JoblessNewGradRN

I was always taught to aspirate because if you hit a blood vessel and inject, you would be giving the medication the wrong route, not to mention affect absorption rate and potentially harm the patient. Other IM injection stuff: -Generally use 23 gauge (pretty much all I have used and the needle length is 1-1.5 inches) -Deltoid gets 1ml or less (unless the person is very muscular), and if amount is more than that you have to go for bigger muscles like in the thigh or butt -Injection should be done at a 90 degree angle -And, you can use Z-track method to ensure the med stays put Good luck!

The toaster should mysteriously keep breaking til dietary gets the message. That's just ridiculous.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to give another update. Okay, so after waiting for that call back from Hospital B for what seemed like eternity (but it was only a couple of days after I got that 'soft' offer), I got contacted by them again like I said in a previous post for a solid job offer. Shortly after, I received my official offer letter, then I was scheduled for all the pre-employment stuff right away. I spoke with Hospital A again to get the job details and etc. so that I could make my decision and maybe get a counter offer. I chose Hospital B (though they made me nervous for a bit) because of a few things: 1. I will have a better clinical experience and that is what I need as a new grad. 2. The pay is significantly more. 3. The benefits are superior. 4. It is a great hospital with a great reputation that offers a lot of room for growth. Thank you all for your input. I really learned a lot from this experience. I think a person is more desirable when the company they are interviewing with knows that the person is being sought after by competitors. Also, it taught me to be an advocate for myself and do some comparison shopping I guess. Thankfully, no longer jobless new grad

Good job and good luck in your future endeavors.

Make a list of the common drugs in your unit and make drug cards or buy them. You can always check info on the drugs from nursing drug guides in the nurse's station or by going online. The best thing for you to do is look up the drugs and your policies and know for yourself how to do stuff safely...or use your resources like pharmacy or a charge nurse. God forbid somebody forgets to list a lethal interaction for you on this thread...

Try studying the concepts from other books. Watch YouTube videos lol. Try to research the topics online to get the 'gist' of things BUT return to your books to get more in depth. Anyway, find what works for you. Different people learn in different ways. What worked for me was taking good notes in lecture, reading a simplified version of the topic, then going back to the book and highlighting, making study cards (sometimes!), memorizing, and cramming til the last minute. I wish you the best. You need to do your best in all the pre-reqs because nursing school is very competitive.

A lot of the non-bedside nursing jobs require that you have at least a year or two of bedside nursing...

Hi! We totally have different backgrounds since I am a new grad and you are a seasoned nurse, but having been on a lot of panel interviews lately, I hope I can help you out. First, I want to say that you have a great work experience and a great set of skills! Go in there and be confident and show them what you got! I have some tips from my experience with panel interviews: 1. I always started off with a big smile, handshakes, introduction, and by saying I am super nervous but very happy to be there. That broke the ice and made the panel laugh. It eased the tension and helped make my interview more like a conversation. 2. I never reheorificed answers. No one wants to hear a robot and panels can tell which people have scripted answers. Be ready to talk about experiences that have demonstrated your critical thinking, leadership, and prioritization skills, but don't be wordy. Ask the panel questions, too! Don't let your interview become just an interrogation! 3. Remember that the people on the opposite side of the table had to interview for their jobs, too! They were in your shoes at one point. 4. Caution with the meds! I have never heard of anyone I know taking them for interviews but if you are going to, I hope you don't look drugged up on your interview day if that is the first time you are taking it! Best wishes to you!

Update: Got a solid offer from Hospital B, with a start date... PS: won't change the screen name til that paper is signed!

Just read some of her stuff. Would've loved to have precepted with an amazing nurse like her. RIP

Also, don't forget to write a great cover letter. You should highlight your achievements (GPA/community service/volunteer work/clubs/leadership roles). You can also talk about how your past work experience will help you in the externship position you're seeking. Talk about what you like about the organization you are applying for also and how you can contribute to their goals. Make sure you personalize each cover letter for the positions you are applying for. It's a lot of work to do that but managers can see it when you have a generic letter.

I definitely will! If you asked me even a few weeks ago if I ever thought I would be in this position, I would probably have looked at you like you were crazy. Maybe God is sending them in bunches to make up for the long drought :).

Try Central CA lol. There's a hospital there trying to recruit here in NYC. I think they said they were in the Fresno area.

Thanks so much for the replies so far. @ klone: I know! It's super crazy...but this is after months and months of applying, calling recruiters, sending managers my resume, going to job fairs, going to hospitals... I just needed that opportunity to interview, just like so many others.

Just recently went on a few interviews these past couple weeks and feel elated about my prayers being answered. It's been really hard being unemployed for months and months and not being able to do what you put years and years of work into. Anyway, I got a few job offers. I never thought I would ever be saying those words. 3 are out of state and aren't currently on the top of the list because I want to stay close to home and family. 2 others are close to home and I am trying to choose which one to go with. Here's the problem... I interviewed with Hospital A and they really liked me and I really liked them, but I didn't hear back from them for 2 weeks. Meanwhile, I went on an interview with Hospital B. Hospital B asked if I had interviewed or planned on interviewing elsewhere and I said yes and that I was receiving quite a few call backs. Hospital B really liked me also and offered me the position 2 days later. Then, Hospital A calls to offer me the job and I tell them I already accepted an offer with Hospital B and I am in the middle of the hiring process but I would love to join them in the future as PD. The job with Hospital B is contingent on a budget approval by administration. I am wondering why I got a job offer if the budget hadn't been ironed out yet. I'm supposed to hear the next couple days whether I really have the job or not... Doesn't that sound a bit off to you? Do you think I got such a quick offer because they knew other hospitals were trying to recruit me? I did also get a congratulations email from my interviewer. Hospital A called and expressed to me how much they really want me and asked me to give it more thought. I agreed, as I thought they were very kind people, and said I would call them back when I have come to a decision. I didn't want to completely close the door on that offer because Hospital B (who offered me a job quicker) has this 'budget' thing going on that makes me a bit nervous. The last thing I want to do is close these doors of opportunity in either hospital. Just some extra details: -Hospital A: smaller hospital, really nice staff, newer facility, pay is good, nice orientation, orientation starts soon -Hospital B: big name hospital, nice interviewers, pay is better, benefits are better, shorter orientation and starts a few weeks later -Just about the same patient acuity, pt. load, pt. population that I would work with in both hospitals. What do I do? I feel like Hospital B is dangling a carrot on a stick, and meanwhile I can't give Hospital A a definite answer yet.