[VistaGirl]

Do you know how to go about getting into an internship program? Would my school have that information or would I need to contact the hospital? Is an internship something that is done post grad, after NCLEX or what? I do not know anyone who has done an internship so I really do not know what all it entails. Thanks so much for your advise!!

[purple_rose_3]

Originally Posted by VistaGirl

Do you know how to go about getting into an internship program? Would my school have that information or would I need to contact the hospital? Is an internship something that is done post grad, after NCLEX or what? I do not know anyone who has done an internship so I really do not know what all it entails. Thanks so much for your advise!!

I would contact your local hospital and see if they offer such a thing. I don't know what path you're going down, but I did an ICU internship the summer between my LPN and RN years of school.

[island40]

I've worked in AZ and IA and have friends in Tx, CA and Maine and the pay is not what I would call "drastically lower." It is less and they blame it on poor medicare reembursement (but I don't buy that because the ceo still gets a six figure salary). If you can travel to a job then look at the whole job picture, benefits package can count for a lot. with 13 years of experience I make $23/hr but I don't have logevity at a facility since I change jobs every 2-3 years (typical gen-x) In IA they value company loyalty

[VistaGirl]

I hope to find a company in which I CAN provide loyalty!! Hence my reason to try and get into University Hosp. so even if I dislike a particular unit, I can transfer into something which I enjoy (or have more of a passion for).

I always thought 2-3 years at a job was a huge accomplishment!! I have been at my current CNA job for 2.5 years and it feels like forever haha! I tend to get bored easily and thrive on ever changing environments.

[island40]

Starting pay accross Iowa is $18-$24 regardless of experience.

[vballz]

Originally Posted by Angelbethany

I work at the U in Iowa City, they start new grads ADN around 45,000 (22/hr)

Are you able to negotiate pay? When I looked at their website, all of the payscales were posted as to pay grade (am I correct)?

I am a nursing student at Kirkwood and currently work as an N.A at UIHC.
(by the way, I started as an N.A. at $11.05/hr.)