XYnurse2B

Yah Fiona, to my understanding, the term is now more affiliated to a "man purse" than a "male nurse". I really think the stigma / preconcieved notions / level of ignorance among the general public about men in nursing is fading away.

Thanks for the good wishes! We will be moving from W.V. We've been looking primarily in Texas, though have options in Virginia and Georgia as well. Things are still playing out. As far as D&E, we chose the school for the instant admission and rapid entry into nursing... not for it's stellar academic record. We are satisfied with the preparation we have received to become nurses, though wouldn't say we're in awe of the program. Bottom line, it's a very personal education which prepares you fairly well for the NCLEX. Lot's of $$$$$, but the extra 2 years of working instead of being on a wait list somewhere else offsets the extra dough. Elkins has been rough for us, not exactly our cup of tea... but we know in the long run, it'll have been worth it.

I'm the original poster on the thread. And I'm now happy to say that we'll be graduating in 5 weeks!!!!! I'd be happy to give you any info/lowdown/inside scoop you need to know. Unfortunately, we have a test tomorrow in MedSurg and I'll be studying all day. I think I'd prefer to send it to your personal inbox too, so that I can just be totally open without worrying about stepping on any toes. Congratulations on your acceptance. Bottom line is if you APPLY yourself and don't expect things to be "handed over" to you, D&E's program will prepare to become a nurse. I look forward to answering your questions.

NO reason to apologize. We new grads need and appreciate the sage advise of you experienced RN's. Regardless of the fact that I have a good amount of work experience prior to nursing, this is a whole new world! Lots of things of course carry over from any profession/industry, but there are some aspects of the medical field that this newbie is in the dark about. Bring on the advice...I have my salt shaker here:wink2:

Dude, you're GOLDEN! You have the power to negotiate because of your ample experience. Us new grad peons just get to take what they offer and deal with it....not that it's really all that horrible.

Yes it can. Sad but true. Why take the chance, Right??

So, I started the post...And since then have stopped asking about the dough. However, there have been a few places that have just laid it right out there. "We offer $:twocents:/hr, with A, B, and C differentials." It SEEMS, those places are usually the ones who are "proud" of what they're offering. Like, they know it's better than other places and they want you to know it's better. BUT, I just interviewed with a smaller hospital, expect to get an offer, and actually expect it to be fairly decent... they didn't want to talk $$ one bit! Their HR will be calling with an offer tomorrow, which can then be accepted, negotiated, or denied. Bottom line is this... It's just a safe play to not ask about the $$. Not because it's some hard and fast rule, which it isn't. Otherwise hospitals wouldn't be laying it out there in an interview. You don't ask because you just might step on some "old school" toes, get their panties in a bunch, and make things uncomfortable. Really, you should be able to get a pretty good idea about your areas' new grad starting wage just by spending enough time on AN.com. There really shouldn't be anything wrong with asking, but it just isn't the best move.

RONSO, I am up to my eyeballs in HESI B.S. right now!! I'm in a 2 year program and they are trying to introduce HESI to us in our FINAL SEMESTER!! Nothing but drama and frustration. I have researched and found multiple articles in the Journal of Nursing Education if you feel like fighting this instead of wasting more money and additional months of your life, which you can NEVER get back! The HESI is great at predicting who will pass the NCLEX, but doesn't predict who is going to fail it with NEARLY the same accuracy. These research articles speak strongly to this point. PM me your e-mail if you'd like them. Never give up!

Any suggestions how to make a recovery with a place I REAALLLLLYYY want to work at? I've only spoken with the RN recruiter, no nurse managers.

OK, OK I give... I may not necessarily agree, but I clearly see the point being made. No more asking about pay. :trc:

I know it's "proper" not to ask, but it just doesn't make much sense. I'm interviewing over the phone with these people and some of them are very difficult to get ahold of. When you finally have someone on the phone who can answer all your questions, you just want to get them answered. I guess like I feel as though the hospitals are being interviewed just as much as I am, and I have every right to want to know how much they value their employees as reflected in their pay...

So, why especially in this economy? Why do the tough time make it a more sensitive issue?

