Sweetpea1301

Hi all, I have been stalking this thread and others on the forum trying to gather info regarding traveling, or maybe just something to push me to take the leap! Dankat says they'd likely take the stipend and try to find housing in/around the bay area, but I have a question about that. My research has shown that finding housing in SF and the Bay is very competetive, with apartments filling very quickly and there not being a lot to choose from. I have read "horror-stories" that say you should come prepared to rent with a background check, credit report, and deposit check in hand, and that there would be MANY other people vying for that same apartment. This has made me think that it might be better to take offered housing if I was on assignment in that area. Does anyone have experience with temporary housing in SF? Will it be easier to take the stipend and find a temp. place as compared to finding a place for permanent relocation? Thanks!

That's where I will be!

Well it looks like I will be joining everyone at orientation- received my offer today for PICU! The job posting was taken down shortly after initial listing because they had several hundred applicants. If it reappeared, it may have been to expand the applicant pool. Here is what was available: General Medical, Surgical/Bariatric, Orthopedic, Neuroscience, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, Telemetry, Progressive Care, CVICU, NVICU, SICU, Emergency Department, Clinical Decision Unit, General Pediatrics, Pediatric Specialty & Hem/Onc, PICU, NICU, Postpartum, OR. I am thrilled to be starting in the PICU at this hospital! Everyone who was hired should pat themselves on the back because very few positions were available! I bet they will be looking for interns for spring, too.

A few weeks ago, and the recruiter said they were still interviewing last week. Congrats on the job, and thanks for the well wishes! I was in a SICU for my final clinical rotation and loved it :) There's not a lot of info on Med. City internships on here...

Yes, but which unit/specialty? I interviewed for their PICU internship but have not heard back yet, and am wondering if they have made all their selections.

Which internship?

SugarMagnolia, I sure hope you got something of substance from this post- I haven't seen much to answer your initial question. I believe we have communicated on other posts, but I don't recall- have you graduated yet? If you haven't found answers to you months-old-post, here ya go. BTW, Parkland is very open about the progress of the Corrective Action Suit: Parkland Hospital - Corrective Action Progress Reports In their "Graduate Nurse FAQ's" link, they state: GN and Nurse Resident salaries start at $24.52/hr. Shift differentials are $2.75/hr for evening shift, $3.50/hr for night shift, and $6.00/hr for weekend shift. Our weekend shifts that are eligible for weekend differential are any shifts worked beginning at 3pm Friday - 7am Monday. If you work an evening or night shift on the weekend, you will be paid both the shift and the weekend differentials. Graduate RN at Parkland Health & Hospital System They are one of the largest hiring forces of Associate Degree Nurses, which has become a major issue in DFW. They have a well-respected residency program to develop new grads into competent nurses. There are classes to attend in addition to being precepted, and the client population gives amazing experience. A new grad internship comes with a price though- a 2 year commitment after your 2-6 months of training, with a $10,000 penalty if you break the contract. Something you want to be sure of before you sign. I don't personally know anything about the benefits, but when I did clinical there the employees seemed to like their insurance and education benefits. Here is Parkland's link to their benefit package: http://www.parklandhospital.com/gme/documents/2012BenefitsBrochure.pdf. They offer tuition reimbursement, NCLEX reimbursement, and paid training for certifications. Parkland was recently authorized to hire 1400 new employees for their expansion, and are giving $3000 sign on bonuses for new grads.

Not.Done.Yet, do you have an idea of what it is?

Thank you both; Houston is too far at this time- I cannot relocate and that is DEFINITELY not a good commute I have actually done pedi private duty, but realized that I am not comfortable in some people's homes, and with some parents breathing down my neck...too many unsafe situations. I have tried the google links and searches but haven't found any definitive answers. I will keep trying!

Hello, I am wondering if anyone knows of any pediatric Acute Care hospitals/centers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex? I am a new RN who is having a hard time getting an internship/job at the few pediatric hospitals here, and am interested in the ICU type environment. Thanks in advance.

Whoa Nelly, GET YOUR BSN, especially in a metropolitan city of Texas. I just graduated in may with my ADN from a college in Dallas, and midway through our program the hospitals started trying to gain MAGNET status, which requires "X" number of advanced degrees, so the theme for employment these days is "BSN required" or BSN strongly preferred. I debated this also and am kicking myself in the teeth because I have now graduated, will become an RN this summer, and have applied to 65 positions with no interviews. You are in a good boat because you have more options than most people. Schools like TWU have options for people who hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in other fields to bridge to nursing: Weekend Program - TWU College of Nursing - Texas Woman's University You could also apply to their BSN program, and skip the majority of the curriculum because you have already taken it. Not sure about other schools- I am familiar with TWU. The difference in pay between an ADN and BSN is measley, but ADN vs MSN may be substantial as mentioned. BSNs in Dallas literally make 25cents to $1 more an hour only. The two nurses do the same thing and take the same licensing exam, and receive the same license. Essentially my advice is that if you don't expect to work right away after becoming an ADN while you finish the last year of your BSN, then that does make financial sense. Tuition and fees at community colleges are much less than the university. If you aim to work right away while getting an advanced degree, just go straight into it. Good luck!

