formerbrat

Congratulations! I wish you the best! :) :hpygrp:

I graduate in May and already have 2 offers, which was extremely unexpected. I know a lot of people would love to have my problem, which is which job do I choose? I would appreciate your input! :) Both are full time midnights which is fine by me as I'm a night owl anyway. A: ER, Level 1 trauma center. 14 week orientation, 2 of those in the pediatric ER, and orientation can be extended if need be. Non profit, city, union hospital. Less than 10 miles from home. Benefits are better and less expensive than Job B. I know people who work in the ER and are very happy there, and have done many clinicals in this hospital. Pay is a few dollars better per hour than Job B. ER is in my "top 3" list but it's not number 1. New ER in process of being built and will be opened in January 2012. B: NICU. Level 3. Wonderful track record (over a year without a single central line infection!). 16 week orientation, first year only noncritical patients. RN/patient ratio may be 4:1. Nonunion hospital. Know an NNP there who loves it and has mostly good things to say about it. Very old building but up to date as far as EBP and technology used. I originally got into nursing because I wanted to go into NICU nursing. 45 miles from home. Both seem to have happy employees. I believe in the philosophies and mission statements of both. I've met all the RN managers and educators for both and believe I could get along with all of them. Both have supportive and comprehensive orientations. Both have caring managers who have been there for several years. I have the chance at my dream but the pay is less, the benefits are less and more expensive, the drive is longer. I also worry if I don't end up liking NICU as much as I anticipate I will, that I'll be limited because that will be my only experience. I want to teach nursing in the future and I know NICU limits those options. Still, I had a 24 weeker who didn't make it out of the NICU and a 28 weeker who is now 6 years old and doing well, and NICU is where my heart has been all along. To have the chance to walk right into that is amazing. I've found I really love critical care and have loved my clinical time in both the ER and the NICU. I know with ER that it would open up a lot of doors because I'd get to see and do so much, especially given the hospital I'd be at. The ER job's hospital also has a level 3 NICU so I could potentially transfer later. What would you do? Thanks, Tiffany

I graduate in May and already have 2 offers, which was extremely unexpected. I know a lot of people would love to have my problem, which is which job do I choose? I would appreciate your input! :) Both are full time midnights which is fine by me as I'm a night owl anyway. A: ER, Level 1 trauma center. 14 week orientation, 2 of those in the pediatric ER, and orientation can be extended if need be. Non profit, city, union hospital. Less than 10 miles from home. Benefits are better and less expensive than Job B. I know people who work in the ER and are very happy there, and have done many clinicals in this hospital. Pay is a few dollars better per hour than Job B. ER is in my "top 3" list but it's not number 1. New ER in process of being built and will be opened in January 2012. B: NICU. Level 3. Wonderful track record (over a year without a single central line infection!). 16 week orientation, first year only noncritical patients. RN/patient ratio may be 4:1. Nonunion hospital. Know an NNP there who loves it and has mostly good things to say about it. Very old building but up to date as far as EBP and technology used. I originally got into nursing because I wanted to go into NICU nursing. 45 miles from home. Both seem to have happy employees. I believe in the philosophies and mission statements of both. I've met all the RN managers and educators for both and believe I could get along with all of them. Both have supportive and comprehensive orientations. Both have caring managers who have been there for several years. I have the chance at my dream but the pay is less, the benefits are less and more expensive, the drive is longer. I also worry if I don't end up liking NICU as much as I anticipate I will, that I'll be limited because that will be my only experience. I want to teach nursing in the future and I know NICU limits those options. Still, I had a 24 weeker who didn't make it out of the NICU and a 28 weeker who is now 6 years old and doing well, and NICU is where my heart has been all along. To have the chance to walk right into that is amazing. I've found I really love critical care and have loved my clinical time in both the ER and the NICU. I know with ER that it would open up a lot of doors because I'd get to see and do so much, especially given the hospital I'd be at. The ER job's hospital also has a level 3 NICU so I could potentially transfer later. What would you do? Thanks, Tiffany

Good luck! I hope everything works out the way you want it to - whatever that may be. :)

I was supposed to graduate in December but an injury has me now graduating in May. Many of my former classmates have jobs already and not all of them worked as techs/aides/externs. I don't know the percentage that does *not* have jobs because I haven't kept in touch with all of them. Best of luck! :)

