1 Year Experience required... but how do i get experience if you won't hire me?

knighton201 · May 22, 2012

my headache is primarly in the area i'm trying to apply there are tons of jobs for experienced RN's, and I believe that they are even flying in traveling nurses, it seems to the point that they have many more experienced RN slots than they can possibly fill (though the grass always does look greener...) In my search alone I've noticed several hundred jobs which in their description say require certian number of years, most 1 year + (about half of those very specific where that year is spent as well) and a good number requiring 2-5 years experience, though most of the 2-5 year experience are supervisory positions, which I very much do not qualify for, nor would want as a fresh new nurse.

Thanks for the extra info, I appreciate the extra insight into why new nurses aren't always welcome, and thank you for putting up with my frustrations.

where would be a good place to get ACLS training done and what does that typically cost btw? We had a last minute incident cause our ACLS instructor to become unavailable so we were unable to finish it and get that certification complete

edit: PS: also thank you for the suggestion of the military, actually was looking at their recruitment websites for that, though not sure i want to go that route, last i heard its a 5 year commitment as an officer to get those loans repaid, if i do end up contacting them I will let you all know

Aniva · May 27, 2012

Yea, I can imagine health care systems shooting themselves in the foot in the future when the "shortage" gets worse. Eventually, these positions will open up and new RNs will be considered. However, when this time comes, I'm afraid it may be offered to the new-new graduate nurses and leave a whole generation in the dust and forgotten. This is something I would hate to see! If you really don't want to deviate from the RN positions, I would recommend applying for RN residency positions anywhere (and I mean anywhere). Cast as big of a net as possible and relocate if you have to, just get your foot in the door. While doing this, keep searching for the RN positions open to new grads and keep trying. During the search, put more "eggs in the basket" by furthering education (stressful and resource consuming, but may be a way to get a different opportunity) such as advanced degrees. After some time, consider other health care related jobs-couldn't hurt :) Best of luck!

sweetjess321 · Jul 14, 2012

Thanks for your input. I'm hoping that will help me. I'm starting the ADN program in August and I work at an engineering firm. (not relevant, I know, ha ha). I have my CNA certification, but don't work as one because I can't live off the pay. So, I've heard it's super hard to get a job as an RN as a new graduate (I'm in Phoenix, AZ) so I'm volunteering at a hospital to get my foot in the door. Hopefully this will work. :)

wooh, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2012

DFW is saturated with nursing schools.

Go south. Around the border tends to have openings. Along the Gulf used to, not sure about these days. And if you can add habla espanol to your resume, that will help too.

Cieritaqt, ADN, RN · Dec 6, 2012

Hello
I am a new grad with my RN in hand, applying to many locations around the Dallas/Fort Worth region, and a universal theme I'm starting to notice in this region, with much dismay, is 1 or more years experience required, at almost all jobs. There are hundreds, if not thousands of jobs like this for experienced RN's. However, for positions for nurses without experience are few and far apart. How does one build experience, when there are little to none jobs hiring nurses without experience? Even job placement agencies for nurses (I've contacted 2 thus far and applied for various others) are mostly unable help because they won't get paid for finding you a job, hospitals only pay them to find experienced candidates.
To make matters more fun is many of these places require your 1 year of experience be in a relevant area, so scratch SNF off your list of places to build experience, unless this is your calling as a nurse.
Is this something universal throughout nursing, or have I discovered a rough patch per say?
I keep hearing about nursing shortages throughout the country and projected nursing shortages in the millions, but if they won't hire new grads, how will we build the job experience needed to fill these vacancies in the coming years, or even have any where close to the projected numbers?
Any good advice you can throw this new RN's way?
Thanks

Hi there! So, did you ever find a job? Do you have your BSN or ADN? I am on the wiatlist of 2 community college schools for my ADN. I can't afford to do the BSN program. I notice that so many positions require a bachelor's. It's frusterating because I have been on the waitlist for over a year, and I will be 31 years old.

knighton201 · Dec 14, 2012

hey after about 3 months of searching I was able to get hired on PRN at a home health agency and about a month after that a hospital called me for a full time position on a med surg floor, after a couple weeks of orientation with an experienced RN I just got done with my first week solo. If anyone else see's this post here's a few pitfalls I am seeing on the other side of my ordeal...

1. New Mandate I found out about talking to various staffing directors/nursing instructors in the area that by 2020 80% of nursing workforce employed by each facility must be BSN prepared... being an ADN shortly after that mandate did not help, so anyone doing ADN program may want to look into immediately moving on to a RN -> BSN program before searching too hard if its hard to find work as an RN in your area (I am in the Dallas region at this time)

2. Its not what you know... its who you know... the home health job I established was due to my sister who met a home health nurse from the same company by chance through her job and was given permission for me to use that nurse's name on a resume. One of the ladies who attends my church works at the hospital where I was offered the full time position as a med-surg nurse and knew the director personally and allowed me to use her name as a recommendation. Also volunteer clinics always need extras and are happy to have warm bodies and are great places to meet other professionals who may know of openings.

3. Don't give up, I think a month after I got the job with the hospital 2-3 more employers called me back, and I had a chuckle a bit.

Also in regards to the military option as a nurse... I am unsure about the Air Force (as the recruiter from the Air Force did not the email I sent just returned an email with their enlistment webpage instructions and didn't answer my questions regarding being a nurse in the Air Force.) The Army recruiter sent me a great deal of detailed information specifically related to nursing however to be a nurse in the Army a BSN is required. They have options to have you enlist temporarily while you work on it, but there are several "hoops" one must jump through to reach the goal at the end to be a nurse in the Army (sounded like approximately 2-3 years of hoops before you could even be considered). Another thing to be aware of is not every state recognizes every military branch's nursing as valid nursing experience, so read up on it before you sign up otherwise you will get out after several years and be in the same boat.

knighton201 · Dec 14, 2012

Hi there! So, did you ever find a job? Do you have your BSN or ADN? I am on the wiatlist of 2 community college schools for my ADN. I can't afford to do the BSN program. I notice that so many positions require a bachelor's. It's frusterating because I have been on the waitlist for over a year, and I will be 31 years old.

Hey I am not sure about your community colleges in your area, but for many nursing schools that I looked at in New mexico before i moved closer to family had competitive wait lists, where students who scored highest on entrance exams and had higher GPA's as well as other factors get in before other students with lower GPA's and test scores (due to accreditation and needing to have higher pass rates for nursing boards). You may want to speak with an academic advisor, and many of the nursing schools I looked at had nursing school academic advisor specifically for nursing school and that would most likely be your best bet to learn exactly how the wait list works, criteria for selection, and what you can do to improve your chances and speed your entrance into a program.

Also, you should talk to financial aide office at your school as well as some other schools you are considering attending. Depending on your income you may qualify for financial aide programs especially since you are older than 24 (until you turn 24 you have to list your parents income on your FAFSA which can significantly reduce federal aide you receive to afford school) I was able to get the Pell Grant for 2 years which covered my tuition and books and then I was able to get a subdidsized loan (a loan where the government pays all interest you accrue while in school and you make 0 payments until after graduation) to cover my food/rent.

Hope this helps!