50caliber

4 years of LPN does help which is more experience than your typical new grad here in Cali. Like what everybody else has mentioned, go ahead and apply for endorsement but it ain't gonna be easy. Majority of the hospitals in SF bay area do not even have new grad programs available. You are better off looking into So Cal as there are more hospitals down there thus more opportunities. I'm from the SF bay area and have played this game as a new grad so I know how difficult it is. If you are hell bent on the SF bay area, you have to go get out of the area like Sac or further north of Sac into the "rural" areas if you want a hospital job. Salary even in these rural areas of northern CA are 10.00 more per hr than your big shot fancy hospital in So Cal. Good luck.

Welcome to the real world. Its exactly like this in any other profession. Just because you are a new grad, that does not entitle you to anything. You must understand that its only going to get worst unless you have the right mindset/attitude to tackle this new challenge. You will not be given a thing and be ready to compete with hundreds of others who are just as qualified or more qualified than you are. I was in your situation about a year ago and did was able to land a job in the department of my choice as a new grad in CA. Sure it took me forever but I did everything I could to make myself more marketable than my competition. Get ready for plenty of rejections by potential employers but all it takes is 1 offer to seal the deal so don't give up, don't get down on yourself, and don't get too worked up. Just get ready to work for that new job. Good luck.

The saying goes: "you look out for #1". Your employer will hang you out to dry. At least you have some ammunition if anything does go down.

I work in the ER and understand where you are coming from. Don't expect to do everything yourself and you need to get that "being perfect" or trying to be a hero mentality out of your head. If feeling overwhelmed which happens to even seasoned nurses in the ER, just ask for help or let your charge nurse know. No one will look down on you and being a new grad fresh off orientation, your coworkers will perfectly understand. Don't beat yourself up, you are still learning. ER can get real crazy and chaotic in just minutes and you need to just roll with it and rely on your coworkers. Hang in there, keep a positive attitude, continue learning, ask questions, and be a team player.

Post partum has to be the easiest nursing job in an acute care setting. Everybody is young, healthy, and happy. Famili members will do most of the care.

I will never ever ever wear my shoes in the house. I work in the ER and I'm constantly stepping in urine, blood and other crap. I'll take my shoes off and put them in a bag and into my trunk when I go home. I keep my scrubs separate and they will never make contact with my other clothes.

Are these new grad positions?

Until you see it consistently in a clinical setting, it will be difficult to see the "whole picture". Once you start to get it and that light bulb goes off in your head, work starts to get really fun and your confidence starts to increase.

Yes it is. I have a ADN on top of another 4year degree. I'm made over 6 figures my first year in nursing while working in bay area. Makes no difference for me.

I guess you and I found the perfect job. I'm not going to fault those who are driven by the money. There are terrific nurses out there who do this purely for the money and I live in the bay area and see plenty of this. As long as you can provide safe competent care, I could careless what your motives are as long as you can get the job done.

Its called Karma.

The $$ helps but there is more to it than that. If engineers were offering 150k base starting salary, I wouldn't do it cause I could careless about it and it would bore me to death to have to go to work everyday.

What a bummer. I always envisioned myself working in there ER especially after the renovations.

I heard about the layoffs. Are they laying off RN based on seniority?

Try exercising. I know it sounds counter intuitive since you are already tired but there is nothing a good exercise session can't solve. The more you sleep and eat cause you are "tired", the harder it is to break out of it. I work 12hr night shifts and I realized quickly that the more sedentary I am during my days off, my perceived tiredness increases. I use to work 4-6 12hr shifts in a row, trust me I know what I am talking about. I get my butt off the couch/bed and go lift weights or run, problem solved. I feel great right after the workout and it can carry me through the day pretty well.