To SnowStar4: Cheap as in inexpensive (out of pocket) or cheap as in not so good? To the OP: I'm not sure which is best. I've heard various things from various people. I've personally been a patient at Beaumont and was impressed with the quality of care I received. That said, I think I saw that many of their postings wanted experience. I have a few classmates who have externed or worked as nurse aides at St. John's and they all had good things to say about them. Good luck! :)

Congratulations! My husband and I are both night people and would happily work nights by choice. I think it just depends on who you are, what feels natural/best for you, and other obligations in your life as to which shift suits each individual best. I danced in the snow in my socks once. I wouldn't recommend it. You end up with cold wet feet! (Although it is somewhat exhilarating! LOL) Congrats again. I hope it works out well for you. :)

It's a horribly sad situation indeed. I'm sorry to hear of the loss, for the staff and especially the family. Please make sure you take care of yourself. As nurses it's imperative that we take good care of ourselves first - like on an aircraft when they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first. Sending hugs your way...

LOL Thanks! Actually I don't think I'll be going out riding again. They were my mom's horses. I used to love to ride but this injury really made it clear how easily I could be hurt and jeopardize my career. Not saying people shouldn't ride, but I think that part of my life is over now. I did get good news today though! The fracture is healing very well and the bone looks good so far. I received the okay to go off of crutches and to full weight bearing, which means I should be able to drive in 2 weeks or so. He also told me that I WILL be ready for clinical in January which means I'll graduate in May. So happy!

SFC Jimenez, It's still up in the air right now. I'm still recovering from my aforementioned injury. It seems to be going well so far but I'm hoping I'll know more at my doctor's appointment tomorrow. If I am able to be cleared medically then I will definitely pursue this. If I am able, my intent at this time is to go career, although of course I know things can change. My husband is a former Navy corpsman who is also in nursing school, though he will not graduate until May 2012. He's considering going back in as a nurse as well, so I will have to take that into consideration as to which branch I look at. It seems to me it would likely be easier to be co-located if we're in the same branch. Definitely something I'll have to talk with the recruiters about! Tiffany

Thank you! I was VERY lucky! While I am disappointed in the delay in finishing my program, I am very grateful I was not injured worse. To hit hard enough to break both my talus and my helmet, I am very fortunate I did not break other bones or injure my back, neck or head. I don't think I will be going horseback riding again anytime soon! The Navy health care recruiter said he tells people not to go skydiving, bungee jumping, and such like that, and will now add horseback riding to the list. LOL

Thanks. :) Both the Army and Navy recruiters said it is not automatically disqualifying. I assumed it would only be because I would be medical personnel. From what I understand, I can have them removed, and the Navy recruiter said it would be better if I did but not necessary. I hope you've recovered fully and well! Best of luck to you! :) Tiffany

Well! The day I posted this I was thrown from a horse, managed to hit the ground so hard I broke my talus (ankle) and my helmet (thankfully I was wearing a helmet!) and ended up having surgery (ORIF). I now have two screws in my ankle and am going through a long recovery. It's been 7 weeks since and it will be at least another 3 weeks before I will be allowed to attempt to bear weight, and another 7 before I might be ready to work back towards walking. It also means I am not graduating in December because of course if I'm not able to walk, I can't do clinical. Both recruiters told me that I still have a shot and to keep in touch with them. We'll see what happens. Depending on how my recovery goes, I may not be able to meet physical requirements because there is a chance I will not be able to do high impact activity. That would be the case if I develop avascular necrosis, and I won't know for sure whether I've escaped that for another few months. I've been told the screws are not necessarily disqualifying. Does anyone know anything about this? My surgeon told me they can remove the screws if necessary, though they won't normally do that unless they're causing problems. I'm trying to hold out some hope but I know my injury was a bad one so I'm trying to get a realistic perspective. Thanks, Tiffany

Thank you both. :) Yes, career advancement is important and something that will weigh into my decision. Those are great questions! I know it is the needs of the (insert branch here) that come first. I know that we may not be stationed at the same places even if we are in the same branch. I would think it would be difficult when/if that happens but I also recognize it would be temporary. Keeping in contact tends to be much easier now than it used to be. I will keep you posted. :) If anyone else has any input at all to offer, I would appreciate it. Thanks again, Tiffany

