[williamsmom]

Congratulations, Holli! well done! I am sure the day you passed your NCLEX was one of the top 10 exciting days in your life. It was for me! My name is Oli and I am a brand new RN.
I just started working at a Rehab Hospital four weeks ago. Now the real challenge has begun for me. So far things have been challenging in good and bad ways but mostly good. The main thing is that I enjoy going to work everyday, because I am learning so much each day. This hospital wasn't my first choice place, but it has turned out to be a pretty neat place to work at. I want med-serg experience and I am getting a lot of it here, before I go onto my true passion; community nursing.

[jimmy9]

Hi my name is Alicia. I have been a nurse for almost a year now. I am working a ventilator unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Mayo Clinic. This first year has been great. I have learned so much. There have been stressful times but it has all been for the best. I have learned which nurses I can trust for help and which ones to just stay away from. I am enjoying this facility and all it has to offer.

[sassyrn07]

Hello everyone,

My name is Katherine, ( and I'm Aunt 'Sassy' to my nephew Max, hence the user name). I'm a brand new nurse of three months. I'm expecting a phone call today informing me that I have/have not been accepted into a paid, 12 month ICU internship program in New York. I'm very excited and quite a bit nervous. I hope I get this job.

[lizziebeth157]

Hello,

I'm Liz. I just graduated in May, passed the NCLEX June 18th and just started a 2 year Critical Care Residency program in northern VA.

[sassyrn07]

Well it's now Thursday and I still haven't heard from the hospital informing me of there decision,( to be hired, or not to be hired, that is the question). I'm getting a little discouraged but then I remember that it took them a couple of weeks to call me in for my initial interview. Still, it's inconsiderate to just keep me hanging like this.....

[Eaglelady]

I am Debra and I start the nursing program on August 13th and I am looking forward to being where you all are right now

[nurse0947]

Hello to everyone...my name is Laura and I have been a nurse for 9 months on a med-surg floor in a small hospital...I have really enjoyed my job...even the stressful times...the crew I work with-we are like one big family...I still learn things every day I work...good luck to all.
Laura

[nurse0947]

Good luck Eaglelady...I was in your shoes 3 years prior to nursing school...you can do it...it might be stressful...hold your head up and keep a positive attitude...see you...Laura

[nancynurse2003]

Hi Fellow New Grads,
My name is Nancy and I graduated from my ADN program and passed my NCLEX in June of 2003. Due to several sudden traumatic events (3 close family member deaths) in my first year of nursing I left the med/surg floor.
The next three years I did school nursing. At first, I thought being a school nurse would be easier than floor nursing. I needed easier at work because home was so difficult with my grieving children. It was a slower pace compared to floor nursing but not easier. It did allowed me to make the time to finish my BSN, which I completed in May 2007.
Now I am back to square one...I am a new grad again, so to speak. I have come to realize in the last 3 years of school nursing that it is not my preferred career choice and that hospital nursing has its incentives, such as higher wages, more hours and advancement opportunities, student loan repayment programs, and education reimbursements. So after 5 hospital interviews in the past month I have landed a new med/surg position that will give me all these incentives plus 8 hour day shifts. There is also a 13 week orientation and training program offered to me since my hospital nursing skills are a bit rusty. I went to Border's Bookstore yesterday and bought a 2007 med/surg text for reviewing. Things have change in 4 years when I was on the floor. Nurses do not do "wet to dry" dressings anymore at my hospital.
Good luck to all of you in passing your NCLEX, landing your first nursing job, and learning how to put all that nursing knowledge into practice. I am right there with you.
Nancy Nurse

[janfrn]

Originally Posted by SassyRN07

Well it's now Thursday and I still haven't heard from the hospital informing me of there decision,( to be hired, or not to be hired, that is the question). I'm getting a little discouraged but then I remember that it took them a couple of weeks to call me in for my initial interview. Still, it's inconsiderate to just keep me hanging like this.....

Hiring at a large facility is more of a process than an event. You apply. Human resources screens your application then sends it down the line to a program recruiter. That person screens your application and sends it on to the program manager. The program manager arranges and conducts an interview, which could be one of dozens in addition to all their regular workload like meetings, budget planning, meetings, disciplinary actions, meetings, etc. The notes from the interviews sit on a desk until someone remembers them. Then the manager has to try and remember the person attached to the application and interview notes, and decide who will be hired. Then the process reverses itself with the selection being sent to the program recruiter, who sends it back to human resources for finalization. When it's been approved by human resources, they call the manager and tell her to go ahead. She puts it on her to-do list and eventually calls the successful applicant. I waited a month after an interview before hearing back, just recently. I also applied for advanced training in my current job several weeks ago; I see the manager who will be making the arrangements for the training frequently but she has yet to tell me if I've been selected. It's a frustrating waiting game... but don't give up yet.