won't fly.

Hospitals want experience. Think experience, roll up your sleeves, and go to work at finding a job. That is what I had to do, and it worked like a charm.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Just because you have great grades, volunteer work, and passed the NCLEX does not guarantee you a job.
.

Please show me where anybody said grades and volunteer work guarantees somebody a job.

Nobody said that.

If you read this thread, we are talking about NEW Grad jobs. We are talking about the new grad positions that are being filled. Too many new grads not enough spots.

Just don't say I have the best grades, I have worked in a hospital environment, and I have done volunteer work. That won't fly..

Funny, it worked for me.

And, my hosptial requires transcripts and funny, it worked for those very few who got hired last time.

But in this economy, we didn't have any ICU spots open to new grads. At all. And we only had a few for med surg nights (which were filled quickly).

We can't afford to train new grads right now. They cost too much money. I don't think this is about new grads being 'picky". I think most of these new grads on this thread HAVE looked into small towns, have looked out of town, and yes, have looked into med surg. And even LTC.

The jobs simply aren't there. Any advantage a new grad can have right now should be used.

Kabin · Jan 10, 2009

And if the hospitals aren't hiring their extensive education staff need to be scaled back. Most likely transitioning back to their areas of expertise or maybe looking for work.

smn2010, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

using internet job sites is a good idea; however, i think all new grads need to ask themselves where (city, state, etc.), what field (med/surg, cardiac, icu, etc), they actually want to work. then, they should view the internet websites for the hospitals in that area.

there is a really good site that contains information on all u.s. hospitals. take a look. i'm sure you will see hospitals, medical facilities that you were not even aware of in your city/state of interest. the website is:

http://www.theagapecenter.com/hospitals/index.htm this is the site i used when i began my search for employment. it lists the hospital name and usually has an internet link to the hospitals website so you can post your resume online. hope it helps!!! :) there are other sites; but i think this one is better organized.

i graduated in may 2008. but, i began looking for jobs in january 2008. by march 2008, i had 5 job offers (new mexico, arizona, virginia, north carolina and georgia). most new grad positions are filled 2-3 months before a semester ends (december grad positions are filled by september/october); may grads positions are filled by february/march). initially i was looking at new grad programs; but then realized that all hospitals to not participate in such a program. my suggestion: as a new grad, apply online to any/all positions that indicate "new grads," "new grads welcome" in the job description. often times, when the position states minimum 1 (or 2) years experience, the new grad will be called for an interview. i say this because i was called.

as for course grades from school. not one hospital requested my grades, transcripts, etc. i think we all know that an individuals grades to not define their skills. there are many 3.5-4.0 students who are poor nurses because they never learned how to do critical thinking--they merely "memorized" information to pass their tests/exams. additionally, students who fail their boards on their 1st or 2nd attempt end up being excellent nurses--they just aren't good test takers. don't let your grades define who you are in the real world of nursing. we all start learning our trade once we are out on the floor.

consider taking a second look at your resume. could it use a few changes/modifications? as for your cover letter, does it really reflect who you are and what you are looking for in a nursing position---or is it "generic" in nature???

to those new grads that are still seeking employment....don't give up.:typing there are positions out there. :up:

...sorry, i've written a short novel... i better stop here!

have a great day everyone!

~ sn ~

MsBruiser · Jan 10, 2009

And if the hospitals aren't hiring their extensive education staff need to be scaled back. Most likely transitioning back to their areas of expertise or maybe looking for work.

I would love to see an educator actually work with patients - most would run for the hills in fear if they actually had to implement half of their half-baked "initiatives." That especially held true at Banner...fortunately not at my current position.