Florida Hospital Graduate Nurse Program - September/October Start Date

blue1015 · Aug 22, 2015

Thanks for answering that! I couldn't I seem to get a straight answer. I signed up for a Kaplan review and I'm so glad I did. It was $300 for a live 3 day review course but wow. The decision tree really helped me. I feel more confident about going in next week.

blue1015 · Aug 22, 2015

Do you think it's better to pick three floors or leave it open? I would honestly prefer ICU, PCU or med surg but I'll be happy with anything. I just want to increase my chances of being noticed. I'll have my BLS renewed in the next week and I'll be ACLS certified by then as well.

NiftyNurse7209 · Aug 22, 2015

If you've done Kaplan, you should be good to go! Just do as many practice questions as you can from the QBank and I'm sure you'll pass NCLEX with no problem! Good luck!

Also, I don't know for sure, but I don't think that what you put as your 3 preferences really means that much. I mean when you talk to a recruiter you'll obviously discuss your interests and where you would like to be, but I've also had friends who were contacted by units they never even indicated interest in. So I think it's all kind of open. I would definitely put preferences though, if you have them.

I actually got an offer today from another hospital in the area and I think I'm going to take it. I really hoped to work with Florida Hospital, but I'm really not a huge fan of their recruiting process. After my ED interview got cancelled, I just kinda feel like everything else got put on the back burner with them and I was basically forgotten. It's just frustrating. But I definitely want to hear where you guys end up and what unit you're hired onto with Florida Hospital- keep me posted! :)

blue1015 · Aug 22, 2015

I've been doing questions from the bank and it's definitely helping me. How many questions did it cut you off at? I heard it's normally 75ish but I've heard as high as 100. I guess I'm freaking out over nothing.

What hospital did you get an offer at if you don't mind me asking?

NiftyNurse7209 · Aug 23, 2015

That's good that you've been using the QBank. Do as many practice questions as possible and then remediate between now and when you take NCLEX because I think that's the only way to really become good at the reasoning and to learn to think the way you have to on NCLEX. Mine cut off at 75 questions and I passed. It was definitely a relief to only have the minimum amount of questions, but you can't get too hung up on how many questions you have. I've had friends who have passed with 80 something, 100 something, and 200 something. I was starting to get anxious about what I would do if I went over 75 questions, but you shouldn't focus on it too much. If you go over 75, it just gives you more room to prove your competency. You will do great, I'm sure!

I took a job at Halifax Health, which is not an Orlando hospital. I just don't think I want to continue waiting on Florida Hospital and have my stress level sit at an all-time high for another month haha.

allerina · Aug 24, 2015

Oh good luck! Congrats on the job! That is so exciting! do any of you know anyone doing the staRN program at any of the hospitals around here? I'm just trying to get a job and I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.

blue1015 · Aug 24, 2015

That's good that you've been using the QBank. Do as many practice questions as possible and then remediate between now and when you take NCLEX because I think that's the only way to really become good at the reasoning and to learn to think the way you have to on NCLEX. Mine cut off at 75 questions and I passed. It was definitely a relief to only have the minimum amount of questions, but you can't get too hung up on how many questions you have. I've had friends who have passed with 80 something, 100 something, and 200 something. I was starting to get anxious about what I would do if I went over 75 questions, but you shouldn't focus on it too much. If you go over 75, it just gives you more room to prove your competency. You will do great, I'm sure!
I took a job at Halifax Health, which is not an Orlando hospital. I just don't think I want to continue waiting on Florida Hospital and have my stress level sit at an all-time high for another month haha.

That gives me hope! I've been really worried about the #of questions I'll be doing. I'm taking it Tuesday morning and I'm incredibly nervous. I've spent the day going over remediation and it makes a huge difference. I did it for my HESIs in the past and always felt it helped but I didn't start to do it until my third term. I wish I did it sooner but oh well.

Is Halifax in Daytona? I think I've passed by it when I've driven to Orlando and Miami but I could be wrong. I'm starting to get nervous because I haven't heard anything from FH and only received automated e-mails. I still can't believe they canceled on you. That is downright horrible and disrespectful of you and your time.

NiftyNurse7209 · Aug 24, 2015

That gives me hope! I've been really worried about the #of questions I'll be doing. I'm taking it Tuesday morning and I'm incredibly nervous. I've spent the day going over remediation and it makes a huge difference. I did it for my HESIs in the past and always felt it helped but I didn't start to do it until my third term. I wish I did it sooner but oh well.
Is Halifax in Daytona? I think I've passed by it when I've driven to Orlando and Miami but I could be wrong. I'm starting to get nervous because I haven't heard anything from FH and only received automated e-mails. I still can't believe they canceled on you. That is downright horrible and disrespectful of you and your time.

Thank you allerina! I definitely think it's smart to not put all of your eggs in one basket considering how quickly Florida Hospital seems to be filling a lot of their spots for GNs.

And blue1015, it sounds like you're doing a great job prepping! I'm sure you will pass with flying colors! Just try to stay calm while you're taking it and try to remember the Kaplan decision tree and their reasoning process, if you find it helpful. Good luck!! Halifax is in Daytona, it's their main hospital. Florida Hospital seems to be completely unprepared for how many applicants they have and I've realized how unorganized, and kind of unfair, their recruitment process is for GNs. I personally graduated top of my class and had great recommendations from professors and clinical instructors and besides my ED interview, I really didn't get to have a chance to interview in the areas I was interested in. I mean I will say that, after I first applied, I heard back from HR almost right away, but now it's been a while since I've heard anything at all. As you said, it's very unprofessional and frustrating to deal with. Have you applied to any other programs or hospitals? Honestly I think it might be wise, just considering how weird Florida Hospital is being with the recruitment for their GN program.

blue1015 · Aug 24, 2015

I haven't seen any other GN programs at all. The hospitals in my area, Jacksonville, only want you to apply when you're licensed. They won't accept ATT or fast results, which sucks. I saw Florida Hospital had the first GN posting so I put in for it just to start somewhere. I saw a posting for GN in Tallahassee but I'm not looking to move out that way. Sometimes I wish I just did my BSN instead of my ASN but it's a little late to change it now. :)

When you applied and heard back from HR was it regarding the EDNIP or the GN program?

NiftyNurse7209 · Aug 25, 2015

Have you looked into Baptist Health's GN residency programs? I actually looked into theirs and I think they have one that is opening at the beginning of September. And you should be just fine getting a job with your ADN! Don't sweat it too much :) You can always tell the hospital that you plan on doing an RN-BSN program (if that's something you've thought about doing) since I think most hospitals like when RNs with ADNs plan to eventually get their BSN.

And to answer your question, I applied to the regular GN program with Florida Hospital and heard back from the EDNIP as well as some other units that I had already spoken with at a hiring fair. When I initially spoke with someone from HR, they asked about my preferences which included ICU and ED and forwarded my application to those areas. Then the only one of those two that contacted me was the EDNIP at one of the hospitals. They apparently forwarded my info to the Orlando campus' EDNIP after my first interview got canceled, but my application still says "Under Initial Review" and I never heard anything from them. The whole process with FH sucks... especially if you don't hear something right away because they apparently start filling their spots immediately and then certain units just stop hiring.

allerina · Aug 25, 2015

I had an interview at North Florida Regional today in Gainesville and they said they hire GNs all the time so you could try there too.

blue1015 · Aug 25, 2015

Allerina,

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to put in an application after tomorrow when I take my boards. Gainesville isn't my top choice but honestly I'll take anything!