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The right thing by waiting??my question is I refused to look for a job untill I pass my Nclex..Did most of you do this because I hope I didn't miss out.My situation is I graduated in September and I sit tomorrow for my exam,in my state you can not be hired as a GN and I figured why go out looking until I pass,why I notice others flood out looking for positions ,filling out applications and droping resumes off ,but did I do the right thing by waiting?? I just hope I pass and can get a job even though LTC is not my thing I am willing to start out and learn the ropes while returning to school at some point for my RN,hey I may actually like LTC who knows.
I agree. Day shifts are highly coveted and desired in my area, and usually go to the nurses with the most experience. If you want experience, it would be best to not turn one's nose up at the off-shifts. Not too many people get hired onto the shift of their choice as a new grad, and this tough economy is going to make things even harder for some new grads. My advice is to get what you can get as soon as you can get it.Realistically, most nurses begin on odd shifts, working weekends and holidays, so, this may be an issue for you. It may hold you back from gaining the much needed experience needed to move on to other things. Not trying to sound cruel at all, but nursing is 24/7.
Where I live, new nurses usually get hired onto evenings and nights. Day shifts typically go to the nurses with the most seniority. You've got to start somewhere. Good luck to you!
I agree. Day shifts are highly coveted and desired in my area, and usually go to the nurses with the most experience. If you want experience, it would be best to not turn one's nose up at the off-shifts. Not too many people get hired onto the shift of their choice as a new grad, and this tough economy is going to make things even harder for some new grads. My advice is to get what you can get as soon as you can get it.
For SURE!! To be honest, Commuter, I was shocked that I was able to avoid working those sorts of hours. When I got accepted into the program my job offered to go on a full time leave with pay to become an LPN, I was under the assumption that upon completing this program, I would be automatically sent to work the floors after they invested so much money into my education...tuition pay, leave with complete pay and book reimbursement. In fact, mentally, I was preparing myself to do this, I didn't make the assumption that I would have a choice position. I was a highly valued Patient Care Associate in my clinic. What happened was when I got my license, my Associate Director immediately walked me over to the Director of Nursing's office and they told me together that they had no intention to send me to Med-Surg...that I was the only one that would be returning to the clinic. To say I was floored (but happy) is an understatement.
I did have to do 2 months of med-surg training as a new grad, and when I saw the conditions that nurses work on the floor, I was even more eternally grateful for this. Now, I do work occasionally on the floors per diem, but it is by choice, not because I am forced. In fact, I plan to work Thanksgiving since hubby is working and my son will be with his father. What I do know is that these were different circumstances...it was not what I knew, but WHO I knew, who already made a plan without me knowing. Had the situation been different, I would have had to take what I could get. And, if I had to leave this position, it would be the same right now.
I understand I have to start somewhere and I have no problem working weekends and holidays it's the 5 days a week 3-11 with the weekends attached that scares me.
i am now actually looking into Dr's offices too but then what nursing experience will I gain??I was a MA back in the day and so I am sure it would be like that no nursing there:yawn:
Then Im also scared off by the whole LTC how will I handle such a load being a new nurse???it is so confusing and scarry
At the dr office that I work, I do vitals; assessments for why they are seeing the dr; etc, I do strep tests, urine test; pregnancy tests; I give immunizations; allergy shots; all the shots you can think of, phone triage, ekgs; physicals for sports, work, etc; blood work like A1c; hemoglobin; PT/INR. AND I LOVE THE HOURS!!!!!
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
Realistically, most nurses begin on odd shifts, working weekends and holidays, so, this may be an issue for you. It may hold you back from gaining the much needed experience needed to move on to other things. Not trying to sound cruel at all, but nursing is 24/7.