tokyoROSE

I posted this two years ago and I apologize for not returning any sooner to answer questions. Life as a new grad definitely kept me busy! Anyway, I'm so glad to hear that my story is still helping you guys in your job hunt. :) Everyone who has asked for my DON letter: It is an ATTACHMENT at the end of my very first post. It gets lost in there because things are all jumbled, but I swear it's there. @ nc12: Complete your application with HR, then send the email to the DON. @ Loque: YES email the floors you're interested in. This is exactly what I did since my hospital has the nurse residency for new grads. I don't know if it is annoying to them to get emails on top of hundreds of new grad apps, but clearly it didn't matter because I got responses the next business day! That is better than sitting around waiting...and waiting...and waiting. @ Maddox: I did not apply to any hospitals with no active job listing. If you're actively job hunting, I don't see why you should limit yourself only to organizations with active job listings. I wouldn't say that I would focus on it, but I wouldn't give up hope either. If a manager is impressed with what they see, they may keep you in mind for future positions. @ Mr Cooper: YES!! Email your DONs ASAP no matter the deadline!! It does not hurt to show them your qualifications ahead of the game.

With everything else equal, one year ICU experience should definitely help you get into the OR. It just depends on who you are up against and what kind of applicants the OR is looking for. I had 1.5 years of tele experience and a BSN. I got an interview over a charge nurse with 4+ years of med/surg experience and a ADN.

BSN: 21. FNP: 23. Will be done (hopefully!) by 25.

My sign on bonus was paid half up front and the other half at the end of my first year. Congratulations on the offer!

I bring fruit and protein. Currently I'm loving edamame or beef jerky. Both are low in calories and packed full of protein. I also drink soy milk or skim milk. If I'm craving something sweet, I have sugar free chocolate pudding or make hot chocolate with soy or skim milk. I stash a few protein bars in my bag too, they come in handy wherever I go.

One word: EBAY. Great place for deals, but you must work for it-- be on there as the bidding closes to be the highest bidder. They have great customer service too.

I got around the same score as you on my med/surg hesi. For exit hesi, I just used a NCLEX review book. Nailed the hesi easily.

It is both, and I graduated magna cum laude. The hard part was learning how to answer those NCLEX-style questions. I didn't fully get it until the end. (I should have bought an NCLEX review book my very first semester. It would have made a huge difference.) As for the rest, Me-erThanMe assessment is dead on about how time consuming it is. My girl friend who failed a class failed because she couldn't figure out how to answer NCLEX-style questions. I didn't have time to be nosey or have a FB account during nursing school so I don't know the circumstances of how other ex-classmates failed.

I had a nice amount of money in the bank when I graduated at 21 from a state college. Scholarships, working, parents, and being creative with money allowed me to be in that position. I'm quite surprised that so many people learn to critical think in college, yet when it comes to finances, they are clueless. Wake up people! Money isn't everything to me but it sure is nice to not worry about debt! My family is solidly middle class, but we are financially responsible and do not owe a cent on anything. It is not that hard and my parents didn't even go to college (didn't have the opportunity, sadly).

The one I had was no different than the American textbook. It was hard cover and brand new, $100 cheaper.

Not in a million years would I gamble away years of hard work and money to a non-accredited school.

Get a CNA job at the hospital. This will help you IMMENSELY in your job search when you graduate.

I barely had to pay for any books during NS. Reason: I sold ALL my books that are current editions because those are top money and I would basically recoup the cost of the book. I then repurchased books I knew I would need (only book was med/surg) but in an older edition. Worked like a charm. I did not repurchase an older A&P book because with the amount of reading bestowed upon me, I didn't have time to reference any book. My professors would talk about A&P in class and provide notes if it was pertinent to the lesson. If I really needed something though, there was always Google.

What you are looking for is a traditional BSN program

Thank you all for the replies. Luckily, I do work 12's and I can self-schedule my shifts to be on weekends. I'm now leaning towards part time from this feedback. It seems as if I would almost kill myself to work and go to school full time when I don't need to. I'm 22, no rush to get married or have a family.. The only reason I toyed with the idea is the thought of going to school for 3 years part time seems more painful than 2 years full time. I figured it would be stressful either way, and I can just knock myself out for 2 years and get it over with, rather than dragging it out for 3 years. Silly, I know