Goody86

The funny thing is that kaplan had two review questions about herpes zoster. One said that since the area of the body affected could be covered they could resume working, and the other question stated that a person had herpes zoster on the trunk of his/her body and was not allowed to work. Didn't understand that difference.

Probably 10-15 of each for the 82 questions I had. Most of them I could narrow down to 2 answers. It really tests your critical and analytical thinking.

My unit start date is August 9th, but I know of others who start end of July. It must be different for everyone.

AceRN21, What cardiac unit did you get? I'll be on 7W. Did you interview with RA? Congratulations!

I'm intermediate care. We will be neighbors, so maybe you'll receive patients from the ED and stabilize them, they'll go to surgery, then I'll get them until discharge. lol

Freshnewnurse11, I will be on 7W cardiac surgery unit, not CTICU. Thanks for compiling this information though.

As a student, who has read about the difficulty new graduates have been having finding jobs, my personal opinion is that it has more to do with working in nursing homes...if picking from the two reasons. There are soo many ADN prepared nurses(more than BSN I believe), and although the issue has been around for a while I don't believe having an ADN will keep someone from getting a job. It might keep this person from getting a certain hospital, but not overall a job as a nurse. The job market plain sucks right now, and someone whose experience is mainly with nursing homes isn't very appealing, when what a manager needs is someone who won't need training. All new graduates are having a tough time...Diploma, ADN, and BSN! Again, just my opinion.

No. I won't be in an ICU. It's cardiac surgery observation...so just shy of the ICU. Lol

October is an option for you? Any idea how that would work with the residency program?

My application status has not changed yet...still says "we have contacted you for an interview." Yes, 7 West. I wouldn't get discouraged. I don't think the manager has contacted anyone else yet. Said she wouldn't be back in the office until Tuesday.

I accepted a position on cardiac surgery observation this week! Anyone else who will be in the residency this summer feel free to mssg me. I'll be moving a long ways to LA and looking to meet people!

Qualifications are different for everyone. My leadership experience is my strength, so I highlighted that. It all comes down to in person impression if you get the chance, in my opinion.

There really isn't time for anything but Q&A. I brought a copy of an article I wrote, but I didn't hand it to the manager until I was walking away b/c I didn't want to take up any question time.

Write your thank you notes!!! Can't guarantee they will have an impact, but I'm sure they are at least appreciated.

The way it worked when I went was everyone checked in at a desk and they made copies of licenses or certifications, then I waited in a room with everyone else until it was my turn to interview. After the manager interview, myself and others who had just interviewed were directed to a room, and HR briefly went over the employee benefits. Interviews were strictly held to 20 minutes.

I KNOW!! Let's hope we get a definite answer after this step.

Hey! I'm interviewing right after you, Allie. I'm set for 3:00. Hope yours goes well!

No, I am far from LA and hoping there is more than one opening!!

Congrats! I hope yours goes well! I'm excited about it. Any clue how many spots they have?

I am interviewing for the cardiac surgery unit on April 14th. I believe a lot of the medical/surgical interviews will be then.

It should be for a specific unit. When I talked to someone last week, they said the only interview spot in ICU they had left was for liver transplant.

Huanani, Great advice! I am always trying to think of good questions to ask at an interview, and you provided some I had not thought to ask.

Don't worry, Littleguccipiggy! I was told they are JUST now starting to call the people who will interview on April 14th. They are still filling the last of the April 11th interview spots.

Thank you for the replies!

Hello, Everyone! I am not from the Southern California area, but I am looking into moving that way. So far I have found hospitals in the area follow one of two philosophies: 1. We hire new graduates through our new grad residency program -or- 2. We hire experienced nurses who have been through a new grad residency program. My question is this: Are there any hospitals in the Southern California area(LA or SD), which are new graduate friendly and will hire new graduate nurses without going through a residency program?! While I would love to be in a residency program, it just isn't possible for every one of the 10,000+ new grads applying for the same position to be so fortunate and be accepted. Also, I have found most of these residency programs require you to have at least 2 recommendations, and that gets to be troublesome when you are asking instructors and/or managers for recommendations for dozens of residency programs! Haha. So if anyone knows of a hospital hiring new graduates for Registered Nurse I positions, I would greatly appreciate you listing it here!! Thank you! :redbeathe