HELP! New Grad Advice!

Specialties CCU

Published

Hello! I am going to graduate in May with an Associates Degree in Nursing. I am working at a hospital as both an ER technician and a float pool technician. I pretty much work everywhere in the hospital. Currently, I try to get the most hours from the ER, on Fridays I permanently work in the Cath Lab holding, and if I feel I dont have enough hours, I can work the float pool. I am trained to work in the ICU, CCU, CVICU, med/surg, behavioral health, and unit secretary.

I applied for this position in my hospital that is for new grads. It is a CCU with a 12 week internship to transition into the job. My dilemma is I am not the only technician in the hospital who wants that job. At my hospital, there is about 10 technicians graduating this May. From speaking to the Director of the CCU, she told me that only three people applied for the position. One of those three I feel so threatened and intimidated by. The reason being is that this technician also works in the float pool but she does her practicum on the CCU unit. SHe will graduate with a BSN this May. I guess I feel so intimidated because she will have a bachelors and I will have an associates. Her program has a practicum, and mine doesn't have a practicum. I just feel like I am going to lose this battle. WHat kills me is I want so badly to go into critical care. Whereas, she just wants the hospital experience so she can go off to work public health.

I am trying to think of my strengths and I have way more critical care experience as a technician than she does, I have strong IV skills, I have experienced adult code blue, code heart, I can interpret EKGs easily... but in the long run, that co worker of mine does her practicum on that floor and is pretty much working under a preceptor as a nurse. I feel like the battle is lost. I feel like she will get my job. I spoke to my manager and she said she would put in a good word for me over there. They haven't started interviewing for the position yet, but since there was only three people who applied for the job, I feel like my chances of getting an interview are good (maybe i'm getting a little ahead of myself).

So I'm not sure what to do next. Any advice? I am considering getting my ACLS before I Take the NCLEX in July just so I might be able to have a head up on my competition. How long would you recommend studying for the ACLS?

HELP!

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I just want to say that you need to research and have a plan in place to get your BSN.That will help minimize that advantage that person has over you. I would be willing to overlook that advantage if the employee had a plan in place and I liked them better on interview and other criteria. Make sure on any application you make sure they know you are taking those steps and even have a program picked out.

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Specializes in ICU.

Listen to iluvivt, have an RN-BSN program picked out and share your plan with the director. Have a pre-planned graduation date for your BSN. The ACLS will most likely serve no purpose at all, ACLS certification will be something provided and required by the hospital. The biggest aspect is going to be your interview, you're going to have to make an impression.

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Thanks for replying! And yes I do have a plan in place to get my BSN. My plan has to happen after I am hired as a nurse because I simply can't pay for it without a job. I have said this in my application. Is there anything else I can do? I have spoken to the director a few times about my interest in the position and to talk about the position. I feel I should talk to the director and HR again. I don't want to sound annoying but is there anything I could say?

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Prepare for the interview. You should read likely questions so you have a good response prepared ahead of time. Everyone is focused on patient satisifaction so make sure you get across to them that you are aware of the measures that have been effective and that are in place to keep the numbers high. Make sure you DO NOT compare yourself to other candidates in the interview just highlight what YOU have to offer..... make sure to prepare a few questions to ask the manager that interviews you..that demonstrates that you are very interested. make sure you make it known that you have some passion in regards to the area you are applying for...I have an aversion for nurses that say things like..I just like the hours...or I really want to be a manager...I will take anything. I want to see they have interest in the speciality!

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Thanks so much for your tips! I will use them on my job search. Unfortunately, My hospital isn't even going to consider me for this position at all, I won't even get the interview. One of my class mates who works on Oncology got the interview. It wasn't even the co worker I felt threatened by. Oh well... One door shuts, another opens, I have an interview with the ER this May

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I got offered the job in the CCU!! turns out there was an issue with my application to HR and HR thought my online application was from an external candidate. The director saw me and had confused me with another candidate who had an interview (this candidate happened to be my classmate who bragged about getting the interview to me) it sucked for my class mate when I told her I got offered the position.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I don't mean to be insulting, but you sound very young. Just a general word of advice - quit comparing yourself to others and worrying so much about what others are doing, or have to offer, or how they'll feel about what you're doing.

Just do your best to improve your own skills and learn what you can, and help others when your patients are quiet, and you will do fine. The most important attribute in a new critical care nurse in my opinion is the insight as to what their own learning deficiencies are, and to take the initiative to find out more info. Seek feedback on your performance and evaluate it honestly. All the best.

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Gillbert, Totally agree on your input on how to develop my skill set as a nurse and grow as a nurse.

Mind you, I had written this post a couple months ago during a time when I had felt I needed advice how to stand out against the competition for that job. Yes I guess I am very young but maybe if you could think about how you felt when you were just starting out as a nurse maybe you would understand. Or maybe there wasn't much competition for you in finding a job as a nurse when you started. But for me, the pressure feels like it is on because I read about how some nurses graduate and have a hard time finding a job and a small percentage never find a job. I do not intend to be a part of that catagory so when looking for a job and interviewing for a job I like to think about what my competition would have and think of my skills so I could find a way to make my qualities shine. I do not like to take an interview lightly. Take my self out of the interview world, and I don't care as much what competition has to offer. I care about being the best I can be.

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Hi ,

I would be very careful what you post online. It is very easy to determine your true identity and it sure does not look good to your employer when you post negative comments about coworkers. I advise you to be careful in the future as it may cost you a job one day. Your post make you out to be immature and trying to put others down, not an ideal characteristics for a professional nurse.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I think it always wise to remember that what we post can be viewed by the general public......that although AN is an anonymous site it is a public site. It is a good reminder about the Terms of Service.....

Information About Others:

No potentially libelous information about specific schools, instructors, or health care facilities/entities should be posted in these forums. While it is important to be able to network, everyone should be mindful of the following:

  1. It is a small world - when we narrow it down to a state and throw in some personal info, there is actually a pretty good chance someone may recognize you if you are not careful. Your privacy is paramount to us.
  2. While this site is a wonderful place to vent (without excess personally identifiable details) it is not the place to express why ("x" specific person, place or program) is terrible. Gripe away, but since we cannot permit allegations to be made about named entities, your care in not naming them is very much appreciated.
  3. Please do not give out personal identifying information about yourself or others. Do not name names where anyone could identify any person in any facility including your nursing programs or place of employment.

Congratulations OP! on your job offer!!!!
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Congratulations on the job offer! Very exciting and on your way to becoming a good company of critical care nurses! I just recently was offered a job in an ICU as well and was very excited! I understand your enthusiasm, just remember when a new nurse comes on the floor to a CCU they are expected to lay low, ask a ton of questions and jump in anytime someone needs help. So, you can just imagine what happens when you a new graduate who comes onto the floor as a preceptor/newbie! Always increase your knowledge and be competitive, but with yourself! Don't compare yourself to others, everybody should always maintain a sense of humility. Strive to do your best and remember one thing in the CCU....... You should never stop learning and educating yourself! Best of luck to you and good luck in the future!

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