uscgal09

Wondering if I can get updates to this thread for more current info. Does it depend on the unit? 5 years experience with a year and a half of that being in the unit I'm about to have an interview.

Hello! I am an RN with just over three years experience on a busy postop floor for ortho, neuro, and uro adult patients in Augusta. I am in the interview process for a PACU day surgery position for CHOA. I have had two interviews with two different recruiters and have an interview in person next week. I found out tonight that they require a PREP test based on peds. I will need to cram, because I definitely don't remember much about peds from school. Any suggestions?? I applied for this job in the beginning of December. The first recruiter called within two or three days. Then it was a couple of weeks before I heard from the next. I know the holidays are delaying things a bit right now, but should I be concerned this is taking so long? Also, I am worried about finances. I have been able to pay off one student loan, and I am about to pay off a second. I am still paying over $600/mo on student loans alone. That said, I am currently working nights. This is for day surgery. I know cost of living is higher in Atlanta. From what I have researched, Atlanta salaries do partially compensate (literally) for this but not fully. Does anyone know if CHOA has sign-on bonuses? I did find an apartment I'm interested in looking at if I'm offered the job. This would put me about 15 minutes from Egleston (granted, this is probably without traffic), so I would be a lot closer to work than most places. I did see they do have relocation packages. Is that something I ask about? Or would they bring this up? Does anyone know apartments near Egleston that offer discounts for nurses or certain hospitals? I know I am asking for A LOT of information, but I'd be so grateful for the help! Thank you so much! I would really, really love to be offered this job! I do need all the details to align, though!

Cmunst45636: If you know FOR SURE you are going to be leaving Louisiana to go Georgia, my recommendation would be to do it all with Georgia the first time. I'd like to know other people's opinions on this as well; however, considering the time it takes to transfer to GA, it seems worth it to me to do it right the first time. As far as applying before you have the license, I'd say it depends on the particular place. I was able to, but that does not guarantee everybody will be ok with it.

Ashlee, somehow I missed this part when I was doing mine as well. I received something from SC BON telling me that they needed proof of residency, so I sent in my license. From there, I thought that SC would verify my original and current license. Nope, a phonecall to SC BON told me differently. She told me it was $20 (and the least enthusiastic person I've ever dealt with in my life btw haha), but it is actually $30. Go to NURSYS.com and it goes over what to do. Super easy - just more money. Hope that helps! Best of luck! Oh, and if you don't hear from them within a reasonable amount of time, CALL THEM and stay on 'em!!

What I learned while applying to GA by endorsement is that what people are saying about calling is extremely true. I had to call the SC BON to figure out what my hold up was at first. Then after everything I needed to do was completed, I kept waiting and waiting and waiting. I had an interview lined up in GA and went ahead and told the HR lady that my GA license was still being processed. A few days before my interview, I finally called GA BON, because all I was waiting on was the verification from my original and current state license (both are SC). I talked to the lady who sent a note to somebody to check on the status. A day or two later I finally had my license. I think from start to finish my process took about about 60 days. Definitely call them if you are having lulls in your process! I am now licensed in two states and will start my first job's orientation November 1st!!

Dizzy, I've definitely decided my phone will be set on silent when I'm trying to sleep. My friends and family are the same way. I'll ask a thousand times, but it doesn't matter! haha As far as "rules" for eating...that makes sense. I don't know why I am stressing over it when it shouldn't matter to anyone but myself what I am eating! lol Thanks, Mn and Mismatch!

Hey! I'm a "new grad" (graduated May 2009) and am getting ready to start orientation for my first job on ortho/neuro. What are your thoughts on the unit? What things did you find to be easy? Difficult? What would you recommend I know going into it?? I really feel there's a lot that I don't remember from school, and it is really freaking me out! The fear of the unknown is also getting to me! I'm trying to just step back and celebrate the fact that I finally get to start practicing what I went to school for! It was a long time coming!

