kk83

Bumping in case someone happens to have any advice :).

I graduated from a CC in May 2012, got my first job and worked at a hospital 90 miles away for 3 months before I couldn't keep up. The drive alone could take 3 hours in snowy weather and it just wasn't possible. I worked on a busy Cardiac unit and learned a lot in my time with the hospital. I continued my education and went back for my BSN graduating in January '15 and have since moved to another state. I am about to apply for my license and start looking for jobs, but I worry about the fact that although I've been active in school and furthering my education that my lack of experience will put me at a major disadvantage. In the middle of my BSN coursework I suffered a huge, critical health crisis where I was lucky to survive. I was in the ICU for 7 weeks and it's taken me since January of '14 (when I was faced with the near loss of my life) to get back to a really healthy state where I am mentally and physically ready to start working again. During that time when I was still very ill, I finished my BSN with a 4.0 and Summa Cum Laude honors. I'm sorry for the very long post, but it's scary to step back into this nursing world when I know I have very minimal work history - even for good reason. After my own health crisis, I feel I have even more dedication, passion, understanding, and heart to bring with me in whichever position I hope to find. Any advice for what I can do to highlight the positives and hopefully become employed? I am going to a job fair in the state I live in now and am hoping to make some contacts, but I feel a bit anxious since I can't talk up my work experience (all 3 months of it).

Hi all! I graduated in May 2012 and landed my first job at an awesome hospital. I was there 4 months and unfortunately had a health issue that prevented me to make the drive (60 miles each way), so I resigned from the position. I applied for positions at the local hospital and had one interview in early 2013 but they read my resume incorrectly and thought that I was still employed - so basically although the position stated "no experience necessary", the interview was over once they realized their mistake. I'm currently enrolled in a RN - BSN program that I will be graduating from in May. I live in New York, but in a very small area. The closest larger cities including those in PA are an hour at least each way of drive time in perfect weather. My husband is a software engineer and I believe would have a fairly easy time finding a new position outside of where we live currently because he has so much experience and work history in his field. I am totally in a place where I would pack up and move for the chance to acquire a good position and I really don't have any limitations on where I could go. When I explained my short first stint working during my interview, I simply stated that I took a position too far away and realized that I needed to work closer to home and had learned from that misstep on my part. I did however gain valuable experience, manage the care of 6 patients on average per day, was in a specialty area, and electronically charted proficiently. BTW, the hospital I was applying at was a 5 minute drive from my home so distance was not an issue. I had completed 2/4 of my clinical experience there with current recommendations from 2 heads of departments in the hospital. Now I am just feeling down because I had an issue at my first job (which I loved) that was out of my control and I feel like it overshadows the rest of my employment options because I'm not really a "new grad". I don't have current references (only those from my time in nursing school in 2012) and although I will have my BSN, I'm not sure how much that will help me. Any advice? I feel sort of lost on where to start and have debated talking with a career counselor to see what options I have but figured I'd see if others have experienced anything similar.

I started a job as an RN on a Cardiac Stepdown Unit about 5 weeks ago (3 on the floor). It is a very high energy and fast paced job and I find it difficult to learn everything/keep up/ and be as efficient (fast) as I'm expected to be. We have approximately 5 patients each per shift (sometimes a bit more). I am still with a preceptor and working on getting everything accomplished in a timely manner. It's not coming easily unfortunately. I am totally ok with constructive criticism - I know I need to be more assertive and work on my time management. I feel like I try new techniques daily and I end up in the same place. Learning more, but time - wise ending up around the same. The patient acuity level is much higher than what I saw during clinical and I am also charting electronically for the first time. I guess what I am getting at is - how long did it take you to feel competent and comfortable at your first job after getting your license? I am really trying to stay optimistic and realize that I'm learning and doing the best I can. Most days I feel like a failure who won't ever "get there". Any advice or anyone who can relate?

I got the one that said "Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Please contact your Member Board for further assistance. Another registration cannot be made at this time."

Ah I am so nervous! Sat this morning for my NCLEX - RN. Got 75 questions (no idea how many SATA, but there were some), one math and a whole bunch more that I felt I had no idea about. I really walked out of there feeling like I didn't answer a darn thing correctly after thousands of practice questions! I did get the good pop up when I got home. I know nearly everyone w/the good pop up passed, but of course I feel like there's no way that could be me! Now just waiting on pins and needles for my quick results.

Hi there! I am starting a job as a Graduate Nurse next week (with plans to take my NCLEX in about 2 after that). I'm getting more nervous and excited as the days go by. Any tips, tricks, advice would be VERY helpful! What to bring on the job, favorite scrub brands, things that got you through tough times or situations.. just everything! =)

I purchased the Pearson NCLEX-RN Exam Prep but it seems to have gotten mixed reviews and some purchasers have said the questions are too easy. Does anyone have that book and like it? I am just now getting into looking at it. I also purchased NCLEX RN Questions & Answers Made Incredibly Easy. It seemed like a good book to just do a lot of questions w/prompts about what a question is truly asking for. I only have a few weeks to study so I'd really like to have the best tools at my disposal. I was reading that some liked the KAPLAN book. What are your favorites?

I'm scheduled to take my NCLEX on the 21st of next month and got a 62%. I wish it was higher but it wasn't far off from the 65% they wanted. Considering that was my first practice test or studying since graduation - I hope I only improve. I definitely liked the Kaplan format, but ATI was included in my nursing tuition - so I think I will stick with that and possibly pick up the Kaplan book. Definitely a fun type of learning environment though. How did you all feel?

Yikes I skipped right by the terms and conditions. I didn't put in any payment information seeing as how it was free, so hopefully I didn't miss anything important. I'm signed up and just waiting for it to begin.

Thank you so so much. I am going to give HR a call tomorrow and start there. I thought about just asking the HR contact who called me in, but don't want to look bad especially since I don't even have a first name! I really appreciate your reply. It's been a long month since graduation and my mind has been spinning.

Hi all - this is my second interview and I want to send a thank you email to the person who interviewed me. I was confused though because the person who called me to come in was not the person who interviewed me. I cannot for the life of me remember my interviewers name because I was so focused on doing well during the process. The only contact I have is the HR rep who called me in for the interview. I don't know if I should call and ask her for contact information or if they would look bad. Any advice? I feel really down about it and I know how important the thank you letter is. I wish I at *least* remembered the person's name! That way I could send a snail mail letter to HR attn: to her. EEK.

I do it if I got an amazing grade. As more and more people from nursing school are adding onto my facebook, I tend to do it less - but it's hard sometimes when I just want to shout it out that I got an awesome grade! I also post when I'm dissapointed in a grade. I guess I'm just emotional either way, lol.

I also think it depends on location. I live in an area where the community college is the only local school within an hour and a half for an RN program. We were told years ago it was easier for people to get their choice right off the bat and be recruited. Now it's a bit harder and we might have to take a shift/position that isn't our first choice - but it seems the jobs are out there! Personally, I'll have about 25,000 total in debt including my nursing education after all the pre reqs, including a year at a different school for a different program. My plan is to start working - pay that down aggressively, get some experience under my belt - then get my BSN. One more year to go! =)

We've moved into med/surge this semester and I'm really struggling with my exams. I've gotten a 75 and a 79 and the minimum to keep in the program is a 75% average on the 5 tests before anything else is factored in. Last semester I was always mid - high 80's, so this has been a huge worry on my mind. I know part of the problem is my test anxiety this semester is much worse. I run out of time and scramble to pick answers at the last minute. I study, keep up on all my reading, practice NCLEX review questions daily and do well on those so I am at a loss. I scheduled an appointment to go over my test w/the tutor center at my college to see what in the heck I am doing wrong this time around. Did anyone else struggle in med/surge or your second semester? Any other study tips or advice? I would really appreciate it so much!

Seriously thank you guys so much! It makes me feel better to realize it wasn't the end of the world. I guess I'm just that type A person who over analyzes everything and I still can't figure out what the heck happened. I did it just as I normally would have in practice . I am trying to let it go and move on. Hearing all of your stories really does help me feel better! In nursing school it just always feels like I'm under a spotlight or a microscope and as a student I feel like I "can't" mess up or I'm going to be looked at terribly. I just hope the instructor doesn't totally hate me, since I'm sure I wouldn't be happy with a syringe airborne in my direction. I'm thinking about apologizing, even though it was a freak accident. I just want her to know I take even practice, very seriously and I would never have done anything to jeopardize anyone's safety.

Thank you guys so much

Thank you seasoned - that makes me feel better. It really does. The instructor was gracious about it, but I saw her nervousness as the syringe flew out of my hand (understandably). Ack - this semester has felt so much rougher than the first. Is this common? Thank you guys for making me feel better. It really helps

It just blows my mind because it was one of those freak things that hasn't ever happened and probably never will again. But of course, it had to happen in front of everyone. I sort of doubt anyone looks too highly on the girl who's syringe flew across the room =/.

So I just got done w/a maternity class and we were all waiting in line to give our "fake" IM injections with real needles. I had just drawn my "med" up and went to turn the needle and it popped out from between my fingers and flew in the direction of the instructor. I seriously feel like the biggest idiot ever. And, I just practiced the same injection for an hour and a half the day before without a single issue. I guess I just needed to vent. It took all I had not to burst into tears in front of the instructors and students and wait until I got to the safety of my car .

I ended up getting one and I like it so far. The only problem is the up arrow key is getting popped in and out of the track - an obvious flaw with this particular one they gave me. To exchange it, I have to drive back an hour and a half BOTH ways - so I am hoping Best Buy will send me one and let me ship this one back. It'll still be a pain seeing as how I'll have to reinstall everything. But overall, the HP 210 mini I got ended up costing 350 after tax plus 22 for a nice padded sleeve. A little pricey, but the screen resolution is very good, it's not super sluggish if only doing a few tasks at a time, and it's very quiet and doesn't seem to overheat easily on a table top. The other laptops I was looking at were in the 7-800 range. I didn't get a warranty yet since it's covered with a year under HP and I can upgrade to a longer one through them if I want to during that time. I'm going to try it - since I have up to 14 days to return and see if I'm actually utilizing it a lot. If not, back it goes. It's really pretty and I like it, but if I don't use it it'll be a 370 dollar piece of cuteness wasted =).

I either eat in the cafeteria or in the lounge or classroom during break w/other students or by myself depending on the day. Last semester I didn't do so great, I'd skip breakfast - bring a protein bar and I'd be so starving that on the way home, I'd grab a donut and a huge iced coffee. As you can imagine, I gained close to 10 lbs in a semester! I am planning a lot better this time around! I bought a thermos (for coffee or soups), tons of gladware in various sizes, and some glass containers if I want to bring leftovers that need microwaved. I make salads and dressing in advance and store them in individual sized containers. The salads I make just have the veggies on them, then I throw cheese, meats, beans, ect on them before leaving the house. Since I made a simple olive oil balsamic dressing in a batch and separated it out, I just grab a container of that. Sandwiches are also easy to make. I usually have chicken breast or turkey on a sandwich thin. For snacks, I chop up an apple, add a splash of lemon juice to keep it from going brown and pack a small container of peanut butter or fruit dip. I do hard boiled eggs that I already have peeled and ready to go. Trail mix, individual fruit cups, cheese cubes w/pretzels, cereal, yogurt with granola are some other snacks that work well. In the morning I plan to bring a coffee (iced or regular) and fill my camelback water bottle up - that I can refill at school thought the day. For really long days like my 8-6's I plan bring a Naked or Odwalla Juice as well. I always keep my lunch bag stocked with extra plastic silverware in case I forget. In my backpack, I keep a little bag w/ emergency snacks, 10.00, and those little sugar free drink mixes for water just in case I'm running late. Sorry that was so long! I've been thinking a lot about it for this semester since I need to lose the weight I put on and then some. I think the big thing is preparation in advance - at least for me..

Thanks for the advice =). I am just going into my second semester. We did have the option of a warmup jacket but honestly it's so hot in the facilities that I don't think I'd want to wear it, so I didn't order one. It would be so nice for the pockets though! I could ditch the hand sanitizer - it's just a baby one from Bath and Body Works. I use hand sanitizer at the facility, but right before leaving I usually wash my hands, and use my own sanitizer since it smells less - hospital like, lol. I stopped carrying the hemostats and scissors in the nursing home about halfway through, but I'll need them again for med/surg this semester. I've been debating either the lightweight plastic clipboards I've seen at Walmart or some type of small cosmetic bag (vinyl) with a handle. Honestly a fanny pack sounds amazing and I really never thought I'd say that. I wonder if I could get it ok'd w/my professors. Those of you that carry drug books too, I don't know how you do it! :)

Thank you so much! I just ordered my Kindle tonight and am expecting it on Wednesday so I downloaded some to my pc and will transfer over when it arrives, yay!

Thanks - that's helpful. It's been tough to not have any place to put any personal items especially when we have to bring large packets of handouts, but we aren't supposed to leave them anywhere or bring them into the room with us. This was at a nursing home, so not sure if that will be different along the way. Giving showers with an ipod in my pocket always made me extremely nervous, but I didn't have much of an option.