UCAFblue

Thanks for the comments everyone!! I think I'll start applying, it can't hurt to at least try.

I know it's hard, but keep a positive attitude about it! You'll get there eventually! I graduated in May 2013...applied to over 300 jobs all over the country, and didn't get hired until April 2014 and had to move out of state for it. I was convinced it was never going to happen, but it did! Lots of people have had an even more difficult time than me I'm sure. I suggest looking at more rural areas...there's less competition with experienced nurses and rural hospitals seem more willing to hire new grads.

Hi everyone!! I'm originally from Colorado, went to CU Denver for nursing school and moved here to southern New Mexico as a new grad to get experience. I currently work in a level II/III NICU. When I first started our nicu was a level II, but we are transitioning to a level III. I've been here for a little over a year now and I'm starting to miss Colorado more and more. I'm more than ready to come home now, but would want to wait until late summer/early fall to make the move at the earliest. I feel a little bit disconnected from the Denver job market, but know when I left last year it was impossible as a new grad. Any idea if my chances are any better now with the little bit of experience I have? Or would it be best to try and stay where I am for another year? Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks for the replies everyone! I had the same baby back this past week and was so relieved to see that the arm/hand the PIV was in is just fine. The reason the baby didn't have a central line with the dopamine was because they were unsuccessful with a UVC...the baby ended up getting a PICC a day or so after I posted my original post, but unfortunately it was after the dopamine was discontinued. This was my first experience with dopamine...from what you've all told me it sounds like it can turn bad really quick! So, can the normal vasoconstriction eventually lead to necrosis? Or is it mostly just the infiltration you have to worry about peripherally?

Hi everyone! I have a quick question I'm having a difficult time finding the answer to. I had a baby the other night who had a dopamine infusion going through a PIV in the left hand. During my shift I noticed some pretty significant white streaking on the arm. At first I thought it was infiltrated, but one of the more experienced nurses said that the white streaking was normal for dopamine, and that if it was infiltrated it would be red streaking. Is this correct? And if so, any idea what causes it?

Thank you both for the responses, it helps a lot!! I'm fine with any base really, so being limited in choices is ok with me. From what I've researched, the AF has the most opportunities for NICU, so I'm sort of set on them vs the other branches. I also like that the AF has intercontinental transport capability for nicu, definitely something unique that you likely won't find anywhere else. The scheduling doesn't sound too different from where I'm at now...I don't think there are too many bedside nursing jobs that have regular schedules, so that's also something that I'm perfectly comfortable with. midinphx, that's all I really wanted to know about deployments...since there aren't many babies in most deployment situations, I wasn't sure how that's handled for a nurse who isn't used to taking care of adults. I wonder what the comfort level for nicu nurses is on deployments when they have to work as med/surg.

Hi everyone, just curious to know how nicu nursing in the Air Force compares to the civilian world. I currently have just over 6 months of experience in a level III nicu and have always planned on trying to go into the Air Force as a nicu RN once I get a year of experience. What kind of scheduling is used?....I've heard panama schedule, but not really 100% sure how that works. What level nicu's does the AF have?....I know there are limited choices in terms of bases to choose from, and that's not an issue for me. How do deployments work?...do you deploy as a med surg RN? Do you float to other areas? NICU nursing in the Air Force seems to be a very small world...hopefully there is someone on here who has some experience with it! Thanks in advance!!

Hi everyone! I'm a new grad RN and I'm about to finish up my orientation. I want to write a note to management about how amazing my main preceptor has been to ensure they know how good she is doing, but I'm having trouble with the proper way to word the letter...and how long to make it. Any tips? Thank you!

Thanks so much for the replies! It helps a lot to know a little bit more about what to expect. Sounds like it should be an interesting class...and I'll be much more relaxed knowing they aren't going to "fail" you and that it's more about learning!

Hi everyone! I'm taking the STABLE course coming up next week and was just curious to know what to expect out of the class itself...are there simulations/hands on experiences, or is it more of just a lecture format? I know there is a pretest we have to have complete before the class...is there a test you complete after the class as well? And what happens if you don't pass? Any advice is appreciated!

So sorry for my late response!! Thank you for your great responses Coffee Nurse and zues&lincoln!! I'm a few more weeks (4) in now, and feeling a little better. I agree that 10 weeks (especially as a new grad) is not enough, but not much I can do about that. It feels good to know that there are others who have felt constantly behind, confused, etc...I'm finding that nursing school didn't prepare me well at all for being a real nurse! I will definitely ask for an extension of my orientation if I'm not feeling ready, but I'm not sure where they stand on offering that. There's so much to know, I don't think you'll ever feel completely ready to be off orientation! :)

Thanks for the PM VintageSwagger!! Hayloftbham, I am already a member of NANN...where do you access the orientation video series...I assume it's on their website? I'll have to look for that, sounds like it would be really helpful. I have had a few babies on lines/drips, but it's been really limited due to the patients we have right now. They have a set time frame for giving orientees feeder/growers and sicker babies, but I'll do my best to try and get the sicker ones as soon as I can. Thanks for the good luck wishes!

Hi everyone, I just started working in a level III NICU 2 weeks ago as a new grad. I've posted on here a few times during my job search that NICU is where I've always wanted to be, and I feel very happy/thankful to be where I'm at. But, the orientation at my hospital is only 10-12 weeks and at 2 weeks in, I'm feeling the pressure of time already. I'm taking 3 patients (all pretty much feeders/growers) as independently as possible right now, but haven't had the chance to take sicker babies yet. I don't feel my critical thinking skills are there hardly at all yet, and I'm terrified of making a mistake...I'm just not sure if I'm progressing well or not. I feel so nervous every day I work that I can hardly force myself to eat breakfast in the morning...Is this at all normal? Is there anyone else who went through feeling like this when you were new? Maybe part of it is I moved on my own for the job, and there's just an overwhelming amount of new things/people to get used to. There's still no doubt in my mind NICU is where I want to be...I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that it will get better and that I'm not alone in how I feel. Any thoughts are appreciated! :)

Well I heard today that I'm not being extended an offer for the NICU. Disappointing, but I'm very thankful to have the offer in New Mexico to go with. Good luck to everyone who got offers from Duke, I hope it's a great experience for you!!

