JulVaccRN

I'm a new grad on a surgical floor and made 26 and change on orientation, 29 and change off orientation. (not including differentials)

My first day of clinical, I will never forget: pediatric rotation (Peds isn't my "fit" at all...) I had a 12 yo pt with a chest tube that was Spanish speaking only. At this point In my learning, we had only learned the basics: vitals, bed baths, etc. While working around my pts ivs and chest tube to get a bp, (which i had never dealt with before) he started shrieking in Spanish, and i panicked. I called his nurse, and felt completely useless. (he was fine btw, just nervous, and with some comforting and ct site reinforcement was fine) Flash forward to now: I am a new grad rn that can comfortably deal with trachs, ngt's, pegs, chest tubes...whatever. And I am NEVER afraid to ask questions when needed, which, IMO, is the best lesson to learn.

1.) If you see multiple people in the pt's room barking orders/suctioning/drawing labs/applying o2, mopping the floor can wait. No need to mop our feet at this time. (they SMASH our feet with the mop while we are doing pt care, even in those more acute situations.) 2.) The dirty utility room is full, and you are on your 3rd lunch break. I have not had a chance to think (let alone pee/eat/breathe) and I am cleaning all the supplies I need to care for my pt's. 3.) You are on your 4th lunch break, and there are no more precaution room gowns in front of any precaution room, I still have not peed, and can hear my kidneys screaming in agony as I search for a gown. Sorry for the rant...this was a good topic thread...

My advice- if you're offered a job as a new grad, take it! Where I am (In MA) jobs are few and far between for new grads. I recommend being very flexible while applying, good luck!

While I was searching for a job, one of the places I applied to had me take a med test. No one watched while I took it, but using a cell phone to look up meds never crossed my mind (I may be young, but I still use a cell phone without a camera (nevermind internet...I only need it to call people) As for the boards: you have to take them at a designated test center. Not only was I fingerprinted, but they also took a "palm vein scan" and a (rather horrific) pre-test photo to make sure I was the same person entering as I was leaving. The entire test was proctored, and none of the testers were allowed to wear any sweatshirts or jackets. Our pockets were emptied in front of the proctors, and the computers used to take the test were solely used for the test, no internet available. Personally, I like recalling information from what I've learned rather than a computer, but it really is a great resource for the things you don't come across often.

I'm 22 years old, RN-BS, work on a surgical-vascular unit, and work 160 hours/month. (not always 40hrs/weeks, sometimes more, sometimes less) I work a rotating schedule-days, eves, nights-and still have plenty of time to hang out with my friends. Some weeks are tough, some are great, it all evens out!

http://www.simplythebestnursingjobs.org/content/faqs I'm a nurse at mgh, and I believe that you need at least a yr of experience to be hired with an adn, unless they have changed their requirements? I'm not sure if they have updated the site in awhile, but it has all the info on applying! Good luck!

a clinical instructor told us that when she was a young nurse, they were told not to use gloves while changing an ostomy bag because it would make the patient "feel bad." How times have changed!

This board is great for venting! I absolutely LOVE everything about my job, but there are always things that irk you. I can't vent to my best friends/boyfriend because they are not nurses, they don't "get it" like my fellow nurses do on this board!

I also work on a post-surgical floor, but with high acuity. However, where I did clinicals, nurses had the 6-8 pt ratio and i cant imagine what would happen if a pt decompensated like they do on my floor. When I work nights, ihave 5-6 pts, but luckily I work with great people who take over for my other pts when one starts going down the tubes. Try getting a job (if possible) where you work now. Good luck!

I'm in MA, and at my school (graduated In May) only people that worked as an aid or precepted in critical care got jobs there. It's tough getting any job around here, I only got mine because I precepted on my unit. My advice is to network as much as possible. Good luck!

Best wishes!!! awesome news!!! Some advice, just remember that what happens on your specific place of employment can differ from what they teach you in school. (I was a PCA before being a nurse, some of the things I was taught in school were not protocol/practiced on my unit) ie: In school, there was always a huge debate on what to do if a pt c/o chest pain. On my current unit, it is acceptable to get an ekg, hook pt up to o2 (depending on pt/PMH/o2 sat etc) before an order is written (they ALWAYS write an order later/would never question that decision per RN...I'm on a vascular surgical floor) HOWEVER- in school, it was taught as not appropriate to do such interventions without a previous order. Just go by the text book when you're ready to take the NCLEX and although experience is a tremendous benefit, clear your current workplace's protocols from your mind before taking a test if they differ from what you are taught. CONGRATS!!!

Sometimes I leave work so stressed out that, honestly, if I didn't really LOVE my job, I don't know what'd I do. Ultimately, (sp? no spell check on my laptop) I would go with your gut. Even on my worst days, I still love everything about being a nurse. I am a new grad (may 2010) and even though I (very) frequently feel like an idiot, every day is a learning experience. Go with your heart. I can't imagine sticking through a very tough degree and graduating with doubts. Good luck!

I'm really sorry, this situation-for lack of a better phrase- SUCKS. I am a new grad as of May, and on my unit, they hired 3 new grads. Unfortunatly, one of the new grads was struggling during our 8 week orientation. Her preceptor notified her of her short-comings, and from there the orientee had to have weekly meetings with her preceptor, the nurse manager, and the unit CNS to discuss her progress and goals. Unfortunatly, she was terminated, but I feel my unit handled it in a way that was fair...they allowed her to precept for approx 11 weeks (3 weeks over the norm) and when she didn't progress they terminated her, and explained why. Your situation sounds very unfair- no warning, no chance at redemption. I'm sorry this has happened to you...did they meet with you at all to discuss your progress? Keep your head up, although these are hard times to find a job, keep at it-eventually it will work out. Keep a positive attitude and don't give up!

Hello! I work in Boston and have recently graduated...it was tough to find a Job, and was only considered because I precepted there. I agree with the above poster and think you should work and gain experience for a year before moving elsewhere. (mot to mention the job market might be better...) As far as med-surg goes, I work on a surgical vascular floor and although I love it, it can get crazy. Good luck with your endeavors!