ymaudy

Everyone seems to have problems with the PCT's at some point. There's one on my unit that's been there for 32 yrs! She acts like she runs the place. She disregards new grads. Pushes them aside at times and the last time I worked, tried to get me to do some her charting. I finally gave it back to her. I asked her why I needed to do her job 15 minutes before end of shift. I told her that when I was a tech I never treated my nurses that way and that I would be talking to someone to find out about that BS. 10 min later she came back and said she did the charting. I think you have to push back. She's probably going to keep pushing until she consistently get pushed back. It's unfortunate, but I think you have to decide that you won't be bullied.

Seriously? you don't understand why "union" is a dirty word? It threatens the way business is done. Look at the U.S. automotive industry. Unions were originally meant as a way to get fair treatment/pay/working conditions. When unions go too far, they can really get in the way of a business growing and being more efficient. Ultimately, I believe, businesses have the power to avoid the whole union debate by treating their employees fairly and with respect. I work for a hospital that has provided that thus far, and would never even mention the word "union". Not for fear of losing my job, but for giving that word/idea clout.

Reading the replies, it sounds like everyone is frustrated and unappreciated. Old and new. I think it stems from a lack of understanding on both sides. Some older nurses, who haven't stayed current with research, continue to do things that new nurses learn are directly against evidence based practice. This falsely leads some new nurses to think that they know everything and don't respect those who have gone before them. There is fault everywhere. Everyone in this profession needs to understand that learning is constant, no matter how long you've been doing it. And with that, everyone has the responsibility to share their knowledge. All that said, I am a new nurse and don't know what the poster is talking about. I was prepared for the "eat our young" culture when I first started my job, and I have yet to come across it. I do have to say though, that you have to be assertive to get some of the opportunities you need. No one is going to hold your hand. As one of my older preceptors kept saying to me "you're not in nursing school anymore. you need to develop your own clinical judgement"

OMG 2 hours!!!???!?! That's just crazy. My last med/surg clinical professor did 45 min max. I can't imagine what would be important enough to warrant 2 hours! Clinicals are clinicals, not extra time for teaching in a classroom setting. I think your colleague is from crazytown.

I totally agree! great point. After your first med/surg clinical, talk to the unit manager or charge nurse to get a PRN position. This is a great schedule for being in school and it gives you an in for RN positions. For my graduating class, we either got jobs a month after graduation or it looks like people may have to wait until next spring to get a job.

I just graduated this past May. I too was very worried about finding a new grad position. Especially after reading all the comments on here. That concern lead me to get a CNA/PCT job while still in school. I worked my butt off and treated that job like an interview everyday. That lead to me getting an RN job that I'll be starting next week. Many of my fellow grads have been trying to get jobs, and are having a tough time. I think that there are jobs out there, if you're willing to work and go to school at the same time. It will be really tough, but I guess that will show you how much you really want to be in the field. Good luck! Oh, and I'm in MD/the DC metro area, which usually does better in economically hard times. Still, I think if you are strategic about it, you'll find something!

thanks for all the tips guys. I better brush up on my neuro assessment skills =)

So, I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones. I passed nursing school this past May, after having gotten a PCT job at a local hospital during my last semester. As just about every new grad, I was hoping for a Med/Surg RN position. Unfortunately, despite my Med/Surg floor manager raving about me, she suggested that the Ortho/Neuro floor take me. I am more than ecstatic about actually having a job, especially in this market. However, my questions are "will this count towards those first one or two years of med/surg" everyone says I should have? Also, what can I expect from an Ortho/Neuro floor? I hear this floor gets some of the traumas too (up to level 2.) Ortho/Neuro wasn't anything I had considered let alone thought about. I'm interested in hearing about this area of nursing. Any Ortho nurses out there?

where are you? I'm in the DC metro area and we are at all the surrounding hospitals. I have also heard managers say that they prefer grads from our two year program because it's more grounded in clinical experience versus the classroom. I can't believe that your hospitals would be SO discriminatory!

I don't know what area you are in, but where I am jobs for all new grads are in demand. That said, I am a recent grad of a two year program and I have a hospital job waiting for me to pass the NCLEX. I got my CNA during my third semester and starting working as a PCT in the hospital I did my med/surg clinicals. My last semester was really hectic, but having the PCT experience and already being in the hospital gave me first dibs on the new grad jobs. I see no benefit to getting a BSN prior to working. BSN's are for nurses who want to get management positions, and there's no way you would get a new grad management position. I say get your two year degree. Work as a CNA. Work as an RN. Get the hospital to pay for your BSN or MSN etc. This is the most cost effective way and frankly, I think it's the smartest. Every manager will tell you that they value a willingness to learn, good customer service skills, and hard work over extra education. I'm not saying that more education is not important, but as far as getting that new grad position, in my area, the BSN doesn't make a difference. The experience in the hospital makes the difference. As a side note...I was able to work PRN as a tech (2-3 shifts a week), go to school full time, and have a two year old at the same time. It can be done!

I'm taking the TEAS on the 20th and I'm preparing with the study guide. The testing center said that I am not allowed to bring anything, including pencil and blank paper, into the facility. No materials will be provided. Is this standard? I can't imagine having to do the math section without being able to write. Really no pencils??!