Congrats lululemonx!!!! I interviewed for the NICU too, but didn't hear anything today. Sounds like a call should be coming soon either way. I did get an offer for a NICU job in New Mexico, so if Duke doesn't work out, I'll be ok with it. Whether it's Duke or the place in New Mexico, I'm having to move out of state too, and finding it overwhelming and anxiety filled as well, so I wish you good luck with your move! It will be worth it in the end. :)

Thanks for the congrats! I know exactly how you must be feeling. This past year since graduation has gone by so fast, hasn't it?! Have you looked in New Mexico at all? The place I got an offer from is in Las Cruces. It was the first place I had an interview in that wasn't a big city with tons of competition, so I think that really helped. If you think you might be willing to live there, it might be worth a try to see if there are any jobs there you might be interested in. North Dakota could be worth a look too if you haven't already. I know for some people they may not be ideal locations, but maybe you'd find the job you want!

You will have other chances at your dream job, ConzRN!! I still haven't heard anything from Duke, but did get another offer in New Mexico that I'll be taking. It's in my dream unit, and I'm so relieved to finally have someone say yes! I graduated last year and have been searching for 10 months with nothing working out until now. I was afraid I'd go past that 1 year mark without having worked as a nurse, but it goes to show you that you shouldn't ever give up hope that you'll find what you're looking for. I've had a good amount of interviews in those 10 months and I really learned a lot from every single one - I felt more and more confident in how I was answering questions as each one passed. It's just a matter finding the place that's the right fit for you. You have the right attitude and I think as long as you are willing to move anywhere, you will get your dream job someday (hopefully soon)! :)

I'm so sorry to those of you who weren't selected this time. I know exactly how awful it feels, but you are right that it is a learning opportunity. Keep trying though, the right opportunity will come your way eventually! I still haven't heard anything from Duke...not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I emailed the recruiter last Friday and she said she didn't have a final decision on me yet. Has anybody heard any good news yet? I would have thought the people they were saying yes to would have known first...but I haven't come across anyone who was offered a job yet.

I got business cards from the 2 managers that interviewed me and just sent my thank you notes through email. That way they get it right away, and I know it won't be mishandled or lost and they never get it. But, I'm sure a real letter would work just fine too, if that's the way you want to go. Everyone has their own way of doing things. :)

Apologies for my late response, but thank you so much to you all for your responses. I've really tried learning as much as I can about the areas, expressing my interest in staying, explaining my stable work history of only 2 previous jobs, but it still doesn't seem to be enough. When I get rejected after an interview, I always ask if they could give any feedback and/or why I wasn't selected, and the only answers I ever get are "it's just really competitive" or "you need to get experience." So, I'm left feeling frustrated and without a direction to improve - I have no idea where the problem is, if there is one at all. I'm at a loss for what to do...it keeps getting farther and farther away from graduation and I feel like nothing is ever going to work. I guess all I can do is to keep trying...maybe someday I'll come across the right people that will be willing to give me a chance!

I applied in February as well, and haven't heard anything other than an email in February telling me all my documents were received. Hopefully we hear something soon!

How did interviews go for everyone who had one last week? I had mine and felt good about it, but couldn't tell if they felt the same. I found it a little difficult to ask all the questions I wanted to during the shadowing since the nurse I was with was really busy with medications and everything and I didn't want to distract her/create errors (hope they are understanding of that), but overall it was great. My interview was around maybe 30 minutes long. They told me it should be around 2 weeks before I hear either way. Hoping it will be earlier though!

I will definitely ask the recruiter on Monday, but it sounds like it would be best to just wear the scrubs the entire time! I read the "Duke Interview" thread too, very helpful!! Good luck to you too!! I'm coming from Colorado, but I'm pretty familiar with the Raleigh/Durham area...It's definitely a place I want to live in! Will be interviewing for the Intensive Care Nursery, which was my first choice. I graduated in May 2013, so I'm more than ready to start working!

Hello! I'm a new grad still looking for work after graduating in May 2013. I've had a handful of interviews with numerous hospitals, all of which (except for one), have been out of state. Unfortunately I haven't received any offers, and I'm increasingly seeing that it could be in part because I don't have any connections in the majority of areas I'm applying to. Almost all of the interviewers have asked questions such as "Do you have family that lives in the area?" "How do I know you aren't going to leave?" The most recent interview I had asked A LOT of questions like that (and almost sounded irritated that I didn't know anybody there), and I find that they are difficult questions to answer. I just feel frustrated that all my nursing related answers seem to go well, but saying no to having family in the area seems to be more of a determining factor. I understand that they want to be sure you will stay a good amount of time, but at the same time, people move to places where they don't know anybody all the time, and they get to know new people and often stay. Is already having ties to the community really as big of a factor as it seems, or is it just me?

I applied too, and have an interview next week. I'll be doing the 2 hours of shadowing followed by a 1 hour interview, like a few of you have mentioned. I'm so nervous!! I want this so much, and it's always stressful not knowing what to expect. Does anybody know if we just wear our scrubs for the interview, since they are required for the shadowing? Or are we supposed to bring a business outfit to change into?