Whither the New Grads?

One question that gets asked a lot these days is, if there is such a shortage of nurses out there as we’ve all been led to believe, then why can’t new grads find work?  It’s a good question, and I’m afraid there’s not a really easy answer.  Most jobs that are out there these days seem to require at least 3-5 years of experience, which can be frustrating to those who’ve recently spent the last 2-3 years hard about the business of earning certification, and oh by the way- probably incurring a bit of debt in the process.  So what is a newly minted RN to do?  How do you get experience when no one will hire you?  Here are a couple of ideas/suggestions that I have heard in my travels and in conversation with those in hiring capacities:

1. Be flexible. Easier than it sounds, I know.  Maybe you’ve got your heart set on that job in the Cath/EP lab, but for any number of reasons (most likely lack of experience, naturally) it just isn’t happening for you.  Maybe a Med/Surg job is the way to get your foot in the door.  Prove yourself there for 12-18 months, volunteer for shifts and assignments that nobody else wants (without seeming too eager, if you know what I mean) and see where that leads you.  I’m willing to bet you’ll be pleased with the result.
2. Volunteer your time. No, it’s not going to help you pay down those student loans, but chances are it’ll pay off many times over if you approach it with the right attitude.  A lot of heavy-hitters volunteer their time to a lot of the same organizations, and they will take note of one who gives freely of themselves to the benefit of their communities.  That can never hurt, nor can the actual work experience gained.
3. Seek out the programs designed specifically for new grads. Master of the obvious, I know, but there are some really great programs out there at facilities willing to make a commitment to the future of the field.  Right here in Atlanta, for example, Emory University hospitals have a program specifically designed to shepherd new grads into the field and give them critical exposure to and experience in the field.  There are other similar programs out there if you take the time to research it.

So there are a few ideas on hitting what is a frequently moving target.  Sorry if none of those seem terribly earth-shattering or revolutionary, but sometimes it’s the simple, obvious stuff that gets overlooked, and can ultimately make a big difference.  Either way, I’d be remiss if I didn’t trot out the old platitude about how it’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.

Happy hunting, everyone.  As always- the comments are open.  If you’ve got advice that you think will be helpful to the new grads out there, let’s hear ‘em.

Embezzlement in medical practices: A present, if not always clear, danger

I recently had the pleasure of sitting in on a presentation by Senior Practice Management Consultant Steve Robinson of S&R  Consulting at the March meeting of the North Fulton Medical Group Management Association.  Over the course of his presentation Steve opened several sets of eyes and dropped several jaws with real life stories of embezzlement in medical practices with which he has worked.  From Medicare and credit card fraud to contact lens theft and plain, old-fashioned sticky fingers in the cash drawer, Steve has seen it all.  Steve estimates that 1 in 4 practices are victims of embezzlement, and offered some sound, common-sense preventative measures that all practices should put in place.  Among them:

• Make sure you have a system of checks and balances in place, and make sure your employees are aware of them
• Require two signatures for all checks
• Segregate responsibilities, i.e. balance reporting and bank deposits
• Employ periodic, random audits
• Don’t deviate from the rules or procedures you set

This is really only a snapshot of all the material Steve presented, but it will hopefully be motivation enough to get you thinking about security measures and checks and balances in place in your practice.  I’d love to hear your thoughts, stories or suggestions in the comments section below.  So…what say you?

Hello world!

Hello, and welcome to the official blog for MedJobsPost.com.  We are going to try to keep things short and relevant here, and light if at all possible.  MedJobsPost.com is a healthcare industry-specific job board, with all manner of healthcare job listings, from clinical to clerical.  We love constructive criticism, positive feedback, and suggestions on how to improve our offerings, and we try to be prompt in responding to same.  We want to offer the most economical and effective job board in the healthcare arena, and appreciate your help in achieving that goal.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Please visit our website if you are looking for work in the healthcare sector, or are looking to hire someone in that world.  We hope to get the blog up and running over the next few days with some good content.  Please excuse us while we measure the drapes and get some fresh paint on the walls in the meantime.