NurseThis21

:ancong!: And on to the next one. ^_^

You will definitely feel better after a few more shifts and it's totally normal. Think about how people feel after an enormous Thanksgiving dinner, just as their stomach is crammed with food, your mind is crammed with new things and both are very, VERY tired! Congrats on your first exhaustion-filled day!!! ^_^

THOSE WHO MIND DON'T MATTER AND THOSE WHO MATTER DON'T MIND. You should bring a bell to work one day, ring it, and tell them that recess is over. ^_^

Hi there! As a forewarning, do not be offended by what I say. You want advice, I'm here to give it. In terms of your question(s), you need to take a step back and analyze what it is that you want to do, make a game plan for yourself and stick to it. To me, it seems as if you're getting stressed out before you even have the chance to be stressed out on purpose. I know that you want to be a CRNA; so do you know what the acronym stands for? Do you know what it entails? Have you researched the criteria for gaining entrance? You see where I'm going here ... the mark of a qualified and potential professional is how much initiative and dedication they have. You will need to know how to seek out information yourself as you will be doing this and a whole lot more as a CRNA. And I know that you're only 16 so don't stress yourself out, but also don't take any shortcuts. Yes, you will need all 4 years (or more) of college. You will need a degree in nursing. Each school is different in terms of their prerequisites. Seek out some starter information at your community college and see what you can take when finished with high school. Know that you will have to go through nursing school. I see that you wanted to know if the classes will be difficult. OF COURSE!!!!! Who would want a nurse taking care of them that doesn't know what's going on? And as a CRNA, you are REALLY dealing with someone's life, it's a life or death situation. Yes, it will be difficult, it's part of the job description. On a good day, it will take 4-5 years undergraduate, AT LEAST 2 years acute care experience before you can apply. Before I go any further, you need to research the necessities of college. You're still in high school, so there's much to be learned about higher education for you. Understand that nothing good is ever rushed and you need time and experience to be on your side. Get through nursing school first and understand what that encompasses before you make such specific decisions. You will find yourself in the right place at the right time. Good luck to you and your future endeavors!

Never underestimate the power of a "quirky" or different type of nursing career. Apply to places you may not have thought of before and see where that takes you. Once you have a career, it's a lot easier to get people (aka recruiters) to notice you. If you want to eventually gain hospital experience, take some time to step outside the box and venture into outpatient, community, correctional, hospice settings. It's the great compromise that most of us have dealt with in the beginning stages in our careers. And who knows, wherever you end up may become something you'll fall in love with! Just give it a chance and good luck in your job search! ^_^

Please, please, PLEASE!!! Do not wait so long to take your NCLEX. Each day that goes by is another tidbit of information that you'll likely forget about nursing fundamentals. You should take it in July instead and don't even think about applying to be a CNA. You've taken the clinicals and courses to be an RN, the company you work for will hold you to the standards of a soon-to-be RN. So go study and think about the RN job you'll have in September! Good Luck! ^_^

And this is why we need to continue to have a spectrum of personalities amongst RNs. Take this as an opportunity to learn from and appreicate others' behaviors and characteristics. Don't be intimidated; it's not like you're going home with these people! Understand that your personality is just as wonderful and unique as anyone else's and don't label or look and down on yourself; you'll have enough enemies to do that for you. And with your patients, use the "bus stop talk"; small conversations about the weather or current events. No need to feel like you're just a task monster; last I heard, none of us were robots. Once you get a feel of how easy it is to approach people, you'll be on your way! Chin up and know that you got this because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind!!! ^_^

First off, Congrats on getting past HR at Northwestern! I currently work there and the interview process is just like any other. Since you are a student, they are going to focus on questions that will expose your strengths and behaviors in situations. They also want to see that you will be dedicated to the job and are willing to grow with the hospital. I didn't do the externship there but my peers who did experience it said that it was a very enlightening experience. It really focuses on teamwork, shared leadership and constant education regarding evidence based research. It also helps that you'll already have a foot in the door if you ever decide that you want to work here. Just be yourself during the interview and show them your talents. You've gotten this far so now all you need is the icing on the cake! Have fun and good luck! :-)

Peers who will look down on you are no friend or mentor to you. Instead, seek out those who are ready and willing to provide vital information and immediate feedback as you will most definitely gain experience this way. And don't be so hard on yourself! Since when were we supposed to know everything and even the most seasoned nurse continues to learn new things each day. When you look back on this day years from now, you will be able to pat yourself on the back for a job well done and it will then be your turn to provide guidance and support to a new and unsure nurse. You will then be a part of their foundation for success. Continue to seek out knowledge and the talent and expertise are sure to follow! Good luck to you! ^_^

It all depends on how you sell yourself during the resume-review/interview process. If you present yourself as "I only want med-surg, any other job will suck", then you won't look appealing to the recruiter. However, if you do come up lucky and get a job offer, make sure that you write your experiences off as a learning opportunity and a stepping stone to where you feel you really want to be. Never look at an opportunity as "a job-killer". That will ruin your morale before you even start working! Let the opportunity present itself and understand that everything happens for a reason. Maybe acute rehab will end up being your cup of tea! With many new nurses flocking out of med-surg at an alarming rate, I think your journey is on the right path. Good luck to you! ^_^

