Brownie3085

Hey Gator2Cane, I got the Job at Bethesda, but I had to turn it down because i received another opportunity at another local hospital which had a better residency program as well as better pay (Bethesda starts at $21.40 with a $3.50 night diff). After you submit you app, they cipher through it and then schedule an interview if they are interested in you. From there, you take the math test in the HR office (and if you pass) you interview with the HR Nurse recruiter and then you get interviewed by the unit (all on the same day). The test was super easy, ten questions, med math.... what would you monitor on a pt receiving xyz....again, i emphasize super easy. I intervied on Thursday afternoon and was hired by friday morning. The interview was basic...with the Charge Nurse, the unit director and the Nurse educator....standard interview questions. Just be positive and confident in yourself and you will land any job you want!!!! Wishing you the best in ALL you endeavors!!!!!!

and oh yea....you can also transition to A BSN down here for about the same amount of time. Check out UCF located in Orlando.

Hi, I currently live in Miami, Florida. The job market is brutal to new grad RNs in South Florida. Everywhere is requiring some level of experience. It is true that there is a nursing shortage, but only for experienced nurses. Some people are getting jobs after 6+ months of getting their license. I was fortunate enough to land a position in a new grad training program after 3 weeks from getting my license. That seems to be the only hospital nursing opportunities for new grads (training programs). Florida Hospital is one of the major hospitals in the Orlando area (not familiar with apopka area) and they also have a new grad program, only thing is they are not currently accepting applications. If you are moving from VA for job opportunities, I am sorry to bust your bubbles, but it's the same thing down here for inexp new grad rns. Good luck :)

Hey, I don't know if things have changed since the time I started nursing school in 2008 (at FIU), but from what I recall, nursing schools will not accept anyone into the program if they have earned a grade of less than a C in any of the prerequisite courses for nursing. These courses includes your A&P, Chem, Bio, etc. Anyone who fails the prereqs (grade less than a C) will not be qualified for admission. I know FIU and a lot of the other universities in south Florida had the same guidelines. Does anyone know if things have changed since then? In your case, I hope so. Good luck and well wishes :)

Hi Lola77, Can you please elaborate on your experience at Delray? I start there in one week from today and it seems that I have only heard negative things about Delray. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Kristou, Unfortunately they still do not have anything opened, but I have given up that battle since I was offered two positions within two other hospitals!!!!! I have accepted one of the offers and my base is about $25, and since I will be working nights, I will earn an extra $3.50 on my base. Also, the friend of mine, who i mentioned in my earlier post who was given the position at Memorial West as a scholarship was told by the charge nurse that her starting pay would be $23, but when she went down to HR to complete her paperwork, she was told that it will actually be $22!!!! And since she will be working days, her only opportunity to make extra will be from 3p-7p when she receives the evening differential of $2. So i guees i lucked-up. Either way, we are both thankful we found a job! Thanks for asking :)

Tyler you are so ignorant. So if i understood you correctly, she should have had nursing exerience prior to going to nursing school and she should have thought about that before hand? Are you serious? Newsflash, nursing experience comes from being a nurse, which requires knowledge that come from nursing school! And correction, hospitals are hiring, it just takes a lot of persistence to find placement. So if you are not going to be helpful or give useful advice, why dont you just **** off.

Ashley, dont be surprised by tyler77, this is his mission in life...to be an A hole. All and i mean ALL of his post are always rude and negative. He/she's just bitter!!!! Pay him/her absolutely no mind. Goodluck guys on fiding a job, unfortunately Im in Miami, Fl and was in the same unemployed new grad boat until a few weeks ago when i finally got offered a position on a med/tele unit. Any how, Im wishing you all the best and dont be discouraged. Persistence (and sometimes annoying HR) is key.

