pinkynbd_99

I would suggest trying a position with ANY baby interaction, such as L&D, NB nursery, etc. I know that they had NICU new grads accepted to my hospital but those girls had their BSN and it was a requirement for them. But really, it's a VERY critical area, without any prior medical experience and without going downtown to the med-center that is "new-grad" friendly b/c they all teaching hospitals, it can be very hard for a new grad getting straight into NICU, esp if it's not a good internship. If you offered one outside the med-center, make sure you ask ALOT of questions about their intership, like: how long would it be? teaching/classes? How long as their NICU been around? really alot of hospitals will ship out ALL their premies to the med-center, mostly b/c of all the stuff they can do down there. But good luck to you! It's really tough now to get anything at all!

The only level 1 trauma hospitals in houston are in the medical center: Memorial Hermann & Ben Taub Hospital, and basically they are right next to each..literally across the street from each other! I don't know where in NYC you're from, I grew up in the Bronx, they're smarter up north...the Trauma centers are SPREAD...THROUGHOUT the city! Not here and harris county has over 4 million ppl and we only have 2 level 1 trauma centers! (sorry, that just really makes no sense to me and I have to vent when I talk about it!) As for pay, I really don't know..I do know in the medical center you'll get the better pay but if you live in the 'burbs, then you'll have to fight traffic, gas, parking, etc.

Danni426, I think that depends..I know some girls that were in my ADN program that had their BS from their previous careers and used it on their applications to the "magnet" hospitals and got jobs. They said the hospitals didn't care the BS wasn't in Nursing, just that they had it and that helped them get the job. So I would use it to your advantage when applying. It helps show you have other experiences that you can bring into nursing and their units.

I agree with the above post. You just applied, don't know if you're even going to be called. And if you do get an interview I would go with quesitons ready to help you know if that's a right move for you to do, such as: How long of an orientation will I get? schedule? pay? get a tour of the unit, talk to some of the nurses on the floor and get a feel to the environment and whatever else you would like to know to compare. Usually if start out in a teaching hospital and then go to a suburban/community hospital, it's VERY different. Drs may not be avialable to you 24/7 on the floor, certain procedures may not be done there as efficiently as they would in a "medical center" hospital, etc. Also the experience they'd expect you to have may not be as patient as where you started out. The community hospitals will expect more out of you and be less patient. Like I said, it all depends. So look into all these things and how well YOU feel about your own experience and judgement before going full-time NICU. But that's just my

I feel your frustration, I graduated with a ADN but choose to do that over a BSN due to my situation. the community college was cheaper, closer and more convienant to me having 3 kids, working PT etc. I just felt that it was an additional step I had to take. But now in May, a year after I graduated, Im starting my RN-BSN program and hopefully graduating may 2012. I was an easy transition for me b/c I was accepted on the spot vs when I was applying for traditional BSN spot. So you have to weight your options, the purpose is to become an RN, then it'll become easier to advance your degree. the disadvantage is looking for a job, with a ADN you know most likely those big teaching, magnet hospitals won't hire you b/c they'll hire BSN RNs. So make connections to the clinical sites you go to and try to network as a student and hopefully get noticed and hired that way.

I wanted to get any feedback from those that have done a RN-BSN program completely online. I just graduated this past May and want to start next year to finish my BSN. I have all the pre-reqs done, so I just need to start a program, but I don't know which one. Im also a little nervous on the schedule, is it more flexible? How many hours a week will this require of study? My husband is freaking out b/c he remembers nursing school these past 2 years and him not having his wife around for nothing! and from what I've heard it's not the same "intensity" as ADN programs and easlier to handle b/c they know you're working. Which I am also, full-time. So any advice and what to expect? Also Im interested in the UT online programs and Texas Tech. Thanks!

Keep your head up guys, grades make it but I mean not really. You can be book smart but then on the floor stump. So you have to sell yourself. Go personally to talk to these folks in HR and unit managers as well. Even if they tell you "oh, right now no, we are not looking." you've done the first step of introducing yourself, given them your resume, told them you HAVE your RN license, and shown interest. That helps alot, maybe not now but they will call you later! I spent about 4 monts calling and leaving messages to Methodist Willowbrook, then they call me about a month after school finished that they were looking for 2 new grads in their ICU. But by then I already had a job somewhere else. But it worked, they called me back. So keep trying, all you can get is No now, but later a call back saying "hey, you still interested? We just had an opening?"

just like everyone else said. As a new grad, I think my resume and cover letter really helped me out! Also your personality to not be afraid to speak out to people. Be bold, call the main hospital line and ask to speak to HR, then ask the name of the Nurse recruiter and fax#. Fax your stuff with the Nurse recruiters name. Go to the job fairs, that really helped me get my job. There are some nurse recruiters that go there and you can speak to personally. But it is very competitive! I felt like I was applying for nursing school all over again and only the best were going to get in! So once again, you have to sell yourself!

it sucks but unfortunelty true! esp in the big medical centers. I was alittle disappointed when I graduate this past May with my ADN. I have all my pre-reqs done for my BSN and plan to go on and get it BUT i need to work first!! But there are more jobs for ADN in the outter hospitals outside the med-centers. I live in NW houston and was able to get a job in the ICU as a new grad. SO I was VERY happy to get a job! ALot of classmates of mine still don't have jobs! Mostly b/c they don't stay on top of those nurse recruiters and you really need to "be out there". what I mean is don't be afraid, if while in clinical, you really like a unit and you speak with the charge nurse or even nurse manager of the unit about you wanting to work there. If you do your job as a student nurse great, they'll want to remember you and keep you in mind. So sell yourself when you're out in clinicals and network! It'll help you out in the end.

Also, some hospitals in the med-center have what's called "student Nurse perceptorship" or something in that manner, that start in the fall. With your BSN, you should really jump into that. It's like having a job, you get paid, you work once a week or what goes with your schedule, you have a perceptor, etc. and you have a great chance of getting a job after that! call the nurse recruiters and see if they have that avialable. I know TCH and Methodist hospital had those last fall, esp for the new "coming" grads. And also check the HR website DAILY! B/c most of the time you'll call and the recruiters "won't know when" they will start. but if you check the website everyday, you apply as soon as you see and then call immediately to nurse recruitement and tell them your interested! I tell you, if you are not calling, someone else is and they are going to get the job!

Are you getting your BSN? Because they won't even look at you if you don't have your BSN, personal experience with them for the June internship. Alot of the Med-Center hospitals are looking for Magnet status, and so all their new nurses need to have their BSN. It's very rare for a ADN new grad to get a job in the Med-Center now, either they have a BA in another degree or they know someone. BUT if you do, hey Congrats!! You're chances are good. Just keep calling them if that's where you want to go. Everyone I know that works there, loves it!

I hear you, I was also going through the same thing, but if this is a comfort, the BON posted the date of received for my affidivait as June 1st and I just got my ATT today. So that's great! Maybe you won't have to wait the whole 10 days!! And also I was able to schedule my test for 2 weeks from today, the was no avialable day before then.

well I got the job in the ICU!! Im very excited about it!! after talking to the nurse manager, the versant program is 22 weeks of training, plus an additional 4-6weeks from the ICU. Then after that I start the night shift. Im glad I pushed to start in the ICU as a new grad! I think if you're going to be a nurse, be happy nurse at what you do!

Hey I graduate this week and have an job interview for an ICU position. I haven't gone yet but after reading all the posts I really have alot to consider when I interview with them. according to the nurse recruiter, I will get 12 weeks training with a mentor, preceptor and classes as well. They help pay my school loans and give me tuition re-imbursement if I go back to school for my BSN/MSN, etc. The only thing I was little uncomfortable was they require a 3year contract. again, I haven't gone to the interview yet, so I don't know any more details and I've never really went to do clinicals in this hospital but it's close to my house and they are part of the Tenet Hospitals. So we'll see what happens, I figure I would go and "scope" it out with the unit and see how what vibe I get. But thanks for the posts, It's given me alot to be prepared to look for and ask for.

Graduation is in 7 days!! WOOO-HOOOOO! This has been the hardest thing to do and I'm so happy that's it's finally here! Thanks to my family, friends and most of all GOD, for helping me reach my goal of becoming a RN, or as my instructors told my class a few days ago "you will all now be the RNs,as in the REAL NURSE!" no more, "hold-on, I'll get your nurse, because that will be us" lol!! WAY TO GO C/O 2010!! :grad::anpom::rckn: :clpty::dancgrp: