WestWingFan

Indeed.com

Thanks--- luckily my kids are in school full-time now (1st and 3rd grade)-- so I can drop them off and go to sleep, and our school has summer camp available when school ends. I dont' know if I could have done it when they were little.

I actually think the first place discriminated against you, which of course is illegal. Take the job, and tell them when you feel comfortable. Even if there is a problem at that point, now you have experience, and it will give you an edge over the new RN grads. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR JOB!!!!!

Something that no-one told me when I was asking questions like this prior to nursing school. It's very tough to get per diem work as a new RN, tough to get part-time work, tough to get all weekend work. As a new RN, most really have to start full time -- either (5) eight hour shifts or (3) 12 hour shifts. My husband doesnt' work shift work, but he does leave for work at 6am. Makes 7p-7a difficult as well as 7a-7p. What we realize we have to do (I'm looking for my first job--- passed nclex last month), is get a reliable babysitter. We live near many colleges, so we're looking for a college student that can come over from 6a-8a, if I get a 7p-7a shift. Something to think about. If you want to be a nurse, you'll find a way, somehow. I think about my parent's best friends. Dad was a cop, when the youngest son was 2yo, mom decided she wanted to be a cop as well. They both worked rotating shifts. Sometimes they were both gone in the middle of the night. But, they found a great babysitter, who could stay with the kids and basically came over whenever they needed her. Kids are grown, and she's still part of the family. Somehow, it will work out, if this is what you want. At least, that's what I think about when I worry how we're going to make this work :)

Thanks! I didn't include the BA in my name-- just applied for a few jobs. Just saw it somewhere on someone's credentials, and didn't know if I should. WAnted to double check. Thanks!!!!!!!

I don't know what state you're in, but if you're eligible for quick results, it should be Sunday at 2pm (on Pearson site). It was exactly 48 hours from my appointment time. My appt time was Fri at 10:30am. My results were available at exactly 10:30am on Sunday morning. Don't worry, my test also shut down at 75, and i felt like I guessed every answer, but I passed. All of my nurse friends convinced me that it's very unlikely that i would have failed at 75--- much much more likely that I passed. Try and relax over the next two days--- we spent the weekend at the beach, so I could try and relax and not think about it (yeah right).

Gotcha! Thanks! I was confused! Whatever works to get a job haha!!!

I have a bachelors degree (used to be a teacher), and went back for my ADN in nursing. Just passed NCLEX, and applying for first job out of nursing school. On my resume I just had "My Name, RN" but noticed sample resumes with "name, rn, bsn". Then I saw one that had "RN, BA". Would it look odd to put that on my resume , or should I put "my name, RN"?? I had one instructor who told me to put both (RN, BA) she said put as many initials as I can LOL--- but you get different answers from different people.

I tried to edit my original post, but couldn't. I was sure I failed at 75 on Friday, but got word yesterday that I passed. It took me a few minutes to stop crying when I found out.

I just took it--- it shut off at 75 questions. I thought I was going to cry. I'm pretty sure I did fail, because I knew nothing. I'm afraid to try the pearson trick.

Forget it! I figured it out--- Select All That Apply (right?) Uggh! I HATE these!

I feel ike an idiot, but what is SATA? Maybe I better reschedule the test I have at the end of the month LOL!

I'm trying to remember now-- it's been 3 years since I applied. Go to an information session-- they'll give you all of the info. Yes, you do actually apply to DCCC beforehand. Then (for fall 2010) you'll apply between August and October (they'll give you exact dates) for nursing program. There is a placement test. I didn't have to take it because I had already taken my math courses and English courses (I had a BA and 21 graduate credits from Villanova). You need to take the NET Test. I remember taking it in beginning of August before leaving for vacation. There's a book at ERI World that you can order to prepare. I'd do that as soon as possible, because I remember that you had to take the test by the end of September at the latest (can take it 3 times). It's not the minimum that's the issue. Many people pass the test, but still aren't accepted. They take the students with the top scores. So, it's like the top 30 for night program and top 90 for day program (I remember being told there were a few hundred applicants)-- so the minimum really isn't the issue you have to be have one of the top scores. This was how it was 3 years ago--- I'd definitely get to an information session very soon. Or call the school of allied health. Good Luck! The program was good (I'll tell you how good after I take NCLEX in two weeks LOL). Very hard program-- I think many believe since its a community college it will be easier than a 4 year program, and that isn't the case (most of my clinical instructors also taught at 4 year universities, and they praised our program).

