Risgirl

I don't know about the other one, but I borrowed a Cardiology III from one of the girls at work because my stethoscope was MIA (I found it later that night). It was AWESOME! I actually told someone that if I didn't find my stethoscope I know which one I would get to replace it. Definitely better than my run-of-the-mill Littman!

I started this thread way back before I moved to Wilmington and the problem with pay vs cost of living here is that we are close to the beach. A lot of people retire down here and while certain things like home prices and taxes are a lot less than up north, it's still a pay cut. I figure that while the cost of living is maybe 30% less (probably more like 25% less than NY because of where we live in Wilmington) the pay is 40% less, so the two don't add up! That said, the experience I've gotten here and the people I work with are fabulous! The hospital still needs to work on staffing and retention of good RNs but I hear that's the way it is most places so hopefully they'll get it together.

I just started there in the last month and so far everyone I've met (well, mostly everyone) has been super nice. I also found it interesting that out of about 30 new nurses that started with me, about 25 were from out of town or out of state. It seems that the culture has been changing there and according to my mgr, they won't tolerate the nurses who "eat their young" anymore so they're being weeded out. I say if you can handle the low pay (and it's MUCH lower than NY of Cali) then go for it and try to get as much out of the experience as you can. AND - I think you should ask about retention. Ask about what they're doing to retain their nurses and train them and such. They want to know that you plan on sticking around so that's a totally valid question to ask!! Good luck and keep us posted :)

In 101 you'll have "class" on the clinical days on campus until it's time to go to the hospital. They do your orientation and infection control and all that stuff during those days.

Kudos to you for doing the RIGHT thing for your patient - you're there to advocate for your patients and give them the best care you can. You did the right thing by refusing the additional patient and by standing up for your patient and YOURSELF! I agree with the other posters that it may be time for a change. Sometimes we need something like that to make us realize that it's time to go...you know the "handwriting on the wall". GOOD LUCK with whatever you choose :)

Thanks - the interview was actually last week and I got the offer today - YAY!

Hey Everyone - update, I finally got an interview at NHRMC. Any advice on what to ask, how they interview, etc? It's for all Med/Surg positions and I'm meeting with HR, the Hiring Mgr and then the PRW team...I was so busy writing everything down when I was on the phone, I didn't ask what PRW stood for -anyone know?! LOL!!

I was an evening student and we didn't need to bring any textbooks with us to class (not sure if was different for the day classes). From 101 to 105 you'll probably use the same books (Fundamentals and Med/Surg) and then 203 and 204 you'll have to get a few new ones for Maternity and Peds to add to your library. You will probably get power points with the lecture for the day so bring them with you if you have to print it out at home. This way you can follow and take notes during class. Our clinical instructors used to tell us to make sure someone in the group had a Med/Surg textbook with them for clinical in case one of use needed to look something up, but a lot of people used their phones because it was faster.

Anyone on here know about Columbus Regional in Whiteville? I saw a few positions there and thought about applying if it has a decent reputation. Thoughts? Salary for a new grad RN?

Wow - what a let down I think they definitely need to get with the program in Wilmington and realize that they are way behind everyone else and they're not going to get good talent unless they start paying. It's definitely disappointing when I think about working in NY and getting some killer experience and then going down there to make the same amount I would as an extern

WOO-HOO!! Way to go - congrats on the new job!!

Thanks so much for the advice - I'd really love to get the experience here and then do Travel - that was my original plan...but hubby and I are getting sick of living in an apt and want to put down roots SOMEWHERE!! Houses here in NY are coming down in price, but the taxes will kill you ($12K/year)...otherwise we might just buy here. I guess we'll see how it all plays out and I'll keep everyone apprised!!

Well put - I think nurses are underpaid in many places, but hearing the differences between NY and NC makes me appreciate that although we pay a boatload of $$ to live here, the compensation is at least decent. I definitely don't look forward to making almost the same amount per hour as an RN (with a LOT more responsibility) as I did as a student extern with no license...it's a hard pill to swallow.

Thanks - that's kind of what I was thinking - I'll just stick to the ACLS course for now. I definitely don't need to spend more $$ - the state and testing company already has $343 of my $$ ransom and I don't even have my approval to schedule my NCLEX yet!!!

You may be ok in Wilmington if you can do Travel because those rates always seem to be higher. I thought about trying to get a few years of experience here in NY and then going to do travel down there so the pay cut wouldn't be as painful!

Hi everyone - I'm looking for some feedback. I'm a new grad waiting to take the NCLEX and I'm trying to do whatever I can to make myself more marketable once I have my RN license. Last summer I did and externship and I'm in the process of getting my ACLS certification now. I saw that there is an Intravenous Venipuncture Certification Seminar that's being held in NYC at Pace next month. Is it worth it for me to take the class? I would like to take it for the experience, but it's a bit pricey, and at this point I need to invest in what will look good on the resume and get me noticed by recruiters. Is this even something I could note on my resume? Any input from those who hire or have recently been hired is greatly appreciated!!

