987!

I will also be on 4N, but days. I was told also by the nurse manager on that unit that even though it is a part time position, there will be plenty of extra shifts to pick up until full time positions are available in case I was concerned about not making enough money part time.

RNRAC, I was hoping to find out the same thing about housing. I was hoping to find something cheap in the area, even if its just a room with a bed just to have a place to crash up there in case of bad weather, extra shifts, or anything like that. Haven't been lucky finding anything online that is cheap but I am guessing there will be postings somewhere in the hospital of people looking for a roommate. I only live 40 minutes and am kinda OK with the commute for the most part, but during this orientation I know its gunna get alittle tough for me. Maatus, Yea, I had applied back a while ago and got the email inviting me to the open interviews and went. I would still submit my resume if I were you, you have nothing to lose, you never know in a few months they may have more open interviews.

Sorry for all these posts, I keep leaving stuff out. The HR appointment was literally a breeze. All you do is show them all your stuff and they make copies. Then they have you sign a piece of paper OKing a drug test, and they give you a piece of paper with directions to go to a different building for a physical. They took my blood, gave me PPD, and tested me for N95 mask- which was definately an experience for me LOL. They have u put on the mask then they put a blastic bad over your head (but u can see out the front of it), and they tighten the drawstrings on it around your head and u sit there for 10 minutes and talk to the guy with the mask and bag over your head. He shoots this sweet spray into the bag and if you can taste it on ur mouth that means the mask dosnt fit- if you dont taste it, then the mask fits mine. Those were the longest 10 minutes of my life, simply because I kinda dont like masks to begin with, and that combined with the bad over my head was VERY uncomfortable- but I got through it. Just keep talking to the doctor and it will go quick. He also goes an eye exam and has you read a Snellen chart. Last part was the drug test part (urinating in a cup so make sure you drink fluids before you go...luckily I drank a big coffee and had to go so bad LOL). But overall I was in and out of there in about 45 mins

When we are following around the senior nurse for those months I wonder if that will be a daily thing (5 days a week), or 3 days a week on a 12 hour shift. Oh yeah, I also asked about uniforms. We can wear any color except Burgundy because that is what the aides wear and for shoes we can wear nursing shoes or sneakers.

I went in on Friday and handed in all my paperwork and did the physical. I have to go back Monday for part 2 of the physical which is just to show them my arm from the PPD. I got hired on medsurg 4th floor. I am on days and it is 12 hour shifts. I was told by the HR lady that first few months will be full time (orientation and training with senior nurse), then I will start my part time schedule. Being I will be part time I was told I will be doing 12 hour shifts- 1 week 1 day, the next week 2 days, the next week 1 day, the next week 2 days- so that is 6 shifts a month. When I was being interviewed with the nursing manager she was so nice and liked me alot, and kinda hinted in a small way that she would recommend me to HR for the position, because only HR can hire us based on our background check, references and all that stuff. She told me that if I get offered a part time position to take it because on that floor there is plenty of opportunities to pick up extra shifts if I wanted. I'm not sure how that works but I don't think extra shifts would be paid as OT, probably as regular hours unless you go above 37.5 hours (but I am just guessing). When I spoke with HR on friday she told me the first day is HR orientation, which is I guess learning about policies and all that stuff, then after that we get broken up into nursing groups and start our training for 3 week until being put on the floor. I also asked about health insurance, and if we are qualified to get it because we are only part time and she said benefits would start for us on March 1st. She did say we had to pay into our benefits but at that point wasnt sure how much off the top of her head. Does anyone have any other info besides what I know. I am dying to know everything lol. I'm not sure who you guys are but when I was there on the 5th, there were already 2 girls there before me that I was talking to. LOL any of you one of the first girls that was there?

Yea, it sucks that its mandatory because I will tell youright now it is BORING. Everyone meets in the main hall, and there are speeches from teachers, president, and others. Then everyone goes into separate classrooms and are given little assignments as a group, nothing crazy or anything- just a way to get people to speak about who they are, study tips, what nursing school is about and stuff like that. then they have raffles and lunch. Don't flip about about the blue slip- try to get it, but u must have it by the time ur first clinical is, which is week 4 or 5

I also was there on the 5th and saw the bunch of guys there- wonder if you were one of the girls I was talking to lol

I will be starting my orientation also on the 14th. I got offered a part time med-surg position. The hourly rate is 33.14 an hour, and yes like was said before, all training is full time the first months which is awesome. When I interviewed the med-surg manager told me if they offer me a part time position to take it because there is plenty of overtime to get me a full time salary if I need the extra hours. I am SOO excited to start!

I don't think they are hiring anymore. I know there were 40 spots available and they recently had interviews on certain dates, the last date being the 12th of December I think. I got a call a week later offering me a position, and I start orientation in January. I don't know if there are any more spots are available, I know there were alot of applicants there when I went- but apply on their website it wont hurt. Thats exactly what I did, then I got a response to go in for one of their interview days.

