New Student Questions

[Faralas]

Hi, I was recently accepted into UNC Chapel Hill's BSN program and I have a couple random questions I hoped someone could answer.

As far as the NCLEX goes- when I'm done with school, do I have to retake it every time I move to a new state? I'd like to leave NC after school.

I have always been interested in the NICU. How hard is it to get a job there straight out of school? Is it unrealistic?

Also any pointers and tips for nursing school would be GREATLY appreciated!!

We start school May 14!

Thanks :)

[loriangel14, RN]

You only have to pass the NCLEX once. if you move you just need to apply for am license in that state.

Getting a job in NICU right out of school would be highly unlikely.

[hodgieRN]

As above poster said. It's the difference between board certification and getting a license approved by the state to practice. The Nclex just gives you certification for your RN. Your license will be approved by the state (when you pass) and then you will have to reapply every two years for your license (which is just a fee...you don't take any tests).

See if you can get into a nursing graduate residency aka GN residency program. You get to float in different areas and you get some on-the job training. It exposes you to different areas. Some hospitals have it, some don't. If you can get your foot in the door with the manager, it might give you a slightly better shot (small one), but the NICU is a high-risk place and many people not only have prior experience, but prior critical care experience. You will probably have to go through a critical care orientation/rotation once you are hired (after passing the NCLEX). I'm sure there are people that got hired out of school, but it depends on the hospital. They usually have a requirement already listed on the human resources website. Some may say at least 1 year or 2 year experience in critical care before even being able to apply.

[Faralas]

Thanks so much!

How long do the residencies usually last? Do you get paid during the process?

It sounds like a great opportunity

[hodgieRN]

Yes, you get paid. You will be hired by the hospital and your title will be a GN (graduate nurse). You will be paid as an RN because you are basically receiving on the job training. That is if you can get hired right after school. Some people either wait for a position until they pass or they are having trouble landing a job after school. The kicker is you have to pass your boards while you are a GN. If you don't, they can reassign you as a tech until you pass the boards (and your pay scale will drop back down to a tech's hourly wage). That isn't the time to buy a new car! You do that after you pass.

I am not exactly sure how long the GN programs are. They probably vary facility to facility. I think it's somewhere around 4-6 months and you float place to place.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Yes, you get paid. You will be hired by the hospital and your title will be a GN (graduate nurse). You will be paid as an RN because you are basically receiving on the job training. That is if you can get hired right after school. Some people either wait for a position until they pass or they are having trouble landing a job after school. The kicker is you have to pass your boards while you are a GN. If you don't, they can reassign you as a tech until you pass the boards (and your pay scale will drop back down to a tech's hourly wage). That isn't the time to buy a new car! You do that after you pass.

I am not exactly sure how long the GN programs are. They probably vary facility to facility. I think it's somewhere around 4-6 months and you float place to place.

GN's are not legal in all states. Some states require you to have you RN license before you can begin your new job. You can still do a residency program as the pp was mentioning, just now you don't have to worry about failing boards