slave_diverRN

Congratulations!

Perhaps you are little OCD, and it sounds like your biggest challenge is passing meds. Even in the "NCLEX hopsital" where there is unlimited time and resources, there's no need to check a med more than 3 times. Wiith time, you'll get faster at this peice as you become more familar with the meds. By this, I don't mean just knowing what the drug is and what its prescribed for, I mean which pills you can open easily....which ones you pull out the scissors for...(prilosec has the most evil packaging!), which ones you just stuff in your pocket all together (stuff like Miralax). You'll develop your own routine...where the longest part of the med pass is waiting on that patient who wants to take them .....one....pill......at......a......time....zzzz. Best of luck to you, and STOP STRESSING.

Can you drop to per diem in your current job? That way, if you don't get all the hours you need in the dream job, you have backup!

Take a break if you feel like you are starting to miss questions. Don't miss question after question while progressively freaking out, USE THAT BREAK to calm down, sip water, pray...whatever, just stop answering questions. Its wise to bring along a snack in case you are there for the duration. Better to have that umbrella if you need it. The NCLEX is like having sex for the first time....people build it up in their heads WAY TOO MUCH beforehand.

Remember when you first learned to drive a car? How scared you that you'd have a horrific fatal accident each time another car got close? You grew out of that fear....and you will overcome this one too. Its very NORMAL to feel this way at first.

To the OP, I know you're not going to like this, and I will probably get some hate mail...but you need to hear this. At this stage in your career, the hospital doesn't need YOU. As you might be aware, you NEED THEM. Trying to gather others to rally against a major employer in your area will only succeed in getting YOU blackballed...perhaps so badly you may need to move hundreds of miles away to find a job. You seem to have a strong sense of entitlement...as somehow you feel a job should just be HANDED to you. Don't let this attitude come across in an interview....as you will be perceived as someone who feels ENTITLED to a paycheck without actually doing any of the work to EARN it. This attitude that our youth have today is a major irritant to employers. You must come across as someone willing to WORK HARD and GRATEFUL for an opportunity. I can't stress enough how important this is for success in this sour economy. Best of luck to you.

If you'd like to give someone feedback, start with something positive. Tell her the things she did WELL. NEVER, EVER tell anyone they suck or do something badly...esp when you are a subordinate. You CAN tell them what things you NEED, or what OPPORTUNITIES there are. Example: Wow, that was a GREAT explanation, but I didn't follow it all. I really struggle with xyz, and I want to know more and understand it better. It would HELP ME a lot if we started with the basics. Perhaps you can tell me how you'd explain it to a patient? Phrased this way, the fault is ON YOU, but you also articulate your needs and suggest a way it can be delivered....and MOST IMPORTANTLY indicate your WILLINGNESS and DESIRE to learn.

If you can, run the controls on the accucheck machines!

And if you are really thinking about IT work, be prepared to move to India and work for peanuts. There's no IT job growth in the US anymore.

Think about this way . . . . when you take something to your director, you'd expect him to ACT on it, right? What action do you think he can take on this situation? If he did anything at all, he'd probably talk to the preceptor....then where would you be? I completely support taking your concerns to your director....they need to know what's going on....but I'd save it for something more significant than an isolated incident of hurt feelings. . . . esp since the person DID apologize to you.

From reading so many similar posts on this forum, its safe to say that EVERYONE feels this way at first. Even if you were a seasoned nurse, changing jobs is tough, but when you throw in all the responsibility a nurse assumes it can be overwhelming. It WILL get easier. A year from now, you wont have to spend all your time off researching nursing, you'll get to have a life . . . and relaxing a bit will make you less stressed at work too. Just keep doing what you're doing, trying to figure out "your system" and what works for you. It sounds like you are working this out as you reflect on your day....keep doing that if its productive. If that reflection makes you more stressed out, stop and just thing about it weekly or monthly. Start out your 'list' with THINGS I DID RIGHT TODAY before you beat yourself up about things you can improve upon. Soon, you'll start to identify little "time wasters" that you can eliminate (like having to back for something you forgot), you'll also learn to anticipate what things you'll need later and get efficient at doing multiple things when you step into a patient's room. This time saved is when you'll chart, so you don't have to stay late so much. Are you orienting with another brand new nurse? If not, stop comparing your progress to the other more experienced nurses. Ask other nurses about their 'systems' and find things that work for you as you develop yours.

You MUST have BLS....every place will require you to have that before you start working. The others are optional, but could help you distinguish yourself from another candidate.

Confidence comes with experience. I heard this little ditty once: Son: Dad, how did you become such a successful businessman? Dad: Good decisions Son: HOw did you learn to make good decisions Dad: Bad decisions

A small giftcard to starbucks goes over well too. Its a thoughtful gesture, but not too over the top.

