charlabsn06

Northern California has a lot of openings too. Although it has been almost 2 yrs since I graduated, I practically walked into my job (specialty area at that, NICU) and they put me through the Versant RN Residency for 5 months of paid on the job training! Granted, I work night shift, but that doesn't bother me. We have to think on our feet and rely on our own skills at night due to fewer resources. This, I think, has made me a better nurse.

I was offered two jobs while still in school. Both in my 'dream' area, NICU. One facility impressed me with their commitment to helping new grads transition into "real nurses" with the Versant RN residency program. The other facility would have taken me right out of school with just an IP and trained me for about 5 weeks. The position I took gave me a 5 month orientation period! Although it paid a few dollars less and is a non-union hospital, I couldn't be happier here. I know I made the best decision, and it wasn't based on money!!

I am not sure about the validity of this poster either, is Jason a student nurse, CNA, LPN/RN, what? At any rate, I am reponding to someone else's comment about why someone would work as an NA/LPN when they have an RN license.... Not sure about other states regulations, but here in California one is always held to the highest standard of practice. Therefore, if you are an RN (with license) working as a CNA, you are responsible at the RN level for the care of this patient. And any poor outcome/disciplinary action will be recorded on your license, not the NA certificate. The other thing is why would someone go through the trouble of sitting for the LPN boards in addition to the RN? I am a graduate nurse, waiting to take my boards, working as a CNA, and it would be a financial hardship to do both. Whats's the point? I already had my certificate when I began school. And I will continue at my current employer, on a different unit, as a new grad RN once I pass NCLEX.

This always happens to my sister, a not so new nurse anymore (4 yrs as RN, 2 of them in CCU; plus 4 yrs before that as LVN). She works for a rather large HMO (who shall remain nameless, but let's just say they encourage us all to "thrive"), run by doctors. She is regularly late to pick up her daughter, is completely zonked after an 8 hr. shift, and is very close to burn-out. She has had days where she will leave at 5:30, go pick up her daughter and go BACK to work to finish charting or whatever, finally going home for good at 7:30-8:00. She is supposed to be off at 4:30!! She has regular problems with the change of shift staff not being available for report on time, or the inevitable last minute admit (15 min) before shift change. I keep telling her she needs to let them know this is not acceptable. If they are resistant to talking, she needs to let them know on her timecard. They also have the policy that requires manager approval for OT. And though they have 4 managers on her unit alone, none are readily availabe for these situations. I say hit 'em in the wallet if they are not listening to the staff complaints!!

Maybe it is my age (jaded 30's:lol2: ), or the fact that I had a career family, etc. before going into nursing. Maybe I knew what to expect because of working in the hospital setting (everything from admissions, HR, operator, unit clerk to CNA) for many years before going to nursing school; or the fact that I came from a long line of nurses (grandma, mom, sister, aunts)...Whatever the case, it never failed to amazed me that those who have never seen first hand the way "nurses eat their young" were shocked by it. I am not condoning the behavior, like healer27 says herself, 'it is what it is.' It helps to recall that nursing is built on the military model, and not just for timekeeping. There is a definite hierarchy (rank system, if you will) that is not overtly encouraged, but is nevertheless accepted as common practice. The DON's, Managers, and CN's are all nurses! They experienced it too. :trout: They overlook it for the most part, because it is how we are "initiated" into the profession. The students in my program who had it worst were those who had never seen the inside of a hospital until the first day of clinicals. They kept trying to question the seasoned nursing staff on why things aren't done exactly like we learn in school! At one clinical site, there was an all out war between the students and nurses on a particular unit. I kept thinking to myself, someday they will learn.... I don't mean to sound so glum about this issue, I know this is a wide open profession, where you can find your niche in a variety of settings. I just happen to agree that our perception of other people can play into how we are treated by them. In other words, if you believe that there is a 'cloud of mean people' following you around, you are going to be mistreated. That is in any field, any setting, anywhere. Don't allow yourself to be victimized, stand up for yourself, and show some of the tenacity you obviously possess in order to have made it thusfar!! At any rate, good luck with whatever you choose!:balloons:

Started my BSN program in 2004 at 34, graduated last month at 36, will be 37 three weeks after starting my new grad program! Went to college right after HS (age 17) majoring in Communication/English. Husband and kids came next....Returned to school three weeks before my 34th birthday, and I was definitely not the oldest person there as I had expected!! Many students were changing careers mid life: some had kids, some didn't. It is awesome to see the many different walks of life future nurses come from. I was amazed and inspired by everyone. Especially the younguns (19-21) who knew without a doubt this was what they wanted to do!

This is so inspiring to hear, as I too have accepted a NICU position in the new grad program beginning in Feb. Although I was sure in my heart that this was the right choice for me, I had some reservations about future opportunities. I am happy to know that these choices are not necessarily written in stone, and with the amazing choices available for nurses, we can do many things in this profession.

I say go for what you are passionate about. I just graduated in December and I was offered a new grad position in the NICU at a local medical center, the only one offering the Versant program in my area, and I had similar reservations. What if I wanted to change specialty at some point? Do I need the standard two years med/surg background to succeed? Ultimately, I had to go with my passion, which is where I also did my senior preceptorship, and that is why I accepted the position. Follow your heart! Good Luck!