NikkiJo

Hey all, I'm a new nurse with 1 yr behind me with experience in fertility and OB/GYN care obtained from a private practice in NYC. --- I would really like to travel, but I am wondering a few things.... 1. What is the likelihood that a facility would bring on someone w/ my experience? 2. Is this a far reach from my end? I do believe in my capabilities - and I feel I am strongly clinically --- of course, I lack actual experience outside of what patient care I provided (limited) within my OB/GYN position ---- but I am concerned that I may be jumping into turbid waters with a mediocre swimming ability. Any thoughts/suggestions from experienced travelers or other new nurses who may have jumped into this 'pool'? Thanks!

Hey all - I am a new member of the group - earned my RN on April 22nd and have been nothing but smiles since........ In an effort to keep those smiles going, I am looking at the possibility of relocation from NYC as the market here is horrendous for new grads. I have a pretty sweet deal on the table right now for housing right outside of Asheville and was told that I should look into Mission Hospital's new grad opportunities. I've done as much research as I can from the other side of a computer.... but if I am seriously going to consider moving from NYC (never lived anywhere but here, so it'd be a big adjustment) I think it's very important to also get the opinions of those who are in the actual environment. Another bit of info I was hoping to get is the actual starting salary within their nurse grad programs. The last post I saw on this topic indicated it was as low as $15.00 per hour. Is that accurate? I realize the cost of living is lower in NC - but from what i understand Asheville is a pretty expensive place and comparable to NYC a rate of $15p/h seems almost unbelievable; new grad or not. Anyone have any insight on this? Finally, any bits of info anyone would like to share as far as it relates to your own experience w/ relocations for work, being a nurse at Mission, a resident of Asheville (my housing would actually be in Mars Hill) or anything at all... I would love to hear from folks. Hope to chat w/ you all soon Nikki-Jo :)

Thanks so much, everyone, for your comments and the likes. This forum has served as a really helpful tool for me through these bouts of self-doubt. It's so reassuring to know that I am not the stand-out and that all of these things that I am experiencing are just part of the process.

hahah great response! thank you, HouTx! I will be sure to refuse "resuscitation on the job"

That's a tough decision. If I did decide to have this conversation with an instructor, i'd be sure to approach it 100% from the standpoint of patient safety and not allow any personal opinions about the other student to trickle into the convo. Maintaining a professional environment sans cattiness can be overlooked in a clinical setting but I personally think that it is very important to maintain a professional rapport at all times. Tense situations can only lead to error, uncomfortable situations for all people on a unit including patients, and headaches. This situation will probably serve as an excellent learning tool for your future nursing career. I am sure there are going to be interpersonal conflicts that come about that will result in your having to go to your Nurse Manager and this situation is one that will allow you practice your own communication skills to ultimately get what you want in the professional setting: That woman away from your patients.

You can do it! Our histories are nearly exact - I'm a bit older than you and have been on my own for a while now but when I made the decision to go to nursing school I considered moving back in w/ my parents who are also recov/active depending on the direction of the wind. -- I realized that this was never going to be an option because above all else my mental sanity and my personal safety are paramount - and I can imagine your wanting to get out of there is due to the same reasons. -- Anyone who has been through things that children of addicts have been through and still managed to not take that path is strong enough to do whatever they set their minds to. --- You can work, take care of your pet (this may require a walker or something, though. or a wee-wee pad? cause your time out of the house will be significant. I have a cat and I feel bad about how often I am away from him... and cats don't even like company haha) -- and attend classes. A few things you will need to consider are that your social time will be dramatically reduced. --- Boyfriend time, too. You will need to focus the bulk of your attention on your studies and coming in at a close 2nd will be making the bills. --- I do it now. Is it easy? No definitely not - but certainly worth it for the independence that it will bring upon completion. And my schooling is 100% loan funded. It is a hefty debt you'll be picking up but it will pay for itself over and over as you become an independent woman who doesn't have to turn back to an unhealthy environment against her wishes. -- Sending you hugs through the interwebs as I know more than anyone exactly what you're feeling about the environment you're in. -- Get the hell out of there; it'll be the best thing you ever did for yourself, I promise you.