Wondering how others spend their day doing when de-staffed.....aside from enjoying a 'bonus' day off, is there an opportunity to earn some money (in nursing) on such short notice?

The Hurst Review is excellent....the online review helped me prepare (and pass in 75 questions!) when I decided to return to nursing 15 YEARS after graduating. Marlene is an OUTSTANDING educator, and breaks things down very simply and give you little tricks to help remember things. The main focus of the Hurst review is on learning the core content, not on test taking strategy. There is SOME strategy, and that being said, the 'sample questions' she gives are a bit easier than the actual NCLEX questions....I think the point is to test you on things you'll KNOW....so you can see how easily you can be misled into reading too much into the question and missing it!

Having a bachelors in another field, I completely GET your frustration. It seems like BSN nurses go through 2 years of Gen Ed, then 2 years of nursing. You want to know why your two years of ASN nursing doesn't equal the 2 years of nursing the BSN students get. My understanding of this is that their education in nursing is at a baccalaureate level. The classes may be similar in content, but the course numbers are upper-division instead of lower. My analogy is that ASN nurses learn algebra, while BSN nurses learn calculus. It's all math, just a higher level. Fortunately, bridge programs are easy to find...and you get a lot of "credit" for already having a BS degree....you may only have to take the CORE nursing classes for that BSN. You should not have to repeat Gen Ed classes. Best of luck to you!

There's also Hillsborough and Pasco community colleges.

Best of luck in your move to Florida....I hope you find the perfect spot for your family and a job! I have to ask you one tiny favor. After you move here, please remember that you CHOSE to come, and kindly keep your comments about how much better things were in NY to yourself? Pretty please? Thanks.

As a former hiring manager, I would NOT encourage you to ask WHY you weren't hired. If I had ever been asked that by a candidate, I would not have answered...and would have never considered that person again....ever. That being said, I like Vida Loca's answer....specifically asking for feedback, or tips on things that you can work on because you would like to be considered for the NEXT opening. And if you GET feedback, THANK THEM...and keep them posted. Example: Thank you for the feedback on my interview. In our conversation, you pointed out to me that I did not have enough experience in caring for telemetry patients. To help me prepare for your next opening, I've registered for an ECG course and am looking forward to sharpening my skills in this area. I just wanted to touch base with you and thank you again for the suggestion. I'm really enjoying the ECG course I registered for after meeting with you for a telemetry position. I've particularly enjoyed learning about transcutaneous pacing and am seeking out opportunities to see this first hand. Would it be possible to shadow a nurse on your unit this month?.....blah, blah. Just a quick note to let you know that I've finished the ECG course we discussed. I've learned a lot and am eager to put these new skills to use. The teamwork on your unit impressed me when I visited a last April, and I'd like to be part of the team. I wanted to let you know that I've applied for position X and hope to meet you again to discuss the position. This is how to build a relationship...and with time, you could turn that rejection into an offer. For future interviews, keep in mind that it is better to get that feedback DURING the interview.......by asking questions like "what do you look for in a new hire? What makes an excellent candidate? Considering my background, do you have any suggestions for me for things to work on now to be successful in your unit?"

I'm 42 and did not have any trouble r/t age. In this economy, where employers are taking a big risk in hiring someone, sometimes maturity and stability are BIG assets. Best of luck to you and congratulations!

Exercise is important, but to keep mobile for a lifetime, its really, really important to never have a stroke! Keeping good control of blood pressure, lipids and regular annual physicals go a long, long way. You can find a lot of resources at american stroke association. Good luck with your project!

...and if your white collar crime had anything to do with Medicare or any other type of insurance or government fraud, give it up now.

Just an unsolicited tip: I've read through many of the posts on this thread and one thing rings through VERY clear: frustration. When on an interview, be careful not to let that frustration show. There are enough whiners/complainers/bad attitudes on the floor already and there's no nursing manager alive who wants another gloomy complainer on their staff. You must be EXCITED and HAPPY about any opportunity and show smiles and eagerness. You are a hard worker, EAGER to learn more and serve. Answer questions with the thoughts of teamwork, not entitlement....and you will increase your chances of turning that interview into an offer. Remember, if you've been invited to an interview, they are already CONSIDERING you....its up to you to SELL yourself. Best of luck to the new grads!

I suggest you don't quit in an email.....you can send an email asking to meet with them, then IN PERSON, let them know: 1. How much you appreciate the opportunity they gave you 2. How much you like the facility and them 3. But have figured out quickly that the position is not a GOOD FIT. 4. Offer to keep working until they have a replacement hired That would be the PROFESSIONAL way to handle it . . . and it leaves the door open if there's another job there someday that would be a better fit.