Tangled Desert

Volunteer or spend time in a hospital before you make the leap - you gotta ensure it's worth the life change. I was a success commercial photographer with a studio in SF Union Square until print finally died just before COVID. So my career change decision was made for me. Now in AZ I'm thriving, even if making the same amount per year I made in 1998. But I love helping people, knowing I can make a difference beyond throwing meds at patients. If you find a niche, or a pathway, the $ means less, at least on the out set. I'm making my way back on top in the next few years... Informatics or other technical positions might be perfect with your resume.

I will say that many of my RN friends in the Bay Area struggled to get into the jobs they wanted, and more than a few found they had to leave the state to get a couple of years experience before they were hired back in N. California. The high pay creates extreme competition. But once in, you're set. Get in as a tech or extern while in school to try to create a way in. One friend East Bay who's mom is a well respected RN, still took years to break into a good position. Work the system, use your connections well. Good luck

It may help. Or might not. Depends on the person, the company,the hiring manager, etc, obviously. Owing to my enthusiasm I got a daisy award before I even graduated from nursing school. I want on to be co-chair in one of the top hospital councils before I was licensed. Then I was recruited by a clinic when I showed continual interest when the specialists did rounds. Not even 2 years as an RN and I am respected, well known within the hospital and wider company,and even have been at the CEOs house representing the hundreds of RNs in the huge company. As in everything, life is what you make it. The advantage as an older adult is not taking it as just a job, but as a purposeful endeavor. If that means being male is an advantage with the ability to stand out more, then by all means, take advantage of it.

I've been following this post since I made my career change at 48. Was a US Marine and then a successful commercial photographer for 20+ years (until iPhone and AI made that field obsolete). I started college for the 1st time at 48 (pre-reqs), nursing school at 50. Now nearly 54 and I am a wound care certified nurse in a clinic, as well as pickup hours at the hospital. Got my first Daisy Award even before I graduated (as a nurse-extern), and 2 more in the 2 years since. I LOVE IT. Yes, it's not for everyone, but there are nearly endless choices within the wide field, and you will NEVER be out of a job (if you don't absolutely suck). Especially if you have high levels of empathy, you are a rarity, even within nursing, as that is the part of nursing that seems like a no-brainer, and yet can be very difficult to find within the field (too many ego's, when Patients' needs should rightly come first, empathetically, without judgement). Try a tech or PCT job within a hospital to make sure you can learn to enjoy it. Then realize it doesn't all have to look like that either (bedside nurses are a small part of overall nursing). I have friends that run their own clinics, Neuro doctors that are amazing at what they do, and even love the CEO of our system, as he is a simply cool, nice, down to earth guy that just wants the best for all, including employees. It CAN be found, and will be if you want it, and strive for excellence.

Please explain. When faced with other hospitals/clinic networks in AZ like Abrazo, Banner or Dignity, Mayo still seems to stand far above. With HonorHealth, maybe not so much. How has Mayo degraded?

For those hired, they said in the interview that most of the first year is one day on the floor and 2 days in classes per week. Anyone know if this is still in the 36 to 40 hour range for full time? It would have to mean the classes are 12 hours...

They finally answered me back after extreme radio silence, and the recruiter admitted they forgot about me and hired others in my place... So weird, I'm pretty sure no other new grad was going to have a Daisy award or be the co-chair of a hospitals' patient council... I want to apply again on the next one, but part of me is pretty upset at the lack of professionalism of forgetting an applicant that clearly is qualified and even exemplary.

Anyone not accepted receive a rejection letter yet? I just followed up with an email to get feedback about it. Seems like they should have told us by now if we weren't considered.

Congratulations Emily! Waiting eagerly for my call...

Congrats! Please report which unit your offer is for, so we have a sense of how they are rolling it out.

That's awesome, congratulations! Which unit?

I hope so. I'm so ready. Been working as an RN and been overwhelmed with just 4 Pts as the workload is crazy, the Pts over the top, and the techs are lazy or too busy themselves to assist. If I can make more and work less overwhelmed, it would be how nursing should be. Mayo should not be the outlier. But since it is, if I get an offer, I am not hesitating to accept!

I was told 2nd & 3rd week of August offers were going out. Anyone else hear the same or anything else? Getting excited...!

Medsurg/ortho 3E for me. Intervirwer said it was the best unit, hope that means she could imagine me there

Ha, I was getting hoorifice with a dry mouth, had to clear my throat a few times, even while trying not to show it! My sister (who is an RN) said it doesn't matter if perfectly correct, it just shows if you are prepared to think about multiple solutions and seek help when appropriate. She seemed to think I did well enough (gulp)