dreamingRN

Hello CFITZRN, Thank you for the speedy reply! You made my day. I am keeping you updated on my progress. Apparently, when I called the hospital today, they filled that position in the GI lab. It broke my heart. However, I did apply for an outpatient endoscopy position, but I doubt I would get a response. Ideally, I preferred the first position because it was in the hospital, but I will keep my fingers crossed and hope that something else comes up in the area. I should tell you the whole story of my interest in GI nursing if you don't mind. I will start off here. I actually started at the hospital I worked in Dec. 2009, so that is why I am counting the experience I have as six months. My unit is extremely stressful, and my coworkers are not supportive. Therefore, I would like to consider GI nursing because it is specialized, and I feel I can learn more skills and do well in my job. Sorry to vent, but I hope this sheds a bit more light on how much I am invested in becoming a good GI nurse. Any other insight?

Hello CFITZRN, I am currently a medical-surgical nurse with six months of experience. I was wondering what experience you recommend having before becoming a GI nurse or what tips you have for increasing my chances of becoming hired. I am excited to become a GI nurse because there are many opportunities in my area. However, I am discouraged since I fear that I don't have enough experience compared to other candidates applying for the position. I appreciate your help and advice!

I would be patient for now and persistent. I have spoken to many nursing recruiters in the Cleveland area (i.e. UH and Cleveland Clinic hospitals) and they have told me consistently that the job market has been over saturated with new grads and it has been difficuly hiring process. One hospital told me that they hired so many new grads last year that their budget hasn't allowed them to hire as many new grads this year. I also spoke with a new grad nurse while I was on my interview/shadow experience and (depending on the hospital), she got a job just by going to the hospital (in her suit, I suppose) and handing in her resume. I would give this a try. I take it that you are an external applicant and this makes the process a bit more difficult, which is what I have experienced. Try to network with other classmates who have jobs. If your school has an alumni network, I would seek out those nurses as well. However if this doesn't work, many recruiters have told me that certain external candidates have stood out by the previous healthcare experience he or she has had (i.e. CNA, RT, etc.) or having a BSN. I empathize since it has taken me a while to receive a job offer. I really wish you the best of luck.

Thanks, Diane227! I will give it a try. I'm in the process of securing a position. I will try to post here to let you know how it goes.

NeoNurseTX, Thank you for the great reply! Do you mind me asking what made you decide to leave your first place of employment? I would like to know since many people say to stick it out for the first year at the first place you are employed. Thanks!

Firstly, Thank you for the reply, Tanzanite! I would say that I struggle with anxiety when it comes to assessment and really knowing what to do in a given situation. I guess my main fear is that I will get on the floor and completely freeze and end up killing a patient because I couldn't act. When it comes down to it, I'm scared to fail...fail myself and my patient.

Thank you for the reply dianah! Michael'sprv8RN- I'll post my yahoo messenger name in my profile. I'll be online most of the day. Hopefully we can chat then. I think that's ok. :stone Ingat!

Hey Michael'sprv08. I tried looking for your e-mail to send you my study tips. Are you on yahoo messenger or something? I'm not sure if it was deleted. I'll try looking for it again. Sorry. I hope you receive it soon.

Thanks for the reply, BugOut! I actually know someone who is working there now and she likes it too! But unfortunately, it seems there aren't jobs for new grads there. But again thanks!

Hello Everyone, I would really appreciate opinions from nurses who have struggled to make a decision to stay in the nursing field or maybe even get input on what made you stay in the profession. I am a new graduate RN who has had intense anxiety during clinicals throughout nursing school and I was always faced with doubts of whether the nursing profession was for me or not. I was wondering if any of you nurses knew that you liked nursing right away during your first year or even hated it during the first year, but ended up liking it as time went by. I would really appreciate everyone's opinions, but mostly from nurses who have not had CNA or LPN experience or any healthcare experience and graduated as a fresh RN. Thanks in advance. -Struggling New Grad RN:banghead:

Hello! No need to be sorry. I think sometimes it is both an advantage and disadvantage. I've heard the clinical training is a lot better there. Hopefully we will be able to meet soon. I have been having an extremely difficult time with my job search in Cleveland. I think it's mainly because of the economy and the hospitals hiring internally. Anyways, can you please PM me your e-mail address and I will e-mail you what I have put together? Thanks! Btw, have you gone to the Filipino store called the NIPA HUT?

Hey! Thanks for the PM. Since I'm new to the website, I can't PM yet til I post 15x. But I'm a new U.S. graduate nurse. I can understand a little bit of the Filipino language. But I'm in Cleveland. I wanted to give you some help on your NCLEX. When do you take it and What have you done to prepare?

Hello! I am a Filipina new grad nurse who recently moved to Ohio as well. Just wondering how you did with your N-Clex and if you have made some friends since moving here. I've also tried looking for a Filipino community and friends.

dhammo01, I'm interested in relocating to AZ and I'm particularly interested in the New Graduate program at University Medical Center in Tuczon. I had a couple questions if you don't mind me asking. What exactly do you like about working at UMC? What do you know about the New Graduate program? How is the Tuczon area like? Thanks in advance!

Kudos to KayBDT6. That was surely amazing advice! I would like to add that I was also in the same boat and I took about a week to get through what I thought was "utter devastation." I know that probably doesn't help, but I'm emphathizing with you. I'm a pretty pessimistic person so I think that is what hindered me on the first exam among other things. Here is what I changed so that I was able to pass: 1. I focused more on the Kaplan stategy book (which I know that you said you did, but perhaps, you should focus on studying with less study materials, ex. 1 for content and 1 for strategies) 2. Repeated to myself everyday at least 5 times a day- "I will pass. I graduated nursing school and I will pass." 3. Found a quiet place to study without the tv. 4. I also studied about 8 hours a day, but I took breaks once I felt like I couldn't take in anymore information (Ask yourself, "Is what I'm studying really sticking?") 5. Practiced NCLEX style questions everyday for 3 weeks until 2 days before the exam. 6. Knew my weaknesses (i.e. infection control & pharmacology). 7. Listened to the supportive and encouraging advice from people around you (positive reinforcement) :heartbeat 8. Had plenty of rest the night before the exam and danced to "I've got a feeling" by Black Eyed Peas to relax myself. 9. When I got to the test, I would write important info on the white erase board (like testing strategies) the testing site provided me. (I also wrote "I will pass" for more encouragement) 10. I breathed (during the exam and after). I hope this helps you and I wish you the best of luck! YOU CAN DO THIS!