Officially employed!

[Ashley_RN]

Hi everyone :) Let me start off by saying that although I am super excited, I am aware of how INCREDIBLY lucky and grateful that I am in this position. I graduated in June and passed my boards a month ago, so I am well aware of the difficulty in getting jobs out there for us new grads. I cannot stress enough for all you guys still looking, the importance of NETWORKING. I know it's been said before but it really is true. Utilize ALLLLLL of your resources. And DO NOT be afraid to be persistent. I emailed & re-emailed the managers constantly. I sat down one night and got the name of every nurse manager in the whole hospital (this is a 780-bed facility!) I cannot stress this enough as well. And of course, WORK HARD. Even if you don't realize it or feel appreciated for your hard work, people ARE noticing. I've worked as a CNA for 2 years at this hospital (well-known teaching hospital in my area)... couldn't have made a better decision to become a CNA, so I really urge all you current nursing students to get in the door for both exposure and ability to network!

So if ok, I wanted to share my excitement with all of you!! I was offered 2 positions!! (I know, I'm VERYYY appreciative!!) So it's a thoracic surgery floor, very acute patients, nurses typically only have 1 or 2 pt. Very nice manager, stated this unit was the "breeding ground for ICU nurses" which may be something I am interested in for the future. Will begin with 1 or 2 other NLN's which I think is wonderful to have eachother. A nurse I know who works there said I should be willing to work hard, which I always do, cause this is a tough floor (example: pt's do not go to the ICU after lung transplants, they come directly to this unit so these are the types of pt's I'd be handling) BUT I'm ready and willing to work hard and LEARN!!! And BONUS!! the shift is 3-12hr overnights 7p-7a and this is my dream shift in terms of hours. I will begin sometime mid-Sept

To all you new grads out there still looking, DO NOT GIVE UP!! Do not get discouraged, all of your hard work will pay off and you DO deserve every position you apply for if you truly believe you deserve it! SELL YOURSELF! Best advice I ever got was to not seem desperate. Employers out there are well aware of the horrible job market but that doesn't mean they're ready to just hand over their positions, time & money to a candidate who will "take anything they can get." (even if that may be true) They want to know you've done your research and WANT to work there cause you not only will be a great fit for them but it will also be a perfect fit for YOU! Hope this was at all helpful!!

Thanks for letting me boast!

Ashley_RN

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

Congratulations!

[TickyRN]

Congrats Ashley!!!

[nursein2012]

Congrats! I saw in your profile you are in MA as am I. I am starting NS on tuesday and hopefully will be as (lucky) as you! I am the same way about getting things: I work hard and am persistent when I want something!

What hospital did you get a job at? If you don't mind.. :)

[loving2]

Congrats!!!

[Isitpossible, LPN, LVN]

congrats on your position...i have tried many times to get a CNA position or tech position and NO one is calling me back...very disheartening!

[Summer Breeze]

Great job Ashley, RN!!!!! I hope you enjoy your new job. Keep us updated on how it goes. =)

I definitely have to agree with you that networking is the way to go. Befriend your clinical instructors and faculty at school and try to keep in touch with them! When you're on the unit and finally get the hang of things, try to see if other nurses or staff need help with anything. People will notice and call you a team player! Try to talk to the manager as well if you get a chance.

[LauRN]

Congratulations! :yeah:And very good advice!!

[cheska_rn, ASN, RN]

Congrats!!

:anpom:

[jadu1106]

:ancong!:

[lovescapeRN]

congrats !!!

i'm a fellow new grad too, i also just got a job starting mid sept in california! yah!

[MaryAnn_RN]

:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

Well done xxx