As a Navy veteran (and new nurse), please heed this advice: Don't settle for anything. If they say no for now, and you are not in desperate need to join (and have your heat set on Navy nursing), tell them you will wait for it to become available, if there are no spots open now. Ironically, the Navy takes "super qualified" nurses, but also has a quota they have to fill for "minority" candidates, whether it be race or gender. I was told that there were no current positions for females when I tried to enter enlisted nursing a few years ago. When at MEPS completing your enlistment packet they will tell you that you have to pick something then, but it is not true. Navy nursing is competitive. At this time the military is hiring civilians to fill many positions (including nursing), which has taken many enlistment spots away. You can join a delayed entry program, which will keep you on a waiting list for a position to open. Good luck, and thanks for your interest in serving! I had a great time when I was in. Would probably still be, had I been a corpsman!

Volunteering "keeps your mind refreshed"- I didn't say you would be able to perform skills. I do know that it is not allowed, but being in that environment and seeing those things, being able to stay educated on current technology and being able to ask questions of the nurses about procedures is IMO more beneficial than not being in the environment at all, for many months. I guess it's all how you look at it, and what you make of it.

I felt this way about med-surg at first too, but you really want to have a nursing job and gain experience, right?? The it looks like you REALLY DO want to work med-surg! I have considered working a different type of job altogether, and just trying again when the new residencies open up. I realized that my pining for a nursing job was not bringing in money, so I can't afford to wait anymore. Also, check craigslist for RN positions.

Jamie, I too just graduated from an ADN program May 11th, and am enrolled in a BSN program. I am still waiting on my ATT (congrats on your RN!). I have applied to 65 residencies/entry-level RN positions since February and not had one interview. I'd like to share some wisdom and information learned along the way, from may creditable people. As you are aware, the "season for GN internships" is over, but the next round will be starting up soon, for Sept-Oct entrance. What it boils down to (and you have probably heard this) is that you have the best chance of interviewing if you know someone within a system, and they recommend you. I have heard from hiring managers and HR and recruiters that many hospitals are not even looking at ADN applicants at this time, because they have a slew of BSN apps and that helps them obtain their magnet status. Although some places like Parkland and Methodist are very ADN friendly, we are competing against several hundred other apps. Parkland had an open house in March that I attended, and it was like a cattle call of several hundred new grads foaming at the mouth to get their resume in the hands of hiring managers. Upon checking the status of my applications, I was informed that many residencies only had 10-40 spots open, but had 400 or more applicants. A friend in HR at Children's Med. told me that the ER residency I applied to had 438 applicants, and only 18 spots. There is a nursing shortage, but not for new grads, and we are the bottom of the totem pole being ADN's. That being said, it confirms that knowing someone, and meeting face to face is definitely a help, which can be hard if you don't have a good network (which is my problem). I have discussed this predicament with many people in the profession and they have all suggested volunteering. Your cynicism regarding volunteerism suggests that you may not be desperate or wise enough to do what it takes. I do understand that child care is an issue, but here are the benefits of volunteering: It keeps you in the clinical setting where you can keep you mind refreshed on those skills that we won't be performing anymore because we have passed all our clinicals. It also gets you on the INSIDE, where you will meet other nurses/hiring managers/even parents who will recommend you when they see that you are smart, passionate, arrive on time, interact well with patients and staff, etc. If you can "afford" 4 hours a week, that is all some hospitals require, and it may be what gets you noticed. It's free advertisement of yourself! Some companies like the VA will consider volunteer experience as your own, so if you were present for procedures in the ICU or ER or whatever (even if you just held the pt's hand), that counts! A classmate has a very similar situation as you- her husband divorced her mid-program, left her with no income or insurance,no car, and a 4 year old. She moved back in with her parents thankfully, and because of her networking (like you did at your CPR class), she is one of the few people who just received a job offer. With regard to your cover letter issue: I also suggest removing the intent to be a Midwife. I had a mock interview with a professional at my school and she confirmed this idea, for many reasons that your SO stated. It also shows that you intend to move away from the company that is investing much time and money to "grow you into a great nurse", which is not a good idea for them. The interviewer suggested that when they ask you where you see yourself in a year or five years, that you tell them "at this company', hopefully in an advanced position. You can say this, even if you don't expect it. Do tell them that you intend to further your education and gain additional advanced certifications. On a side note, Parkland hospital employs midwives to deliver the low-risk mothers :) I have been so stressed out with the job search and market that I have started an anti-anxiolytic, lol! I know it doesn't really help to hear that "it will get better", "something will open up", "All in it's right time", etc. It's been REALLY frustrating when people ask "well isn't there a nursing shortage?" and "Well why don't you try this"? I am posting to encourage you to try different avenues and to confirm that IT IS HARD to find a job, and I DO KNOW what you are feeling, minus the stress of your family situation. I have heard from the few classmates that have a job that the more certifications you have, and if you have your RN, that it makes it much easier to land an interview and job, but you still have to personally get someone to see or hear it. It is so important these days. It wasn't until 3 weeks ago that I became the "resume whore" (I coined myself) who talks to anyone about a connection and has a resume in the car to give to someone. I also made business cards and intend on carrying them with me. A volunteer at my company is actually a nurse, and I gave her my card to pass onto her manager, just in case! I am begging for connections, and I don't feel bad about it anymore. I never knew finding a job would be so hard, and so much work! Keep up the good work- obviously you are committed to your education and to joining the profession- you may just have to start looking in different places, and consider commuting. You are in Tarrant county, so can you take the TRE and DART system? Good luck, but remember that we do still have to work hard for this, just like we did to graduate. Once it happens for us I'm hoping that we will look back and appreciate what we went through, and cherish our jobs even more.