regrebs

Thank you for all of your input. You're all right in that being a part-timer will prolong my inexperience. I've applied for more full-time jobs and hope something comes through. :) After all, from what it seems like, many of the nursing jobs in my area have been bumped down to 36 hours/week.

Thank you for moving my post! Didn't mean to post it under Nursing News.... Oops

I've been looking for part-time work because I'm furthering my degree (have an ADN, just got into an RN-BSN program) and want to focus on school while I'm young and can get away with not needing a full-time job to make a living. I've applied for some part-time jobs and either haven't heard back yet or have been rejected. I've also applied for some PRN positions, and my question is: are PRN jobs mostly for experienced nurses? I heard that once before, that new/unexperienced nurses generally aren't what recruiters are looking for when they post a PRN position, and I wanted to ask you nurses and get your thoughts. Thanks. :)

The renewal slip was, in fact, enough to get in. I wasn't even questioned about having a "real" license. I told the woman there that my new license hadn't come in the mail yet, handed over the renewal slip, and was allowed into the exam room. I apologize to the poster above you who didn't get an answer when they needed it! I'm so sorry for not noticing a late response to this thread. Best of luck on your NCLEX! You got this!

Our weren't too bad. Sky blue tops and bottoms, any brand, with white shoes and socks. The other nursing school in our area had to wear all white. Poor guys!

Very helpful list! Definitely saving this to my bookmarks.

I can't even begin to tell you how much being a Spanish speaker would help you in the workplace. The more languages you know, the better! I live in an area heavily populated by Spanish speakers and, being just an English speaker, always found it extremely difficult to survive a day in the hospital when I cared for a "Spanish only" patient. Being multilingual is a very attractive quality; language barriers are the worst.

If you're able to take a medical terminology class, then I'd highly suggest it. Med term was a required course when I was a freshman in high school, and I can't begin to tell you how much it helped me throughout high school and nursing school. I saw some classmates in nursing school struggling at the beginning in terms of medical terminology and helped as much as I could. If there's anybody in your class who seems to really get a grip on terminology, then I'd ask how they studied.

I went for an ADN because my college was more convenient than going to the university providing a BSN, and while I was worried at the beginning, I decided to get into an RN-BSN program right after graduating, then go for my MSN. I'm working on my BSN right now and feel like I've made a good decision, even though this route is longer than it would've been if I'd gone for my bachelor's to start with. The more education, the better, right?

Took a deep breath and smiled.... :)

i think this is very insightful. there were some skills that i was insecure about at the beginning of my preceptorship, but i made it clear to my preceptor that what i lacked in experience, i'd make up for with my willingness to try. there are skills that you should have down pat and some that you need to work on, and your preceptorship should be about sharpening your skills while gaining experience dealing with coworkers, patients, and families.

Congratulations on your new little bundle of joy. :) Like EMcGrady said, I would ask the hospital about flower delivery. A thank-you note and little gift of appreciation go a long way!

Congratulations on almost being finished with your preceptorship! For a while there, I didn't think I'd make it through mine, but I certainly did and have my RN license now. If I can do it, then anyone can. :) On to your main concern, I'd personally find it unlikely that your preceptor would have reason to fail you if you haven't done anything wrong and he sees that you've tried your hardest and have made visible improvements since your first few days. As far as wanting to discuss your performance with him, I'd suggest that you bring it up for a few minutes during your lunch break (if you take it together, that is; my preceptor and I split our breaks so one of us had our eyes on our patients) or during any downtime when he doesn't appear stressed. I'd ask if he's seen an improvement in your skills, patient/family interaction, and the like or ask for a quick evaluation of your total performance. During your last two shifts, just work hard and efficiently and apply the strength that's gotten you through nursing school. :) You'll be just fine. Good luck with everything!

Fair enough. Thank you!

Hello, nurses! I am leaving tomorrow to take my NCLEX on Tuesday and am worried that I won't be allowed through the doors. My TX driver's license expired, so I renewed it a few weeks ago. It has yet to arrive. I don't have a state ID or an unexpired passport. I have the temporary license given to me when I renewed my license, but according to the ATT, temporary licenses are unacceptable. I did some Googling and found the 2010 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin which lists "U.S. drivers license (if expired, a renewal slip must be presented in order to be admitted) (Department of Motor Vehicle-Issued)" as an acceptable form of identification. I'm assuming that this "renewal slip" is what I was given when I got my license renewed. Is that correct? I don't want to drive up only to be turned away and forced to repay and reschedule! I will be bringing the Bulletin information that I cited in case they don't want to let me in. Any thoughts? I'm not even nervous about my exam, just about being allowed to take it! Thanks in advance.