Hi guys. As you will see in my sig, I am not yet an RN. Just hate changing my name and I like to think positive. I WILL be an RN someday. :)

I finished the nursing program May 2004 and am finishing up the 2 classes I need to graduate from ADN program. Will be done in mid-July and taking NCLEX in August sometime.

I haven't started job hunting and don't work in the hospital currently. Should I wait till I pass my boards or start sooner? If so, how soon?

I am planning on looking for part time work. I know, as a new grad it will probably be hard, but I only want to work Sat and Sun nights. I have been told by most of the hospital employees where I did clinicals and preceptorship that it won't be as hard as I think since no one wants to work weekends.

Any ideas as to what I should do?

Thanks!

Well, everyone is different, but I think that working does nothing but HELP you knowledge wise... I went the LPN-RN route and worked as an LPN for the past year on a general medical floor and can't believe all the stuff I have learned, I learn so many new things everyday! Hopefully some of the stuff will help me next week on my RN boards! Also, if you can get IN at a hospital, that always helps for future jobs, etc... and if they can work around your schedule, I would definately say go for it! :)

You have a great attitude! Good for ya!

Don't be surprised if you have difficulty finding an employer that will meet your needs. From my experience, most employers want/need GN's to work on a full time basis. This is so that you can have a solid baseline of experience and generally working nights requires a lot more autonomy than other shifts. Even working in a busy ICU our weekends tend to generally be low key...lots less experiences to learn from; less procedures. Not that we don't have our momments though.

I *do* wish you the best finding your dream position :)

I graduated in May and I am in no rush to get a job. A lot of my classmates had jobs way before we graduated....but I didnt see the need. As a matter of fact, today I am going on a tour of the hospital at the top of my list. I would say start looking into the hospitals and take tours. Get a feeling for them and then decided. Good luck!

Pearl

Pepper -- First off, just wanted to mention the nice pic. Abby's gorgeous!

If it were me, I'd have started looking and studying options a long while ago. But that's me.

Often the sooner we begin the process, the higher the likelihood of getting in on the choicier spots. But that doesn't always happen.

Sometimes you obtain better results by being a tad more laid back. So there's no one-way to go about this. Big thing: how we prepare and present ourselves at the interviews.

Good luck!

Another problem you might have with some possible jobs is that you only want to work week-end nights. Since most preceptors don't work that schedule, it might mean that your employer would not be able to give you a consistent preceptor -- and that might seriously compromise your ability to get a good orientation. Also, many new grad orientation programs include classes that are held in the daytime, during the week. Most new grads benefit by getting their professional careers off to a good start by getting a good orientation. That's why many hospitals have good orientation programs for new grads.

Have you considered offering to be more flexible with your schedule during orientation and perhaps for few months beyond? In a sense, you would be considering your orientation and role transition period as an extension of your academic education. Then, after you have successfully completed your role transition from student to professional nurse, you could phase in the work schedule you prefer.

If I were you, I would seriously consider that phase-in option and discuss it with perspective employers. Most employers would love to have an experienced nurse who wants to work weekend nights, but they might not be able to give you a good orientation with that schedule and may be hesitant to try.

llg

I would start interviewing with the nurse recruiters at various facilities (and keep a notebook of what they said!). We would probably want you to work full time until you got out of orientation, otherwise, it would take too long for you to reach a comfort level in skills, protocols, etc. Don't rule out long term care facilities, either. I caution you against working for anyone who puts you in charge when you have no experience. You might lose your license before the ink dries. We are holding a nurse position for someone who graduates in August, so maybe you could find a similar situation. Good luck!!

Hi everyone. Thanks for the ideas. I know that my job search will be difficult. I am open to working more during orientation, and was expecting to have to for 8 weeks or so since that is what it seems you get for postpartum around here for orientation, if that. I only went to school 2 days a week, all because I don't want to leave my daughter in daycare. She is not a daycare sort of girl, likes her own attention way too much. :)

I am really hoping to orient on nights though. 12 hour days are too long to be away from my peanut. I would much rather be away at night when she is sleeping. I don't think it will be as hard on her since she will be with her daddy and she is a daddy's girl.

I think I will start calling different nurse recruiters and getting a feel for if it is even a possibility. I am in no huge rush to work. My daughter is first priority. I of course planned on finishing nursing school before having kids, but that didn't happen. :) I am just happy that I finished. If it takes awhile to find work, etc. So be it. I would love to find a job, but not if it means leaving my daughter.

LarryG, thanks! She is such a fun and sweet girl!