I am starting there in January too thats why I was just curious about the orientation

Do HURST online. It is so amazing I cant even tell you. Passed my NCLEX in 75 questions. They have a money back guarantee in case u are skeptical. Everything I saw on the NCLEX i learned from hurst. Trust me, well worth it

Anyone have any infoon how their new nurse orientation is? Or any info at all about the hospital? Thanks

Hey girls! Congrats on getting into Nassau, I just graduated from there last semester. To answer your questions, yes all of the J's will be together in the same classroom and have the same schedules and go to the same hospital, but when in the hospital you will get broken up into 3 or 4 different clinical groups. You will be rotating probably 2 or 3 different floors. You probably start clinicals the 4th or 5th week after you learn a few skills like Blood pressure, pulse, bed baths, etc. Also one thing I loved is that the first day on clinicals they do not make you even touch the patient- just talk to them. This was great because I was nervous my first day and it helped me ease my way in.

I took the NCLEX and passed first time with 75 questions. : I did hurst online review. I honestly feel if it was not for Hurst I dont think I would have passed, or atleast not in 75 questions. Hurst gives a great CONTENT review. The best part was the way the review was presented. Everything was very simple and easy to remember. I DEFINATELY recommend it- plus they have a money back guarantee if you don't pass. You can take the classes online or in a classroom but if you need to brush up on content, i HIGHLY recommend it.

THe job market here in NY sucks for new grads....how it is in Cali? ANy hospitals hire new grads?

Guess you're right...makes sense. I also got an email saying I didnt get the job- I think it was for a FLoat team position. I also applied for the fellowshipd (SICU and Neuro) havent heard anything. Wonder if they started calling or if its too early yet to really know

Hiring freeze! Geez I hope not!

I also applied to all fellowships- heard nothing. THere is alittle trick I learned on their website. After you apply if you go back and look at jobs you applied for, if it allows you to withdraw your application it means they havent looked at it. If it does not say withdraw that mean they have reviewed it. THey reviewed my last one last month but i never got a phone call. My newest applications havent even been reviewed

I'm a new grad and it seems EVERYTHING is BSN required/preferred. I am enrolled in a BSN program but I'm not even getting callbacks for an interview never mind a job! Just curious if anyone with an Associates degree has been able to find a job

Kitkat, Yes it is hard but do-able. This semester the second exam that they gave us was VERY difficult, and that test hurt a lot of people's averages, and the faculty knew it because basically almost half the class did bad. When alot of people do bad on a test a whole they evaluate the test and throw questions out that the majority got wrong because they feel the question was too tricky and alot of us got extra points (up to 10). The third test we had the teachers told us would hlep us out and it was much easier and alot of students passed and got over 90s. THey work with you. All the teachers have office hours twice a week for extra help. On Saturdays they hold extra help sessions that are to prepare you for the next exam. THe help is there if you are not doing well. My advice: *Very Important*- You need to do alot of practice questions before the tests. THere are a few books called the nursing success books which are only questions and they are categorized so you can stick to the topic your test is on. The more questions you do the better you will do. The tests are about applying the information you read about in the textbook and applying it to situations, so you definately need to practice questions. Also, any text book you use, make sure you also get the study guides for it. THey help. Last thing, they will give you alot if information to read and go over for the test- stick to whats on the reading list and your powerpoint slides. I found the reading list to be pretty much a guideline of whats on the test. If its not on the reading list don't go nuts reading the entire chapter because its a waste of time, and also- all test questions are from the MAIN textbook that you are using. The reading list has other books on it, but that is just more information that will not be on the test. FIrst semester you will be using the Kozier textbook (I did, don't know if they changed it)...only study that book-reading the nutrition book and pharmacology book will not help you on the test. QUestions are based out of the Kozier book only. THat was my experience- I dont know if they change things but make sure you ask. The first test I failed because I read the entire list and half the stuff I read wasnt on the test and I told me teacher that and she told me the other stuff on the reading list is to help understand the concepts and give additional information but all test questions are based on information read in the main textbook.

Congrats on getting accepted!!!!!! I am actually graduating from the program in 3 weeks. I honestly loved it. Any rumors you have heard about how hard the program is, the nursing teachers eat their young and all that stuff....it isn't that bad at all. Yes the program itself is hard....but definately do-able. Every teacher I have had every semester has been nice, suppostive, and really helped me every step of the way. Good luck to you all!

I should have rephrased - I live in Queens and compared to the other schools in Queens and Nassau County, Nassau is one of the best, Stonybrook and Suffolk would be too out of the way for me anyways. It sounds like you have a bunch of dummies in you class. Let me tell you, no joke, even though the Professors in the nursing program are nice and helpful they would not put up with that stuff in that class. Personally I love the program.

Mindylane - Go check out the NCLEX passing rates and you will see Nassau has the highest in Long Island. I am will be graduating from the program in May, and let it tell you I absolutely love it. Yes, it is hard and challenging but I have learned so much and can completely care for a patient now. The teachers are helpful, the material is very clear, and personally I would recommend it anyone. I have taken some of the pre-reqs in NCC also like Sociology and Child Dev, and I understand what you are saying about the teachers - but once you are in the Nursing Program you are looking at something completely different.

Grindin, thanks for all your help. I sent you a personal message.

Dogmom - The Brunner question and answer book has NO many mistakes in it believe it or not. A few of my classmates and I had it and some of the answers that they put down as being correct were actually incorrect, and we proved that by looking it up in the textbook so be careful with that. I actually originally met Irishcook at Farmingdale, she is such a sweetheart. I would love to meet up one day!