pancake

It's true about SF Bay Area. I started as a new grad at 37.50 with a $7,500 sign on bonus, now at 6 mos. I'm at $40 an hr. My hospital is union, CA Nurses Association.

Thank you all so much for the support. Just knowing that others have been in the same situation is reassuring. I thought if I just kept pushing myself it would get easier, and it has, but I'm so worn out. I'm going to check out other units at my hospital. The unit I'm on has a reputation for being the toughest. It's just not a good place for a new grad, or at least not me. To TraumaRus, I have 4 patients, which sounds like a dream, but on this unit its tough. The unit has three wings and you can have pts on each wing, or down long corriders. The supply room is far away and the pyxis iis in the opposite direction. So one of the hard things on this unit is the constant running around. Then mulitple unstable pts on drips, constant turnover of pts, overworked nurses, and no help moving pts. The culture isn't one of teamwork, so it's each nurse for herself. Three new grads have quit and 4 experienced rns have gone out on disability since I started. I think if we had enough cna's and worked as a team it could be good but . . . that's not gonna happen. I love the pts on my unit, but the more I think and write about this, the more I realize that this situation is untenable for me. I'm going to look for something else. Again, thanks to everyone for the support, I really appreciate it.

Before I start, to nursing students, please don't read this if you're going to freak out, I don't want to discourage anyone. This is my experience and I have to vent. I'm an older new grad, mid 40's and I started on a busy cardiac step down unit 6 months ago. I work 3, 12 hr days. I knew my job would be hard, but this has been insane. The patients are so sick and there's usually one cna for 35 patients. Most of the charge nurses get irritated by questions and there's rarely anyone available to help move heavy patients. I feel so worn out after the first 10 hours and can barely think. I start to lose my temper and cry or snap at people which is not my nature. I'm at my limit. I work as hard as I can, I get my work done and deliver good care, but it has been at the cost of my health. I run all day and feel stressed, overwhelmed and unsupported. For the first time in my life, I have chest pain, sob, constant back pain and stomach aches. A cardiac/pulmonary workup revealed no abnormalities, so now I know these symptoms are from stress. I hate to admit this, but I just can't handle this workload and the disrespect with which I'm treated on my unit. I can't try any harder. Work any smarter. My unit is notorious for having the highest turnover . . . just the same, I feel terrible and wonder what my prospects are as a new nurse. I wonder if this means the end of my nursing career. Has anyone else experienced this? I love nursing, but I've got to figure out how to change this situation.

Dear Shannon, I'm so sorry you failed your first test but it's perfectly understandable given the situation. Good for you that you've rescheduled. I have test anxiety too. When I first started studying the saunder's book for the nclex, I had panic attacks and couldn't think. I felt so overwhelmed and didn't know how best to focus my energy. What I ended up doing was the Kaplan online course. It was really pricey, about $400, but it saved me. I wanted to throw up when I typed in my credit card number, but I decided to look at it as an investment. And besides, it costs a lot more to have to wait another 90 days to test. But everyone is different. I have a lot of friends that studied saunder's and they were really happy with it, and they passed too. The kaplan online course worked for me because I was able to study at home and had a laid out plan of how to study. Like you, I have a bad back, so I laid on my floor at home and listened to the lectures everyday. The structure allowed me to stay calm. I suppose it was handholding, but I was so anxious I needed it. I listened to the lectures for 4 weeks, and during the last week I did 100-150 of the practice questions a day. When I took the real test, it felt like just more of the same. I knew what to expect and felt confident. I passed in 75. But this is just what worked for me. Everyone has given you great advice on what worked for them too. Good luck! I wish you the best.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I ended up taking the days, 3 12's. pancake

Dear Moffett, Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. You gave me a good idea of what I might expect. I'm so excited about the new position, but also humbled by the amount of learning and responsibility. I will do the best that I can. Thank you too for the support. I really appreciate it. Take Care, pancake

I'm a new grad and was offered a position on a CCU. I'm going to meet with the mgr again this week, but now I'm getting a little worried. The hospital has already had its new grad training this year, so I will be brought in alone. That means I won't be getting the classroom experience. This is what's making me nervous . . . When I meet with the manager, how can I ensure that I'll be adequately trained for this position? How long should I be precepted? Is it reasonable for a new nurse to start without benefit of a new grad program? Should I just trust that the mgr knows what she's doing? I don't want to set myself up to faill and I don't want to be a danger to anyone. Advice please. Thanks

Kristi, Thanks so much for the feedback! I had it backwards, I thought days would be busier and nights slower. Good luck to you in your new position.:balloons: pancake

I'm a new grad and am negotiating a position on a cardiac surveillance unit. Is it better to start on days or pms. Days would be a lot busier, which is scary, but the nurses are more experienced so they would be great to learn from. The 3-11pm shift would be slower, but the nurses are less experienced. Are the nursing tasks very different between these shifts? This is my first job and I don't want to get in over my head, but I also want to learn as much as possible. Thanks for any advice!

VS, I just got back from a mini vacation and was so happy to get your advice. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely think through those questions before the interview. And thanks Dixie for the encouragement. When I went to this particular hospital to meet with the recruiter, I was initially looking for a med-surg position. However, the recruiter encouraged me to apply for the new grad ed program. He said my maturity would be a benefit and the work interesting. To be honest, I had never thought about working in the ED before, but I talked to a friend who did and she said it was a great place to develop assessment and critical thinking skills that would serve me throughout my career. In the meantime, I was offered a position in telemetry at another hospital. It's so hard knowing what the smartest thing to do is since this is my first job. Anyway, my ed interview is this week. -Can you tell me why you decided on the ED? -Was it what you expected? -What qualities in a nurse are most important for the ED? Thanks again, and if you're too busy to respond that's okay. I really appreciate the info you've already given me.

