LoriNJ

I'm fairly certain you can take them at a community college. At least one person I went to school with did that. But if you have questions about what will transfer, why not give the school of nursing a call to be sure. This way you won't waste your money. Rutgers website also has this: http://admissions.rutgers.edu/applynow/morefortransferapplicants/njcommunitycollegestudents.aspx This will link you to NJ transfer so you can see if CC courses will transfer. Good luck!

When I went through it 2008-2009 the program was based out of Newark. We did have one semester in New Brunswick though. I don't know if they have changed it since then.

Most of the hospitals I was applying to out of the main state I had my license in wouldn't consider me unless I actually had their state's license. The NJ endorsement process is a pain. It is expensive and time consuming like you said. (I got my PA license first, was looking in PA with no success and eventually started the process to get my NJ). However I will say that it opens your options up a lot more. So consider this: the $200-$300 for the NJ license and possibly getting a job sooner? Might be worth it. It depends on where you want to end up, but if you don't care it might be best to expand your options. In May, when most people graduate, hospitals hire for their projected need. I found that around this time they are hiring for an immediate need and want someone who can start now, not when they get their license for that state.

Hey there, I'm a nurse in Philly and my boyfriend is currently looking for a teaching job here as well. It took me about 6 months to find a nursing job here, though I was a new grad. I think your prospects as someone with experience are definitely more open then mine were. The nursing market is definitely tough, but with that experience you'll have more people interested in you. The good thing is there are a lot of good hospitals in the area. I started in the high 20's as a new grad, differential for evenings and nights. As for apartments, it really depends on what area of the city you're looking to live in. Center City 2-3 bedrooms are more expensive- I would check out craigslist for average prices. I like the areas of Society Hill, Queen Village, Old City, Washington Square, and Rittenhouse Square- I tend to think they are safer, but if you're looking for cheaper you'll have to look further west like University City, South like South Philly, or North. Some areas can be dicey though, just like any city. As for the teaching market- it's really not so good right now. The public schools have a hiring freeze. And for catholic schools- my bf was told by the diocese of Philadelphia that there are no job openings for this year. I have a friend looking to move from Florida to Philly who is also a teacher and isn't finding any jobs at the moment either. I would definitely make sure you have jobs before you do the move. I was planning on moving here in October after I graduated, but glad I didn't because I didn't end up getting a job until February. Let me know if you have any other questions, hope that was at least a little helpful- I'm fairly new to the city, but I'm learning a lot!

Just PM'ed you

I definitely agree, go for it! A "new grad" just started on my floor- she had been working as a clerk in the hospital since nursing school graduation and she is doing great, even though she didn't do floor nursing for a year after graduation. If you decide to move on you can always take a refresher course! Good luck! :)

I definitely understand where you're coming from, I worked for 4 months in a department store after graduating from nursing school while I was job hunting. I really felt like I wasn't going to remember anything. I tried to read up on general ideas if I had time, went through med-surg slides from school, flipped through a clinical nurse handbook, but honestly didn't get too much into all of it. I actually had my first day working at a hospital on the floor today and I was surprised how quickly I picked it up again. Granted, I forgot the little things, but I felt like for a first day and not doing it for 6 months it went pretty well. I think you'll just remember once you start working. You worked hard in school and it will all come rushing back!

I can't say that any of the traditional job hunting methods helped for me. I was looking in a new city where I had no connections, so networking wasn't really accessible. I would apply online and fax/mail resumes and always followed up and it got me nowhere. For the job I actually got I applied online about 5 minutes after I saw it posted and received a call 2 days later. The only thing I can recommend is applying early. I called to follow up for one job and the woman had to sift to pages just to find if they had received my application. I was on page 6 and there were 150 applicants. If your name is higher in the pile, perhaps your resume and cover letter will actually be read. I'm still praying for all the job hunters out there. Best of luck, something is waiting for you!

So as it turns out I was not supposed to receive the automated email! I called to follow up and get feedback and I was told that I was still being considered for the position. Fast forward a week and I was offered the job! I am so thankful and very glad I followed up! Still praying for all those job hunters :)

I actually got the job I shadowed for! So excited and thankful to be starting in less than 2 weeks! How is everything going with you sweetooth? :) Praying, praying!

Anyone know how long the process typically takes for a PA to NJ endorsement? I have a PA license and looking to get NJ. Thanks!

I sent a thank you note to the three people that interviewed me and then a separate one to the nurse that let me tag along on my shadow day. I feel like it couldn't hurt- they did ask the nurse I shadowed with her opinion about me and sending a nice thank you could only help that opinion! I'm wishing you the best of luck!!

That is a really good question! I just applied for a license in another state to see if it will increase my chances of getting an interview. I had called nurse recruiters and a few hospitals basically said they wouldn't even consider me without that state's license. It's not so fun to shell out that extra money (hundreds really) and I find it ridiculous they won't consider someone who has their license in another state (passed the NCLEX, not that much of a risk) but with the tough job market I felt like I needed to spend the money to expand my search region and give myself a shot. I don't have the second license yet, so I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm in the same boat! Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for. All us job hunters are in my prayers.

