New Graduates...

infullbloom1 · Jun 24, 2005

I just graduated as an LPN(NCLEX not taken yet) and plan on specializing in woundcare after my RN. I think woundcare is fascinating because you can clearly see your results(or lack of) and there is alot of educating that goes on, both to staff and patient. I'm starting off in internal medicine though to get a good overview.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 24, 2005

Med/Surg/Tele because I love taking care of cardiac patients! And med surg is the most interesting specialty to me right now. Plus I feel it is a great place to start my career as an RN.

-Christine

GrnHonu99, RN · Jun 24, 2005

Will grad. next May and i'm thinking about critical care or ER...I like that you have less patients and that you get to spend more time with each one even if they are critically ill. Either that or good ol med surg...id like to go somewhere where I can see a variety of things so t hat I can truly figure out where I want to be in the future....I think that it is good experience. I also want to be a travel nurse so I want to get experience in a lot of areas before I go out and travel.

grinnurse, RN · Jun 25, 2005

I have just completed my first full rotation on a Med/Surge floor at a small rural hospital in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

I chose this floor and the hospital for several reasons.

#1-location of the hospital (25 miles)from home one way

#2-that was the only floor they had an opening on that had days when I interviewed for several hospitals and I have to have days for my kiddos

#3-variety in the disease processes that I would see to help ease my boredom factor with the same ole same ole. And to have the background that I will need further in down the line in my career.

#4-b/c I will get to have students from the school that I graduated from and see my old instructors

#5-b/c I worked previously as a tech on the rehab unit and know almost everyone in the hosp so I kind of felt like this would take some of the pressure off of me that the new grad nurses have when getting to know the other members of the health care team and so far that has worked wonderfully to my advantage.

Of course I am missing out on the salaries offered by some of the bigger hospitals in the metro area that I live close to but when I figured in drive time and expenses for gas I am actually making more than some of my peers who chose to go further for bigger bucks. Really though, the thought that I could have a positive influence on the people who are taking the voyage that I just finished was a huge deal maker for me!!

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jun 25, 2005

I graduated May 13th, and take boards in 6 days, on July 1st. I am working in a Cardiac Surgery PCU in a large hospital.

Its a lot of fun, b/c it is a PCU, the pt load isn't as high as on med/surg (on a recent 3-11p shift, my preceptor and I had 4 patients), b/c the majority of the pt's have had or will have heart surgery, the need for education is great, etc.

nataleern · Jun 26, 2005

I graduated May 13th, and take boards in 6 days, on July 1st. I am working in a Cardiac Surgery PCU in a large hospital.
Its a lot of fun, b/c it is a PCU, the pt load isn't as high as on med/surg (on a recent 3-11p shift, my preceptor and I had 4 patients), b/c the majority of the pt's have had or will have heart surgery, the need for education is great, etc.

HELLO! WHEN DID YOU START APPLYING FOR GN POSITIONS? I WILL BE GRADUATING IN DECEMBER AND WOULD LIKE TO START APPLYING BUT DONT KNOW IF ITS TO EARLY!

nursejennie76 · Jun 26, 2005

HELLO! WHEN DID YOU START APPLYING FOR GN POSITIONS? I WILL BE GRADUATING IN DECEMBER AND WOULD LIKE TO START APPLYING BUT DONT KNOW IF ITS TO EARLY!

It is not to early to start applying for positions, with the shortage it is a good idea to get your name in the door, especially if you have a place in mind you want to work. I was a LPN and finished my RN in May and had my job after graduation already set 2 months before graduation. J en

nataleern · Jun 26, 2005

It is not to early to start applying for positions, with the shortage it is a good idea to get your name in the door, especially if you have a place in mind you want to work. I was a LPN and finished my RN in May and had my job after graduation already set 2 months before graduation. J en

Think that I am going to start applying soon! Thanks for the advice

nursepotter05, RN · Jun 26, 2005

I graduated on May 7. Take the NCLEX on July 7(say a little prayer!!)

I will be starting Pediatric Nurse Residency Position at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital on July 11th. I am very excited! I have wanted to do peds ever since I decided I wanted to a nurse, which was 11 years ago,right out of HS. (It just took me a few years to make it happen!) I love the way kids look at the world. They are so resilient. A child will play and have fun with an illness that would make us curl up in the corner in the fetal position!

HappyNewNurse · Jun 26, 2005

I started first of June training on a PostPartum/Med-Surg floor. The charge is transferring and I am supposed to take her place. I took boards last Thursday and have been depressed ever since...lol. I feel like I did not know anything and cannot even remember most of the questions. So...I just say a little prayer every night.

I like this floor because with the PostPartum you know what you are looking for but there still could be surprises. And the med-surg part, well, you never know...

not now, RN · Jun 26, 2005

I was offered a position in the LTC facility where I currently work at as a CNA. I can't be a GVN until I actually take boards, August 1st.

I love geriatric patients and I'll stay there as a LVN until I get my RN (I have one more class to take before I can bridge over to my RN). I already know the residents, I know the routine, they pay $5 more and hour than the hospital, the shifts are eight hours and the DON is more than willing to work around my classes.

After I get my RN (God willing) I'll probably move on to med/surg.