larien37

Hi everyone! I'm an LPN who recently just started in an outpatient behavioral medicine unit at a local hospital and although I'm very excited this is whole new territory for me. I was working in OBGYN for the last 3 years so I'm trying to school myself on as much as I can absorb in mental health to make my transition easier. I don't know any fellow nurses in the field whose brain's I can pick like I had in OBGYN so I wanted to post on here to see if there were any helpful on the job tips, advice, etc that will benefit me. Right now with the change in field I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed lol

@Jewels1222 what do you think of the sizing for this brand? I've been checking them out online and the reviews are showing a lot of people saying that they run big.

Hi Everyone, I know I have seen this post at least once before but I haven't found anything recently posted so I thought I would start the topic up again for discussion for all the new nurses (like me) out there that might be wondering the same thing. Tips and tricks for softening scrubs!! I know a lot of scrub fabric is made with anti-staining and anti-microbial properties but man oh man some of the new ones I've picked up could easily stand on their own and possibly be used to display other articles of clothing on like a mannequin lol I know plenty of scrub brands that offer soft and non itchy fabrics but they can also run up the budget in terms of cost and as a new nurse just starting out building up your scrub wardrobe getting the most out of your money can really be helpful!! Besides tons of washing (yep that's the only tip I can contribute) there might be other little known ways of softening up stiff as a board scrubs . The following site has some natural tips on it, I haven't tried any of them though..thoughts? http://wardrobeadvice.com/how-to-get-clothes-soft-without-using-fabric-softener/ For those that are interested I have found some great deals for scrubs at my local Dollar General store and Family Dollar store. I never thought to check these stores out before but they really have a nice selection of colors and patterns so if your looking for affordable scrubs to start off in ($6-$8 tops and $5-$8 pants ) you may want to swing by and check them out :)

Thank you so much for the tips. I can't wait for the nervousness to go away, only experience can do that. I remember this same nervousness when I first started in law enforcement and it did go away eventually but man is it nerve racking sometimes in the beginning. Can't wait to get started!!

Hi everyone, I recently graduated in August and have finally been hired with a local hospital with the possibility of being placed at one of their family practice doctor's offices. I'm so excited to get started but nervous at the same time. The office set is made up of 1 doctor, 2 lpns and 1 medical secretary. My question is for the experienced nurses out there, are there any tips you can give a new nurse starting off in this area, important things to know and what not to do. I want so badly to make a good impression and also set myself up for success on the job. I know only experience will take away my butterflies completely but I also thought that having some tips and info going into this might calm my anxiety also lol.

Just an update. I got a call from the HR department at the hospital and they said they shared my resume and their reference background check with the office that is hiring the lpn, they said also that the hiring manager for that office contacted the hiring manager from the office where I was hired on as a medical assistant and spoke with her also. From what I gathered from HR was that the hiring manager was ok with me and that the new doctor saw my resume and wants to meet me tomorrow (2-21-12) at noon. I'm keeping fingers crossed, although I am more than willing to perform the duties of a medical assistant I am an lpn and thats the level of work I really want to be doing. So now my nervousness and anxiety is up again at the thought of sitting in front of someone who may feel the need to grill me about my skills lol

Hi everyone. I'm so excited to say that yesterday I was offered a position with a local hospital and I can't wait to get started. My dilemma is I'm an LPN and I was hired as a Medical Assistant. I'm fine with working this position because I'm a new grad and I need to start gaining healthcare experience and I don't have any other offers coming my way, plus its an "in" at the hospital in case something else opens up. Well today I checked the hospitals website to look at their online store for scrubs and I saw an LPN position that was just posted today. I was so excited to see it and then disappointment fell over me. Although I am happy to have a healthcare job now I am an LPN and not a Medical Assistant and I want to work as an LPN. Because I was just hired yesterday and I don't start for a little over 2 weeks from now and I'm already going through the hospital hiring procedures (blood screen, physical etc) is it appropriate for me to call human resources and ask them about the LPN position? I had to go through 2 rounds of interviews for the Medical Assistant position because the office where the position is couldn't decide so I know there are other candidates they could call to fill the position. I just don't want to make anyone angry which I know by asking human resources this could happen but in all reality they could call one of the other candidates they interviewed for the Medical Assistant position. I don't know what to do its eating at my stomach

Great news, I was hired by a local hospital at their OB/GYN office :)!!!!!!! I start March 5, now I need to buy scrubs lol

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!! :w00t:

So excited, its been a little over 2 weeks since my interview with a local OB/GYN office and I got a call today for a second interview. I'm much more nervous this time around since this will be my very first second interview with any employer and I'm not really sure what to expect. I know for sure that the same office manager and doctor will be sitting in on the interview and that a third new person I haven't met yet will be joining in. The first interview was full of the normal interview questions like: *tell us about yourself *strengths and weaknesses *tell us about a time where you contributed something to an employer that made a difference etc etc Now I'm wondering what questions they could ask during this second interview. The position is actually listed under medical assistant but in the description they said they would hire an active LPN which is why I applied. (I recently graduated in August so I want to get in somewhere and start building healthcare experience). I'm not sure if I'm up against one other person for the position or more than one. I have my second interview this Monday. So excited and soooo nervous

@sillywilly wow! he actually admitted he was an a-hole lol well at least he got that part right. I can't believe the low level of professionalism out there. I had to actually call the guy who interviewed me for the jail position and tell him that I wasn't interested in working there. I used the excuse that the as needed title wasn't going to work for me. He immediately cut me off just like he did in the interview and started saying that he knew it wasn't going to work out so I then cut him off and said Well I just wanted to let you know my decision thank you good bye and I hung up. I don't like the idea of burning bridges but I can never see myself working there esp with a guy like him as my supervisor.