Droplet

Taking it July 31st, and very nervous! I took the Praxis 15 years ago for my Social Studies teaching certificate, and wasn't nearly as nervous (didn't even study for it, and passed)--- I don't feel as confident about NCLEX

I had the drill sargent clinical instructor my second semester of my first year in med-surge(first semester passing meds). We start at 6:45. 6:45, our assignments were slappend on the wall (no pre-conference), and we had to have all vitals done on our patients before going to get report at 7am (which doesn't sound tough, but we were all scrambling because not enough thermometers, pulse ox, you'd get in the room and the blood pressure cuff didn't work things like that--- and no excuses for not being done). If you missed report, don't even think about sticking around-- you're done, that was a "no-no" LOL. I could hear her yelling at students down the hall. I did some crying that semester on the drives home from clinical from the stress, but you know what--- she was awesome! I'm very grateful to have had her, learned so much, and it forced me to really just get my butt in gear, stop being afraid (first semester, everything scared me--- I hated just waking the patients up), use my time management etc. By mid-semester, I really loved her!!! Also everyone told us, if we could survive her, we would be great nurses, and that did so much for my confidence. It may not be as bad as you think!!! Try and embrace the challenge

Poop's fine--- I'm over that. Big bad smelly wounds, now that's gross LOL

Our ADN program is two years of just nursing classes--- sorry. My situation is somewhat similar, I had a bachelors degree, then decided to go back for nursing. The accelerated BSN programs were more money than I was willing to pay (I didn't hate teaching that much haha, and would have just continued rather than pay that kind of money)--- I decided on a community college ADN program because we could afford it out of pocket, and it was all nights and weekends (and I was home on child rearing leave anyway for what would be the next two years--- so why not LOL?) Hope you find what your looking for.

This has been a really interesting discussion. I will graduate in May from an RN program (community college). I already have a B.A. (history and sec.ed), and am a few credits short of a masters degree-- I was a high school teacher before staying home with my kids for the past 5 years. I do worry about finding a job (philadelphia area). I know of two hospital systems who will not hire RN grads. One of my instructors said that if I can prove that I'm enrolled in a BSN program, and already have the BA, that I shouldn't have too much trouble finding a position-- we'll see, though. I already know where I'm going to finish my BSN, and am filling out the application as we speak, so I can enroll as soon as I graduate in May. There aren't too many classes that I haven't taken, and am told I'll finish the BSN within a year. I would have gone into a BSN program originally, but they were too expensive. I've just finished paying my student loans for graduate school, and couldn't take on more right now. My husband was able to pay for the community college out of pocket. Hopefully I'll luck out and get a job next summer. I'm not picky at all as to where I work, and I want the night shift. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Just curious. I'm finishing up my 1st year of nursing school (one year to go)--- I'm wondering what shifts are available to new grads after orientation period. I want the night shift, but I was just wondering--- do all hospitals have just 7pm-7am (or day shift 7am-7p) or do some offer 11a-11p or 3p-3a (a nurse I worked with over the weekend, said that alot of hospitals had 11p-11a and 3p-3a which would work great for our schedule, but I didn't think hospitals had that shift, I thought it was pretty much all 7-7 )-- I was surprised. just wondering. Thanks!

I have the Crocs Specialist for clinicals (more arch support, more support overall)--- I have them in white. I have of endeavor crocs in pearl for home (I got them for rainy days walking the kids to school), but I want more.

Before becoming a nursing student I was a... High School Social Studies Teacher for 6 years and a Stay at Home Mom for 5 years.

Your question made me laugh, because I'm a nursing student (graduating 5/09), and someone told me as a new grad I would have to work days (during the week) for at least a year---- I want nights because it works better for my kids and husband(3-11 being my first choice, but I'll take 7p-7a since most hospital seem to be 12 hours--- actually weekends are my first choice, but again I'm told that new grads aren't hired for weekend work, because they don't orient on nights or weekends???) So, I'm actually glad to see some new grads are put on nights--- don't worry, I think there are plenty of us that want nights, so if days is your priority--- I would hope you'll find something. Good Luck!!!!

Yes--- I did this as a student (which I still am) which made it more embarressing (sic?). I didn't have the ability to chart at the time-- 1st semester, so all info had to be given to my nurse verbally. I was measuring I&Os all morning on my patient, and the nurse was busy when I measured the last void. I knew to tell her before I left, but forgot when my instructor sent us to the caf for postconference--- I went to thank my nurse but completely forgot to tell her the amount of the void. My instructor laughed at me when it hit me, and she told me to just call the floor and tell my nurse. I did, but i felt like an idiot. My instructor told me that she calls in all of the time after she goes home--- she said something will hit her that she wants to tell the nurse on duty.

I honestly think being a mother before being a nurse helped. I couldn't have done this at 22yo. I just had to wipe after a patient for the first time (thought it was something I'd have a hard time with)--- , and then the next day I cleaned the bathroom after a patient had a little poopy accident. turns out it wasn't hard at all--- no problem. Not that much different then my kids. Glad I got the first poopy experiences over with and know that it's not a problem.