MerdalRN

Hi OctoberBride, I did my pedi clinical rotation at the exact facility you are talking about. It was hard at first, and it was excellent experience, but be prepared... these are the sick of the sick kids. Trachs, gtubes, vents, mental defecits... some of these kids are just existing- no interaction with the outside world, or even with you. It's hard (until you know them for a bit) to tell how the child is feeling, or if they even know you are there. There were some parents that were very involved- visited often, brought toys and clothes, and there were some that weren't involved period. I actually interviewed there and was given an offer, but it changed from nights to overnights and I declined the job. The facility does great things for these kids, but you need to go in knowing that these kids no nothing different then how they are now. Most of them were born this way, few were due to accidents.

Hey all! Currently I work as an RN on a 44 bed adult med/surg/tele/oncology floor at a busy community hospital. I've been there for about 8 mos. Prior to that I was doing private duty Peds, and loved it, but there were some safety issues. Now that I'm in the hospital, I really like it, but I miss Peds like crazy. I've looked for other hospital peds jobs, but with no luck. Everyone wants more Peds experience than I have. I recently applied for and interviewed with a busy Peds office closer to my house. I really liked the people, and the office was well maintained. But I'm having some doubts... I know there is more money to be made in the hospital setting, but the office job would provide me the exact schedule I want ( 4 10hr days vs 5 8hr evenings that I do now), the pay is equal to what I would make if I was on days at the hospital, and my commute (and gas!) would be cut in half. My husband thinks I'll hate the office because I'll be bored, but I'm not so sure. I wouldn't leave the hospital all together, I'd stay per diem and work a day or 2 a week for extra cash (which I've been trying to get a per diem job but my hospital schedule is so messed up it's been impossible). So... tell me the pros and cons of office vs. hospital nursing.... I'm just very on the fence about this!

That was my first statement to him... I guess I was just more wondering if you came across, lets just say.. a bad MVA and you pulled him out of his truck and saw he had it tattooed on his chest but that he needed cpr. Would you do it??

My soon to be hubby came home the other day with DNR tattooed midline center chest in 1 inch high black block letters. (I am totally serious!) How would that be interperted in the event (god forbid!) that something really happened to him? He does not have an actual DNR order, and we have talked about wishes in the event of something terrible, but would EMS have to comply with his tattoo?? Hubby is a fireman/paramedic so he knows the consequences/outcomes of CPR and all, and I think this had lots to do with his decision to tattoo this, but I wish he had told me he was doing it :icon_roll

I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggled!! I ended up being hired by a VNA.. it was alright, but I didn't like it all that much. I started working per diem for a pediatric company doing private duty and really liked it.. and they offered me full time! I jumped on it! So this week I started full time for them and in two days of work I have had more fun then in the 3 mos I worked for the vna! Kids rock and special needs kids offer so much in terms of assessment and skills! I would still love to be in a hospital and I plan on keeping my eyes open, but at least this is a big step in getting to where I want to be (peds/special care nursery/L&D). :monkeydance:

Hey all! Anyone have any recomendations on an all online program to go from ASN to BSN?? Does such a beast even exist? Thanks!

Hi Everyone! I graduated May 12th, passed my NCLEX June 1st, and am having a terrible time trying to get into ANY MA hospital!! currently I work as a Visiting Nurse, but I don't really like it and would love to be in a hospital setting. I have applied everywhere with no result... and I've been applying since March!! It seems that unless you are related to a current nurse or HR that they won't even give you the time of day... I'm so frustrated I want to cry!! Any help??

To get into a Massachusetts hospital??!! I graduated May 12th, passed the NCLEX June 1st, have been applying to jobs since march! I can't get anywhere with any hospital!! I'm just so frustrated I want to cry... I'm working as a visiting nurse for now, but I really want to be in the hospital setting. Ultimately I would love to be doing Peds or OB, but I have come to the conclusion that it's never going to work out. I know I will do med/surg first, and I'm totally on board with that, but I just don't know what I'm doing wrong to even get that far.... Let's see... I've revised and revamped both my resume and cover letter, I've made follow up phone calls and emails, I've applied to a billion different positions and a billion different hospitals. I know HR is a dog, but jeez.. I just don't know what to do....

Thank you all so much! Now I just need a job! hehe Tx...I think the wait was worse than the exam! And when they say 48 hrs, it really is 48 hrs to the minute! And keep in mind, it's 48hrs from when you FINISH the exam!! Good luck wishes coming your way!

woo hoo!! :monkeydance: Passed the NCLEX RN on May 30th will 113 questions! Lots of prioritization, 1 math, 2 mutliple answer. Felt terrible coming out of the exam, but.... I PASSED!!! Merdal, RN lol.. I like the sound of that!! :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance:

Hi All! How hard was it for you to find work as an RN after graduation?? I graduate 5/12/07, and have been applying to jobs since April... I can't get anywhere!! I call to speak w/someone and have to leave a msg, then I'll email my resume and cover letter.. no reply, then I call to follow up that has been recieved.. no call back, and finally apply online and call after to see if that is recieved as well, with still no answer!! And this has been everywhere I applied!!! So far I've applied to 8 hospitals and 2 private care companies... I never thought it would be soo hard to find a job!? I don't have previous nursing experience (I'm a new grad), and I didn't/don't work as an LNA... is this what is stopping me??? HELP!

hmmm... somewhere I was told test date within 30 days... I'll have to go and talk with my school and get clarification before I arrange anything..

the way it was described to me, I send in all the paperwork, school ok's that I can test with state, then I get sent paper saying "this is when and where we are testing.. when are you coming" Is that right or am I all sorts of confused?

crud... 4 weeks!? So maybe I'm not going to be able to elope the last week in june.... argh

Hey all! Curious to know how long it took (once you registered) to get a test date for the NCLEX? I'm hoping to take it as soon as my review class is over, but I'm also planning on ELOPING (!!) the last week in june... I'm just afraid that if I book my elopment that it would be my luck that I'll get a test date that week... but of course if I don't book it, my test will be 2 days after I finish the review I my official graduation is May 12, I think we are able to register before that date, but I'm not sure Any Help??

with applying and contacting hospitals for work? I graduate May 12th, and hope to take my boards shortly there after. I almost feel silly calling without having the required RN license, but I know it has to be done. How do I get this ball started?? Thanks!! :monkeydance:

Thanks Siri! I really think I'm going to see what I can find within L&D to start.. so what if I have to work crappy shifts! I'll be doing what I love! :monkeydance:

Thanks ladies! Clarise I feel the same way... while I can do it, I don't especially care for med/surg. I think that if I try and get a job at one of the smaller local hospitals I will have a better chance to go right to L&D vs trying to hit a major hospital.

Hi All! I will be graduating ADN in May, and am (hopefully) looking to be doing Maternity/LDR nursing. My question to all of you is... should I try and specialize off the bat or should I do the med/surg thing for a while? While I am fully capable in Med/Surg, my passion has always been Maternity. Even before nursing school. Is is wise to try and find an externship position in maternity or just see what is out there for jobs? With graduation pending.. I'm getting job anxiety!!