Sflowerssweeney

First of all, nursing school is the most stressful thing any of us can do in my opinion. The instructors seem to want you to fail, whether they do or not, I'm not sure. Maybe they are trying to weed us out. But don't compare yourself to anyone else. It doesn't matter what someone else got on the test. It just matters that you passed. Your GPA doesn't matter as long as you are keeping a 75 plus on everything. If you have a passion to be a nurse you will succeed. If you don't you won't. It takes alot of studying, and alot of commitment. It has to be number one. Once you get through it you won't regret it. Hang in there.

Wow, no good deed ever goes unpunished. What an ungrateful snot! She is in the wrong, not you. Don't every help this one out again.

Wow, good to know. I start Monday orienting with a Home Health Agency. I'm excited but scared at the same time. Not really knowing what to expect. But I'm up for it. Wish me luck!

I graduated from CSM in 2007 but since then the program has changed alot. I think it's a great program and I still miss all the girls I went through school with. Alot of them I still see. Alot of the instructors are different now but all in all I'm sure it's still a wonderful program. School is nervewracking no matter what, but nursing school -- 10 times more! So you're not alone. Just know if it's your passion you will be so happy you did this.

So are you still at Southern MD Hospital? I tell you it is a challenge -- the place can be a zoo. Good luck to you.

I don't think you can apply until you get an address in MD. Then just go to the MD Board and apply for a temporary license while you wait for your license by endorsement. That's what I did. They are very unorganized and hard to get in touch with so you have to stay on them. I would definitely recommend going there in person and getting that temporary license first when you know where you will be living. That will be good for 90 days I believe.

Civista is in a little turmoil right now. I work PRN at St. Mary's -- about a 35 min. - 40 min. drive from Waldorf. Very nice hospital. I also started Agency at Southern MD (not as nice for sure). You can go into town (D.C.) in 45 min. or Inova Mt. Vernon in 45 min. It just depends on shift for traffic problems.

I have only 7 months experience in Med Surg in a large metropolitan hospital and took a job in the ER in a community hospital 4 weeks ago. Oh my gosh, I can't tell you how challenging this is. You definitely are scared to death at first and I can tell you I have dreams about work every single night. But I do feel better about it every week. I know its going to take me quite some time before I feel comfortable with my skills and my speed, priorities, etc. I don't think you're ever really ready for it until you just plunge right in. Good luck to you, you will learn something new or do a new skill every day. I can say it's soooo much more interesting than Med Surg and I'm glad I made the move.

Janette, can you tell me what area you have worked in the Country? I have an interview Monday in the Southern MD area and wondered what it is about FMS that's a problem.

quote=CraigBSN02;2402150]From a traveler's point of view. You'll get a good experience at GWU - better than, say, WHC. The reason being patient vareity. GWU means you'll see infants with bronchiolitis, chronic undomiciled EtOH abusers, drug addicts, multi traumas, GSW, CHF decompensations, the works. Places like WHC will only give you straight adult major medical patients: no pediatrics, no multitrauma, and only the GSWs when they're dropped off/hobble in the front doors. That's a real narrow slice of the world of nursing, and does you newbies (I mean that with a lot of love!) a disservice this early in your career. Ultimately, you need to go with what makes you happy and what makes you feel comfortable. However, my vote is for the well rounded experience. Good luck in your choice. Perhaps we'll meet up, since I work in both places. :welcome: Craig BSN, I totally agree with you regarding George Washington's diversity of patients. I am a new grad and am just finishing up my internship in Oncology/Med Surg. We get all types of patients and I'm seeing everything. Not just oncology. We also have Pulmonary Care, Hematology, general Med Surg, Telemetry patients, etc. We have homeless, lots and lots of AIDs patients and every sort of population. We work with a lot of central lines but also have alot of peripheral IV's. So I'm getting a great overall experience with these patients. I plan on getting chemo certified as well. It's very very hard. The patient ratio is generally 1:4 OR 1:5 depending on the acuity of the patients. Our manager is absolutely wonderful. The part of town is beautiful and I feel very safe. I feel like I made a great choice. But believe me, if I can get through this experience, I can do anything say in a year or two.

It's true, sorry. New grads in D.C. (I am one) get $25.00 per hour. The highest I have seen is $26.00 per hour at Washington Hospital Center. Experience will pay more, but the new grad rate will stay the same except for nights -- you get paid maybe $4 to $5 more per hour.

Findurpassion -- thanks for your post. I also live in Southern MD and am impressed to hear this about VA Beach. Relocating in a couple of years and looking for a good job market and am hearing great things about VA Beach. Are you in a doc's office or hospital?

Wow, I got an electronic and I'm a new grad. (It was a gift). Glad I won't be working with you girlfriend. I guess I'll really have to make sure I got my self-esteem up before I carry it around.

I'm starting tomorrow at George Washington University. They pay $25/hr and you commit to 2 years with their new grad internship. You get $4,000 bonus for staying a year after the first year and every year after. They get raises based on merit. Everyone I've met so far at the hospital seem very happy to be there -- A big plus for me!

I am also starting on July 23rd. What dept are you starting in? I'll be in Oncology Med Surg.