New Grads, A Few Words of Encouragement - Page 8

Congrats to you.Great Job

I would also encourage new grads to design a clear career plan for their nursing career. do not let this season in nursing keep you from formulate a career plan. without a plan you will end up taking any job that comes your way which can keep you from landing your dream job later on. take the time to figure out what you really want to accomplish as a nurse and focus on those jobs that you want to land. do not ever give up and give in to anything that comes your way out of desperation.

man i agree completely. it just seems like that our nursing instructors are a little confused as to how to guide the students in their nursing career.

public health is the one area that they are really telling up to prepare for, like RN placed in the public in communities to teach health, prevention and promotion. In the hospitals too. The RN's - nursing students are all being told to get their master degrees at the least and then the Phd, and NP to teach and treat.

So, it seems to me that a master, a Phd, or the NP will get you any job in any area of nursing.

Sounds like I have no choice, but to race and get my masters, then PhD and the NP, to keep up with the game.

New grads, do not stop with an assoc or bach degree in nursing, keep going.......master, PhD and NP.
This is what all my instructors are telling everyone here at the Universities. They are all doctorates of nursing, and NP, they should know.

Aloha, Brian!

Finally got around to reading some posts at allnurses. Thank you so much for your post. It is so appropriate. I graduated in January with my BSN from HPU here in Hawaii. It's been ridiculously hard to find a job here. I was working as an aide for an agency and after getting cancelled 5 times in a row by the facility I was thinking of going back to office work (I had been a Management Assistant for 13 years before going back and earning my BSN). Fortunately, I had a great relationship with my agency person and he found me a job with the VA Center for Aging-a nursing home-type setting. The manager was willing to take on a new grad and train me. I'm still on the agency payroll, but the experience I'm getting is amazing. We are the first facility (I think besides Enova) who uses bar coding. Each vet has an id band w/a barcode on it. When we do our med pass, we scan the band, then their meds. It's a great program (when the computers don't freeze ) and helps avoid mistakes. I have to pass out meds to anywhere between 22 and 24 patients (depending on what side I'm on - we have 2 wings North and South) between 0800 and 1100. I figure if I can handle this, I should be able to handle 4-5 on a floor. Many have to have their meds crushed and some can be a bit combative when trying to give their meds, so I'm learning A LOT. And everyone there, from the CNAs (who really bust their butts and do the majority of the work) to the RNs and LPNs. And the fact I get to help serve those who signed up to protect my freedom is even a bigger plus.

A nursing home setting was NOT my first choice. I'd still like to get into Mother/Baby, L&D or even OR - if someone would give me a chance. There aren't a lot of new grad programs being offered here in Hawaii. A lot of new grads are getting a chance if they're already in a facility so if you decided to not work during the last few semesters of school, you're outta luck. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I was given - especially since I just got word they're not bringing any new people in for awhile. I made it just under the wire. I have so many friends who are still struggling to find somewhere - even on the mainland. I had a friend who went to San Diego and was required to attend an open house if interested. When he got there, he was told there weren't any openings. And they knew that before he got there - why make him fly all the way over? And even some LTC facilities want nurses with experience and aren't taking new grads.

I hope the situation does turn around soon. Another group of about 200 new grads on O'ahu alone just entered the job search this month. We've saturated the market here -- and hopefully the facilities will re-start some of the programs so we can get the experience we need and want. A lot of us want to stay here, including me, I have too much invested, having been born and raised here, to pack up and leave.

Keeping fingers crossed. . .
Mindy

Congrats to U!!!!!!!!

Stay there, get all the experience, general experience. If you want to work with moms and babes, STILL keep trying for that, you also might want to work for a peds office or OB/GYN office, i know that there is no benifits, but you can get experience there. I have a friend that works for a peds doctor, and there is also a NP in the office, and she is a medical technician, NOT A NURSE, and she makes good money.

But she works with moms and babes all day long. Consider getting a higher degree in nursing, this is what the nursing professors at the University I attend are advising all us nursing students.:heartbeat

Being a new grad and finally getting a job after 4 months of looking was really hard. My suggestion is to not just fax or email resumes - but to - GO TO THE HOSPITAL - I sent my resume to 20 + hospitals with no response - so i put on a decent oufit and busted into the HR/open house of 10 hospitals - to my suprise i got 5 interviews out of it. Got 3 job offers and 1 new position in the Job of my dreams. All of the hospitals I got interviews with I had already sent my resumes to via internet with no reply. So just give your self a courage boost and Gooooooooooo. You can do it!!!!!!!!! Much luck to all my new grad friends

First I would like to congradulate all you new grads and encourage you to hang in there! My situation is a little different. I am 50 yrs of age and considering a nursing career. I am starting basically from scratch as I don't have any college credits which means 2 yrs of gen ed 1st, then applying to the adn program, another 2 yrs. My question to some you seniors is this, is this really a realistic goal at my age (will be 55 by graduation). A lot of industries won't even consider hiring you after 47.

go for it!!!! I am close to 50 and I am in a 4 year nursing program. I do have to say, that some of the younger students kind of ignore you, but do good on all your exams---the KEY!!!!!

Don't be overweight, dress nice-ALWAYS, join the adult association of your college. One instructor told me that they would bank their money on me before they would a 19 year old, simply because we know to READ our text assignments, and younger students hate to crack books. SO! BE BOOK SMART.

Use all the tutoring labs available, set a study schedule, family schedule, do not miss classes, and show interest.

Obama said he wants everyone to get an education, including older adults.

I personally liked my clinicals at the Assissted Living Facility, and I want to be a nurse for the elder. BABY BOOMERS ARE SHOWING UP, and this will be to my advantage in my nursing career. OF course, you may have a desire for other areas.

Participate, and study study study!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Think about a 2 year nursing community college program--sure to get in one of those programs-YES YES YES!!!

Depending on how you do-and sure you will do great--at a community college for your basics you should get into a nursing program at a 2 yr assoc nursing program, or you might do good at a 4 yr program.

My first year of the 4 yr was good. Can't wait to go back for my second semester. I had already completed all of my prereqs.

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!

doesanyoneknowwhy, thank you. I've gotten some very positive feedback and some not so positive feedback, things like,"at your age it will be hard". I really was not expecting it to be easy, if it where everyone would be doing it. I am just closing my family daycare where I cared for 2-12 children on any given day for the past 3 1/2 yrs. I am encouraged by your words and will definitely keep those things in mind.