RN needs help

[Ora86]

I understand your problem. I have been a hospice nurse for so long that no one in the hospitals will even talk to me. You MUST go through an intership program. They are very competitive to get into. Baylor will only take you as an intern if you already work their or you go through the el centro refresher course. ut western will take you as long as you have a degree. The person who gave you all of the phone numbers really did the hard work for you. Just call and keep asking when the internships start and try to get one. Also I don't know if hospice interests you but many of them are short staffed and they will train you. Believe me I feel your pain. The 12 hour shifts have also driven a lot of people out of hospital nursing. good luck.

[GayleTX]

The VA Hospitals are all hiring right now....there's a large VA in South Dallas.

[gail prysiazny]

I also moved from out of state a few months ago. I am having trouble finding an RN position. I worked long term care, no one wants to hire me because I don't have the experince. I did at one time work med surg,behavior health,post partum, peds. I need oasis, medicare, acls, and I am willing to take a refesher course to update my current knowledge. I have been a RN for 16 years. Anyone out ther that could reccommend a school that offers all of the above please for refesher course.

[JoycMarr]

this is interesting, because I work for Baylor and know for a fact they hire new RN grads all the time that literally have NO experience. So, did you even get a call back for an interview??

[catluvr]

The VA has a good program and hires new grads. It is definately in the area that would suit your commuting request. I have been there 3 years and love it. Lots of new grads. YOu may not stay forever, but you will get a lot of experience. Be patient, it is the end of the Fiscal year, however once the budget comes for FY11 (October 1) they will be hiring for sure (they may still be...I am not completely sure). I know budget is tight right now.

[catluvr]

I wanted to add... I read an article the other day this is the first time in MANY years that nurses are becoming unemployed. Hospitals are cutting back due to lack of reimbursement. Hold on...rant coming...meanwhile insurance companies are making profits hand over fist because they see a reason to not pay hospitals for various things, yet our premiums continue to rise and out of pocket expenses rise as well for patients.

Hmmm hospitals cut nurses...which leads to lack of nurses to care for sick people...meanwhile we keep the sickest of people alive longer and longer through medical technology...hospitals go broke and patients have more problems due to lack of staff....hospital closes...government takes it over and wala...socialized medicine where one nurse cares for 30 acute care people and the government quotas the amount of yearly procedures and the types allowable based on the masses.

Anybody seeing the trend? Sounds like socialism at its finest. Sorry for the rant.

[nurse_101]

I'm a RN as well and have worked in administration...some have mentioned that many hospitals are hiring "new grads" that is true, but there is a difference in a "new grad" and an experienced nurse who doesn't have the experience you are looking for...basically, hospitals don't want to pay experienced nurse salary while having to expend money & time training and orienting you like a new graduate...with that said you may want to try a nursing agency or apply for a rehab/transitional care floor within a hospital, once you do that it will be a lot easier to move around to different areas within the hospital. Personally, I've worked home health, school nursing, FQHC, etc...but always try to keep a prn hospital job for this very reason. Don't give up though...we're new to this area and my husband (also a RN) is on a travel assignment and has been offered several permanent jobs w/ THR, Baylor, etc...and he just accepted one w/ Methodist. Also, try to market yourself as more of a new grad since you only have one year of experience and play up the med-surg/acute care skills you developed while working at the LTAC. Good luck!!!

[JoycMarr]

Another approach is to apply for less than desirable shifts and locations to get your foot in the door. Once you are hired on it is easier to transition to another area or shift of your choosing, but you may have to start out at the bottom, so to speak, on night shift. One thing I've noticed about new grads is they always want to work ICU and ER, but sometimes you have to take what is more readily available and work something else. Just my thoughts....