Graduated, Licensed, and Job Offer

exit96 · Mar 21, 2011

Congrats!! Nice to hear the success stories!

Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2011

Holy cow! The success story every student dreams of. Congrats and good luck on the new beginning!

Bob_N_VA · Mar 21, 2011

Congrats. Glad to hear it worked out.

Music in My Heart · Mar 21, 2011

Congrats, man.

ctothey, BSN · Mar 22, 2011

Congratulations! Quick question for you: I'm getting ready to start an Accelerated BSN program this fall, how are the job prospects moving directly into ICU or CCU upon graduation?

Thanks!

Music in My Heart · Mar 22, 2011

Congratulations! Quick question for you: I'm getting ready to start an accelerated BSN program this fall, how are the job prospects moving directly into ICU or CCU upon graduation?

Job prospects seem to change quarter to quarter so what it'll be like when you graduate is really anybody's guess.

That said, it's generally more difficult to move straight into an ICU since (a) there are simply fewer positions, (b) lots of people want to bypass med-surg altogether (can't say I blame 'em though), and © there are quite a number of experienced nurses who also want to move off the med-surg floor into the critical-care units. On the other hand, they do hire new grads into the critical-care units... some of my classmates did just that.

Recognize, also, that job prospects on the whole are highly variable by region.

ctothey, BSN · Mar 23, 2011

Thanks for the help! Anything I can do to make myself a better candidate? My ultimate goal is Nurse Anesthesia and all the CRNA schools want that ICU/CCU experience...

Thanks again!

Music in My Heart · Mar 23, 2011

Thanks for the help! Anything I can do to make myself a better candidate? My ultimate goal is Nurse Anesthesia and all the CRNA schools want that ICU/CCU experience...

Well for one, don't mention your goal. The hospital has no interest in hiring you, incurring the enormous cost of getting you up to speed in the ICU, and then having you bail out for CRNA school.

Beyond that, network like crazy and rock 'em during clinicals... and pray to whatever gods you fancy, rub a rabbit's foot, cross your fingers and hope for the best... and pick a nursing school with several large hospitals around.

And hope the economy makes a drastic turnaround in the next couple of years... er, see that part about the gods and the rabbit's foot.

sooperdooper · Mar 23, 2011

Congrats!

I had a similar experience as the OP. Took NCLEX on March 2nd, received email about being selected for interview on 4th, interviewed on 7th, and had job offer on 11th.

It seemed crazy that I went from licensed to being offered job so fast, especially since I am in SoCal.

ctothey, BSN · Mar 24, 2011

Well for one, don't mention your goal. The hospital has no interest in hiring you, incurring the enormous cost of getting you up to speed in the ICU, and then having you bail out for CRNA school.
Beyond that, network like crazy and rock 'em during clinicals... and pray to whatever gods you fancy, rub a rabbit's foot, cross your fingers and hope for the best... and pick a nursing school with several large hospitals around.
And hope the economy makes a drastic turnaround in the next couple of years... er, see that part about the gods and the rabbit's foot.

Thanks - will do! Other people in the bizz have told me the same - in terms of not letting them know my ultimate goal. On one hand I'd like to be honest and let people know, on the other, I'm old and I'm trying to reach my goal as soon as possible...

dedicatedone · Mar 24, 2011

Congrats!!! After reading so many stories on this message board about people who are having a difficult time finding a position, I was getting very scarred for my future. Stories like yours give others motivation to get out there and try again. Very happy for you!