Wingnut09

It's a journey...Everyone copes differently. Respect the family's need to mourn in their own way. More importantly, respect the process that you need to go through to cope. It's only when we don't deal with grief, that it becomes an issue. So, give yourself permission and time to grieve, even if it is brief.

I am in the same boat. I am currently applying at hospitals and I hope to have a job in a hospital by summer at the latest. The main thing is to continue with certifications, any in-services that may be offered at your LTC, and other opportunities outside of what you are doing. Good luck and hang in there!

Not a significant other, BUT...When I was a student, I got the opportunity to do a clinical with one of the students in the RN-to-BSN program. Since she was an RN, she was there to supervise the regular students. She started to tell me and a fellow student that cellulitis was an infection of the cellulite. No matter how many ways we tried to "suggest" that this might not be the case, she was insistent that cellulitis was a clear case of a cellulite infection. :hdvwl:

" 3)The 1976 virus never caused even an epidemic much less a pandemic. What happened at Ft. Dix is best described as an outbreak of a novel virus. Over 30 years later, we have another novel virus but it is not the same virus. This one has gone on to cause a pandemic targeting otherwise healthy pregnant women, kids, teens, and young adults as well as people with prior exisiting conditions. " Indigo girl, I agree that the main issue is that this is an actually pandemic and that the individuals getting vaccinated must consider the real risk of illness vs. the vaccine risks. All vaccines have some inherent risk, but the H1N1 vaccine thus far, both here and in the southern hemisphere, have minimal S/E. But again, this is a personal choice.

This is a 2006 article from Emerging Infectious Diseases. Not sure if it answers any of your questions Pfiesty, but it is interesting. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Reflections+on+the+1976+swine+flu+vaccination+program-a0141048444

As I understand it, the difference is in the development of vaccine now vs. 33 years ago-much more extensive attenuation, viruses are different. According to the state of NY Dept of Health: "The type of H1N1 that existed in the 1970's is not the same as the H1N1 that is currently circulating in the population. The vaccine that was created in the 1970's was made in a different way than the current H1N1 vaccine." http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/frequently_asked_questions/vaccine.htm#comparison If you are concerned, I would contact the CDC. Further, in most cases, vaccination is a choice not mandatory.

The CDC has quite a bit of info about the risks of Guillane Barre from the 1976 vaccine.

It is my understanding that the 1976 vaccine was live virus, but the injection form of the current H1N1 vaccine is not live virus. [However, the H1N1 flumist is live virus, therefore, it is not receommended for those at high risk-such as preexisting conditions, asthma, etc.] This H1N1 vaccine is produced in the same way that the seasonal flu vaccine is produced and would have been included in the seasonal flu vaccine had the virus been identified early enough.

I graduated in August from an Accelerated BSN program. My diploma says "BSN". There is no reference to accelerated. My program was 16 mos, tuition was about $5000-6000 per semester. Nursing texbooks are quite expensive, get them used if possible. They are cheaper online but make sure that the ISBN matches. Also be aware that there is an initial cost for uniforms, supplies, decent stethoscope, etc. In our program these costs were anywhere from $500 to about $1200. While the job market is tough, I don't regret it at all. As long as people in the program keep the competitive nature to a minimum and form a team, it is a great experience. Also, our GPA's were all high because we were not waitlisted in the Accelerated BSN, the program was competitive to get in. The majority of us graduated with honors, but it took some work, tears, and a few mini-breakdowns to get there. I would highly receommend it, but make sure that you get plenty of clinical hours in your program.

Arapahoe Community College offers an ADN. Be aware that the waitlaist on finishing your prereq's can be 3 years. Also, the Denver School of Nursing just got accredited. You may want to check them out.

I just graduated in August 2009 and my school required the same thing that your school required in 1985. So, I don't think that lack of training is across the board.--There are a lot of for profit schools who have different ideas for how to prepare nurses. Every school has different philosphies of nursing. IMHO, this is why it is important to choose your school carefully.

:balloons: congratulations!!!!

I am not saying that the "ridiculous" demands do not occur, in fact, having had a career prior to this, I know that they occur in EVERY field of work (minus any bodily fluids issues which generally do not occur in an office setting). The cost of training and job hopping was a big complaint in my last field, where incidentally, I was employed for almost a decade. :twocents:I am just saying that I would not demand these types of things, nor would I hire these types of people. Yes, I agree that a contracted residency is a positive thing. I wish there were more available! I think that they really do make great nurses. However, as a new grad I can not change hospital policy, I just want a job. My impression is that from an HR standpoint, it would be better to fix it globally, by providing contracted residencies, but as individual looking, I want to know what I can do to get a job at a facility that does not put my license at risk due to poor training. And yes, I am doing my best to be patient.

"Many hospitals get burned by sinking a lot of money into new grads just to get dumped after a year or two. Or the new nurse does not work out. " How is this different than the returning nurse who has not practiced in years whose DH lost a job who plan on quitting as soon as DH gets a job? Is there a significant difference in money to train the new grad vs. an experienced nurse who has not been on the job in many years?

Clearly there are frustrations on many sides. Evidently, what I am getting from this post is that there is a lot of resentment towards new grads, even the ones who worked hard to get into top notch schools and carry good grades to help secure a decent job when they graduated. There seems to be very few who are willing to offer constructive suggestions about how to get a job. The complaints about new grads, frankly are ridiculous, and I would not hire someone like that either. I guess that my question is, for a resonable and rationale person, who understands that you don't make demands like that when you are a new grad, if ever, when you do hire new grads, what are you looking for?

Ok great, at least I am on the right path.

Thanks, I can appreciate that. This is a 2nd career for me. I left my previous career where I was making more than I will as a nurse, so it isn't about money. From previous posts, it seems as though the impression of new grads is that we are in it for all the wrong reasons. I can tell you that for me and many of my fellow students, that was not the case at all. However, I am sure that for some, it is. I just want to find out ways to be more competitive rather than needing to defend my motivations/expectations in becoming a nurse.

Yes, I am getting interviews. One hired internally, the other hired an experienced nurse. I have not heard from the third and I have two more interviews to go for now. As for being picky, I quit that a long time ago. I see any opportunity as experience that I do not have currently. Also, I got my ACLS and some other certifications to make me more competitive. I would love to apply solely to new grad programs but there are none in my area currently, so I am in pools with everyone. This is why I would like any constructive suggestions on how to be more competitive. I am just hoping for one offer. I only need one. And yes, I feel fortunate to even get the interviews because I know some from my very small graduating class are unable to even get interviews.

I am a new grad RN (of course). I am wondering, is there any way to compete with people who have experience?

I am in the same boat...2 degrees, 3 if you count associates degrees. Passed multiple licensures. Sent out numerous resumes. I feel like the situation is bleak. Yes, I know that eventually I will find something but I'd rather not lose my home in the process. I will be looking for ANY seasonal work soon.