OMG a barn!! WOW now that definitely makes the list of oddest and terrible interviews for sure. I just wonder where professionalism has gone these days. Professionalism and respect shows so much of an interviewer and potential employer and its not a hard thing to do either. Thankfully my second interview at a local OB/GYN office went well. I'm hoping to hear back this week on the thumbs up or thumbs down from the employer.

well a recent interview for LPN at a local jail definitely gave me a bad impression of the employer. I applied thinking I would be a perfect fit, I have a background in law enforcement as a police officer and a deputy sheriff and worked with inmates for 7 years. The company is contracted into the jail to provide the medical care for inmates so the county that owns the jail isn't the direct employer. The interviewer (supervisor from the contracted company) was rude and quite frankly ignorant. He paid no attention to my resume, asked me no interview questions to get to know me and my qualifications. The first words out of his mouth was that he hates new nurses and he won't hire them (so I'm thinking why did you call me for an interview then), then he continues to go on about the tough atmosphere and how I could be shanked at any moment, and then asked me if I was there to find a boyfriend (I'm married and definitely would not choose a jail to find a significant other). Then he kept saying that the position is as needed and that all his as needed nurses work other jobs but that he knows I have another job but he doesn't see I can handle working at the jail and work at my current job. He said the f word multiple times and **** a few times. He then asked me what do you do with a pen when its empty, and I said well (remembering that I'm in a jail) I wouldn't throw it in the garbage and then he cuts me off and says you throw it in the sharps container!, he wouldn't even let me finish my sentence to say that I wouldn't throw it in the garbage because inmates could grab it and use it as a weapon. I never felt so small in my life and insulted, that my time was so wasted. It does take a certain type of person to work in corrections but still as an interviewer you don't act that way in front of someone. He acted the whole interview out as if I couldn't handle working there and that he wasn't going to hire me anyways because he hates new nurses. And to ask me if I'm seriously there to find a boyfriend and to keep reiterating that my boyfriend (he didn't care to see that I'm married) isn't going to want me working there which if given the chance I could of told him how proud my husband is of my law enforcement career and that he had no problems with me working in a corrections environment. Part of me wants to call his boss and say how inappropriate he was and how insulted I was but I think I'm still in shock from it all. Before leaving he handed me a paper that gives instructions on how to complete a telephone interview with an automated service with his company and that if my background check comes back clear he'll call and let me know I can call and complete the phone interview but part of me doesn't even want to pick up the phone. Why would I want to work somewhere that employs someone like that esp when that person would be my supervisor. I started asking around to some of my buddies in corrections and found out that this guy can't keep nurses because of his lousy attitude and how he treats them. No wonder!! I'm used to hearing swear words and seeing hard personalities but when your interviewing someone be professional, it doesn't make you look good and gain respect and it definitely doesn't make the company you work for look any better either.

Hi, I finally landed my first nursing interview since graduating in August and its this Wednesday . The interview is for an LPN at a local OB/GYN doctor's office, its so close to my home and would get me an "in" for the hospital it's affiliated with. I'm nervous though, I can handle normal interview questions but I'm afraid that I'll draw a blank when asked any nursing related ones and make myself look bad. I know that my interview will take place in front of one RN and one of the Doctors in the office so there is always a more nerve racking atmosphere when there is more than one person in the room. I've had one non nursing related interview before where there were 5 people in front of me and it felt like execution by firing squad, too many questions being fired at once, having to constantly turn my head to make good eye contact with each person, not my idea of a good time. I ended up not getting the job because I had no experience but it was a good experience when it comes to those types of interviews. I'm starting today with going over my OB books and notes from class as a refresher but what kinds of questions could I expect from the interview? What are some good OB points for me definitely review before the interview? Since its in a doctor's office instead of a hospital does the types of nursing questions asked differ? When they ask me if I have any questions what are some good ones I should ask? Any info you guys can provide will be so greatly appreciated. This is a great site for nurses and it has become my "go to" place for info, encouragement and support

I actually would like to know how your interview went and the types of questions you got. I have an interview this week for a local OB/GYN practice. I'm nervous but excited and hoping that I nail the interview :)

