old new grads (May 2009) - check in

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

My 1 year anniversary at my hospital is coming up in a couple of weeks. Orientation was rough at first but then seemed to drag (12 weeks can feel so long!). There were some issues with my performance and teamwork, I had some mental health issues going on, but I pushed through. I've gotten a few write ups for missing work (for legit reasons) but my manager has emphasized that I've come a LONG way since when I started. I feel like I really "get" the routine, I know most of my meds, and I know what to expect as far as behavior goes for most of the diagnoses we see on my floor. There's been a few times where I've wanted to quit, but I think I'll stay where I am for now. I'm happy, really.

Other May 2009 grads - where are you now? Did you find a job that you like? Are you starting to feel competent?

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well considering I just start to work May 2010, I am know where near feeling competant. Today alone I almost left 2 assesments uncharted. This paper charting crud sucks! But my residency classes start soon, and everyone that I have been working with are helpful, and most are very nice. I even like my preceptor, and she has a "reputation" for being tough. I don't mind, I know when she leaves me I'll be the best!

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Specializes in ED.

i work in an ER now and love it. Did medsurg for 2 months before that. 2 more months with my preceptor.

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Specializes in Mother Baby & pre-hospital EMS.

I got hired onto a stroke/medical floor in August 2009 and worked there until this month. I learned so much and really liked my co-workers, but it just did not work out. I am currently back on the job search and feel like I'm in the same boat I was in last year. At least this time I have nearly 11 months of experience.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I actually graduated Feb 2009 and started my job April 2009 so I will include myself in the bunch. I have worked 15 months on a Neuro floor and I have had my share of good and bad. In the beginning it wasn't so great because I didn't know much. Now it has gotten better and I feel okay about coming to work. I know alot and feel at ease taking care of my patients. I am in a RN-BSN program and will continue my education with possibly a MSN. That is in my 3 yr plan. I am in a good place right now and life is good!

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Graduated May 09 Passed NCLEX June 09 and still searching in CA. I am almost finished with my BSN :o) and spend lots of time volunteering hopefully it will all lead somewhere soon.

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Specializes in Tele/PCU/ICU/Stepdown/HH Case Management.

i graduated may of '09, and was hired at my current place of employment in july of '09. my first year is coming to an end, and i can say that i have way more confidence now than i did when i started, even 6 months in! i think at about nine months in i started to see a significant change in my confidence. so glad the first year is almost up! the oddest thing is realizing that i'm not the new grad anymore!

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graduated may of 09 with a BSN, was looking for a hospital job, super competitive here in houston in the med center, i didnt want to move as i have my family here and little brother i take care of while my mom works the night shift. Luckily enough 6 months later i found a temp job just to make money at a one of the largest health insurance companies in the US (not sure if you can reveal employer here), started out with 13 people and was one of the lucky ones that got offered a permanent position. While some people may find it probably boring, i love it, hours are great, my boss is great, pay is about 65K a year no holidays/weekends, great benefits, and option to work from home if desired. I do utilization review for 13 states mainly medicaid, and i believe we are the only prior auth department in the US that does the medicaid LOB reviews for this company. Each nurse has to do around 100 cases a week and we are audited internally every month with monthly 1:1 with the manager. I am the youngest RN in the company, and im glad i actually got recognition from the vice president by starting to implement a process that has improved the company's productivity by 10%.

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
i work in an ER now and love it. Did medsurg for 2 months before that. 2 more months with my preceptor.

Wow - I'd love to work in the ER. That must be pretty cool, huh?

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
well considering I just start to work May 2010, I am know where near feeling competant. Today alone I almost left 2 assesments uncharted. This paper charting crud sucks! But my residency classes start soon, and everyone that I have been working with are helpful, and most are very nice. I even like my preceptor, and she has a "reputation" for being tough. I don't mind, I know when she leaves me I'll be the best!

Glad you've got such a positive attitude about your co-workers and your job! Paper charting sucks, but so does redundant computer charting lol. Good luck with you preceptor!

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
I got hired onto a stroke/medical floor in August 2009 and worked there until this month. I learned so much and really liked my co-workers, but it just did not work out. I am currently back on the job search and feel like I'm in the same boat I was in last year. At least this time I have nearly 11 months of experience.

Congrats on almost getting that year in. Care to share what just wasn't working out?

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
I actually graduated Feb 2009 and started my job April 2009 so I will include myself in the bunch. I have worked 15 months on a Neuro floor and I have had my share of good and bad. In the beginning it wasn't so great because I didn't know much. Now it has gotten better and I feel okay about coming to work. I know alot and feel at ease taking care of my patients. I am in a RN-BSN program and will continue my education with possibly a MSN. That is in my 3 yr plan. I am in a good place right now and life is good!

Sounds like a great 3 year plan. I just started my MSN this fall and will hopefully work on my PhD within the next 5 years. That's also awesome that you're feeling more confident and at ease with taking care of your patients. I can definitely relate to that!

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