Amiejayrn

The answer is NO. They pay new grads $29.97/hr for days and if you want to work nights, it is a $6 diff. That is why they have more daytime positions available. If you are a nurse with experience, obviously the pay will be greater. Good luck to you.

Hi, I too am a new peds nurse. I used to work in a pediatric office as an LVN, but I graduated a year ago and just started at a Children's Hospital on their med/surg floor. Although, I love kids and being around them, I am not sure I like it. I am still getting precepted and have until the end of January before I am on my own. This new grad program started in August. When I first graduated, I went to another smaller hospital and was hired as a "transition" nurse (go to each delivery and transition the babies). I still work there per diem and like it much better but left because it was nights (no day positions open full time) and I also felt like I was cheating myself from experiences. At the Childrens hospital, I am learning a lot every day but I just cant decide what it is, that I dont like about it. I am hoping to give it a year, at least, but I hate to put a time table on anything. I was hoping when I got hired, I would love it and want to stay there 4 most of my nursing career. We will see what happens:confused:

It is 12 months long and it has 2 starting classes each year, one in June and one in October.

Concorde is expensive. Have you heard of ROP? I got my LVN license there and all I had to pay for was my books and uniforms. There is nothing to finance. Their LVN program is located in Anaheim. I think it is called North Orange County Regional Occupational Program. Good luck!

It depends on what type of unit you'll be working on. I agree with deeDawntee though, a PDA is great. I had downloaded a program that had 4 nursing books (drug book, lab book, diseases and disorders, and a tabers) while a student and it was wonderful! Now I have downloaded just one book specially for my unit. Also, whatever unit you are on, they usually have reference books on hand for your use.

1hotrn, I have taken the NCLEX 2 times and both times I got 265. I am not a good test taker to begin with but after failing the first time, I decided not to procrastinate about studying (I did that a lot for the first test). Just set time aside each day to study content and quizzes. I used the Kaplan book ($30) and the NCSBN website that has an NCLEX online course. It was cheap, approx. $69 for 5 weeks. I really felt that the Kaplan strategy book helped me to answer questions better. Don't lose faith in yourself, you did get through nursing school! I know how upsetting it is to fail that test. I thought that the first test was harder than the second and looking back on it now, I think that is because I wasnt as prepared as I could of been and also the whole experience was new. Good luck and best wishes!

I SOOO hear you! I came out of school and went to my "dream job", while being oriented on day shift, everyone was wonderful and welcoming. I went to nights, for which I was hired, and I felt like I have been thrown to the wolves! I swear the other nurses watch you like they are waiting for you to screw up. It is very nerve wracking. I felt like wearing a scrub top that read, "Yes, I am a new grad and I dont know jack, so please help". I ended up getting another job that I have not started but from friends that work there now, say it is very nurturing and supportive. So we hope and pray it is! I also was able to keep the first "dream" job and get a per diem DAY spot, just in case. I also wanted to say that it might be better to stick it out with those nurses who have bad attitudes and after some time, they may lighten up when they see you are not going anywhere. Just a guess though.

yes!! Not only is it safer, but it is very easy to draw from the ampule using the filter needle. Thanks, for bringing this up. Being new, I had 2 preceptors and one used them and one did not. :uhoh21:

yeah, we are small. That is why I am starting at a bigger hospital which has a 48 bed NICU and will be expanding to a 72 early next year. I just am not getting enough exposure to learn where I am at. Yes, we do get cancelled but of course, it is the per diem, then the part timers who go before the full timers. We do have the option to floating to Nursery. :icon_roll

our NICU can hold 12 and has been 10 to 12 the past 2 months. Usually it is around 3 or 4 patients. So in our small little NICU, we are busy.

CHOC is "childrens hospital of Orange County" and they are the best in Orange county. There is Childrens hospital of Los Angeles in of course, LA. Mission hospital has a NICU but is considered part of CHOC.

I do enjoy my job very much, but just feel stuck with no more to learn. I am keeping one foot in the door and going per diem day shift as the transition nurse, while I go through the new grad program at the Children's Hospital.

There is a Kaplan strategy book for $25 at Barnes and Noble and it is a quick read with their strategies. I agree that $500 is too much for a review class and with Kaplan it is all about test taking strategy. The book was helpful to me as I am a horrible test taker and read too much into things.

I think if you know the content and are ready to take the exam, then dont postpone it. You are right, you will just postpone the anxiety to go on longer. Bring with you water, snacks, other drinks and take breaks whenever you need while taking the test. I had all 265 questions and was there for 5 hours. I took 4 breaks to stretch and eat/drink or whatever. You can take a break whenever you need. Good luck and I hope the best for you!