SunnyCaRN

Okay that is a tough one. But I think I would say to stick it out with the job you have. You were blessed to be working with encouraging nurses, at site day-care, a routine that works for you and your children. Get your experience and then you can transfer to another unit may-be even within the hospital you are at and once you are known it will be easier to be a first pick for days. That being said - if you think you will truly hate the area you are in and the only area that is going to bring you happiness is OB then you may need to make the change. Just remember you don't have to worry about your daycare provider canceling at the last minute and your kids are near you. That is a big load off to me.

Stick with it - you will graduate in 2 to 3 years depending on the program and the economy will have changed by then - hopefully for the better! You just got a great reminder why this is worth it!! Good Luck and keep plugging along!

I would count Cali out but AZ is hiring alot of new grads - a lot of Cali new grads have gone there.

I would say your only disadvantage is that you didn't go to school here and don't know anyone to network with. I wish you luck becuase the job market for new grads here is very tough and we are all moaning about it! Hope you are one of the lucky ones - let us know!!

I am doing a clinical rotation at PPH right now. As far as I know they are not doing any paid externships again this year. I talked to a new hire and they only hired 9 new grads for both hospital and they all came from this area's schools only - Palomar College, CSUSM, and SD State, and one other local school I can't remember. A lot of people in my class are nervous because the job market is very tough down her in San Diego for new grads, you would be better off to get a new grad program with a hospital your school has done rotations with work for a year and then transfer as an experienced RN. We are thinking of applying more north for just this reason of a tight job market in our area. There may-be a nursing shortage but we have yet to really see it in San Diego.

Alot of hospitals in my area pay by union set wages so check in your area for a nursing union - look on the pay scale and pick the lowest amount because I'm sure that is what we will make. Wage also depends on area - the higher the cost to live the more money that is made but it really all works out to be about the same.

I think that you should really take some time to decide on what you really want to do. IMHO it sounds like your not really in to nursing. I know some people that work as a waitress to get by through nursing school because they can have a flexible schedule. Since you already have a degree have you looked into the accelerated programs so you can have a BSN? I think that alot of people look at the economy and then think nursing would be a great job but nursing is not just a job. It takes alot out of you physically and emotionally and if you don't have that passion you will be miserable in this profession and no amount of job security is worth that.

I think you should finish. You do not have to work in a hospital setting once you have your degree and licence. You can go and work at a school and be a school nurse. Not so much stress there and you are with kids, you can go work in a ped clinic, you can do home health care for moms who just gave birth. There are so many opportunities out there so don't just get stuck in thinking that you have to work in a hospital setting. School is never what it is like in the real world because you have to have the basis for everything and in any job you are going to be dealing with people with bad attitudes. Hang in there, you always see what you are looking for so find something positive and hang on to that.

I think your right to avoid them. It is no use trying to tell them your position, it is just better that you know how hard you have worked to get where you are. Stay the course and soon you will not care what that relative says. It really is a shame that we can't pick our family! Hang in there!!!

Yeah, I'm bored too!

I think this should be posted in nursing students and not pre-nursing.

I think your brother is right. I decided after my first four weeks and exams that is what I'm going to do. I also took the plunge and de-binded my fundamentals book. Now I can take the chapters out and put them behind the powerpoints and my notes. It really makes it a lot easier to read and I don't have that huge book that makes me feel a little over-whelmed. Congrats on your 92!

Just remember school is not what nursing as a career will be. You are learning and doing alot of jobs that nurses don't always have time to do and thank goodness for the CNA's and other nursing help do, but you have to know how to do them if you are needed too. We are learning about all areas of nursing and not all areas of nursing are going to fit you, your personality, and aptitude. My hat is off to you for the accelerated program -that really would not be for me, so see we are all different and just as the world of nursing is. Hang in there!

My program used the points system. We did know how points were awarded and we new just our own points. We didn't know how many applied but when we were accepted we were told over 400 for 44 slots. Every year my school does a break down so those trying to apply will know what the criteria is and if they fall in the range of points accepted. We were notified by phone and email and then a follow up letter. Those that did not get in only got letters. Our points were based on GPA, pre-req GPA, language requirement, residency, TEAS test, work experience, volunteer experience, and I think one other one but I dont' remember.

No I think it you can do it. Psyc 101 is pretty easy and it will give you a break up against two sciences. The pre-nursing section always gave me alot of support because they have class specific groups. Good Luck!!