I work a full time job and attend classes at 3/4 time in the evenings. it is ROUGH but it is worth it if it pushes you through your goals... Sacrifice will become your new bFF.

I have a similar situation in my institution - I think the faculty is much more adept in their perceptions than they allow us to realize and it is just their method to not show that these things are being picked up on, or to not address such things in a public capacity. This particular student is already on clinical warning which means they're on the faculty's radar. I'd just trust in the process filtering the weak out.

Thanks, all, for your comments. It definitely helps to know that I am not alone in this process. I felt extremely alone when it happened as the remainder of my team were full of color and life - and I was in some sinking place. --- I couldn't help but have a moment of 'woe is me' --- Later on when sharing the situation w/ others many of them said the same thing "maybe you're the only one who admitted it!"... I am going to press on and hope that I get through this easily enough. -- The truth is that I am even having slight anxiety feelings in my chest/throat just thinking about it. -- I dont want to let it 'beat me'.

Hi All - I am a new nursing student, just shy of two months into my program in NYC - Recently, I've learned that although I have never had an issue with the sight of blood or needle sticks in general... I apparently get nauseas and feel extremely dizzy/lightheaded in the presence of such. In clinical rotation a couple of weeks ago I was part of an assist for a femoral IV blood draw. This consisted of flushing the line twice w/ 10cc saline, drawing 10cc of waste and then pulling out the desired blood for labs. At the point of the 10cc waste blood filling the syringe, I nearly lost it. -- I was able to keep it together on the surface but was honestly concerned that I might pass out as the process continued. I counted about four yawns with in a minute or two towrad the latter part of the draw. - Naturally, I am concerned. I am so fully dedicated to this program. I absolutely love it and having started it has only further cemented the fact that this is what I want to do with my life. Nursing feels right. I believe in the right person for the right job and I have no doubt I will be able to provide excellent care for patients as well as contribute to a productive environment wherever I wind up working post-schooling --- but right now I just need to figure out how to overcome this physiological reaction I am having. -- I will admit, for a day or two after having experienced this, I was fighting myself mentally over whether or not I am cut out of this job etc. - The stress of the program (I work FT days and attend the school at night) has really put me as well as the bulk of my classmates in an emotionally fragile state, but as mentioned above I am certain this is the right calling.... Any tips or pointers on getting through this stage? -- Any other students care to share their stories with me? Knowing that some others out there experienced the same type of feelings really helps. -- I did come clean to my colleagues and my clinical professor. I thought perhaps by doing so I'd be looked at as a weak-link but I believe the exact opposite is true. Having ignored it would have given the situation negative energy and I want to embrace it for what it is and move forward. Please help! :) Thanks Nikki in NYC

what are you looking to find out? i am a current student. started the evening program this year.

Hey all - I can't believe how much this thread has developed since I first started it such a long time ago! --- I start my evening classes on Tuesday. So nervous. So excited. So... ahhhh!!! Best of luck to all my 'classmates' regardless of what track you are in! Yay!

Do you have any info on the external Pharma? I didn't know this can be taken externally. I have until Jan to get my pre and co reqs taken care of so if I can get that done I will.

ahhh crap! i totally forgot to do this when i got my clearance card. Do they actually need to see the clearance card in order to give you the ID? I will need to run by there again some time soon. Also, I think i sat in front of you in Karpas yesterday. I saw you're in the FB Group and recognized you from class. See you tomorrow. Nikki

Hi everyone! I wish i ahd checked this sooner. i was at Karpas last night, for Chemistry.. but had to run out at the end of the day as I had anotehr commitment to get to and being that we got out early, I was actually able to make it somewhere else! Wohoo. Anyway, So far so good - Nice to be in the setting and what not. I hope to socialize a bit more w/ you guys tomorrow if any of you were there.