thedit

I currently work at the new CUH (on bone marrow transplant floor). And yes, we have a number of positions to fill, especially in ER and ICU! I would imagine they will be willing to take on a few new grads. Good luck!

I can't believe it! I'm having the EXACT same problem. I've been a nurse for a year and a half, was average at getting IVs, and then all of a sudden--I blow EVERY vein. And I get stressed about it too, just like you. Getting the flash of blood isn't the problem, and I can usually find veins in those who don't have many veins...but then I blow 'em, and then they're out of veins. Sooo...thanks for posting this thread, and thank you for all of the responses. I will try some of these techniques tomorrow. Good luck to you!

To all the Austin Hospital Nursing questions: I went to nursing school in Austin (UT) although I work in Dallas now. I had clinicals in several hospitals and did an externship at Austin State Hospital (and worked there as a PNA for a while). The two main hospital systems are St. Davids and Seton. Dell Childrens is part of Seton. Last I heard, they are not hiring, and if they are now, they would prefer nurses with Peds experience and/or nurses already in the Seton System. Seton has a pretty good new grad program (Versant Program). They hire new grads every June, October, and January. The biggest Seton hospital in Brackenridge (I think it's called UTMB something now, but same hospital), which is pretty close to downtown. The next biggest is probably Seton Main, which is not too far from downtown either. They offer 12 and 8 hour shifts. Seton is also a Magnet Hospital System. St. Davids is pretty nice--they have several locations. The one in North Austin is pretty much like a hotel. I have several friends that started working there after graduation, but I don't know if they have a specific 'new grad' program. Well actually they do, but I don't think every new grad is a part of it. I know St. Davids Main only does 12 hour shifts now...I don't know if this is a city-wide rule. Austin State Hospital...well, if you like psych, this is the place for you. As far as turnover rate though, it's relatively high. It's not so much that nurses are not respected, it's just a messy state-run, bureaucratic, under-funded institution. I loved doing my externship and working as a psychiatric nursing assistant there. Never a dull moment. And they do 8 hour shifts. All pay around the same, the starting hourly rate for an RN with now experience is about 21-23/hour. Let me know if you have more questions. It's a long story why I'm in Dallas now and not Austin, but my goodness, I miss it, and may go back in a couple years.

http://www.utexas.edu/nursing/html/prospective/index.html That's the link to their website.

Hi, I am about to graduate from UT Austin SoN. It's a great school....but has its faults as well. As for applying, it's definitely good to start out as a UT student. If you have science courses that will transfer, then great! However, they WILL require that you take pharmacology, nursing communications, ethics, and an elective before acceptance to the upper division (aka nursing school). The UT Nursing website has useful information like what classes are required and what not. I recommend calling the Nursing office and finding out when the next available 'if you want to go to nursing school here, this is what you have to do' session is (they have a couple each semester) which is given by the pre-nursing advisors. Then go from there. It can be tricky. I had to make many a phone-call, send many an e-mail, and bust my butt on pre-reqs. But it's worth it!! And Austin is a great city to live in as well. BEST OF LUCK!!!!!

Hey girl, I can't believe you're nursing school didn't help prepare you for finding a job! Tsk tsk! In Austin, the Seton system (which includes several hospitals) has a Versant program that I believe lasts about 18 weeks and has been highly praised by other nurses who went through the program. They take about 30-40 new nurses twice a year. Apply now. They have an open house on April 1. Parkland in Dallas has internship/residency programs in almost all of the areas of the hospital. Some of my fellow classmates already have been accepted, but I think Parkland is still hiring/interviewing. Get cracking on that too. I don't know too much about Houston hospitals, but many hospitals there probably need nurses (in certain areas i.e. Med/Surg, psych, the less desirables...) As for what would be the best area to start off in? Well....of course it depends on what you want to do but....ultimately, Med-Surg will probably give you the most experience, develop your critical thinking skills, and allow you to practice your technical skills as well. So...google any hospital you want to work in and just hunt, hunt, hunt to see if they have some kind of residency/internship/new grad program available. Try to find the names of nurse recruiters and call/e-mail them with any questions you have. Most importantly, congratulations on getting your RN and best of luck!!!!

I'd recommend applying for your NYS license. This way you can tell nurse recruiters that it's in the works, or better yet, you can SHOW them the license. And be persistent. The HHC system (the gov't funded hospital system) is supposedly on a hiring freeze....but there are a few open spots here and there--mostly due from an increase in patients from other hospitals that have shut down (I would think...). Also, if you check Mount Sinai's website, they have many nursing positions listed. They also have a nurse recruiter phone number, fax, and e-mail address. GOOODD LUUCCKKK!!!

Hey there, I am going to graduate myself this semester, and I currently live in Austin. Although...I lost my mind and applied for my license in New York, but that's another story for another time. A couple things: What state did you/are you going to apply to get your license in? If you're truly set on Austin, I'd apply for the Texas license b/c they have a few hoops for you to jump through. Finger printing, background checks, and what not. Google Texas Board of Nursing for more info, and be prepared: the website can be kind of confusing, but if you really want to find something out, you can. Hospitals in Austin: There are two main hospital systems in Austin: St. Davids and Seton. Seton system has several hospitals, and if you are a new grad, you HAVE to do the new grad program which is called "Versant program" I forget how many spots there are...I want to say around 40ish, but remember, you'll be competing with the UT Austin grads and ACC grads who may already know ppl that work there. BUT it's a great program, and it really helps you transition from student nurse to nurse. St. David's system: A good hospital system as well that has a pretty throrough orientation program. St. David's South Austin usually seems to be needing nurses a lot...and of course everyone wants to work at the main hospital in Central Austin. They also have some facilities in Georgetown and Roundrock. I say...if you want to come here, get cracking ASAP, b/c my friends who are graduating are already doing interviews and what not. But hospitals always need nurses! BEST OF LUCK! HOPE THIS HELPS!! Oh yes, and there's Austin State Hospital, which is a psych hospital. They are DESPERATE for nurses. I was an extern there last summer and loved it, but I know psych nursing isn't for everyone.

That is useful information for me and many others I'm sure. Thank you!

I'm sure this question depends on what area of homehealth you're dealing with, but I'm wondering if you get to practice a lot of skills doing homehealth, i.e. IV insertion, PICC care, ostomy care, etc.? Thanks!

Have you talked to any advisors? I know it can be kind-of tough to actually speak in person to them, but maybe if you are persistent enough.... I know a lot of positions these days (esp in NYC) prefer that you have a Bachelor's degree....in nursing. By the time you finish nursing school, the economy might be a little better, and maybe hospitals won't be so picky...but I'm not sure if I would rely on that reasoning. Plus, you do get paid a little extra for the degree, although it's almost insignificant. As acutecareinprogress said, any program I know of requires several chemistries. It's also nice to have that as a basis before A & P and your nursing courses, but I understand time and money can be an issue. Bottom line: if possible, I would recommend going with a Bachelor's degree in nursing, even if it means a few extra semesters. Definitely try to meet with advisors from different schools, though, and explain to them exactly what you've said here! BEST OF LUCK!

Hi all, I am in my last semester of nursing school and have begun the application for licensure in the state of Texas (aka...paid the non-refundable application fee). I've done this because many have suggested getting my Texas license (I live there) and then if going to New York, get a NYS license by endorsement. I guess so I can get a job here and then leave ASAP...??? Based on other threads on this website and reading the New York BON and the opnysed websites (which are not the easiest things to navigate), I see that licensure by endorsement in NY is a hairy, time-consuming process. So, does anyone know if I can start sending information to the New York BON now/near future before obtaining my license here in Texas to hopefully speed up the process? I'm not interested at all in working as a nurse in TX. But I feel I should do this as a back-up. I guess my other question is...if I am getting my BSN and willing to work nights, med-surg anywhere (Manhattan or Brooklyn...and of course any HHC facility :) ), should I bite the bullet, apply straight to the New York BON, and try to forget I already started the application process for TX? Most of the hospitals I've researched require a NYS license, no exceptions. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks! :wink2:

To the relatively new nurses out there: I am interested in applying to NYPH (Cornell or Columbia). On their website, it suggested new grads who graduate in May apply in late Jan. So that's what I plan to do. My question is: for anyone who started at NYPH as a new grad, when did you apply, interview, etc? I will graduate in May with BSN, decent GPA, externship, etc. I can be pretty persistent if I need to be. I also don't mind working Med/Surg nights. Any advice or hints welcomed and apprecated!! Thanks. Oh P.S. I'm out of state.

Hey Eccentric, To answer your questions about requirements, classes, etc. You definitely should visit the advising/admission offices of the colleges for which you want to apply. I don't know too much about those school as I go to UT (way down in Texas), but I know that some schools are very picky about where you take certain classes. For instance, my school insisted I tak pharmacology, all pre-nursing related courses, and anatomy/physiology HERE before applying to the professional program. I am telling you this b/c I've seen so many ppl get discouraged and switch majors/schools or pay for 1-3 extra semesters trying to meet the school's requirements. Another thing, if you want to speak with advisors/admissions, you may have to be PRETTY persistant i.e. making phone calls, e-mailing. Also, see if any of the schools you are intersted in have a course equivalency webpage on their website that help you see which courses transfer and which don't. One thing that is universal to all nursing programs: do WELL in your science courses and DON'T give up!! Best of luck!

Thanks to everyone for the advice/comments! I guess it's a good thing that I actually would prefer to do Med/Surg. Which NYP? Cornell? Anybody have any thought about HHC? I guess Bellevue more specifically... :smilecoffeecup: