stripec30

Bump. Thought you December grads could use these. :-)

Also try browsing craigslist for a seamstress - for like $5-7 they'll slim a shirt so it fits your torso better.

At the three month mark on Sunday and I would say I'm about 70% competent/knowledgable/can navigate around the landmines. Making some mistakes for the first time are out of my control; but I am able to prevent them in the future. I know that the specialty I work in is not where I'll retire from, but it's an excellent place to learn about what works and what doesn't. :) As far as knowing/finding a niche, try reading the sticky posts in each specialty sub-forums here on allnurses.

Bump...bump...bump......bump....bump.bump......

They're looking for someone who can be well rounded and interact with people from all different kinds of backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures.

If it seems pretty easy, you're missing something.

lol. They're always in need of nurses too. The company makes around a $400 million dollar/year profit and essentially is taking advantage of an economic situation to avoid paying nurses for work that needs to be done.

As an LVN you can complete an LVN to RN bridge program that's about a year long. There are less people applying for these programs also. Just sayin...

The female Filipino nurses wild and freaking crazy. ;-)

Honestly your best bet is volunteering in a hospital and making connections. That being said: UC Davis keeps spots open specifically for new grads. Most managers prefer you have experience at the hospital. The application period is usually 1 week. Note: for a recent NG position on an extended care unit the recruiter received 400 applications. Don't bother applying if you don't have your BSN. The screener will just throw your application in the trash. The Mercy System has new grad programs. Mercy folsom will hire NG's for part time positions. Kaiser can be great if you have an inside connection. Sutter typically hires the student externs whom precept there. It might be beneficial to talk with their recruiters (they're off of Gateway Drive in Natomas). Otherwise, there are a lot of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities who are always hiring people. Personally I would rather work at an assisted living facility -- much, much nicer.

This is by far one of the best threads I've ever read. Worth reading through each page. Yeah, there are some repeats but it just helps with the memorization. ;-)

If it hasn't been said already: Grab an NCLEX book and follow along with what you're covering in class (eg. peds, maternity, cardiac, pharm).

^ this.

2nd vote for uniform advantage. They've got a great clearance section. :-D

Yes, in hospitals. Problem?

^ this.

Offered a job in Sacramento.

I never scored above 73% on Kaplan's QB and passed the NCLEX w/75 questions.

Nope. Would have chosen pre-med and ROTC and been a pursued an MD degree in emergency medicine. As they say tho; hindsight is 20/20. I'm an RN now, and enjoy the job.

Try searching Google for: 'best trauma shears forum'.

California - 20 weeks.

In Sacramento, Ca -- With differentials the hourly ends up being $45/hr

Like many other in this forum I have been searching for a nursing job since graduating nursing school and passing the NCLEX. I live in California and have interviewed at hospitals as far east as Washington DC; as far north as Washington State and of course throughout California. I've sat down and talked with about 20 recruiters, emailed/called even more. Through these trials and tribulations I've learned about myself and this abyss they call the hiring process. This is what I found worked for me; I hope some may also work for you. 1) Apply, apply apply -- I sent out about 230 applications in the past 4 months (about 2/day). No matter how down I felt about putting in an application I made it part of my morning routine. Wake up, get up, get dressed, fill out some applications. It has been mentioned before, but I found: http://www.theagapecenter.com/Hospitals/California.htm an excellent resource. 2) Bypass the nurse recruiters -- Apply for a job and a couple of days later put on your Sunday clothes and show up at the unit with resume in hand. Ask if the unit manager is available and say you are following up on an application you submitted. If the manager is not available - ask if they have five minutes in the next week and if you could schedule a tour of their unit. 3) A lot of managers rely on you to reiterate your certifications, skills and abilities (even when they are in bold on the front of your resume). 4) Be ready to answer interview questions - there are like 5-6 questions that I found most interviewer ask. - Why nursing/this hospital/this department - Tell us how you resolve conflict/cultural difference/stress - What are your Strengths/weaknesses - What would your peers/coworkers/employer say about you - Where do you see yourself in 5 years - Why should we hire you/what have you done to prepare. 5) Write an essay response to each potential interview question. Practice your answers with a tape recorder, in front of a mirror, your significant other, your pets, while driving, etc. Be enthusiastic about the answers! The more passion you can interject into the more you come across as genuine. 6) If the interview is concluding and they haven't asked why they should hire you -- tell them. After asking chit-chat questions about scheduling, preceptors, etc. I would ask if the manager minded if I told them why I think they should hire me. 7) Always send a thank you card the next day. 8) Sign up for the hospital website 'job search email notification' and check hospital websites at least every week; the 'job search agents' will often miss jobs. 9) Do something in the community - Reread class notes, browse through old med/surg textbooks and find somewhere you can volunteer (the Red Cross is always looking for volunteers). 10) Don't give up.

Anyone know how many applicants made it through?

Looks like they're finishing up the interviews (for the ED) this week and will let candidates know next week. :)