For those of us who graduated in May (or thereabout) how is the first few months of nursing? How are you feeling and where are you working? Thoughts?
I'm working in a PICU at a teaching hospital and I LOVE it! I learn something new everyday and my co-workers are the bomb! I feel supported and there is always someone if I need help/have questions.
There have been some days where I feel very overwhelmed and want to throw in the towel but most days I really enjoy it. I'm thankfully that I work on a very supportive unit to new grad ICU nurses. I had a 10 week orientation and that was adequate I thought....so far so good on my own.
Yesterday was funny for me, I have to share. Everyone had told me that new residents don't know anything but I never really believed it. Well yesterday was the first of the month and the new residents/interns came. The resident who was assigned to one of my patients (we usually have 1-2 patients per nurse) told me it was his first day and he didn't know what he was doing. So *I* the new NURSE had to show him the ropes....she him how our vents worked, etc. He then got assigned to pull back my patients PICC line to 5cm and I had to show him step-by-step how to do that and then I dressed it. ME a NEW nurse?! LOL He was so thankful and kept shaking my hand and telling me how thankful he was.....lol. Hopefully down the road he will remember the nurses who helped him when he didn't know what he was doing :)
Nine months after graduation, and 7 months after licensure, I'm still looking for my first RN job. This week, I was turned down by a SNF (they weren't hiring new grads) and an ALF.
Staying positive is very hard. I'm starting to wonder why I bothered with nursing school. I'm mature, reliable, good with people, and have a good work ethic (or so I've been told), yet I can't get a 1-star nursing home (I checked) to return my phone calls.
I've accepted that I'll need to move to get a job. I've wanted to leave the area for years. The next time my husband whines that his father will take it "hard" if we leave the area, I'm going to slap him. The man is 86, and has 8 other kids, including 1 who lives with him. I'll stay here and let my skills rot so Hubby can look after Dad, but only if if Hubby will pay for my refresher course.
Hang in there. I have also come to the conclusion of having to move to get a job. I finally have a few interviews because of it. Where are you located? I can send you information on the places I've applied to if you want.
I found a job. I'll be working full-time as a charge or med RN (depending on the day) at an Assisted Living Facility in Burlington, VT. I'll have up to 30 patients with another RN and 2 aides.
I found a job. I'll be working full-time as a charge or med RN (depending on the day) at an Assisted Living Facility in Burlington, VT. I'll have up to 30 patients with another RN and 2 aides.
I just had a slew of interviews, 2 in VA and 5 in NC. It will be a few weeks I think before I hear anything back. I am still hoping I at least get a phone interview for a NICU internship I applied to. The NICU Fellowship I applied to awhile back is for May 2009 grads, so I doubt I'll hear anything back from that one until at least April. So I'm definately still in the looking phase, but at least I have finally interviewed for some positions.
Specializes in Family Medicine, Outpatient Pediatrics, IBCLC.
Pitt Count Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC is always hiring new grads (nope, I'm not a recruiter!!!) They'll pay to move ya and give you a sign-on bonus. If you're willing to relocate, its worth checking out. I couldn't get a job in Mass, so here I am in NC!!!
Pitt Count Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC is always hiring new grads (nope, I'm not a recruiter!!!) They'll pay to move ya and give you a sign-on bonus. If you're willing to relocate, its worth checking out. I couldn't get a job in Mass, so here I am in NC!!!
Might be seeing ya then, since I will be starting in June. I interviewed 2 weeks ago, and was offered a position last week. I took a week to decide, and accepted this week. I met a soon to be new grad from canada in the hotel I was in, she interviewed also.
So for all those still looking....it is doable. It took me a year, but I got something. Now to figre out the logistics of moving LOL.
WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN
913 Posts
Hang in there. I have also come to the conclusion of having to move to get a job. I finally have a few interviews because of it. Where are you located? I can send you information on the places I've applied to if you want.