KNB3715

Hello! I'm a newer nurse with about 5 years total experience. Most relevant would be 2 years on a busy med/surg/onc floor. I've been in Oncology Research for the past 9 months, and have an interview for an OR residency in like 2 weeks. I'm super nervous because I really want this job. Any nurse managers out there have any pointers on how I can land this job and/or stand out in a sea of other applicants?

I know exactly what you are going through. It is a TOUGH market out there for new grads without a BSN. I'm also a diploma program grad. I have been working in home care for a year since Feb 1. It's definitely not where I want to be, I have been enrolled in a BS program since September and should hopefully be done next spring (2016). When I apply to jobs I save the automated responses to an email folder. As of today, I have applied to at least 222 jobs in the same area you are in (Phila). I say at least, because I have been SO frustrated lately that I am not quite sure I have saved every single response. I have only had 2 interviews since I graduated in Sept 2013 (1 being my current job). The only classmates to be hired in the hospitals were the ones that worked as CNA's while in school. It is so frustrating and I totally feel your pain and get why you would give up. I've thought it myself more than once, especially lately. Hang in there, keep on trucking with the BSN - PM me if you are at all interested in home care - my place is always hiring. Good luck!

So I have been in a home care type setting job for 11 months now, I have been trying to land a hospital position since October 2013, I have had 3 interviews in this time (1 being the current job I have now). I recently updated my resume to the below format (in summer) and I am still getting nothing but rejection emails. I am at a loss for what else to do at this point. Any advice on my resume below? NAME, RN City, PA zip Phone# email Skills and Qualifications Â- RN License # RN00000; BLS Certified since August 2011 Â- Diploma in Nursing – September 2013 Â- Intravenous Venipuncture Certification – October 2014 Â- Working knowledge in Sunrise Acute Care Documentation system and Paper Charting Â- Nursing experience including technology dependent muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy clients, SIMV and AC ventilator dependent clients, clinical rotations in Critical Care, Maternity/Newborn, Pediatrics, Medical/Surgical, and Psychiatric/Community Health Â- Hands on experience with BiPap, Trilogy BiPap, ventilators, CoughAssist, Cayston Altera nebulizer, Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation, ventilator nebulizers and MDIs. Â- Administration of medications via Central and PICC lines, Gastrostomy tube, and PO Routes. Gastrostomy tube care and replacement, suction of tracheotomy and non-tracheotomy dependent clients. Â- 10+ Years of Customer Service Â- Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Quickbooks and Sunrise Acute Care documentation system Education Penn State Abington In Process of completing a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Expected Graduation Date: 12/2015 *****School of Nursing Nursing Program, Honors, GPA: 3.5/4.00 Experience RN JOB***– February 2014 – Current Registered Nurse –Nursing care to muscular dystrophy and spinal muscle atrophy clients: Â- Administration of respiratory treatments to ventilator and non-ventilator dependent clients including IPV, coffalator”, and nebulizers; suction of trach and non-trach dependent clients Â- Management of SIMV, AC and Trilogy ventilators Â- Administration of medications via PO, PICC, g-tube, optic, SL with chronic aspiration risk clients, transdermal, inhalation to trach and non-trach clients including IPV, MDI, and nebulizer Â- Gastrostomy tube care, replacement and medication administration Â- Recognized and reported changes in patient status; assisted with feeding, bathing, simple wound care, ROM, applied/monitored MAFO's and splints; monitored use of client assistive devices; recorded/documented as per agency policy Â- Transport for outings including social, educational and medical associated appointments. **NURSING SCHOOL NAME 850+ Hours of Clinical Practicum: *** Hospital, **** Hospital for Children, *** Hospital, ** Behavioral Â- Head to toe assessments, glucose monitoring, urinary catheter placement/monitoring/removal, NG tube placement and monitoring, medication administration via IV, IV Push, IV Secondary, PO, IM, and SQ, IV medication replacement and administration via Alaris Pump, IV site monitoring; reported changes in patient status, effectively communicated/reported to RN during an emergency situation, measuring/recording I/O, patient care, assisted with feeding, bathing, wound care, ROM, obtained/recorded vitals. **Company Name - June 2003 - Current Assistant Bookkeeper Â- Payroll & Payroll Taxes, Accounts payable & receivable, heavy call volume, Incoming/Outgoing shipment orders, Monthly reporting Excel spreadsheets, Order entry, Inventory, Personal Assistant to Vice President, Dispatching incoming/outgoing shipments. Company name – March 2003 – June 2003 Front Desk Clerk Â- Scheduled/Cancelled/Rescheduled patient appointments, checked patients in and out for appointments, chart filing, customer service Awards & Honors Â- School of Nursing – graduated with Honors Â- School of Nursing – Leadership award for Fundraising Â- **College part time student Dean's List Â- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Memberships Â- Member of Phi Theta Kappa, Manor College Â- Member NASN since 2011 Licenses & Certifications Â- Registered Nurse – RN#00000- State of Pennsylvania, September 2013 Â- AHA BLS since June 2011 Â- Intravenous Venipuncture Certification – October 2014

Mind if I ask which hospital?