I'm torn now as to which to choose, Army or Navy. I need to get my questions together so I can make an informed decision as to which would best allow me to serve. I meet with the Army health care recruiter next Wednesday, and with the Navy health care recruiter the following week. When I spoke with the Army recruiter I let him know, in the interest of full disclosure, that I was also speaking with a Navy recruiter, and he set the time to speak with me as soon as possible. Surprised me a little! LOL I graduate in December with my BSN. I definitely want to continue on with my education at some point. I know I want to serve. I've thought about this for quite some time and I know it is what I want to do. I know it isn't an easy life (as an Army brat, I know the sacrifices my family made), but it's something that would allow me to serve my country and do something I love at the same time. Any advice as to questions to ask? I'm not worried about signon/loan repayment, both offer those things, depending on the commitment I make. I'm planning on going career if possible. I know it largely comes down to the culture and subtle nuances of each branch... Minor side details are that my dad and grandfather were both Army officers, so if I chose Army and was accepted, I'd be 3rd generation Army. My mom's dad served in the Navy and then Navy reserves until he retired. My fiance is a former Navy corpsman, and plans on trying to follow me into whichever branch I choose after he receives his BSN. I'm sure he'd prefer Navy but he told me he supports me wholeheartedly no matter what I decide to do. None of those things would be a deciding factor of course. Nobody is pressuring me to choose one branch over another. It's more important to me to figure out what would be the best fit for me and the branch I choose. Either way I want to decide soon because I want to get my packet completed and ready to go as soon as possible. I'd appreciate any input anyone has to offer. Thank you, Tiffany

Thank you. :) Congratulations! I hope all goes well for you! I've learned quite a bit from reading the posts on this forum in the last week or so, including questions that I wouldn't have otherwise have thought to ask. Thank you all for asking questions and sharing your knowledge! Tiffany

Initially my mom was very against me joining any branch of the service. (When I first mentioned it when I started my prerequisites in 2005) More recently however, she's been very supportive. She's been working as a contractor in Iraq the last 2 years, my dad was in Iraq from 2004-2008 and now is in Afghanistan working as a civilian for the Army. My Dad has always been supportive, although I'm sure he would prefer I joined the Army over the Navy. LOL Can a retired officer from another branch swear you in or does it need to be the same branch? I didn't even know that was an option. It would be pretty cool if he could swear me in! Thanks again, Tiffany

Thank you! I would think that would play a role, but I have no idea how much. I just know I've heard a lot of people talking about joining the military because they "just want a job" and honestly that scares me. It isn't for everyone. I grew up as an Army brat and our family made sacrifices frequently because my dad was in the military. (And I know we didn't have it anywhere near half as bad as many military families because although he fought to get a chance to go to Desert Storm, they wouldn't let him go as we were stationed in Panama at the time already.) I don't regret a single minute of it and I think it made me a much stronger person, and someone with values I don't know that I would have had otherwise. But I digress... LOL Thanks again, Tiffany

Thank you! I know some things have time limits on them as far as validity. Thank you for the information on that! :) I'm 32 now, will be almost 33 when I graduate. If I am not selected first go around and it is something I can either fix or it is related to lack of open spaces, I will continue to apply. Obviously if it is something I can't fix then that is a different story. I don't believe I have anything disqualifying however. I know candidates are interviewed throughout the process; does motivation for wanting to join and desire to join play a role in selection? Thank you, Tiffany

Hi! I graduate with my BSN in December. I've been considering going into the military as a nurse for quite some time. I'm starting to get my package together for the Navy. I'm a former Army brat and my Dad's parents were Marines in WWII and my grandfather went back in after the war, this time in the Army, so my family has a strong history in the military. My fiance was a corpsman in the Navy for 8 years and will graduate with his BSN next December. We both want to be a part of the Navy Nurse Corps. I spoke with a Healthcare Reserve Recruiter a few days ago who told me that there are little to no spaces expected to be available for FY11 but that the Reserves will have open slots. I asked about starting off in the Reserves and then later switching to AD and he told me that it is "extremely difficult" to do so as a nurse. I am working on getting more information from an active duty Healthcare Recruiter but he is on leave at this time. I know there is a shortage of slots and a large number of well qualified applicants. Given that I will be a new grad I understand that most likely preference will be given to a seasoned RN. I am also looking at other options, including new graduate/nurse residency programs across the country. If I do not get accepted the first time, I will reapply. My question is this, if I am not accepted the first time around, how many more times can I apply? This is assuming that it is related to lack of open spaces and not the inability to get a security clearance or something of that nature. Thank you, Tiffany

Congratulations, one step closer! I've been reading the posts on this board for the past few weeks and have seen how tenacious and positive you've been. I hope everything works out for you!