Sistasoul, You are the second person I've encountered today that has dealt with the Ortho/Neuro floor. I am getting ready to start my hospital orientation there on the first of November. I have been out of school for almost a year and a half, but am still considered a new grad because it is my first job. I really feel I'm forgetting everything that I learned in school because of the gap in time. Can you offer advice on what types of things I should know already going into it? What should I review? What types of things will they know I won't know? I was told they get a lot of new grads on that floor for nights (I'll be working nights), so I definitely see this as being in my favor and am really happy about it! I'd really love your help! Thank you so much!

Hi! I will be starting 7p to 7a soon (first nursing job period) and have kind of an odd question. What do you do about meals? Do you eat dinner when you get home at 730-8 am?? Breakfast at 6pm?? I don't get it! And I've definitely always been more of a night owl than morning person as well, MisMatch. I'm HOPING this means that nights will be good for me. I guess there's only one way to find out!

Hi!! I just accepted a new grad position in Ortho/Neuro. I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind being a fabulous resource for me!! Even though it is a "new grad" position, I've been out of school since May '09. That being said, I'm scared to death, because I feel I've forgotten pretty much everything!! Can you give me advice on what to expect (I'll be working nights if that makes any sort of difference at all) and maybe things to review that I will be expected to already know?? I was told they do a lot of surgical spine? Sorry, that just really means nothing to me. I'm definitely extremely excited to finally be able to start doing what I went to school for, but I have am having a hard time with the unknowns! I start my hospital orientation November 1st! I really would appreciate anything you wouldn't mind sharing!! Thank you so much and I hope all of you have a great weekend!

Hey, yall! I am not sure if any of you know the answer to this or even a better place to post this perhaps, but I'll give it a shot. I am currently waiting on the whole process of license by endorsement in GA. I graduated in May 2009 and got a BSN in SC and have found no job. I am curious about this re-entry program that the paperwork discussed for the GA license for people with less than six months experience. Does anyone know what this is like? How detailed it is? How long it is? If you get paid during that time? I'd really actually love a detailed review of stuff considering how long I've now been out of school, but I know most people probably prefer it be brief. Anyway, thank you to anyone able and willing to help! Rbird, that's AWESOME your license got processed so quickly! I am even having trouble with SC sending my stuff to GA. *sigh*

So I know I have posted those questions yet. Sorry. A couple reasons for that...first of all, I got busy. Secondly, I did get a call back from the recruiter. We talked a little bit and I asked her what she thought my chances of being accepted were. She said that she was going to be upfront and tell me it was probably going to be difficult. I had like a 3.0 or 3.1 or something from BSN. Because I have no experience, they would base a lot of opinion on the GPA. If I can get experience (even six months), it would significantly increase my chances. Sooooo on to continuing the GA license process.

Hey, Huggie! Thanks for the response. I will post the questions tonight if I get the chance. I called a recruiter last week and left a voicemail. I haven't heard back yet. I've found a lot of info on this site, but even for questions that I think I have answers to, I know that asking different people gets you different perspectives. And, don't worry about the personal question. I don't mind. Yes, I've applied to prompt cares, nursing homes, pain specialists along with hospitals. I currently have a SC license and have applied for GA. I've had one interview..I repeat one since I graduated. I was told during that interview that the hospital I interviewed for was pretty much the only one in SC hiring right now. Soo, I decided to seek different avenues.

Hi, I graduated with a BSN in May 2009. I still have yet to find a job. The idea of military was brought to my attention several months ago. I'd never really considered it, because the only people in my family who have been military were my two grandfathers. The more research I did, the more appealing the idea became. Yes, it does somewhat scare me, but it also excites me. I am wondering if someone would mind sending me a message letting me know they are willing to help me. I probably have somewhere in the ballpark of 30 questions that I have come up with through research and also through my own random curiosity. I don't want to overwhelm this thread with all of it, but if people would prefer I post all of them, I have no problem with that either. Thank you!

I have put in applications to the VA (Columbia twice) to more than one of their campuses. Never a response. I even had the charge nurse from the VA's PACU on my application; still nothing. Providence DT and NE always told me I didn't have enough experience. I'm beyond frustrated, because my mom doesn't understand that it really is difficult to find a job right now and she blames it on something I'm doing wrong. I MUST FIND A JOB SOON!