Singangel28

Have you tried LTC? When I've called up a couple of LTC places they don't seem to mind new grads. LTC has a high turnover rate because they usually pay a little less and the environment isn't as nice so that's why their are positions for new grads. We may have to do something like LTC for a year (gaining experience) and then go ahead and try for the hospital jobs. I don't want to sit around waiting for a new grad thing to pop up on the hospital websites and I don't want to waste time w/ a job that doesn't have anything to do w/ clinical nursing. I worked for 3 years in LTC as a CNA and I loved it, but we're all different.

Yes Misyhun, how did you do it!!?? I've been looking for months. You can send me a personal message if you want.

I have not found a single temp agency that will take anyone who doesn't have 1 year of experience under their belt. Except of course for easy/short assignments like giving flu shots. The hospices in my area want a year of experience as well. The whole NEED 1 YEAR OF EXPERIENCE is getting on my nerves!!!!! One word of advice - something that I don't even always follow: don't wait for the places you apply to, to contact you, contact them yourself in a week after applying. I'm sure you already know that, but I think this is what will eventually get us a job in this crazy job market. HR people can be lazy, we need to go to them.

The competition for new grad positions seems so daunting. Especially, because I don't feel like the most confident person right now and I feel like they'll be able to see that in an interview.

I get paid between $23 and $25 an hour for giving flu shots. $25 if I pick up and drop off supplies.

DiDi - I know what you mean, I have a 4 year old.

I took the nclex in August and I still can't find a job in Northern VA, oh except giving flu shots-how exciting. Guess it's better than nothing. Like someone else said, I think some new grad positions should be opening up soon from things I've heard. I have found jobs in Baltimore, Richmond, and NC though. I may have to consider relocating. I even worked for Inova for 3 years as a CNA and that hasn't helped me. I guess we just have to wait a little longer.

I understand where you're coming from with the lack of skills and then being expected to perform. I had a horrible day today with my clinical instructor. I had never done a real IM injection on a person, but I was expected to give flu shots today. Not only that, but we used a retracted needle which we never used in Lab for practice. I was nervous like all of the other students, but it made it worse when my instructor (in front of fellow nursing students and people getting the flu shot) that she wanted to talk to me (alone). In her exact words, "I don't know what's going on with you, but you better get your act together" When I tried to explain my situation she would blow me off. The instructor was referring to me not pushing the retracting needle button fast enough. I explained to her that I was really nervous and had never used that type of needle. She didn't care. I think she was embarrassed that one or two of her students wasn't perfect. Needless to say, I started crying a little bit because I don't think she was giving me a chance, and pulling me away in front of all those people. Then, I felt like maybe nursing school was over for me. I may be sensitive, but I don't quit easily. I'll just practice until I'm a pro at IM z-track injections. It really does seem like many of the instructors in my school (NVCC) are trying to break their students down (weed out the weak SN's). I've heard of other SN's crying and running out during skills testing. Anyhow, wish me luck with this instructor. She said she is going to write me up or something for not pushing in the needle fast enough (I guess she's concerned about me sticking myself....yeah right.) Best of Luck to us all! NS will only make us stronger in the end!

Hey, I got excepted for the traditional nursing program at NVCC and I'm 28. I also have an almost 2 year old son so i know how stressed out you can get. I have to find daycare before school starts and whats worse, I don't have the money to pay for it, but I'll have to get the money somehow. It took me 2 years to do my pre-reqs also, with having to work, pregnancy, sick parents, and brother in prison. All of this stuff going on can really affect your ability to do well in school. I'm really nervous now for school to start, but I hope and pray that I will get through the program. Actually, I have to tell myself, "I will succeed no matter what and I can do this in two years like most of the other students!" Tell yourself that, it really helps me. What shoes did you get for clinicals? I'm going crazy trying to decide which type will be the best for my feet. I have wide feet. Also, what kind of backback (one on wheels)? I love these forums. You can find a lot of answers to all your questions and support! Thanks "Flames" for all of the information about the nursing program-you're a life saver!!!

For my first clinical I was assigned for Sibley Hosp. in DC. Naturally, I freaked at first, but then I learned that the girl sitting next to me in orientation is in my same clinical. We decided we'll eventually meet up somewhere and drive into DC together. Mrs. Vito also told us that we would probably all have to eventually do every clinical site so it might be better to get the further clinical sites out of the way. The harder the classes get, the better it will be to be closer to the clinical site = more study/review time. :)

Hi fellow NVCCers! :loveya: I just applied to the nursing program for FALL 08 and I read on here somewhere that there is a math test at the nursing orientation. Did you have a math test at orientation? Sounds weird to me, considering I had math on the HESI exam and I took the Math placement and placed for MTH 151. Geez, how many tests does Nova have? By the way, maybe the competitiveness hasn't been so good for Nova. Most of the students in my pre-reqs are trying to go to Mason, and the MEC looks kind of empty right now. Plus, some lady in Student Services said that they still have room for more students for Fall 2008. She said this like they're almost desperate to bring in more nursing applicants. Don't get me wrong competitiveness can be a good thing, but it seems like Nova may lose some future nursing students to other schools. Oh well. Maybe I'll get accepted for Fall 2008. Wish me luck, I could use it!