studentmom77

Although I do not have experience as a nurse manager I was management in the business world for a decade or so before changing careers. Interviewed and hired a lot of people. For my two cents definitely call to follow up if it has been a week, ask if the position has been filled, but I wouldn't bring up another job offer. Even if they are still considering you that won't sway them to hurry up and give you an offer and it may be a turn off if they feel you are trying to pressure them.

Rent a car and start looking for an apartment in the area. Public transport doesn't seem like a realistic option. At least where I am from it is no where near reliable and you won't have a job after two or three tardies. Don't stress going into a little debt, a full-time paycheck will quickly resolve that issue and if you have a job then you can start paying back your school loans, they won't defer forever!

Thanks, glad to hear there are nurses who by-passed the med/surg route. I think you are both right, it can be hard to change specialties but it can also be easy. Probably depends on the market, the specific specialties you are looking to move between and just how well rounded and marketable you are as an individual. I'll never know till I try. Who knows I may end up absolutely in love with dialysis and stay forever too. I got the call this AM for a second interview on Thurs. so wish me luck.

Hi I am essentially a new grad, I got my LPN in 2011 continued right on and got my RN in 2012 and I am now working through my BSN online and will complete it in 5/2014. Since I have been continuously in school my only experience has been at a LTC facility primarily on the dementia unit. I like it there and it is really been flexible with school. I am not entirely sure where I want my career to take me but the areas I have found the most intriguing have been hospice, oncology and dialysis. When I was in ADN/LPN school my instructors constantly stressed the importance of getting some med/surg experience before trying to get into any specialty but I recently applied to a dialysis position and had an interview that seemed very promising, she said she would definitely be in touch with me next week. My question is I think I will enjoy dialysis, but will I be able to move on from there? No matter which specialty I get into I really think I would like to try several different things throughout my career. Does it seem unrealistic that I will be able to leave dialysis after a few years and go into hospice or oncology. I would be ok with doing some time in med/surg at that point if it would help me transition. After how many years do you think you get "stuck" in dialysis? Is there a magic number? I see a lot of posts from people saying it is hard to get out of dialysis, that the perception of employers is that the skill set is too specific and limited, anyone here have a positive experience moving between specialties?

Great thanks so much for the info! So do you think you got the job? Let us know if you do, fingers crossed for you.

I know this is an old thread, but I don't see a better place for my question. I have never made a habit of calling out, I haven't in two years and I hear what everyone is saying here, if you are sick you are sick just call out. Well in recent weeks our facility has decided that we cannot make any requests for time off, except for vacation time. I am pay in lieu of benefits as are quite a few of the people I work with. When we wanted time off in the past we just had to find coverage for our shift didn't matter if it was a regular employee or a per diem it just couldn't mean overtime hours for them. So now we are told we cannot get per diems to cover shifts!! it's nuts because it makes it impossible to get coverage for a weekend shift. The nurses on our same weekends will happily pick them up to get a double but we can't give them the shift. the nurses scheduled for the other weekend don't want extras at least not on their weekend off. So they have left no choice but for us to call out. I know a 7-3 nurse will stay for the double but isn't that stupid when they could have let me give the shift to a per diem for straight time? I guess I am venting more that anything. But my question is what do you say when you know the person on the other end of the line knows you aren't sick because you already tried to get coverage but were denied, anyone ever been in this situation? I am prepared to take the write up, but wondering if there is something I can say to my supervisor when I call out so I look like less of a jack*ss.

So how did it go? I am a new grad too, I just took the Hr long survey for Fresenius a couple of days ago and have my fingers crossed for an interview, but I haven't interviewed ever for a nursing position and have no idea what to expect. Do they ask you situational questions? are they about dialysis? Sorry no one was here to help you know what to expect, will you post some insights here for others who are interviewing as new grads for dialysis? I would def. appreciate it and I'm sure many others will as well. Thanks in advance!

So did you get an interview? did they hire you? I took the survey 2 days ago and am dying to hear back. I really think I will like dialysis, if you have been hired will you share your experience so far? Thanks :)

Originally Posted by Isitpossible im in an RN program, and my professor stated that the difference between RN and LPN is: LPNS cant assess, hang iv's or do patient teaching... I think it depends on the state you are in. The only thing LPNs can't do here is IV push meds. Here in MA we certainly assess, start and hang IV fluids or meds, and teach. I think the state to state differences in role is the explanation why you see such varied salaries posted for LPNs I make $24.75 as a new grad LPN here but I see people posting that they make only $15 in other parts of the country perhaps that is where they are not teaching or assessing. I imagine their role is more comparable to what a MA is here.

Everyone above is correct, you must complete an RN program to sit for the RN NCLEX. I did my LPN last year and bridged right into an RN program since I had already completed my prereqs, and I will graduate in May 2012. If you want your RN you should do it as soon as possible before you start forgetting stuff. IMO there is no new information in the 2nd year of the RN program that I didn't learn last year. (I bet the top 25% of any LPN class could sit for the RN NCLEX and pass) There is however a TON more care plans, papers, and overall time commitment. Be prepared.

Brand new grad, 1st job haven't even started yet, 21.75 in western MA on 2nd shift. No benefits.

So excited to see this thread I was thinking about asking the same question, I am a student and although I am very early in my academic/career I really don't know where I want to be in 5-10 years. I would love to hear why you chose your specialties and did you have an Ah Ha moment when you knew it was where you wanted to be?

Definately finish the program you're in you never know what life is gonna bring. Then there is a 2nd bachelors program at Umass Amherst, don't know if thats anywhere near you, I happen to live here in western ma minutes from the college, but there's probably similar options where you are anyway. Here's the umass link http://www.umass.edu/nursing/programs/pro_ug_second_bach/2ndBach_Index.html

Thanks VickyRN that is what I thought too, but it's so easy to over think these things when it's new to you. Your agreement makes me feel much more confident about my case study. Thanks a million!