Will your first job be your easiest to find?

[luv2shopp85]

I'm just wondering if this is true. It seems like hospitals always have new grad programs. But I don't hear of a lot of hospitals hiring RN's that already have experience. Do hospitals like to hire mostly new grads rather than RNs with experience? It seems like the first hospital I choose will be the one I'm stuck at. I'm going to be moving to California nad I haven't seen a lot of job openings but I have seen many new grad programs. I really hope this isn't true. Because I don't want to live in California all my life.

And what if I don't like thet first hospital I work at? Is it harder to switch jobs after you have had experience? Or maybe this is just a California thing? Or maybe I have it all wrong which I'm hoping is the case. Its just from waht I'm seeing from talking to people on the California sectino of this board.... it seems like people are having a hard time finding a job if they have experience. But since I'm going to be a new grad I can work anywhere pretty much.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

In my area, new grad programs are only offered in January and June. Otherwise, most hospitals want experienced nurses. A nurse with experience can work different schedules which include swing shifts and PRN. An inexperienced normally cannot work those shifts. I find that it is harder to get that first job rather than the other way around.

[DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

I agree with Medic2RN. Here in Boston....or in MA for that matter....very tough job market for the new grad nurse. It took me months to finally find a job! I think there are better opportunities out here for experienced nurses. IMO anyways.

[suzanne4, RN]

You see new grad programs advertised and with a big push because they are only offered two times a year in most of California.

Once you get experience under your belt, then getting another job is actually much easier. And you do see ads, just not the big ones, there is no reason for them then.

People are always changing jobs, it definitely is not a stagnant industry.

[GrnHonu99, RN]

Hospitals pay quite a bit of money to orient new grads. It is signifcantly less to hire an experienced nurse and as another poster said they can usually work different shifts (prn, float, etc.)