Nurse2bSandy

I had several of my classmates get jobs at the Stanford Children's Medical Center (not sure of the actual name... it is a woman's name) in the NICU. They were offered good preceptorships, along with a relocation allowance. I also have a classmate that will be starting a program in Berkeley next month... not sure where. I think that there is also some good opportunities in the Concord area... I had a friend who checked into their new grad program... you can google for a local hospital there.

I have been working at a temp agency until my job starts next month. Many don't take new grads but I found one that did. They will let me work at a convalescent or prison as a meds nurse (I volunteer already at the women's prison, so that was a good fit for me). I am scheduled to work a flu shot clinic next weekend. Once I got in with some hospitals they saw how I worked and told me to apply for positions. I already had one though, was just waiting for it to start. Good luck!

Hey, congrats! What I found was that many times hospitals are hiring a ways out anyway for new grads. My two interviews were for jobs that would start in 6 weeks... may be different for you but I don't think waiting two months will be a problem. About the health status... again, I don't think you need to worry about it. They will probably ask you if you are limited in what you can do and will require a physical or health status form before you start the job like they do all new employees. I was hired recently and then they scheduled me for a physical by their health center. Am not sure yet what that will entail, but I was just glad that I didn't have to make the appointment and pay. Good luck! Sandy

Lynda! How fun to see you here! When's that hubby home? yeah, if I get a bunch of people quizzing me I'll just say "Uh, I don't know..." It was bad enough that this unit sent me a 5 page questionnaire with stuff about why I want to work in the Special Care Newborn Nursery (does, it's the only one who has wanted to talk to me so far, count?) critical thinking skills and how I have used them during clinicals, Interdisciplinary Care Team and how I have related to team members during clinicals! Hello... I was a student... I stood there and listened! Luckily, my real skill is writing... Well, gotta hit the books! I'm starting to feel very DUMB... gotta get my confidence up... I CAN DO THIS!!! Chat at ya later... Sandy

I feel so much more prepared to go to the meeting... not only at this hospital, but any hospital that I go to. I was planning on taking a notepad... if for no other reason than to look like I knew what I was doing... Monday NCLEX.... eeewww! Thanks all! Sandy

These really help! I have to take a meds test before they will interview me... and I was emailed a study guide... it was about 9 pages! Your questions are just what I wanted. I'm so glad that I didn't ask about pay... I was wondering if that's what she wanted me to ask. Good luck to you... do you have a job? Any interviews? Thanks again! Sandy :)

Hi all, I'm beginning to get some calls on my new grad apps and am trying to put my stuff together. I was talking to a unit manager the other day on the phone and she was telling about their new grad program. After she was done she asked, "Do you have any questions for me?" I have to admit that I was so excited that someone had called for me that I went blank. I just fumbled and said that I would like to visit the unit then I would have more specific questions. The problem is... I don't know what I should ask... this was not an interview... just a set up on the way to the interview. So what sort of things should I ask that would make me sound like I am informed and know what I am doing. I am actually very inexperienced when it comes to getting a job. My last full time job came to me when I got married... it was called housewife! Thanks! Sandy :)

Hubby went for it! He said he thought it was an honor and if I could finagle it, I should go! I'm working on funding and he's faxing the application! Anyone else going to go? I'm so excited!!! :balloons:

Okay, I got my second letter yesterday... I had put it out of my mind... but now I am really thinking about it. I want to go into community health and I have always had a transcultural emphasis. Also, last year I was able to go on a trip to Mololkai to Kalaupapa, the area which was where the Hansen's disease patients were exiled. While I was there I had this overwhelming feeling like I would do something with HIV/AIDS. I'm going to bring it up again to my hubby and see what he thinks. I gave up Starbuck's for new year... that should save me about $20 a week! I could start my fund there! :rotfl:

I work as a substance abuse counselor for the chaplains program of our women's facility. I just love those gals! It is as others have said, those people are just like we are... they just made different choices for their lives... illegal choices. I have heard from them that many times the medical staff seems uncaring... and I would like to make a difference with them. I am hoping to work as a temp there so that I get some corrections experience. Enjoy it! Oh yes, you will be taught about safety... but we got that with psych too. I took my 17 year old daughter with me this Christmas to play her flute for my gals. They just loved it! She was very apprehensive, but I wanted to show her how she could use her musical talent to minister to others. When we left she was a different person... she decided that next time she would thrill them with a quartet! The gals are always so appreciative of any attention from the outside world... they are very isolated. Have fun! I wish I could go with you!

and would love to go. My hubby just laughed because it said 'to the parents of'... I'm 48. I hope to be working in the public health field and it seemed like a great opportunity to learn. I didn't think the money was so bad considering what you will be doing... but I doubt I will go. I will graduate in May and it seemed like a perfect gift! I wouldn't worry about being 'old'... none who have responded here so far are under 30... how do they know who will go... they sent all the invites to 'parents'.

Hey New Grads! (or less recent grads too!) What did you do for your pinning ceremony? Where was it held? What day and time? Who was involved? What worked well/ you would change? I am in charge of the pinning ceremony committee for our graduating class in May. We are attempting to make some changes to the ceremony... it is usually the Sunday morning before graduation, held outside on our campus. Last May there was a torrential rain storm and mud was everywhere. The tent where the graduates and their pinners sat was full of mud, people took their shoes off and waded in the mud to get to the platform! It was horrible and humiliating to think that after all the money spent, family members could not enjoy the ceremony... not to mention the graduates! Our campus is beautiful... but we do not have an auditorium. We have taken our complaints/suggestions to the deans, and they are not thrilled, but we are pushing to make it a very nice, clean time! I would appreciate any ideas... thanks! Sandy

I'm excited about psych! It's where I think I will probably choose to practice. I do my rotation this summer. I do have some experience, though. Our youngest has psych issues... when you see them as people, it's not so bad. I'm entertained! Last year we had to leave our son at a 'behavioral health' center (read: psych ward)... he was just 8 and it was very hard. But I did get to see what it was like. I'm fascinated... of course, I also volunteer at the prison, so maybe it's me that's crazy! :rotfl: Hey, there's too many normal people out there!

I did a quick google search and came up with a few sites... http://www.mexicanmedical.com http://www.healthenations.com http://www.healthserve.org there are many more out there. I also want to do some volunteer work once I have my RN and have been researching this myself. Many of these look like good opportunities. I hope others out there actually have some experience to share.

1. Hawaii Pacific University-- Kanoehe HI 2. BSN-- I'm in the accelerated class which takes 23 mos after all prereq's. 3. Aug 2005 4. 160 started in the nursing program in the fall... I don't know how many of those were accelerated, but I do know of several accelerated that will be dropping back to the regular route this semester. Haven't counted the guys, but in each class I have at least 2 or 3.