inProgress

hey everyone! i am about to graduate from an adn program in a few months and i haven't had an interview since my last job in high school! does anyone have any tips or words of wisdom? would really appreciate if any nurse managers out there would give advice and let me know what you look for. also, there's a nasty little rumor going around that some hospitals are looking at "personal fitness" as a hiring factor!?! what's that about?? thanks and good luck to other new grads!!

There are tons of all-online RN-to-BSN programs that have no pre-reqs or co-reqs except for the fact you have to have an RN license in good standing. My research has found that most of them cost two to three times as much as traditional classroom programs. I don't know if its the flexibility of time you are looking for but I think it might be worth it for you to reconcider an in-class program. Good Luck!

I know of one hospital in southwest FL that hires new grads by the dozen and are currently hiring.. (charlotte regional in punta gorda) small town 45min north of fort myers. I personally dont know what the work enviroment is like but they hired at least 8 students from the last graduating class of my school. Pay is low around here though.. maybe $21/hr for new grads. Plus side is once you get your 6mo-1yr the hospitals in Fort Myers are willing to look at your resume. And I hear they are much better compensated and its a bit bigger city. Good Luck!

I made a mistake. I shouldnt have called out for studying but my rationale was that my passing and getting a good grade on this exam was more important than work that weekend. I really wish it didnt turn out this way. I should have made the professional move and resigned before the semester started. I really thought I could handle school, work, family, and caring for my aunt. Guess not. I am trying to make the best of a bad situation. There are different views on this: as a student I have to pass, as an employee I have to show up for my shift, from a manager's point this isnt her problem but from my future career stand point I need to pass to get my license and I need to not burn bridges for a good reference down the road. I faxed my resignation to HR with a fwd to my manager but am going to hand deliver my resignation to her as well in the morning. I just hope that a future employer will be willing to hear me out on this and be understanding of my situation.

I NEED help!!! I am a nursing student working as a PCA right now. I've been with this hospital for 2 years. My new manager scheduled me to work the weekend before my exam (even with R/O on those days). I explained to her when she first came on that this was the arrangment that I made with the previous manager and I would like to keep it that way so I can have a clear mind and study all weekend the weekend before exams. I assumed she agreed when she said ok. So I had to call out. Because it was for three days I need a Dr's note to come back. Problem.. I have clinicals/class all week and cant get into see a Dr. to get a note. I was originally going to hand in my two weeks notice this week anyway to take time off for this last semester and help take care of a sick family member but now I'm stuck with two options: 1- quit without 2 weeks notice and risk future employers seeing that or 2- get fired for not having a note. They said if I call off Thursday I'll be fired and I can't get into a Dr until Friday. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm really not sure how to handle this professionally. I want to give my two weeks but in this situation I don't think it's possible...

I felt the same way! The second semester was killer...buuuuttt... the third and fourth were easy.. and now that I'm at the end it's like a week by week count down!! Hang in there and enjoy your breaks... Stay strong!

I am about to graduate in a few months and want to put in application out in SW Florida and in the Chicago area but most hospitals wont even take the app without their state's license active. I live in FL now and have heard that I can ask my school to apply for IL license when I test instead of FL but can I get both??

I've been working night for a few months now and love it! The only complaint is from my SO about intimate time. Because he works 5a-5p and I work 7p-7a the block of days that I work we don't get personal time but the four days I'm off its great. We have both gotten used to the schedule and it makes for a very good four days off . Good Luck!

my best friend and i are in nursing school together and at the start of the program my daughter was 2 1/2 and she was pregnant. she worked full-time and was in the nursing program full-time. she delivered over xmas break and she is doing great still. it was hard for her to leave her baby with a sitter or daycare but her daughter will be 1 1/5 when she graduates and she'll have a great way to support her daughter. I on the other hand have a toddler/preschooler who wants to be with me all the time. its harder when they are 3-4 because they are more aware of how much time you are or arent spending with them. my advice is go for it. you can do it!

Hey there! I'm going to be graduating from an RN program in May and I haven't decided where to move. I am looking at Tampa, FL, Ft. Myers, FL and Chicago, IL. Can anyone tell me how much new grads make in these areas?? I do have hospital experience as a PCA/CNA (2yrs) and I don't know if it matters but I'm a member of a honor society.

Thanks everyone for sharring your thoughts. Much appreciated. I found that I understood the concepts better because I previously had a child (w/o complications) and my best friend -who i was pretty much her only support- had been preg and given birth with every complication you could think of. I got the material but after reviewing the test w/ my prof. I realized it was all "picking the best of two answers." I'm going to do more practice/NCLEX questions before the next exam. Thanks again everyone!

I just took my first OB exam and got an 84... how is this possible with 92-96s in med/surg! Any tips, help, websites, studyguides I can use to pull through and get my A in OB???

@jimmy- I am in ESC nursing program and its fantastic. I absolutly love the standard they hold for their students. The pass rates at all three campuses are over 96% and you will deff take pride in the college. NCH is a fabulous hospital and they offer new grad internships. Good luck with everything! @shawn- there is a point system sheet you can get from the secretary in the nursing building.

I am about to graduate from an RN program in SWF. I'm originally from Chicago and need to get back to a BIG city. Tampa is the area I am looking into. I was wondering if anyone knows about any internship programs that might be offered at Tampa General. If so could you let me know how I can get the contact information. I have been to the TGH website but they do not advertise any internships. I called the recruiters office and left a message. Also, I need help finding an area of Tampa that I can move to with my family that is clean. What are some nice areas with really good public schools or private schools? Thanks!!

It really depends on you. If you are a self-motivated student with good time management skills it is possible. I work 3-12hr shifts at a hospital and am doing the RN program full-time. I do have a fantastic spouse that does almost everything around the house and keeps our daughter busy while I study. It is very tiring. I would not be working FT if I didnt *have* to. It will be hard and there are times when you realize that you have done your careplans, medsheets, and studying-- its 6am-- you have clinicals in 45min and you forgot to wash your school scrubs :) lol. In all seriousness I wouldn't recommend it but its definitely possible. Good Luck!