PA (phila area) Graduated ADN 9/4/13 Passed NCLEX 9/23/13 Started real job searching in October '13. Got 1 interview for an OR internship - didn't get it. 2nd Interview Jan 2014 for home care/independent living - began working Feb 2014. I've applied to well over 100 hospital positions, not a single call back in 10 months. Beyond frustrated at this point. Starting my BSN in late August. Maybe that will help.

Hello! I need help with my resume. I am still a "new grad" per se, but I finally have RN experience to add to my resume, but am not sure how to word it. I graduated from a diploma program in Sept, got licensed in Sept also, but it took me until January to find work. The company I am working for is sort of a residential facility. This company buys homes and they allow medically fragile young adults to live there. For instance one of our patients has muscular dystrophy and is a quadriplegic with a trach/vent. We took him from a nursing home so that he can have his own home. We give him total care including trach care (including trach & string changes), suctioning, cofflating, CPT, meds via gtube etc. I am totally lost on how to word this? Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh also, the way my resume is already set up is utilizing bullet points. Thank you!! Kelly

Not quite sure- I believe it is a type of program that may offer jobs to some of the candidates at the end of the residency. I have to ask all of these questions during the interview.

I am a newly licensed RN in search of my first job. I graduated a hospital based program in Sept, licensed in Sept also. I've been applying to jobs left and right, with no responses whatsoever. I just recently (last thurs) applied to a Graduate Nurse OR Residency. I got a call this week to set up a panel interview. My issue that I need opinions on. Nursing is sort of a 2nd career for me (tho I like to think of it as my first). Been a secretary/bumped up to bookkeeper for the past 10 years while slowly taking night classes and having a family. This residency is the only communication in this job search that I have, but it would be a hefty pay cut for me. So basically its either a 3 or 6 month residency, with the pay at something like $15/hour (almost 1/2 an RN salary at the same hospital). I am so torn, should I take this residency and quit my full time job? I think I could probably make it work, but I am terrified that when the residency ends, what if I don't get offered a position and I am back to square 1 with no employment? This is scary. Not to mention the feeling if I see some classmates I've graduated at this hospital that have RN positions..talk about feeling inferior. I graduated with honors (3.8gpa), but can't even get a call back! Any opinions are appreciated!

I have an interview for an OR graduate nurse residency on Tuesday. I've had my license since Sept and have applied to numerous jobs with no call backs. Everyone wants experience. This residency is only $15/hour and would be a hefty paycut from my current job (bookkeeper) - but I may have to just tough it out for a while. This residency may be my best chance at a foot in the door.

Ah the dreaded, "experience preferred", yet no one is willing to give the experience. It is the same for every area, not just NICU. I'm in the same boat (NICU my first love), but I can't get any call backs for any RN job in this area (PA). Very discouraging.

I went to Dixon - i'd say stick with Temple and get the BSN done. Every hospital says BSN preferred. I'm 2 months after passing the boards and this job market is BLEAK (and that's putting it nicely).

depends on your situation...there is a small window you have to still be hired without a BSN right now. I myself went ADN for two reasons, I had to work full time, so I needed an evening/weekend program. The ADN program I went through also had more clinical hours then any other school. Right now I'm close to 3 months after graduation and almost 2 with my license. I live in a major metro area (phila) and am trying to find work. There are certain hospitals that require BSN- probably about half in my area. I would do some research for your area and see on RN postings if the hospitals are requiring BSN or not. Not to mention the pain in the butt, I have to go back to school come January..may be a good idea to just get it all done and over with in one shebang?

This is probably a silly question. I am a newly licensed RN - still looking for employment. I have a 5 year old who will be entering Kindergarten in Sept 2014. Besides help from family members, how are you able to get your kids to and from school on a 7-7 schedule? My husband and I are in the process of looking for a home and we do not have family members that are able to help get our daughter to school/school bus. Am I missing something? Hubby also has an early work shift (6am-2:30) and we are just sitting here scratching our heads wondering how we are going to work this schedule when I do eventually land a job. Any insight is appreciated! I'm in the suburbs close to Phila PA. Thanks, Kelly

I've been to visit the NICU a few times with my daughter - also I shadowed one of the nurses during my clinical rotations for 1 day. Thought maybe I could leave my resume with the receptionist or something. I've had my license for a month now and I'm worried that each passing day without being hired looks bad (losing skills type situation ya know?) I'm only applying to the postings listed as BSN preferred. It's a catch 22, I don't want to be that annoying applicant that calls every day, but I also don't want to disappear into the black hole of resumes.