Yah....Good ol' D&E. They're not really on my good side right now... Hopefully, issues are being resolved as I type. We'll see this week. Is the Middle Fork out out by Dry Fork? Great fishing there if so. I'm not really to familiar with the whole area. I just want to do my time and fly this coop. I'm too much of a city kid to stick around after school.

I externed this summer in the OR and it was awesome. The nurse manager/charge/staff are FANTASTIC. I'll be preceptoring in the ICU this semester, starting very soon, and will be happy to share when I do. I think most all of what Rob was saying is right on.

Let the frustration continue!! Sure I know of Morgantown. I'm in Elkins, aka "Hell-kins". We have to get somewhere warm. We're not from here and miss the sunshine.....

Yep. I think it depends on how your prof's are testing. Mostly from lecture or from the book. No matter what, reading the whole chapter isn't going to do anything but help...sometimes. I have run across instances where the book plainly contradicts what the seemingly correct test answer is (most of the time it was info from lecture).

So, I've been applying all over the country. Every place is different. Sometimes I'm speaking with HR. Sometimes with the Nurse Manager. I've even spoken with a CNO. I'm aware that you NEVER start an interview/conversation with $$$ talk. Besides, I really do have other questions about the place I am interviewing for. Sometimes, an HR person will just throw out the pay/diffs/OT, sometimes the nurse managers don't even know! So my question is this... When is it o.k. to ask, straight up, what the starting pay is? I've been told there is some flexibility in the starting wage for a new grad. True or untrue? What if there's two of us? (husband/wife). I just had my first negative (hesitant) response from an interviewer when I asked, but everyone else has seemed totally fine with it... What's your take AllNurses Nation???

So, I've been applying all over the country. Every place is different. Sometimes I'm speaking with HR. Sometimes with the Nurse Manager. I've even spoken with a CNO. I'm aware that you NEVER start an interview/conversation with $$$ talk. Besides, I really do have other questions about the place I am interviewing for. Sometimes, an HR person will just throw out the pay/diffs/OT, sometimes the nurse managers don't even know! So my question is this... When is it o.k. to ask, straight up, what the starting pay is? I've been told there is some flexibility in the starting wage for a new grad. True or untrue? What if there's two of us? (husband/wife). I just had my first negative (hesitant) response from an interviewer when I asked, but everyone else has seemed totally fine with it... What's your take AllNurses Nation???

My wife and I live in West Virginia. We have been offered a position in San Antonio, Tx. We are likely to be offered a position in Lynchburg, Virginia. We hope to be offered a position in Austin, Texas or Augusta, Georgia. We have been kind of surprised at the similarities in starting base pays. Pretty much $19-$21/hr. It's the differentials and OT that vary greatly. It's crazy how different all of the application processes are. Some interview thoroughly. Some barely at all. Some have huge applications and want transcripts, resumes, cover letters and letters of reference. Some only want an application. Some are still offering sign on bonuses and relocation. Some offer only tuition reimbursement. Some offer 18 weeks of training (for ICU), some offer 2 weeks. There's no consistency except inconsistency. It's soooooo time consuming. ... But it has to be done. These are the things we're finding. Good luck with your new job.

Thanks for the input. That's the kind of stuff we're looking for. We are about to submit our apps and resume's to Seton and probably St Davids. Wish us luck!

Nice... I'm sitting herein West Virginia, freezing my A@@ off, day dreaming about Austin and getting more and more excited about the possibility of working within the Seton group. Seton almost sounds too good to be true, though there are plenty of people giving it it's due props!

Ohhh. Well hey, jump back on that horse and get it done...just do it after I apply! LOL!

Hey Borta, How did everything work out for you? Did you end up with an interview? Have you been hired? What's happened?

I too am just starting my research into the Seton group. Would you mind sharing the names of those recruiters with me? And maybe why you're so fond of them? Thanks! You can just PM me if that's ok with you.

Thanks for the 411. I too am considering Austin with my wife. Both as new-grads. I'm checking into the Seton group of hospitals. I've touched base with the recruiter and am waiting to hear back. You made a comment about a non-profit being better... Out of curiosity, why is that?