Merrell makes all leather super comfy nursing shoes. Encore Moc Pro or Jungle Moc Pro - both have lots of support but I like the Jungle Mocs better - they have more cushion. I wore my Encore's through 2 years of Nsg school where we were on the floor on our feet for about 6-8 hours at night (after I had already worked a full day in the office) and for 12.5 hour shifts during my externship and they saved my back!! The only drawback is that anything all leather gets hot, so buy some good socks like Gold Toe that let your tootsies breathe

When you first start clinical (which is after about 4 weeks the first semester) you will mostly talk to your patient, help with patient care like bed baths, help on and off bedpans or to the bathroom, feedings if the person needs assistance, making beds,etc. (mostly the stuff that the nurses aides do because you don't know much yet). You will also eventually have to look at the person's chart, medical diagnosis and then the actual "symptoms" they have (or as they're called in nursing "adaptations") and come up with Nursing Diagnosis - that's the hard part at first. Until you get used to the med diagnosis and what nursing diagnosis goes with what symptoms, it's time consuming. Nursing Diagnosis Example:"Impaired Gas Exchange related to thick copius secretions secondary to Pneumonia" Translation: patient with Pneumonia (Med Dx) who has a productive cough with thick sputum (Adaptation), adventitious (noisy/not clear) breath sounds (Adaptation) & Pulse Ox of 93 (Adaptation) probably has Impaired Gas Exchange...because all the "gooey stuff" in their lungs is reducing the amount of surface area for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange which is shown by the low pulse ox reading or 93 (you usually want it to be above 95). It sounds like a foreign language at first, but after awhile you'll get it. Just remember that it's all going to be totally odd at first. If you keep up with your reading, listen to the profs and ask questions, it will all make a lot more sense by the end of the semester!! Believe it or not, there is a method to the madness

I applied for the New Grad waiting list at NYP and I only have my AS - I am starting the RN to BSN bridge program in the fall so I put that on my resume (plus I have a bachelor degree in an unrelated field). Obviously, the wait list is a far cry from being hired, but I heard that people who applied for the list actually got rejection emails, so the fact that I even made it onto the wait list is enough to make me happy. There are hospitals on LI not nearly as prestigious as NYP that simply send emails back with a flat out "we're looking at BSN applicants only" even though the job postings say BSN preferred. It's all very frustrating!!

There is a "formula" that NCC uses to see who gets in. You get points for being a Nassau resident, points for having at least 12 (I think) credits previously taken at NCC, and points for your GPA, prereqs, etc...go to the admissions office (if you can) or call and ask for the Nursing Advisor and she can tell you exactly what the breakdown is. It takes all the guess work out of the process and you'll know what you need to get in next time!! I do agree with a comment on here about looking at 4 year programs - unfortunately, the market is flooded and most hospitals want a BSN so you may want to just go for it! GOOD LUCK!!

Thanks so much for the reply. I am living in NY now and the pay is very different here BUT on a med/surg floor you usually have 8 patients and sometimes at night the nurses end up with 12 or 14 if someone calls out (which is ridiculous and unsafe). It's a tough market here so I'm looking in both areas. DO you think the starting pay is much better for nurses coming to NHRMC with a year experience rather than new grads? I have been kicking around working here in NY (if I can land something) to get some experience and then thinking about moving once I am not considered a "new grad". Thanks again for the info and GOOD LUCK!! I did speak to a recruiter at NHRMC a few months ago and she said they like to hire from within, and look at their students first for new grad positions so you've got a great shot!! FINGERS CROSSED!

I have two friends who have been working at Winthrop for more than 10 years...what floor/unit are they offering the job on? They both worked on a few different floors over the years and we all know NURSES TALK - so they might be able to give me some info even if it's not their unit.

It's not just there - all the programs around here in NY and most places I've looked call it the same thing, they say it's the RN to BSN "bridge" program so RN to BSN for short.

Hi - anyone know the starting salary for new RN grads at New Hanover Regional Medical Center? Also, is the night diff annual or hourly? I know in some states it's just another $5K if you work nights, but in others I've heard that it's per hour after a certain time. Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated!! THANKS!!

Yes, now that I'm almost done, things are good. The year will go super fast, the two years I've been at NCC has been like a whirlwind and I can't believe it's almost over. Another thing to consider is this, I looked into the RN to BSN program at SBU since I'll only have my Associates when I'm done and I would need another 40+ credits to get my BSN from there. I also looked into other schools out of state and applied to UNC (in Wilmington NC) who also has an online RN to BSN program. I only need 28 credits and can eventually transfer to a MSN program if I decide at that school. So check out all your options and make sure you know the deadlines because they come up fast!! Oh I'm in Massapequa so I feel your pain with the SBU commute!!