Hello all - old thread but I searched St Chris and this came up. I am really trying to get in the NICU over there as a new grad (Dixon diploma program). I have applied online, but I feel like that is so impersonal. I also sent an email along with resume & cover letter to the Nurse Recruiter listed on the website. Out of the 3 NICU positions I have applied, I've gotten one generic rejection letter, and have not heard anything from the Nurse Recruiter. Should I call her and follow up? I work like 5 minutes from ST Chris right now (in my bookkeeping job I have held for 10 years now) but really would like to start my nursing career. I'm wondering if it would be too forward to pop my head over to the NICU? (I know some of the nurses from my daughter being premature and there for 3 months). This is my dream job (NICU) What should I do to stand out?

So I am finally prepared to apply. I live in a major city and am applying to a well known Children's hospital (they have 2-4 open NICU positions). They have the option to apply online, but I am thinking maybe I should try to call the hospital, ask for the name of the nurse manager and send her a letter along with my resume? I just feel like if I apply online, it may fall by the wayside, whereas a letter sent directly to her may make a difference? Any thoughts? I had applied to a nurse assistant job at a different hospital while in school, but I never heard any kind of replies. I think the online process is too unpredictable..

Hello everyone! I just took NCLEX on Monday 9/23 and have received my license! I went to a diploma program (2 years). I plan on starting BSN in January. I am the Mother of a former Micropreemie who will be 5 in a few weeks. Since her birth, I have known I wanted to work in the NICU. My question is what should I do to prepare for a career in the NICU? I am getting my portfolio situated so that I can start applying for any and all available NICU positions. What certifications or things of that nature should I look into, or should I rely on a potential hire to get all of that? I am taking advice from other threads on some of the reading material, but, is NRP or PALS something I should be seeking out prior to being hired, or is that something they do when hired. The one job description I see says "preferred". I am SO nervous to apply to these positions with no experience (other than on the parent side) and no BSN, but I figure since it's my passion, why not! Any and all help, words of wisdom, things I should know, etc is VERY much appreciated. Thanks!! Kelly

congrats on your acceptance!! come join our facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=...49204305140837

I can't vouch as to which school is better per say, but if you look at NCLEX pass rates, Roxborough has 100%, whereas Dixon has 92%. But, you also have to take into consideration that only 53 students took the nclex for Roxborough, and 106 for Dixon. Makes you wonder why Roxborough is only producing 50 or so students per year..?

I'm there! I sent a request- but it does't look like a group? Did you just create a new facebook user, or an actual group? The group would allow all members to post on the wall, create discussions, etc. But if it is just a fb user page you won't get the same benefits.. I'll gladly create the group if you would like- DSON c/o 2013? Just a name suggestion.. not sure if this link will work, but give it a try: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_149204305140837

I paid the acceptance fee yesterday, just want to make sure I am on top of things. I've been reading the FB group from 2012 and there is A LOT to prepare for before the classes even start. I've filled out my fafsa for 2011-2012, now I am just waiting on further info from Dixon. Congrats again to all who have been accepted, and good luck to those who are on the waiting list (trust me, i know the agony that comes with that!) - don't forget, there were 2 or 3 people from last year on here alone that got pulled from the wait list. I think we should go ahead and create the FB page, I can do it, but am not really all that familiar with creating a group- if anyone else wants to take care of that you are more than welcome. My name is Kelly btw

I got my letter today!! I'm still in work, but Fiance opened it for me---I GOT IN!!!!!! So hoping you all hear the same great news- let us know. And Jen- I am for sure interesting in getting a little group together- we are def going to need each other!!

oh boy, that must have been a nail biter when ya looked at the envelope lol i am going nuts, first thing i ask my fiance when i get in the door is "wheres the mail??" its bad. i think i may even be too scared to open the damn thing. Good luck to all!!

don't be discouraged- just make sure to either keep steady grades or try to improve upon them. Abington has said to me that they look at many factors, not just gpa- they like to see improvement over time. I currently have a 3.8 gpa at my current college, but because of courses in the past (even 8 years ago) it has recalculated my gpa down to like a 2.7 or something- so don't look at it that way. Angela is usually part of the interview, along with 2 other people. I've had 2 interviews because I was placed on the wait list last year and had 3 people interview each time. There was a previous thread on here where the students who are in the current 2010-2011 e/w class posted during the application process. Most of them received their acceptance letters on or about Feb 18th of last year. I can see how the whole thing is overwhelming though, i'm in the same boat. I messed up after high school and dropped out, leaving a couple f grades in my path. I honestly don't know what I will do if I don't get in this time around- i'm already having to re-take A&P I & II because of the 5 year cut off, and if I don't get in this year, I will have to retake Micro. The waiting game is awful!

Application deadline is Nov 15th for Early decision, and deadline for Regular decision is Jan 15th. I've heard they only interview about 60% of the applicants, so you may not even get one. I have read about someone on here getting in without an interview, so good luck!! Did you apply for e/w or day?