sarahsmile44

I work in a very large hospital where ER jobs are abundant...even for new grads. The only way to get into an OR position here is to apply for the OR Nurse Residency. It's 26 weeks of classroom and clinical rotation. They pay is great and the hours...

I'm almost 7 months along and still working full-time midnights 1900-0730. I plan on working right up until my induction date of August 11th, or spontaneous labor (hopefully that happens first!) I work on a very busy Ortho/MedSurg floor with lots o...

I'm a new grad who has worked in the hospital for 13 years in management and then as a nurse aid/nurse tech and I'm about to start a new job on an Ortho floor. I turned down a few other jobs to take this one. I've heard nothing but great things abo...

I'm also a second-career nurse; graduating from school at 36. I left a Supervisor position at a major hospital here, to attend school. Second year into school, I went back to that hospital and worked as a nursing assistant, and when I completed my ...

Exactly!!! Even after a rough night, I still feel lucky because I know a lot of new grads in not-so-desirable situations. Keep it positive!

Me three!!! I am beyond BLESSED!!! I'm on an awesome unit with super friendly, helpful, experienced nurses and a bunch of new grads to bounce ideas off of =)

My old floor sounds like what you're talking about. It was a NIGHTMARE. I didn't even apply there when I graduated. I would change departments. Give another unit a try. Where I'm at now is fabulous!! It's an ortho floor with a 5/6:1 ratio and g...

I think that RN's that have previously worked as NA's can definitely understand what a physically and mentally demanding job it is! I worked as an NA and then as a Nurse Tech while in school. As an RN, it's hard for me not to run after all the call...

Hey all! Just wanted to insert a little positivity. I was a bit scared of my first nursing job because I've read lots of "new grad horror stories" of nurses "eating their young", no breaks, no time to go pee, lack of support and poor management. W...

What Ashley said!!! I LOVE MY ORTHO FLOOR!!!! Most patients have had surgery electively and are eager to get back to doing things on their own. They just need your help to maintain safety. Sure, we have some patients who are big babies, but just ...

Thank you for the comments! I'm super excited to start on the floor this Wednesday.

YES! If you can get a job as an NA/Nurse Tech...do it. I worked as an NA in and then as a Nurse Tech while in my second year of school. While I did choose to not stay on that floor (a lot of grad friends got hired on that floor with no problem), I...

I just got hired as a GN on an Ortho floor and start in a few weeks. I can't wait!! Good luck =)

I start as a GN on an Ortho floor in a few weeks. My new manager said I get 10 weeks...8 weeks on day shift and 2 weeks on nights, but I can ask for more time if I don't feel ready.

Love this thread! I'm also a GN on an Ortho floor and I haven't started yet. Thanks for all the great posts. I'll be bookmarking this thread =) Congrats on the new jobs, ladies!

About 5:1 ratio, a night secretary and we have 1 NA for every 10 patients =) We are 48 beds and 10 nurses. Mostly Ortho with a sprinkling of stable Med/Surg patients.

I graduated last week (yay!) and the pinning ceremony, which is a HUGE deal for us as students, was a total fiasco. When we all started arriving at the venue, we were told that the coordinator of the ceremony accidentally put the wrong name on the p...

You can TOTALLY do it! Don't quit!! You've got plenty of time...now get busy :0)

CareFully, I'm not going to flame you for venting. Your post implied that this is a vent, and you have the right to do that. Lord knows, nursing students are usually under a heap of stress and you need to get out your frustrations. I find a lot of yo...

Your job as a nurse will be a LOT different than your experience as a CNA. I didn't particularly like being in the nursing home either. The lack of empathy disturbed me the most. I cried to my mom for an hour after that clinical was over and she r...

I attend a community college and our passing rate last year was 99% :)

It would seem that your argument is a "moot point" since all of you have to take the exam. If you KNOW that you have to take it, then why bother arguing about it at all? I really don't understand, but good luck to you.

If you want to work in the states as an RN, you have to take the NCLEX and get your license. Check with some of your local schools. I have a few friends from the Phillipines that have to go to nursing school here because the classes they took at home...

It's been my experience that any of my friends and family that know what nursing school is about, know that it isn't easy. And I agree, it is very annoying when people working as CNA's and MA's call themselves nurses. Some people just have no idea. S...

Yay! Good for you! Congrats and amen!