PeaceLove88

Wow it's been so long since I have been on this site! So great to be back!! Last time I was on here, I was a new grad looking forward to working but really bummed out that I could not find a position. Fast forward 2 years and 8 months later, I have now been working on a bone marrow transplant / adult oncology unit. I have definitely gained so much experience and wisdom while working there, but have come realize that it is not the specialty for me. In about a week, I will be starting a new position on the Labor and delivery unit in the same hospital. Now, I have the utmost confidence in myself, but as anyone else would feel, I am terrified to start and can really feel the anxiety rolling in!! Also I am really sad about my last few days on my unit. I know it is a completely different specialty with so much to learn! I will be caring for a different population of patients, ie mother & baby, learning new terminology and new equipment, a full range of assessments to be done and critical situations to learn now to deal with. I am writing to all Labor and delivery nurses out there for some support and guidance, and even some tips on working on this unit. Also, I want to buy some textbooks to help prepare myself. Any recommendations?? I thank you all in advance! This forum is the best!

No problem!! I also wanted to post a thread I found on this forum that had about 30 interview questions but I cant seem to find it. You can try searching "Interview questions" within this forum and alot of similar postings will come up. Make use of this!! Being prepared for an interview will definitely show when the time comes!

First of all, CONGRATS on scoring an interview! I know its a tough market out there. I think that you have a good chance as any other "new grad" because I dont think the hospital would have scheduled an interview with you if they didn't find something they liked about you. So stop worrying about your chances and just focus on how you are going to prepare for your interview. I suggest you check out these links on interviewing advice and sample questions that I found on this forum and really helped me out: http://www.mayoclinic.org/jobs/preparing.html http://nursejobs.com/nursing-interview-questions.aspx Good luck!! =)

i havent officially started working yet, but i feel that this forum has answered many questions ive had on my mind, whether or not it was asked by me or by others. i am extremely greatful that i came across it during my preparation for the NCLEX and job search/interview phase.

Hey Everyone, So I finally landed a night shift position and I have a few questions about this shift. 1. Is it difficult to stay awake during the night? 2. What methods do you use to prepare beforehand? 3. How alert are you at night when taking care of your patients? I have never worked the night shift before and I still have some time before I start. I have orientation and will be following a preceptor during the day shift for 3 months. But I would like to be well prepared when I do start. Also, I will be working on the oncology/bone marrow transplant unit. If anyone here is in this specialty, 1. Are there any books you would recommend I get to prepare for certain procedures and terminology? 2. Any other comments or suggestions would be so helpful Thanks guys!

Yea i know! I actually landed my first interview and job just last friday. And Ive been looking for about 3 months

I agree with elk and bk, as I was a new grad looking for an RN position for the end of the summer into the early fall. The job market is ridiculously competitive and I had no choice but to have a longer break than expected because it was so difficult to find a position. I suggest taking a few weeks off after taking the NLCEX while you wait for your license to process. Once you get your license, take some time to review your resume and cover letters so you have them ready when you want to start applying. Then what I did was apply to a few jobs here and there every day. You wont necessarily get a call back right away but its good to have your application in the system. Also, if you want to work in L&D, many hospitals will not take in new grads because of experience. It came to a point when I had to apply to positions that did not interest me too much because it was the only one available. Just take all these considerations into account. You never know though, hopefully the job market is alot better for you next year than it is now. Good luck!

The nurse recruiter and manager definitely discuss the interview they had with you and compare their opinions with each other. Dont work yourself up on it while waiting for their decision and try not to assume youre hired as well. Just relax and be proud of the fact that you did survive and did well on your interview. I hope you got the job! Good luck =)

Hey guys! So I will be going for a phone interview sometime this week and I am pretty nervous. Has anyone been on one? What kind of questions do they ask? I know its a quicker version so I feel like it might be straight forward. Please let me know!! I am so nervous but excited too!!

Does anyone know of any hospitals hiring RNs with no experience in the Northern NJ/NY area?

I really appreciate everyone's responses and extremely valuable advice!! I am definitely considering applying to group homes and short/long term care facilities. I realized that I really can't follow that typical hospital job right after graduation track that I always assumed I would do, given the economy and the difficulties in even being considered for an interview. It is definitely the best time for thinking out of the box like what NickiLaughs said. and I am willing and ready to do that! Thanks guys for the inspiration and push for me to do so. And yes, I may still consider applying to a Starbucks if I end up getting a part-time position just like Coffee Nurse. I think that's great that you are able to hold 2 jobs of such different qualities. BIG Kudos for that =) Again I really am so thankful to be a part of this forum! It's so wonderful to know that I have people to turn to for advice about nursing.

OK... so after reading other posts about new grads not finding a job, I don't feel so bad anymore. So thank you everyone for making me see that I am not alone in this! It is such a heartbreaking thing for me to finally survive nursing school and study my butt off for the NCLEX and pass, only to find that there's nowhere for me to work! I've had my first breakdown the other night after finding out that almost all of my close friends have found jobs and I'm left here... the nurse who's supposed to be getting jobs left and right. Have I mentioned I'm pretty broke too lol. Anyways...the purpose of my thread is to ask this... is it a good idea to give searching a break and apply elsewhere.. say a Starbucks or Target or anything that pays and isn't at a hospital? My mom and boyfriend both suggested this to me the other day and I've been thinking about it. But the thing is... my pride and ego is in the way. Just the fact that I worked so hard in getting this degree and license just to see that my first job after graduation is to serve coffee? On the brighter side, I would be making money.. it's better than sitting around the computer all day searching for RN positions or facebook stalking.... hahaha jk jk no really though! Please let me know your thoughts!

I feel the same way! I have had my NJ license for 2 months now and a NY license pending and I still can't find a job! And every time I talk about how difficult it is to find a job, I always have to explain myself. Yes there is a nursing shortage, but hospitals are also a business and they will only hire you if you're experienced and will not need to spend extra time and money training a new grad like me. I just don't know when I will get a break. I just want to work!