Well, I'm actually one of their scholaship recipients. The way the pogram works is that they offer a $6,000 scholarship per year for up to two years in exchange for a contract to wok for them for each year they have funded your acdemics. The requirements was a certain GPA (i believe 2.5), completion of at least one clinical rotaion and submission of the application (of course). You have to maintain a B average while in the program to remain in good standing. The hospital will then place you after you have received your license. They have 120 days to place you from that time, otherwise they forfeit the contract and you owe them nothing. If they offer you a position within that time frame and you dont accept it or you fail to pass your boards in the allocated time (i believe 90 days after graduation) then you forfeit the contract and you have to repay the scholarship back to the hospital. The preceptorship is a 12 week program of the new nurse basically shadowng a preceptor nurse. They may send you to certain classes (such as ACLS) depending on the rquirement for the unit. After the 12 week, if in fact a positon exists, then you officially begin on your own. Unfortunately, Memorial is completely out of positions (for inexperienced nurses), and scholarship recipients such as myself are still out of work, waiting 120 days for the contract to be forfeited by them (i have already secured a position elsewhere). My friend, luckily got hired for the ONE scholarsip position that was available, but the pay and sign-on bonus is NOT what they advertised when we were interviewed (they're paying really low, ill be making almost $3 more/hr than my friend). Worst of all is that they dont really have a position for her, theyre just training her with the hopes that they have a spot for her on her home unit at the end of the training. She overheard someone in HR explaining to another nurse that they do not have any positions for the scholarship nurse and that after the 12 week program, they may have to ask those scholarship nurses to come back after a year for placement!!!! Although Memorial is a GREAT healthcare system to work for, they over-dispersed schoarships in the prior year (over 90 recipients during 2009) and got caught up with placing all these scholarship recipients, therefore graduates from 2010 (like myself) are stuck when it comes to placement. But like everything, there are politics involved, because although they are supposed to place us scholarship recipients first, one of my batchmates was hired by one of their facilities in the ER dept. Thing is, she is NOT a scholarship recipient. Her mother just happened to "know" someone. But hey...that's life, i can either complain all day or just go with the current.

This is what happens when people comment without checking the facts. In order to qualify for this loan repayment, you must work for a non-profit underserved area, so there are stipulations to getting your loan forgiven. Everyone doesnt JUST get it automatically. It does come in exchange for something and with a term contract, so yes although you are getting paid while working, you are also serving a community that doesnt have adequate access and resources to health care. Unfortunatelty, everyone was not brought up in a middle class family or is able to find the "promised" job once they graduate. Others who do, may encounter major lifestyle changes, responsibilities or setbacks (such as raising children, ailing parents or even a crisis situation such as a cancer diagnosis or the lost of a spouse who provided financial stability) that can cause the good intentions of paying back (every penny) to be more difficult than initially expected. I am all for this bill! So what if YOU didnt get xyz when you were paying YOUR loans. This is a self-fish (and troll-ish) way of thinking. So, you only approve something if it benefits you? Have you considered how this could benefits others? Or were you too busy consumed in your own issues to even care? This is the problem with the world today, we lack the simple concept of compassion and understanding for others!!!! I am glad you were able to fulfill your financial obligations...but sometimes LIFE happens and you require a HELPING hand...in whatever form it comes, be it loan forgiveness or simply understanding from a total stranger. Why dont you try being that stranger?

@ Blownin, yes they told me I have to take a medication test and that I could bring a drug book and a calculator, so I am assuming it's a medication calculation test mixed in with some pharmacology I accepted a position on the Med/Tele floor (night shift), I dont know if that has anything to do with why I have to take the test, but I was told I have two attempts to pass with I believe an 85 and if I fail both times, then I lose the job offer. I also was given another job offer from another hospital, but I am afraid to turn it down, just in case I run into some difficulties with the med test at Delray (i prefer to work at delray because of the training program and the pay...its pretty good). Im pretty good with med calculations, but I still want to be very careful at letting go of another job opportunity...just in case. Have you decided wether or not you will accept the job offer? what unit (sounds like neuro/tele..i interviewed with them as well and that's what the ratio was for nights).

@ Blownin I think the interviews were okay. Some units had more people interviewing and some units were simply more friendly, but all in all it went well. I got a Job offer from them today, so i am extremely excited!!!!!! Good luck!

They have 120 dayes (4 months) to place us. If they are unable to, then, they forfeit the contract and we do not have to repay them the scholarship money they gave us ($12k). So in the meantime, I am looking elsewhere. Memorial Miramar is part of the Memorial Healthcare system, so the same goes there. They are not hiring external new RNs, their priority is to place the scholarship new RNs first. I know this sux!

You're very welcomed!!! The bookstore DOES have a booklist that is available all semester long, you can access it as we speak by visiting their website at http://fiu.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TBWizardView?catalogId=10001&storeId=21551&langId=-1 . All you will need is the semester you plan to take the course, the department (NUR) the course number (eg. 3535) and the section (optional), and it will give you a list of the books for that particular class. It's usually accurate as far as which textbook the professor will require. FYI, the course i gave you in this example is for psych. The only time i remember using my workbook was in my assessment lab class, and even then, we rarely used it. If you can manage to get yourself to find time to complete the workbook, then go for it, otherwise, dont waste your money. With all honesty, i didnt supplement my knowledge with anything besides the textbooks for the course. I simply read before class (somtimes) and took notes during class. A lot of the professors are really into powerpoint presentations and the usually post them on blackboad, so that you can print them out (3 to a page with the right side for notes) and bring them to class, and jot down "important" things. What i did find that could have been extremely helpful in reinforcing my education was the Saunder Comprehensive NCLEX review. I used this to study for NCLEX and it is wonderful!!!!! It outlines the MAIN points in diseases, labs, procedures etc. It has sections for EVERY subject (peds, psych, post partum, intrapartum, peripeurium...everything! It is awesome. "Pathophysiology made incredibly easy" is also pretty good. I NEVER read a test taking strategy book until i decided to prepare for NCLEX. I guess depending on your self evaluation of your strengths and weakness, you can determine wether or not you will need to purchase it. I could have sold you the most updated kaplan strategy book for dirt cheap had i met you earlier, but i recently sold it on half.com. What i really wish i did while in nursing school, that can really help you a lot, is to start reading your textbooks during the break! Atleast read the first 3 chapters for each class, as most likely, that will be the topic covered the first week in class. From that point, you will always be a step ahead of the game. DO NOT slack on patho or med surg, this will be the foundation for everyhing afterwards. If you fail to learn the disease process, you will find yourself semesters down the road, still referencing your patho book everytime a subject comes up. The Memorial Regional Nursing Scholarship is given my memorial regional hospital to nursing students who have completed atleast one semester of clinicals and have a 2.5 GPA (i believe), in exchange for a one year commitment to work for them for every $6k they give you (up to $12k). The information was once online at the memorial website (mhs.net) but it is no longer available since they stop issuing them immediately after i received mine (which was my second semester into the program). I guess that was a smart move, since they are having difficulties placing us on units as there are no positions. But you can check into baptist hospital, HCA, the versant program at delray medical center and palm beach medical center, as well as UM. they all offer similar scholarship programs. But most require that you already be in a nursing program with a certain GPA. FIU has a high firt-time pass rate for NCLEX, so that is suppose to reflect how well the nursing program prepares you. i would recommend FIU. HESI is extremely scary, but then again FIU tries to provide you with the tools to pass (such as free online access to case studies and contents by evolve, a 3 day in person content review by the actual HESI people, and the synthesis course (which is mainly in class case studies, specialty specific individual HESI's, as well as resume building)). Ultimately it is up to you on the effort you put in. But i am glad that you are considering FIU, they also have a brand spanking new Nursing building with an entire sim family in the lab (maniquins that have heart attack, have babies, listen to their breath sounds, etc.). You can access it at your leisure as long as you are wearing your clinical uniform (navy scrubs, w/ fiu logo). All in all, i dont regret having attended nursing school at FIU. It is Miami's #1 research institute and as you know or will learn, nusing is "evidence based practice" grounded in research! Good luck :)

Hello everyone, I recently had an interview with Delray Medical Center for their versant new grad RN training program. I am extremely excited for the opportunity and I hope i get accepted, since it is merely impossible to get a hospital job as a new RN. I have read mixed reviews on delray medical center, including really outdated reviews. Can someone please shed some light on your CURRENT experience at this facility? How much do they pay new RNs? Shift differential amounts? what did you think about the program? Any feedback, including past experiences, would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

Hello everyone, I was fortunate enough to receive an interview by Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, Fl for their new grad RN training program. I was advised by the HR recruiter that I will need to take a medication test before the interview and pass with a minimum of 80%. Is anyone familiar with this test. Im not asking for actual answers for the questions. I just would like to know the level of difficulty, the kind of questions they ask (like is it a medication calculation test or a content analysis- will i need to know certain drugs, their side effects and their safe range)? How many questions are on the test? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated :)

I.m a scholarship recipient for Memorial Healthcare system and right now they dont even have any positions to place us in. They are not hiring New grad RNs who are not scholarship recipients, and the positions they do have open are for experienced RNs only. But to answer your question, my friend who was fortunate enough to get the ONE positon they did have open was started at $23/hr at Memorial West. This occured last week, so its pretty updated. Hope this helps.

Hello, I recently graduated this past Spring (April 2010) from FIUs generic BSN program. In response to your post: There wasnt anything specifc about FIU that stood above the rest aside from the fact that it was in my home town (I started my degree in Boca at FAU, and quickly realized I could not afford to stay there a second year, so I came back hone). Aside from that the program is extremely organized and is incorporating new technology into the program, such as the requirement for all students to have clicker (like the ones used in game shows) for interavtive case studies in class. I transfered to FIU from FAU after completing 25 credits, with a 3.9 GPA. After taking Chem and MicroBio, my GPA dropped to a 3.3. I was accepted with this GPA into the nursing program. It has gotten a lot more competitive as they are now admitting fewer students per semester and they have cut out summer term admission. The essay is the tip of the iceberg. Now FIU conducts interviews (like med school) to determine if you are an ideal candidate for the program. So regardless if you have all they asks for, you still may not get accepted if you do not WOW them in your interview. I fortunately did not have to go through that, but i know people who didnt make it because of their interview. HESI-A2...I believe thats the admission test, I too did not have to take this as they have recently changed/or added it as a prereq to admission. In my day, we had to take the NET which was pretty basic high school grammar, reading & mathematics. But if its anything like the HESI exit exam that is required to get your degree, then it must be extremely difficult!!!!! I left my managerial job a few weeks before the program (may 08), because i originally started the program n Fall 06 when I was pregnant with my daughter (the worst morning, afternoon and night sickness the ENTIRE pregnancy) and working Full-time, and i could not keep up with the curriculum. On the first week of class, I had to read 12 chapters between my three classes (which is how the program was set up the first semester)!!! And they were NOT short "walk in the park" chapters. To make matters worst, at that time FIU assigned your class schedule and you did not have a preference for time slots. So i got a scedule that was all over the place...from classes that started at 8am to classes that started at 5pm all in the same day, so it really butchered my wok schedule. I had friends who worked part-time during the program and they managed, but i guess its a trade off (either u raise a child and go through with the program or you work and go through with the program. My sister who also graduated in May 10 with her AS in nursing from BCC, did all three (work, go to school and raise FOUR boys!!!!!!). I personally would not have been able to do it, but everyone is different. If you can afford not to work during the program, then i highly advise it since you have to keep a minimum of a 3.0 to be in good standing in the program. Also if you are looking into masters programs in the future, many if not all requires a minimum undergrad high GPA. FIU offers several scholarships. Disadvantage scholarship, North Broward Scholarship and some that were specific to nursing students. FIU has ALOT of money to give away! I personally received the ones i mentioned in addition to the Memorial Regional Scholarship ($12,000), but now Im faced with them having difficulties placing me, as there is no open "New grad RN" positions. Honestly, the PDA wasnt strictly enforced. I know many of my classmates who went through the program without it, but it is EXTREMELY helpful in the clinical setting both during school and in your profession afterwards. I fortunately already had a Palm phone, so all i had to do was buy the software for about $180, the pda + software can be purchased through the company as well. You will also have to buy a clicker as previously mentioned for about $30. I have one for sale if interested. DO NOT BUY BOOKS FROM FIUs BOOKSTORE, unless you have a burning desire to do so. Use the bookstores website to figure out wich txtbooks will be required for the class atleast a month in advance of the start of class, and then visit ebay, half.com, alibris.com or any of those txtbook sites to get them WAAAAY cheaper! FYI, you really dont need to buy the books that are "RECOMMENDED" as you rarely, if not, never use them (i.e. the workbooks). You can get all your books each semester for about $200 if you go this route. If not, prepare to spend $300-$500 in the bookstore each semester. Unfortunately, after your first semester, you will not have a choice of professors as there will most likely be only one teaching that subject or two who co-instruct that course. The professors really arent that bad, except that some of them are an acquired taste and take some getting used to. Professor ******** (teaches skills, fundamentals and med math) is the BEST, although her exams can be difficult. Professor ***** (teaches psych) is sassy, but you gota love her...her exams are out of this world. Professor ******** is soooo nice (Med surg I/II), her exams werent that bad if you thoroughly covered her review that she gives. Professor ** *** ****** (Pharm/ Community) is RIDICULOUS!!!!! She's a nice lady but her exams i felt were on a PhD student level (especially pharm). Dr ******** (program administrator/OB/Synthesis) is edgy and can sometimes be a drag...but she knows her stuff and you WILL learn! Professor ********* (Peds)....i like her...her class was interesting, but her exams were tooooo thorough (like, what does the third page, second paragraph, 5th word by the comma says?) But she's nice (everyone was in tears after her final...literally!). You will take her in your 5th semester together with OB, and this is where you will lose A LOT of your clasmmates. This is one of the most rigorous semesters in the program. DO NOT fall behind on your reading...it may be the death of you! Inter-racial communication is an interesting course, not too hard. Intro to nursing was a little difficult for me, because that was when you first learn that all the answers will be correct, but you have to chose the BEST one. Once you understands this concept and master it, then nursing school will be a little easier to stomach. I graduated Cum Laud with a 3.56, was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and was on the dean's list every semester while in the program...all while raising a two year old (terrible two's is NOT a myth) and dealing with personal issues. So you can do it too if you put not just your mind, but your heart into it as well. Just a heads up...as i mentioned, FIU DOES require you to pass the HESI exit exam in order to be awarded your degree. It is considered the final exam for your synthesis course (final semester), and if you fail the final, then you fail the course and have to retake it the following semester. (you have two attempts to take the test the first time you take synthesis). The second time you take synthesis, it will be crunch time!!!! You will have another two chances to take the exit and if you fail on your fourth attempt, they WILL kick you out of the program and you will have to go he LPN route (as no other school will take you)!!!!! 50% of the graduating class before mine failed and ended up in my class. Thankfully, they all passed the 3rd time they took it and only two people from my original class failed and has to repeat synthesis in the Fall 10. The requirement is to pass with an 850, and they may bump it higher since a majority of my classmates (including myself) passed in the 1000s. If you think this may be a challenge for you, then consider a school that uses HESI a a diagnostic tool only, and not as a prereq to your degree. FIU did something right in preparing me and my classmates to think critically and pass the NCLEX. I passed first time around with 75 questions, and a majority of my classmates has already taken it and passed as well, except for two that i know of. Just remember that Nursing school ONLY prepares you to think critically, but being a nurse will teach you how to be a nurse. Textbook and clinical experience are two totally different things, so dont feel cheated of an education at the end. I dont. Sorry for the essay, i tried to answer your questions as thoroughly as i could. Good luck in all your endeavors!!!!