Hi, I finally landed my first nursing interview and its next week . The interview is for an LPN at a local OBGYN doctor's office, its so close to my home and would get me an "in" for the hospital it's affiliated with. I'm nervous though, I can handle normal interview questions but I'm afraid that I'll draw a blank when asked any nursing related ones and make myself look bad. I know that my interview will take place in front of one RN and one of the Doctors in the office so there is always a more nerve racking atmosphere when there is more than one person in the room. I've had one non nursing related interview before where there were 5 people in front of me and it felt like execution by firing squad, too many questions being fired at once, having to constantly turn my head to make good eye contact with each person, not my idea of a good time. I ended up not getting the job because I had no experience but it was a good experience when it comes to those types of interviews. I'm starting today with going over my OB books and notes from class as a refresher but what kinds of questions could I expect from the interview? What are some good OB points for me definitely review before the interview? Since its in a doctor's office instead of a hospital does the types of nursing questions asked differ? When they ask me if I have any questions what are some good ones I should ask? Any info you guys can provide will be so greatly appreciated. This is a great site for nurses and it has become my "go to" place for info, encouragement and support

Hi everyone, thank you for the wonderful words it means so much I actually have good news, I got a call today for an interview at a local OBGYN office I'm starting today with reviewing my OB book and notes as a refresher but since I've never gone for a nursing related interview I'm very nervous. I can handle the normal interview questions but anything nursing related I'm afraid I'll draw a blank on and make myself look bad. Any nursing related interview tips?

Hi all, I'm definitely in need of some encouragement from other nurses right now. I graduated with as an LPN in August, passed my NCLEX-PN in November and officially started mailing out resumes in December. There haven't been a lot of jobs advertised in my area but I do apply to any and all I can find. I've even send out some resumes to employers that aren't advertising but thought to myself why not take the chance. Its frustrating not being able to find work. I do have a job currently (non healthcare related) so I'm thankful to be able to make a living but I'm beginning to feel as if I'm forgetting things I learned while in school. I've been taking it kind of hard that I'm not even getting called for interviews and this weekend while talking to one of my former classmates I come to find that she starts her orientation at a local employer that I applied to as well. I was supportive to her but inside I was thinking why didn't I even get a call for an interview, they weren't even advertising that they were hiring. My husband is trying to be supportive and says I shouldn't be so hard on myself and that a job will come around but I feel like everyone is looking at me like "she's sending out resumes and no one is calling her, whats wrong with her". I revamped my resume, edited my cover letter, not sure what else I can do. The only thing I have not tried yet is removing my Master's degree from my resume. The career services office at my school says not to remove it but I' wondering if its hurting my chances in finding a job as an LPN (making me look over qualified or something). I always thought that because of the economic problems in our country these days that human resources departments would be used to seeing applicants with more education than needed because they want to work but maybe I'm wrong. Anyone else having the same problems as me finding a job or anyone else that has previously experienced this.

Hi, I also was debating this since I have a MS and BS in different fields other than nursing. I ended up leaving my full educational history on my resume but have yet to hear back from any of the potential employers I've applied to. I sent an email to the career services office from my former university and they stated to list my education as is. Guess only time will tell if any of the HR departments that review my information find it to be a good thing or a bad. If you wouldn't mind could you keep me posted on here and I can do the same on any results you find from listing your Masters? It could be very helpful for us in the future and also be helpful to others in similar situations.

:ancong!: I'm excited to apply. I think I have my resume almost finished :)

I just recently graduated from nursing school and I passed my NCLEX last week (YEAAAA ME ), does anyone out there know of any good websites that have resume layouts specific to nursing/new nursing grads? I have found a lot of resumes online to look at but I'm coming from a background in criminal justice (law enforcement) so my resume is tailored to that field and I would like to get some insight on a good nursing resume so I can better edit mine to fit. Some things I'm curious about: *Should I add a summary of skills *In listing my certifications my first aid/cpr/aed expired in August and I know I can obtain recertification once hired but how should I list this on my resume or should I try and obtain it on my own (with Christmas around the corner I dont really have the extra cash to pay for this myself esp when employers can pay for it) *List volunteer work (unrelated to nursing), I was also a Who Who's Amount College and University Students years ago when I obtained my BS should I list this also even though it was so long ago. *How much education is too much education to list these days? I have a BS, Minor and Masters plus my nursing certification along with a police academy certification. It used to be bad news to list too much education when applying for certain jobs since it could make you look over qualified but nowadays with the bad economy is listing it all now acceptable. Sorry if I've asked too many questions. I've learned so much from allnurses that I figured I would get some good advice from others

I graduated in August 2011 as an LPN and my license was posted this week to the PA State Boards site I was wondering what types of interview questions to expect in the nursing field? I'm coming from a background in criminal justice so I'm not sure if basic interview questions are asked or if more medically related questions are asked. I would like to hear about the experiences of other nurses

Pa board of nurses posted all of our licenses today, PVT works!!!!! So happy, its truly going to be a Thankful Thanksgiving!!!! :dncgcpd::clpty:

She actually texted me not long after we got home (1 1/2 hr drive) and she said the PVT showed the good pop up. I know they pull random exams for almost like a check of the computer testing system so it's not out of the norm to see that your exam is on hold. She didn't give much info as to what her last question was, she said she kept getting a lot of place in the right order questions and drugs. I'm not sure how long they keep an exam on hold for.

:ancong!: :anpom: