[love-d-OR]

Hey guys!

How about we start a Spring 2008 graduates thread? I noticed the 2007 class had a thread on this so I thought it might be fun to start ours.

When do you plan to take the NCLEX?
Will you work before you take the boards?
Have you started applying for jobs?
Where do you plan to work? Unit and shift?
What gift would you like to give urself?


Here I go...

I graduate in June and plan to take the boards in August

I will not work while studying for the boards. I have a friend who started in the MICU before taking the boards, and 2 months later she still does not feel ready to take it

I planned on applying in January, but I think I might start now since UCLA has now created a wait list for new grads

I plan to work in a MICU, noc shift

Gift? I would like a puppy. I always wanted one


Now, Spring class of 2008 tell us what your plans are! 1, 2, 3, GO...

[MySimplePlan]

[quote=love-d-OR;2544769]Hey guys!

How about we start a Spring 2008 graduates thread? I noticed the 2007 class had a thread on this so I thought it might be fun to start ours.

When do you plan to take the NCLEX?
I graduate in May, so probably in July. That is when the graduate nurses in my unit at work took theirs, and they all did OK. I'll see what my instructors say, though.
Will you work before you take the boards?
Yes, part-time. SHould I rethink that?

Have you started applying for jobs?
Have one - CCU.
Where do you plan to work? Unit and shift?
CCU - Afternoons.
What gift would you like to give urself?
A trip to DisneyWorld, as a reward for my family who had to put up with my NS drama. It's going to be several months before we can do this, probably closer to a year, but we're doing it. Go, me.

[beachbum3]

Graduate in May, taking the boards ASAP-hopefully by the end of June.
Won't be working
Won't be applying for jobs until I pass NCLEX- we are moving out of state June1.
Plan to work ER nights
Gift to self is a 10 day vacation in Monaco just SO and I- pinning is friday, we leave on Monday...

[dfarr]

I'll be graduating in May and moving to wherever I work shortly thereafter. I plan on getting a nurse residency/internship in critical care and I'll take the NCLEX ASAP. I've already started looking and applying for jobs. I don't see the point in not working while waiting to take the boards. I learn more on the floor than I do from reading a textbook.

[StudentNurseAbby]

When do you plan to take the NCLEX?
In June some time. I want to study but not over study.

Will you work before you take the boards?
I doubt it. I'm moving to a city about 5 hours away. Moving, working, taking boards...it would be way too much at once.

Have you started applying for jobs?
Not yet. I'm going to start when I go back to school. I've been so busy. I need to investigate during break.

Where do you plan to work? Unit and shift?
I would love to work NICU. I never would have thought it was for me but I love it. If that's not possibly, I'll be fine somewhere else. Though, I hate Med/Surg like most people. lol I'm fine with days or nights but I'd prefer days.

What gift would you like to give yourself?
My iBook died about a month ago and it was like my right arm, so I miss it and it would be fantastic to have a new one.

[RNBeachGirl]

Hi June 2008 Grads!
I can't wait!!
I have sort of started studying for boards. My program basically teaches us how to pass NCLEX and not become a nurse. They have a 98% pass rate so....

I have not started looking for a job, but have put the word out. I do plan on working before I take the boards. I'll probably take the boards with in a month of graduation.

[southernbelle08]

When do you plan to take the NCLEX?
Hopefully sometime in June.

Will you work before you take the boards?
I don't think so. I am relocating and will kinda just follow their intern program and I believe it is mostly just classes until your take the NCLEX and pass and then you go with a Preceptor.

Have you started applying for jobs?
Not yet. I will start soon though.

Where do you plan to work? Unit and shift?
I would like NICU, but just anywhere in the Children's Hospital is fine with me. I am also planning on applying at a Women's Hospital in the city I am moving too, to see if I could get on in their NICU or Newborn Nursery and would be happy to work Postpartum as well if that is what was offered to me. As far as shift, I prefer night shift.

What gift would you like to give yourself?
NEW CAR!!! I have had mine since I got my license when I was 16 and it has 150k miles on it, that will be the FIRST gift I buy myself. I just pray it can make it until graduation!!

[ShiphrahPuah]

When do you plan to take the NCLEX?
I want to take the NCLEX ASAP, but I have heard my school drags their feet in submitting the roster of graduates, so I am thinking July will the soonest.
Will you work before you take the boards?
If I can get a job in an area I really like, I will work part-time before the boards.
Have you started applying for jobs?
Just started looking and am planning to send out resumes after Christmas/January.
Where do you plan to work? Unit and shift?
My heart's desire is to work OB and I am willing to work night shift to get it. However, i am feeling discouraged because it seems a lot of the local hospitals really encourage the med-surg thing because those are the slots they need to fill. I am doing well in nursing school, but the stress has really taken a toll on my family (4 kids). I think the first year out of school will be stressful enough, and I really don't want to make that worse by being on a unit I can't stand. I also like peds, oncology, and ER (where I currently work).
What gift would you like to give urself?
A really great vacation! Mexico, a cruise, something cool. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get an OB, Post-partum, or NICU job, including postponing a vacation. But if I don't have a job like that locked up, I want my vacation shortly after graduation!

[love-d-OR]

I noticed that most of you plan on taking the boards within a month of graduation, and I think thats a better idea. I will be graduating in June, so July should be a good time. As someone said earlier, there is no need to overstudy

Dfarr, I was adviced by my instructors to focus on the boards instead of adding the stress of a new graduate nurse position. A new grad position will involve a lot of learning and classroom time. Its no longer clinical, its the real world. I had initially wanted to work with an IP until I took and passed boards, but my two friends (new grads working w/o license) made me rethink that. Obviously not every one will face that problem, but I would rather be on the safe side, especially since I plan on going into ICU. Plus, the new grad programs for the spring grads in my hospital dont officilly start until September.

Keep it coming guys!!

[NikkiRN_BSN]

When do you plan to take the NCLEX?
As soon as I am able to after graduating. Probably in July.

Will you work before you take the boards?
Yes. I will still need to pay bills.

Have you started applying for jobs?
No. I will be putting one in now but all else will wait until February.

Where do you plan to work? Unit and shift?
I am not sure. There is no shortage in my area and moving is not an option.

What gift would you like to give urself?
A weekend spa package!