Fall 2003/Spring 2004 graduating class, have you thought about your possible employer

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

hello my fellow student nurses.

those of you who will graduate this fall [2003] and those of us who will graduate this spring [2004], have you start pondering about your choice of employer?

a nurse recruiter came to our school today and though they are suppose to make their place of employment seem ideal, the advantages and disadvantages were given and one of the most appealing aspect was the intern postion.

this a teaching hospital. their intern program consists of 6 mos with several weeks orientation in 4 areas [own choice] and after this period is up, there will be additional orientation to desired area of one's choice.

the starting pay for days, $32,000.00/yrly and evenings, just under $40,000.00/yrly [12 hr shifts], making their starting pay for new grads rns, $18.05/dys

their flexi pool consists of 3 12 hrs at 35.00/hr with benefits or no benefits with a higher pay/hr. the other most appealing aspect was the nurse patient/ratio [days 1:5-6]

i am considering doing my preceptorship in er with this hospital if nothing else.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

That sounds great. Definitely look into all options before you choose, but the fact that they have a long orientation/internship program really stands out. I am still undecided on what area I want to work in first. I'm not sure if I should do Med-Surg or go directly into something else (provided that they have a good orientation/preceptorship program). I don't know where you live, but here in NYC starting salaries range from $50,000-60,000s. This of course depends on the institution, shift differentials, etc. Good luck in school!

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

how are you!

i am in alabama. a new grad can get more but the patient ratio is more and lpns at a couple of hospital [i know of] get extra money for their years of experience after becoming an rn.

i will be seeking out information from the area hospitals before graduation nears.

what a great start [salary] for new grads in your area,

yes, i agree, the orientation alone is worth the consideration to this hospital.

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Hello all! I am seriously thinking about working in the intensive care unit. However I am hearing it from all sides (coworkers, friends, and instructors) that I should get that one year in on med surg. I think I'll be hard headed and go for what I have decided on. Here in CT pay starts at around $21-24/hr plus diffs at $2-$4 hr. We have a career fair coming up this month and I haven't even started on my resumes!

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Hi

I graduated last night (officially) from an accelerated programs BSN (11 months) program. I decided on an employer between our 3rd and 4th quarter (we had 4 total). I had a clincal there and loved it- I felt like I got a true idea of what the floor was like- they were not just acting for me at an interview.

We were recruited since the first week of school. I am in a large city with many health systems so they all offered different things. The majority of my classmates committed to employers during the last quarter.

I would say find somewhere that is a good match for you, orientation is key. See what they offer and see what is realistic to you- I was not willing to sign on for 3 years to get the $20,000 many were promising for a signing bonus- but I was willing to give a year and get $5000 instead.

ICU- my opinion is it is all based on what you feel you want and are ready for. 1/4 to 1/3 of my class are going right to units (keep in mind-some have 3-9 months of orientation). I knew I was NOT RIGHT for a unit so I have no desire to go to one. But if you want one- GO FOR IT!!!!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Getting promoted on the med-surg floor i work on, this happened a year and 2 months before my graduation date.

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

congratulations!

"i graduated last night (officially) from an accelerated programs bsn (11 months) program."

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.
originally posted by lpn2be2004

getting promoted on the med-surg floor i work on, this happened a year and 2 months before my graduation date.

great!
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I am considering an L&D unit in a state very far from here. Starting pay is $17.53 at this time but is scheduled to increase prior to my start date (they did a market adjustment). Also, I will receive up to $10,000 to relocate including deposits on apartment, utilities, transportation, etc. and a $10,000 sign on bonus for 2 years. I will have 6-8 months of orientation. This alone sounds great to me.

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one nurse to 5 or 6 patients? That seems really high to me! Is that really normal?

Heidi

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.
originally posted by annasmomrntobe

one nurse to 5 or 6 patients? that seems really high to me! is that really normal?

heidi

compared to 1:9-10 or more on some med/surg floors, 1:5-6 is good and we are talking about days even for the 1:9-10.

one hospital i worked at, it was 1:14.

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I plan on working in a critical care unit in a children's hospital where I did my clinicals. I am a little leery about working somewhere I have never stepped foot in, and I know the staff on this unit is wonderful.

Just a sidenote: I think if you want to do critical care---GO FOR IT!!! Don't let someone tell you that you need to work med-surg for a year first. I think working somewhere you don't want to is the fastest way to get burned out and depressed. You have worked too hard to not work where you want to, especially with the opportunities available to new grads.

Good luck to everyone! We are almost there!!!!

:D

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