Kelliqua

i had something similar happen for a corrections position. i had already interviewed previously and did pretty well. the first time around my interview went smooth, i answered all the clinical questions with confidence and ease, and i even cracked a few jokes! unfortunately, because i am a new grad, i was not picked for the position. 2 months later, however, i received an invitation for an informal interview for a non-competitive per-diem position. since it was a 2nd interview i was under the impression that the interview was going to be more of a q&a session, with the investigator, regarding my background check. i was wrong!!! it was just like my first interview, clinical questions and all. i felt so unprepared for the interview and clinical questions, i completely bombed it! needless to say, i am pretty sure i am not getting the job. moral of the story: always be prepared! there is no such thing as a casual interview-don't fall for it! i'm starting to wish my nursing school prepared us better with clinical case scenarios. most of what they focused on was nclex-type questions (which, in my opinion, is way easier than case studies!). i was thinking of buying a nursing book with different clinical case studies and scenarios so i can practice my interviewing skills. can anyone recommend a good book for that?

i am confused about the fingerprint card and background check. i live in california and have used livescan before. but the packet says that if you live outside of texas you need to have the fingerprint card sent to you and then contact your local law enforcement angency and then mail the card back to the texas board of nursing. how long to i have to wait to get this card in the mail? why can't i do live scan? this is the exact wording of the instructions.... for applicants residing in texas, l-1 identity solutions, www.l1id.com (formerly known as identix), offers live scan locations in texas. in order to be eligible for an electronic fingerprint submission, allow three business days to elapse before scheduling an appointment with l-1 identity solutions. you may schedule an appointment online or by phone at 1-888-467-2080. for applicants residing outside texas, attach one (1) completed fbi fingerprint card. a fingerprint card can be requested from our website at www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/web-requests.asp. fingerprinting should be conducted by a person who is appropriately trained to collect them. your local law enforcement agency should be willing to assist you.

Hey, thanks for the reply Jaykster. I tried to befriend you but don't really know how all that works on Allnurses. How do I send you a message?

hi, i am an "old" new grad (may 2010) from california who is really considering re-locating to texas. i know the state is huge and that's partly why i am willing to pay to get endorsed there. i figure there has to be somewhere in texas that is willing to hire an out-of-state new grad! i am reasonably young (late 20s), single, don't really have anything holding me back, and would love to start my career asap. i need advice on narrowing down my search to a particular region of texas. i have heard many good things about austin, but have also heard that the city is not too great for new grads. in fact, it seems like most of the big cities all across the united states are not hiring new grads. as a native californian, i am used to big cities and having a very active social life. i understand that i may have to give some of that up in order to pursue my dream as a nurse. my question is, where should i be looking? i don't mind commuting a little so that i can live in a decent sized city but work in a smaller area outside the city. please help! i would love to hear from any texas natives or anyone else who has re-located who could offer me some advice.

Well, if you want comfortable and don't care what the shoe looks like, I would go for a running shoe. They are by far the most cushioned, comfortable, and supportive shoes you can put on your feet. But, even so, not all running shoes are created equal. I worked at a speciality running store for over 5 years and can tell you that a huge population of our customers were not runners but nurses who had foot problems because they were on thir feet all day long. Find a store where they have trained people who can check your gate and recommend a good shoe for your arch type. Oh, and don't underestimate the importance of a good arch support insole, they are worth the extra cash!

okay, so i graduated last may 2010 with my adn and still have not found a job. i have applied to every county in california, every new grad program, have called/walked into several snfs to see if they were hiring, and even volunteer 2 days a week (one day at a large hospital, the 2nd day at a skilled nursing facility). yet, no matter how hard i try, i cannot find myself a job that is even remotely close to nursing. since it has been a year now, i am starting to lose my confidence and feel like no one will want to hire me when there are fresh 2011 graduates competing with me. so, what now? i live in california and i feel like i have only have two options left: either move out of state or go back to school for my bsn. does anyone know of old grads still being able to get jobs after that year mark? please, any advice would help!

What?! REALLY BigMan? I don't understand. I'm sad now

hi everyone, i am a may 2010 new grad (with no experience) and i applied for a registered nurse 1 position for alameda county. the job search has been so difficult in the bay area, but i have kept at it, and have continued to apply to an endless amount of jobs. a few days ago, i was sent an email saying i was ranked 4th on the eligibility list for recruitment for alameda county. 4th, really?! needless to say i am pretty shocked because i ranked 38 for santa cruz county, and san mateo never even got back to me with a rank. anyways, i've heard that in california many of the counties have an extremely slow hiring process, and that it can take up to a year before you even get an orientation. can anyone tell me how the hiring process goes in alameda county? thanks!

When I was in 7th grade my Mom took my brother, my sister, and me to a clinic to get a TB test. We were new to the school district and I guess it was a requirement before we enrolled. Well, for some reason I looked at the nurse stick the needle in my brother before it was my turn. I freaked out so I looked away when it was my turn but I was still replaying it in my mind. When we were walking out of the clinic I was so grossed out that I got tunnel vision and fainted on the sidewalk. Talk about dramatic! Lol. But I did graduate nursing school and did clinicals with no problems at all! I guess you just get over it after a while. Try to take an anatomy class where they dissect an animal (ie pig or cat), that may help! Don't give up! If nursing is what you want to do, then don't let anything get in your way!

1. May, 2010 2. ADN 3. Yes I have been looking for almost 4 months and still nothing. Right now, I am volunteering at Kaiser just to get my foot in the door. I am hoping that persistence and patience will eventually pay off. I have noticed that most people who have responded already have jobs. So how about a 6th question.... 6.) What city/state are you currently living in? I live in the California/Bay Area how about everyone else?

Go far and beyond any of your classmates. Join the student body, volunteer, do an externship. I am not sure how it will be in a few years but, in this job market, but you need to stand out! Go to nursing school in the same city you want a job and during clinical make sure to network, network, network! Focus on your grades! The saying C=RN, is now C= unemployed RN! I wish I knew all this when I was in nursing school! Its been 2 months and still no job. The only people, so far, who have jobs from my class are the people who did all of the above. Good luck!

the gpa question got me as well! i had a phone interview and one of the first questions she asked me was "why isn't your gpa higher?" seriously?! i was so caught off guard, and i didn't know how to answer that question! here is the truth: i have a 3.16 gpa and i was working about 16-20hrs a week. but still, even without working, i think a 3.16 gpa is damn good! my program was not easy by any means! i am not sure how many other nursing schools do this, but we needed a 75% for a 'c', an 83% for a 'b' and 92% for an 'a'. i studied hard and worked my butt off! unfortunately, because of the grading system, i ended up with two 82% c's and one 91% b. now, how do i explain all that without sounding defensive or like i am making excuses! anyone have any good advice as to how i can answer that question next time?

Everyone is different. With mostly A's I would think you should be alright. I am one of the few crazy people who didn't really study. I had a trip to Europe planned and wanted to make sure I took the NCLEX before I left. I figured, I have been studying for the past 2 years, so why not give it a shot? And you can always re-take it, right?! I passed with 78 questions and got to enjoy my vacation worry-free! Good luck! I am sure you will be fine!

hi there! i am a new grad rn with a ca license and i am considering applying for jobs out of the state (california sucks for new grads!). of course, all of the job posting require that you to be licensed in their own state. i don't want to pay a bunch of money for another state license before i even get a job! so is it okay if i put "state license pending" on my resume?

Hi, I just wanted to know if there is a recruiter or nursing manager out there who wouldn't mind looking over my resume. I just feel so lost! Any advice would help!