I was thankful to finally have an interview after months of job hunting, and thought it went well because I was asked to shadow the next week. I had my shadow day on Wednesday and now (Sunday night) I got an automated email saying they have found another candidate that better matches their qualifications. I am so distraught! Hoping it's a mistake, I'll call tomorrow to confirm, but thinking in my gut it's not going to happen for this job Has anyone else encountered automated emails after an interview? I've gotten them before after applying, but I would think after an interview and shadow day that they would at least write me a personal email or give me a call. I'm half upset I didn't get the job and half upset that they handled it this way. Anyone encounter this?

Ooo I'm hoping that being asked to shadow is a good sign cause I got asked the same thing after my interview last week! I had my shadow day on Wednesday, hope to hear back soon. Keep us posted!

Thanks for all the great responses! They were very helpful on an interview I had last week~ Crossing my fingers that I get the job!

I was fortunate to finally have a break in the job hunt after months of searching! I had an interview at a hospital last week and now I'll be shadowing a nurse this week for an 8-hour-shift. Any tips?

Aww thankss! You just put a smile on my face! I am so happy to be in this profession, what other one would be this supportive!

I was so upset today... I've been working at a department store while looking for a nursing job and one girl I work with turned and asked me, "Aren't you not technically a nurse, cause you haven't worked as one yet?" My jaw DROPPED. I spent how long in school, studied my butt off and passed my boards. I AM an RN. It was just so discouraging to hear her say that. It's not like I don't want to be working!

Happiness, how did your interview go? :)

For the summer I took 15 credits. I had clinical on Tuesday and Wednesday, but all of my courses aside from that were online, so that was definitely helpful. I had to stay very organized. Two clincials a week, three days of externship and then two days off to do my work for the online classes (and have some sort of a social life). I also did more of my externship days on weekends than any others in the program because I had clincials during the week. 3 credits of my classwork was a Microsoft Office class to satisfy a technology requirement, so it wasn't that bad. The 6 credits online were 6 weeks of Community Health Nursing and 6 weeks of Senior Leadership and Management. I did as well as I did all the other semesters in school, but like i said, it was a LOT of work. I brought books on the bus into clinical and externship with me, I went to the beach with study cards, and stayed up some pretty late nights. After all that I do not regret doing the externship. It was a phenomenal experience- the nurses let me see and do so much and I really feel prepared to begin as a new grad. Unfortunately the area I'm looking at for jobs isn't too great for new grads (I guess like most areas) but I'm still sticking it out. I actually got a call last week from a critical care internship program that required an externship in an ICU. I am basically being considered because of that externship. The job market is tough, but I really do believe having that extra experience will help me in the end.

Wouldn't you know the day after I think about giving up I get a call from TWO hospitals about interviews. haha I don't want to think that giving up is the answer, but that is WEIRD.

I don't know of any programs that begin in August, plus once you graduate you may not be eligible for an externship. However, some externships may be flexible to your schedule. I was in an accelerated program and was able to fit in a 3 day a week, 12 hour shift externship into my summer class schedule. Granted it is not for the weak of heart- I busted my butt, but I really wanted to be in critical care and thought it would really improve my chances. My class schedule made it feasible and the hospital I worked at was flexible not to schedule me on days I had class (Although I did have to take a few days off of class for mandatory orientation, but my professor was flexible and had me make up the days of clinical, it was home health). Just realizing as I'm typing this how improbable that all sounds, but I really wanted it so I worked as hard as I could to make it happen. If it's possible you might want to go for it during summer courses.

I've been really wanting to work as a new grad nurse in Philly and have been applying places since July. (I graduated in October 2009). Unfortunately we all know the job situation and I don't really have any prospects. I am getting terribly discouraged. I really want to live in Philadelphia but it is looking less and less like that will happen every day. So here is my dilemma, do I sit and wait on PA hospitals and possibly become unmarketable (I've already been out of school a few months) or do I apply to hospitals in NY? I had an externship at NYP in NYC and feel I could possibly get a position there. Would it be crazy to live in Philly and work in NYC? Has anyone ever done it? I could spend nights I worked consecutively at my home close to the hospital, so it wouldn't be that commute everyday. Any advice would be great. I know many would say to just work where I can get a job and then once I get my experience move, but I'm tired of living at home and really have my heart set on living in Philadelphia. Thanks in advance!

SMN, it seems to be angering you when others are lumping those who got jobs together as "lucky". But on the other side you are doing the same thing by lumping them together as "hard-working". I know 2 new grads who recently got jobs. One applied to many hospitals, kept on HR, and worked for 2 months to land the spot she now has. Another friend waited around to take her NCLEX, ended up applying to only one position (she knew a nurse in the unit), interviewed and landed the job. I'm sure we all know people who have gotten jobs by working hard and those who have gotten positions by luck. To say that it is without exception either way would be foolish. Not everyone who got a job did so by working hard. And not everyone who got a job did so by being lucky. There are people working hard to find a job and cannot catch a break. To tell them they are not working hard enough belittles the effort they are putting in. Let's build each other up, especially those struggling to find a job in this economy.