knewb

Thanks for your advice. I am on a med/surg floor 7p-7a and the nurses have 6 patients. I am orienting for about 6 weeks and it feels way too short for me. Last night we had two admissions, and the patient acuity seemed high for most of the 6 patients. I really could not imagine myself being able to handle that load in 4 more weeks of my remaining orientation. Chest tubes that needed to be hooked up, PEG feedings, total care, PICC lines that wouldn't allow blood draws- so much that I have never even done yet! I am stressed about being thrown to the wolves, but I will make it clear if I don't feel ready. Anyway, your organization tool sounds so helpful; would you send it to me? Can you PM me? Thanks so much!

I am having no luck finding a job. I am a new BSN grad, career-changer with a previous degree in education. I graduated with a 4.0; I worked very hard in nursing school; am now an R.N. I am 51, and really have never given my age a second thought until lately. I am in great health, I run 3 miles 3X week and exercise weekly to keep fit. Here's the thing- only one hospital in town is hiring (only BSNs), and three of my fellow graduates have been hired there. They had no health care experience. I have worked in a hospital lab for 6 years. I have been applying, and haven't even gotten an interview. BTW, they are much younger. I have been told by a nurse manager in another hospital that my resume is impressive...So, what do you think? Do you think my age could be a factor? I am getting a sick, sinking feeling about this. Thanks for your opinions on this!

Thanks so much! I do feel excited and lucky to have a possible offer in this job market! It isn't what I had evisioned for myself, but I am sure I will enjoy the work. Now, I just have to figure out how to pay my bills and save for retirement on the salary! Surely, it must be doable, right? Are you in public health? From the posts here, it looks like everyone loves their jobs! It's funny, but you never know where life is going to take you...."Life is what happens while you are busy making plans!" or something like that- LOL! :chuckle

I am a new grad with a BSN, and may be offered a position as a community health nurse working for the state in a county health office. I was unable to find a hospital job, as the market is saturated with new grads, and hospitals want experienced nurses. The job seems very interesting- TB and STD case management and disaster preparedness, as well as whatever other communicable diseases may crop up. Some field work, office work with occasional clinic work would be involved. It sounds like there will be some autonomy :), and it's 8-5 M-F, with good bennies. Of course the salary is about 5,000 a year less than the lowest paying hospital job . My biggest concern is the career path. I would like to continue my education, and wonder what opportunities may lie ahead for a community nurse. My original plan was to work in a hospital, and eventually become an NP. I am so torn about this decision. I am not money-hungry, but I need to be able to pay back loans, and support myself. (including save for retirement- in ~ 15 years, I'll be 65!) Any insights or advice will be so appreciated! I have learned so much from all of you on this message board! Thanks!!

Does anyone know anyhting about new grad programs at Emory? What is it like to work there? What about the salary/cost of living and safety of living nearby the hospital? I am interested in continuing my education to become a nurse practioner, and Emory pays 80% toward your costs. It looks like a good fit, but I am from Florida, and know nothing about Atlanta! My kids are grown, and I am soon to be a single woman, starting over . Any advice, insights, or cautions about Emory -hospital and Master's program, Atlanta etc. would be so appreciated!

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to post that I took the NCLEX Wednesday morning- 75 questions- 12 SATA's; I checked Pearson Vue within 4 hours and got the pop-up. I thought maybe it was too soon, so I rechecked a few times over the next couple of days- still got the pop-up. I used the quick results Friday morning and PASSED! Whew!!! The trick worked for me! :yeah:Life is good!!!

Well, they certainly are harder-style for ME, regardless of what the computer thinks :typing! lol It's funny how we all try to second-guess the way the "mysterious computer adaptive " test works.....I guess we are just trying to figure out the best way to approach it in order to pass, since the amount of information needed is overwhelming. It's quite a hurdle to make it over!

It's good that your practicing them! I got used to getting them wrong most of the time, so I became kind of indifferent to them. LOL They just irritated me on the actual exam, and I figured I wouldn't get most right (just like practice-lol) I hope to know my results by tomorrow or Monday. The pearson vue trick seemed to indicate that I passed (if it works-who knows?). I don't trust it though. At least it's over....I hope for good!!!!! Good luck!

I have heard that about the "harder" thing and it being a good thing. I can tell you it didn't feel like a "good"thing!! And if I didn't pass...well....it won't seem fair with that many harder questions. Now I just wait for the results....

I hope my outcome is like yours! I thought it was a cruel joke, especially since I had been complaining to all my fellow test-takers that I hoped I wouldn't get too many!! LOL! It was torture- I thought there was an evil demon controlling the computer! Thanks for your reply!!:)

I just tried the "trick" and the pop-up showed, and I couldn't progress to the payment page....so, according to the urban legend, this means I passed! It may or may not be true, but I'm going with it to relieve stress! LOL Thanks!

I just took the NCLEX RN and it stopped me at 75 questions. I was completely freaked out because there were 12 SATA's. No one in my class so far has had more than 9, and most not even that many! I do terribly on the SATA questions- occasionally can get 2 or 3 out of 10 on practice quizzes. I know for sure that I missed some med questions, and I am so worried that I failed! Maybe I should try the Pearson Vue trick- how long does it take to work? Any insights into an insane number of SATA'S???? If I failed because of them.....argghhh.....

Oh, dear...Thanks for the information; I guess I won't even bother to apply. Too bad. It is a beautiful area; I am surprised they used to hire 90 - 100 new grads! That seems like alot to me. I'm so sad about the state of jobs right now. I left a career with no jobs to go to school for a year to enter another career with no jobs! LOL- my timing is always a little off...:) I worked my fanny off to get straight "A's" in an accelerated BSN program (supposedly very difficult), hoping it would make me more competitive, but this market is too crazy right now. I certainly can't compete with experience! Joke of the day: Q: How do you get a nurse graduate off your porch? A: Pay for the pizza!

Is it possible to find a decent reasonable place (safe, no rodents or bugs....etc-lol) near Dartmouth Hitchcock? I'd like to apply to the new grad program, but am afraid I wouldn't be able to afford to live! It seems like a pricey area, though beautiful! Any advice or thoughts? Thanks so much! Live free or die! (Boy, I wish I could live free- then I wouldn't have to worry about rent and living expenses-lol)

Hi, I hope I am posting correctly.... I will be graduating with my BSN soon, and am trying to decide between NICU or L&D, PP, etc (Women's Health). I only was able to observe for a day in NICU (level 3) but found it really interesting. (and I loved the babies..:) I really loved my rotation in the LDRP, which included L&D, AP,PP, and nursery. I have to decide on my last semester preceptorship soon, and am really torn about which to try for. I am middle-aged, and the job market is , well, you know....Would anyone out there be able to give me some advantages/disadvantages of NICU vs. LDRP? I feel like I can be happy either place, but I want to make a practical decision based on my age, and job prospects. I would be so excited to do either one! Any ideas? Thanks !:)