RN4Ever_2008

I love my pocket organizer (like the one shown in the link)! There is room for everything - carpujet, chapstick, gum, alcohol wipes, 2 pairs of sissors... you name it). I highly recommend, it's worth it.

The best part of my pinning ceremony (which brought me to tears) was the instructors making the sign of the cross (Catholic private school), anointing our hands with oil and blessing them with healing. It still gives me goose bumps and is something I will cherish.

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and information, ilstu99! I really do appreciate it. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, I just have to be patient!

I am hoping to get some suggestions on what I need to do to get a job in the NICU. I graduated in December 2007 and I am currently being oriented as a float nurse at a general hospital that doesn't have a peds unit. My passion and goal has always been NICU nursing. :redbeathe I am thankful to have a job because it took me a while to get one. I have been going to work everyday with a smile on my face, but my heart is just not in it. Can you please tell me what kind of experience is needed? I am willing to take any classes to make my resume more appealing. It just seems that if you do not have peds experience you can't get in. I also have a call out to the HR department of a local Children's Hospital to see what they are looking for. Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your post nursemike. It all makes sense and honestly as the days and weeks passed by I began to ask myself if this would be the right place to work given their lack of response. If they are not on the ball with new hires what will happen when an issue comes up that needs to be resolved. Needless to say, my current job I interviewed on Wednesday and was offered the position on Friday, which says a lot.

Hi All, This is my first post, I love this forum and hope to get some advice on how to move on from this experience. I applied and was interviewed for a New Grad position on December 31st at a local well known hospital. I REALLY wanted the position. Anyway, it is now the end of February and I have left 2 messages for HR and recently sent a very nice email to the nurse manager asking if a decision has been made (and to basically get her off the hook to respond back if she selected someone else). No, I repeat no response. No phone call, no letter, no email, not a darn thing. :angryfire I have since accepted another position because the competition seems to be a little fierce for new grad positions and I can't wait around for them, but it still bugs me. I know I need to get over it, but gee willikers it sure puts a bad taste in my mouth. I honestly am trying to look at this as there is a reason for all things to happen and although I wanted the position maybe it was not a good fit for me now, but it still makes me wonder.....

Hi everyone! I graduated in December as an ADN, took the boards on 1/31 and passed after 75 questions. I was sure I failed it and was thankful my results were posted 24 hrs after I took the test. I was a basket case!!! I start my first RN position as a Float on March 3rd. I have been passing the time by getting lots of good info from allnurses to prepare me for my first year!

I tested on 1/31 and passed after 75 questions. I was sure that I failed the test because the last question was so easy and I got it wrong (I checked the answer when I got home). Everyone I know has taken it and passed with 75 questions. Hang in there, I know it's rough waiting for the results. Just keep thinking positive thoughts.

I ask what the turnover rate is of the nurses on staff. This can give you an indication of how well the nurses like the floor. It also helps open the door to ask why are they leaving. If it's for advancing their nursing career it's understandable, but if it's because of the job responsibilities that's another story. I also used a lot of the questions in the link posted below. By having questions prepared for the interview it shows your organized, which I think helped when I was interviewing recently. http://www.nurseuniverse.com/articles/Interview_Questions.htm I hope it helps.

Love the Neti pot. I used it for a sinus infection after seeing it on the Oprah show and honestly was amazed that I didn't have to go to the MD to get on antibiotics (which I have had to do for the last couple of years). Just remember to keep your mouth open when your pouring it in, otherwise you'll feel like your drinking from the ocean!

Hi Lemay, Yes, I did have one online class that is required for graduation. It's called a CIL class and I took the month of January, which was nice because I didn't have to take it with any other classes. I hear you on the commute it was about a 45 min. drive for me. It goes by fast though - before you know it you'll be done! :wink2:

Hi Jeannai, I haven't gotten the final total for loans, but if I were to guess it would be between $15,000 - $20,000. I have a straight nights position with a $4.00 shift differential on top of the $26.34 per hr. I figure I can work a few extra shifts to help make double payments. I have a job with Fairview which I am really excited about because they offer a program with St. Kate's for the RN to BSN program with tuition reimbursement after you have worked for 6 months with them. Clinicals are done at the hospital you have a job at - which makes it easier.

I graduated from the evening Mpls RN program at St. Kate's in December 2007. Took the boards at the end of January and passed. Honestly, I thought when I started that my journey would never end - and it went by very fast. I liked the program - there are up's and down's, as for the financial aid I figure my future is worth the money and I still believe that. We'll see if I still feel the same when the loan notices start coming in. As a fellow Katie - good luck! You can do it!