Hi Carol, Are you still currently working at Delray Medical? Has anything changed? Patient ratios? Employee morale? I have an interview at this facility and at this point as a new Grad RN, i cannot be picky. Can you please give me more insight? Also, by any chance, do you know what their starting pay is?

Hi CARINGRN4U, I have an interview for the versant program at Delray Medical Center and I was reading your post from almost a year ago. I wanted to follow up with you and ask you how is your experience at Delray thus far? And also, how much did they start a New grad RN? Thanks!!!!!

Thank you afrocentricRN!!! Your story is an inspiration and I will defnitely take your advice to heart!!!! Continue to excel in your career, wishing you the best!

To everyone else on this blog, you have provided me priceless information. I have applied to Bethesda as recommended and I am currently looking into the rural areas, LTC and out of state positions. The sky is the limit and i will not stop until I reach it!!!!!! Thank you again to those who lend out a helping hand of advice and not one of criticism and judgement. I pray that we all find what we are looking for, even if it disguises itself in what we would not consider our "ideal" position/hospital/location:)

First off Tyler, you do not know anything about me or my life aside from the few facts in this blog that i've just posted. You seem to think you have a gift that allows you to analyze a persons entire character by a few sentences they post for advice and not judgement. No where in my post did i ever say some one owes me a job!!!! Rather only that I can not find one!!!! Sure "everyone and their frickin brother" wants to be a nurse, and I am one of them because I have always wanted to help others and not just my pocket (from what you are probably assuming) and like many others Ive worked hard for it and have made many sacrafices. And so what if someone did become a nurse for financial gain, according to the Occupational Outlook handbook published by the department of labor and bureau statistics, this career is an idea one to enter for someone who shares the similar pleasure of helping others! In addition this career has had an optimistic outlook since the past 6 years when i decided to take this road and when I have gotten feedback from several nurses who are in my family and who i share close acquiantance with (so yes I have "done my homework"). Never have I mentioned certain jobs being beneath me or my stanards, but I must say that as a young mother of a little girl who have certain reliogious and moral beliefs that "pole dancing" as you suggest is one that I WILL NOT submit to, with no disrespect to those who do. Now its my turn to analyze you! You seem to be a bitter and lonely person with no regards to other people situation and whose parents never loved him so now you grew up to be a hateful person who go on blogs to post nasty and UNHELPFUL comments all in the purpose of lifting the pebble-sized self steem that failed to materialize during your miserable life-time. I may be wrong, but its a lot easier to take the low road which i see you have chosen to do. May God bless you and I hope that whatever chip you had on your shoulder is now gone! Your negativity has not changed who I am nor deter me from my goal, but I sure hope my post changes who you are!

Hello everyone, It feels as if just yesterday I was poping out the bubbly and doing a celebratory dance in ode to passing the NCLEX, but now that celebration is over and I am facing an even bigger challenge. I am a new Grad RN from a BSN program and i'm having a hard time finding work. I am a scholarship recipient for one of the biggest healthcare systems in South Florida, yet they do not have any position for us "scholarship interns" since they gave out more scholarships than available positions. I am being told that the hospital has 120 days to place me before the contract becomes null/void. Problem is, i do not have 4 months to spare. I have a mortgage and a child. I am willing to repay the scholarship if i am able to find a position within another hospital, but I have already applied to over 40 jobs within ALL the hospitals in South Florida as well as Central Florida and they all are NOT hiring new grads!! Every position is requiring EXPERIENCE!!!! Even a Med/surg unit where new grads are SUPPOSE to earn their experience , is requiring 2+ years experience. I am really running out of options and i'm considering relocating out of state if push comes to shove. Does anyone know where is hiring new grad RNs, even if it isnt in Florida?

The PVT is 100% gauranteed!!!!!!!!!!!! I got the good pop-up on Tuesday 30 minutes after I took my test and I just found out today that I passed!!!! I am officially a Registered Nurse!!!!!!:clpty::dncgbby::dancgrp: