the weekly source for radiology professionals

Hiring New Grads

Posted At : 5/15/08 9:36 AM | Posted By : Shane Stewart
Related Categories: Hiring New Grads

It it that time of year again when Children's Healthcare of Atlanta begins to receive new graduate applications for technologist positions. Sometimes it is difficult to make the leap to hire a less experienced "brand new" technologist, however, I have found that most new grads are very motivated to do a good job and are more receptive to learning the Children's protocols and procedures. They tend to not come with any preconceived notions and are easily molded. If you have not hired a new grad in a while you may want to give it a try. I have been most pleased by our recent candidates.

comment Comments (5) | print Print | email Send | del.ico.us del.icio.us
Comments
[Add Comment]
I have found that what new grads lack in experience, they make up with knowledge, better willingness to learn, no bad work habits and better work ethic, pick up new things faster and adapt better to different situations, more flexible, ready to help every time, better moral, and last but not least they are easier on the budget. Having said all the above, one should consider that they need to take the time to properly train the new grads and mold them the “right” way, teach them the proper way and make sure they are ready to take on the pressure before you throw them to the dogs.
# Posted By Iva | 5/19/08 4:50 PM
I was just reading last week's rt issue about "recruitment roulette" and they also mentioned the usefulness of new grads. My hospital has often been extremely selective in bringing in recent grads, because past experience with them has resulted in some clashes with the upper-level staff because there is either a lack of professionalism or a lack of technical knowledge.

At other hospitals I've been at, grads are seen as a blessing because, like you said, they're not molded yet and lack that distinctive chip on their shoulders that comes prepackaged with so many experienced staff. I've seen a swarm of new staff completely transform hospital procedures in just a few months, so its very interesting to see the dicotomy.
# Posted By Corey Billmer RT(R)(CT) | 5/29/08 12:08 PM
As a fairly recent grad, three years ago, I think new grads do have enthusiasm and motivation to learn new procedures. However, if the grad has been a student at the hospital their level of comfort and familiarity may result in an attitude of knowing it all already. The new grad's attitude is influenced by their clinical experience and relationship with the technologists. Most new grads are eager to learn, however some are not open to suggestions that may improve their technical skills.
# Posted By Judy | 5/29/08 10:07 PM
Our facility has also hired new grads successfully, and have also found that they are willing to change to learn "our ways" as opposed to having their way "set in stone" so to speak. That's not to say that someone with experience isn't willing to learn, but don't always show the eagerness that a new grad usually shows.
We do have a good mix of new vs. old hires. We have a student program here that sometimes gives us new hires, but we find that most of our students actually go on to further schooling, or move to get other experience.
# Posted By Karen | 5/30/08 8:37 AM
It's nice to hear that you are not "afraid" of hiring new grads, as I am a clinical coordinator for a college here in Texas. How will people ever get the "experience" they need on a resume if no one will ever hire them?
We try to give our students every possible piece of information that will help them to be great technologists and know that the majority of them go out and do just that!
New grads also carry with them the most recent and up-to-date information, that can sometimes be a help in a department with "seasoned" techs who haven't been to school in awhile. Our students here have actually been helping to train current technologists on the new CR/DR equipment that is going into their hospitals and clinics!
Thanks for the vote of confidence for our students. Whether they are 20 or 60 years old, everyone needs a chance!
# Posted By Emily | 5/30/08 10:18 AM
[Add Comment]
APEX Award ASBPE Award APEX Award ASHPE Award