LOL! After a little research, I realized that I too am a Type B personlaity, like, to the fullest! I do branch away from such personality at times like being a perfectionist at some tasks and am a neat freak, but that doesn't overshadow my other, more important qualities like patience and having an ability to empathize with people. There is definitely room for you wherever you want to go. It's like us for humans to want to box ourselves into a certain category that we think is best for us, but that will ultimately be our demise if we consistently avoid the other challenges and exciting things that exist out there. The whole concept of "type" personalities is based on learned behavior. These qualities are nothing more than an extension of what we've already learned. So, even though most of your "learned" qualities exist on the type B spectrum, that doesn't mean you can't work in a critical care setting. It simply means you're an individual, which we all are! You have countless possibilities to work anywhere you want; from a free health clinic to a fortune 500 company! It's all abot where you feel most at ease. For me, with my supposed type B personality, I thought Psych would be the best bet for me. Ummm, wrong! Although I love what I do in this department, I'm itching for something new and challenging. I'm still technically a new grad especially since I'm fairly new to the technical skills and I would love to explore this venue. Stay alert and observant during your clinicals and see what it is that peaks your interest. Don't concentrate on what you think your personality-based shortcomings are. Instead, think about how your unique skills can benefit the area you want to work in. Anyone can learn the technical skills, the IVs, the calculations, the wound care, the medications, etc., but a nurse goes miles beyond that and incorporates his/her own unique talents and dedication so that success is achieved. Good Luck to you in Nursing School and hopefully the eceonomy lets up so that you can get a job and start on your Type B journey!!!! ^_^

Hello there! I'm so sorry that you are having difficulty finding a job right now! I was in the same predicament not too long ago, but I found out how to be creative in getting the jobs that I have. It definitely is all about who you know when it come to finding a job. Do you have a few colleagues who found work and can refer you to an open position? Do you know of anyone who is a nurse or who's parents or relative may be nurses? Perhaps you can land a job that way. Also, go to your doctor's office for a "physical". Chat it up with the nurse who's taking you vitals and see about any prospects on the horizon. You never know! I work with a colleague who also works in Human Resources and she said that the majority of the positions you see online get snatched up by "internal" word of mouth and the piles of e-resumes for that position are never viewed. Such a bummer and I was shocked too since there seems to be loop holes and magical side doors in Human Resources of all places! Argh! But yeah, hopefully you'll find something soon and forget about finding work as a CNA or LPN. You have credentials for an RN so you can't work under those licences unfortunately. But if you have the resources to go back to school then by all means go for it! Then you can really network, brown-nose, stalk, whatever the young people call it these days! Good Luck in your continued job search and I wish you all the best!

I see the night shift as a fabulous incubation period for new grad RNs (I know that sounds awakward and disturbing, but work with me!). It gives us the time to process each task that we do and this is not to say that night shift is easy and requires little work; it requires just as much as day shift but the only difference is that you wont be bombarded by the other tiddlywinks that go on during the day. Once you get accustomed to the routine and what is expected of you, you can stop your incubation period, burst out onto day shift and hit the ground running towards the MDs, RTs, OTs, and any other acronym that's charging at you at 150mph! However, if you fall in love with night shift, which many people do, then you can plant your roots right where you are. No need to stress yourself out and hopefully, you'll find a way to pace yourself. Good Luck and I wish you all the best! ^_^

Hello there! The panel interview is indeed a face-to-face interview where you will probably sit across the table from a nurse manager, RN staff, maybe a unit director, and other ancillary staff that have a few minutes to spare for the interview. It will be their time ask you questions to see if you would be compatible with their team (i.e. do you have a sense of humor? What is your time management like? Are you willing to help out your staff including non-nurses? How do you work under pressure? Are you willing to commit to the position at least 1-2 years?, etc). I could obviously go on and on with the questions they will ask, but the key is to not be intimidiated by the many eyes that gaze upon you. They can smell fear and anxiety from a mile away so obviously, you won't be working too well under pressure! However, if you do feel a little nervous before the interview, which a lot of people do, just go in and pretend like you're talking to a bunch of classmates about some nursing research (corny, I know!). But it will help you calm down and in the big picture, you are discussing research. You are the subject being studied, you know enough about yourself, so show them you know your stuff and be confident in your abilities. Their questions will be "snooping-level" at best; they just want to see if "hmmmm, can we work well with this person and are they a good fit for the unit?" Go in there with flying colors (except for the colors of your dress suit!) and show them you're perfect for the job! To be honest, it's a lot less stressful than the one-to-one interviews IMO; those are just filled with interrogation, awkward glances and interesting silent moments! Makes me wonder if a cop is going to arrest me as I walk out the door... ^^^To be long-winded in my posts is an understatement for me so Good Luck to you and I wish you the best! ^_^

Awesomeness! I'm glad that you are vowing to make a change and help out those in need once you become more experienced. Not to say that every experienced nurse is mean and not helpful but it definitely leaves a lasting impression for the few that are. It takes just one nurse to mix up the status quo and bring about a change that will be positive and benficial for those that come after him/her. Stay strong and good luck!