Thanks TazziRN!

I am an older new grad (45 yo), and I have an interview in at my local county ED next week. I was encouraged to apply for this position, but now that I have the interview I'm getting nervous. Does anyone have advice on the best way to prepare? I'll be interviewed by the educator and director. Thanks so much for any help.

Bamboo, I just finished MEPN two weeks ago, and I got in with a very low quantitative score on the GRE. Too low to state publicly, yikes! You sound like a strong applicant, so you definitely have a chance. Don't give up. If you're going to take the GRE, take it as late as possible so you have time to study for it to improve your score. I don't remember for sure, but I think you have until aug. Good luck!

This topic came up in our nursing class and most students argued that we should continue to perform these duties. I was in agreement with their rationales. Until I thought about looking for my first job. As a nursing student doing 12 hour clinicals in med-surg, I was exhausted from these duties. I injured my back and was in constant pain. (I'm an older student) My peds rotation, on the other hand, was so much more managable because the parents helped with bathing/bedpans etc. I didn't suffer the injuries or physical exhaustion. I want to work with adults so med-surg seems the place to start, but I worry about how I'll physically manage it.

Should nurses still be making beds, delivering trays, giving baths and doing bedpans? Or should these tasks be delegated to nursing assistants? I'm in nursing school and I can see the value of these duties as opportunities for pt assessment, but the physical demands of these duties wear me out and at times lead the patient to see me as a servant. On days when I've had a nursing assistant to perform these duties I've enjoyed nursing and my workload felt managable. What do you think? Should nurses duties be redefined? Thanks for any input.

Hi, This is just my opinion, but I think adding an example to your goal statement would really make it stand out. Was there something in particular you saw or experienced when you shadowed the nurse that solidified your decision to pursue nursing? Letting your passion show through is always good :) You are so smart to get as many people as possible to read and edit your goal statement. Good luck to you!

Thanks Elizabells! You'll do great at Columbia, I would be so proud to go there too! That's an incredible accomplishment. I just read your post about your boyfriend and my heart goes out to you. Breakups are sooooo painful. It's so common for loved ones to go crazy when we make major changes in our lives. I'm older, and I've experienced the same thing whenever I've done something to change my self. Looking back, I realize that things worked out for the best. I lost some relationships that would have stifled me, while my other relationships adjusted and grew. The process hurts, but I know things will work out for you the way they are meant to. Either your boyfriend will adjust and grow with you, or you will be open to someone in the future will encourage and be supportive of you like you deserve.

Thank you both for the advice! I'm going to do it!!! I was in shock this morning, I didn't expect to get in and had already paid tuition, bought books etc for State, but I'd be stupid to pass up this opportunity. It's been such a rollercoaster. Good luck to you both and thanks for the support. :)

Hi Everyone, I don't know if you remember me, but you all helped me so much when I was heartbroken over getting put on the UCSF waitlist (#1 alt), then I got into SF-State's generic masters program. I emotionally adjusted to the change and switched to Psych CNS track at State. Now I got a call from UCSF and a slot has opened for me in the Gerontological NP track. I"M TOTALLY FREAKED OUT. I don't know what to do. The students are more diverse at State (older like me), which is nice, the unit load is lighter and school is cheaper. Also psych is very interesting. And State just seems less scary. On the other hand, it seems stupid to pass up an opportunity to go to such a great school as UCSF. But I'm scared too, I worry that I won'tbe able to keep up. Any input would be appreciated. I can hardly think straight. If I had gotten this call a month ago, I would have jumped at it. Now I don't know.

Thanks so much for the advice. The flowered underwear are tempting :chuckle I'll check out the Jasco. I just found some karate pants on the web that are really thick and sturdy. Maybe I could get away with them?

I'm starting nursing school this summer and need to wear all-white scrubs, yuk!. I was going to purchase them online, but have no idea which brands are good or what kind to get. I'm hoping to find some that don't reveal my underwear to the world. :uhoh21: Thanks for any advice!

:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: Congratulations Kris!!! And thanks for reminding us waitlisters to remain hopeful. :) When does the MGH program start?

Dream2nurse and Jess, There's so much to think about and now you've given me more ideas. I really had my heart set on the UCSF GNP track, but I'm going to go ahead with SF State Generic and see if the classes will transfer. I'm afraid if I let State go I may end up with nothing next year. Someone just told me that 3 Gerontology people from the waitlist last year were called in the day before classes started at UCSF. They were from back East and had to fly to California immediately. Talk about stress. I wish you both well and thanks for the advice.

Hi Everyone and congrats to all who've been accepted and good luck to those waiting. I'm #1 alternate for the Gerontological NP track at UCSF, but since I haven't heard back from UCSF yet, and others have (Congrats James!) , I'm assuming I'm not going to get in this year. However, I was accepted to SF States Direct Entry Generic MSN program. Do you all think it would be wrong to start at SF State and reapply to UCSF next year? I feel horrible about taking a space from someone at SF State if I'm going to switch, on the other hand, getting into UCSF next year isn't a sure thing and being an older, recently separated woman I don't feel I have much time or money to spare. I hate to take a chance and end up with nothing. What do you think? Thanks for any input.

OMG! You Guys! I take one day off and three of you are accepted! Congratulations :balloons: I'm so happy for you! And Jess, two acceptances, that's really incredible. Good luck to everyone else who's waiting for their letters.