[Christine1969]

I just passed NCLEX yesterday and I don't believe it! I already have an interview tomorrow!

I hope they offer the pay that I am interested in! (hehe)

My question is, can anyone tell me what I should expect if I do take this job? I know that I will be in orientation and will also be working with another nurse for a while, but for how long? I've heard orientation can be as long as 2 months and as little as 2 weeks. What happens during this period? And the honeymoon phase...does that refer to the time when a new nurse is adjusting?

Thank you for any input!

Christine

[mrs.frog]

How soon after you graduated until you took your NCLEX? Do they give you the results reight away?

Congrats!

[2bNurse Elizabeth]

on passing NCLEX!

[Thunderwolf]

A Big Congrats To You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[racing-mom4]

HI I began my orientation period 3rd week of Jan. 1st two weeks I worked monday-friday 7-3. This way I could see the consistency through out the week. Then moved onto 3-12 hours days-day shift. Then moved on to 3 12 hour night shifts ( Night shift is my preferred shift, so I was happy to get to this section).
After 6 total weeks of orienting I am now on my own. But I can only be scheduled if a senior nurse is working for the next 6mos . Since I only want to work 2 nights a week, it is not hard for my boss to accommodate this. So that means it wont just be me and another new grad. Good thing. We are a small 6 bed ICU so we only have 2 RNs sched a shift. Unless we have more than one vented patient, then the vent patients get a nurse with a 2:1 ratio. Last night that was me!!! So exciting...
Anyways during orientation the 1st week, I followed the RN on her assignments, then I took on my own patients and she followed me, then she had her own, and I had my own, but she consulted with me on a regular basis though out the day.
The last few weeks, I just asked for help when I needed it.
I have learned more that past 8 weeks that I learned in 2 years of schooling.
I think nursing really is an on the job training type of job.
Best of luck---I hope you land the job of your dreams!!!!!

[bluegeegoo2]

Firstly, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a whopping 5 days of on-the-floor orientation, and was "cut-loose" to fend for myself. I do work with another nurse, which is helpful. I started at $15.25/hr + $1.00 for 3rd shift. I live in S. Indiana, and pay varies widely around the state. Word of caution: There is a WORLD of difference between what you learned in school and how the "real world" of nursing works. What you learned in school was all designed to get you prepared for the NCLEX. Things are far different out here. I am still adjusting to the way things are really done, but did struggle with the transition for awhile. Just wanted to give you a "heads up" on that one. I was completely unaware of how different it really is, and was blindsided by it. I actually began to re-think my decision to be a nurse, but I'm feeling much better now! Anyway, it is pretty overwhelming at first, but you'll find your way and one day, actually get everything done without feeling like you've run a marathon by the end of shift. At least some days. Good luck to you and congratulations again!

[mrs.frog]

Racingmom.........

It is good to see a place that gives a new nurse lots of orientation time!
So many places are so short of nurses they just toss them into their job without thinking they can be easily overwhelmed.
Way to go! Congrats! Sounds like they have a great system in place for new RN's!

Brenda

[mrs.frog]

Bluegeegoo..........

Its a shame nursing in Indiana is so pitiful for wages! I am originally from Canada and up there we have a nurses union no matter where you work. They have a pre-set wage according to experience and it tops out at 10 years experience.
The most senior RN's on my med/surg floor were making 76,000 a year!

Thats one good thing about Canada............is they look after their nurses. Just too bad there are so few jobs as once you are hired, they stay until they retire!
Most nurses there have been in the same job for 30 years +.

[bluegeegoo2]

Mrs. Frog,

Wow! Longivity in a career here is almost unheard of. In fact, a nurse I work with now was at the same facility for 19 years and THEY fired HER so that they could replace her with a less experienced nurse for lower wages. No, we don't have nurse's unions in Indiana, and the longer I work here, the more aware I am becoming of just how bad it is to work here in any capacity, not just nursing. Anyone employed here can be fired for no reason whatsoever. We are a "at will" state, which means an employee can quit without notice or reason, and the employer can fire an employee without notice or reason. It's kind of scary, because no matter how good you may be at your job, if a supervisor takes exception to you, they can fire you out of the clear blue. To add insult to injury, most places fight paying unemployment and usually win. This is definately not an employee friendly place to work.

[racing-mom4]

We are an at will state. I am torn on the union thing, I see the good and the bad and dont know where I fall. Teachers for instance. Lets hypothetically take 3rd grade--You can be a 20year teacher-burnt out, messy class room and no patience for noise--50% passing scores. Or you can be a 5 year teacher, love your job, foster a warm environment--soaring test scores. Now who should make more?
Well of course the 20 year old teacher cause they have been employed longer. So now, there are budget cuts, going to condense class rooms, each room is now going to have 25 students vs 18. What teacher are they going to lay off? Of course, the 5 year one and keep the 20 year and give them the now bigger/louder class.
Is that a good thing? NO...
Now lets look at that in the nursing world...how many old school naggy nurses have you encountered? Hate the computer charting, dont understand the pyxsis. Complain about the Drs, gripe at the ratios and the extended charting...for instance, we have a 20 year nurse. We started entering our own orders/labs in the computer 3 years ago. She still claims she dose not have a password!!!!---she can not do it. Other nurses feel sorry for her and do it for her. I am a new grad, eager to learn, forced to learn, grateful that I have such a wonderful job, I am entering her orders?? Is that fair? If I have to learn it why doesnt she?