NurseAndLovinIt

Thank you so much! I appreciate finally getting some real info. If I don't get a travel contract in the next 2 weeks, I am going to have to give up on travel. 2 weeks from now will be 2 months with out a job. So my next step will be to apply on the Coast and move here. I have a bunch of friends there, so I wont be alone. And if I can make at least 25/hr with diffs, I'll be ok. Im used to that pay in Memphis.

Sorry I've been out of the loop lately. I hope you see this and can respond Katdog26. I am revisiting the idea of moving to the coast. If I do, I will be applying to Every hospital. I just want to know what average pay is and which hospital is great and which to stay away from. I have nearly 3 years of Med/Surg nursing experience. But I am interested in ICU and/or ER nursing now. Also, do you, or anyone reading this know if there is a nursing agency down there for contract/per diem work? Google is not helping. Thanks!

Yes, I do have a tax home. Even after reading through 12 plus pages on this travel forum, I couldn't find a post to compare mine to. I guess I just want to make sure things are in order. And the base rate is half of my first assignment, so that makes me wonder. I tried asking my recruiter, but she basically told me that the less taxed income in a package I have is good.

One of my recruiters ( I have 3 companies looking for me) is showing me the pay package for every assignment she submits me to for me to OK it. I have already completed my first assignment as a travel nurse back in July. For reference, my base rate was $18/hr. I was bringing home $1200 + per week after taxes. I was ok with this amount as a first time traveler and plus it was more than I was making as a staff RN. My concern was the base rate for these assignments she's submitting me to. I'm worried that I would not be paying Enough taxes. #1 13 weeks/ 40 hours Base Pay $9.00hr ($360.00 taxable) Ot Rate after 40 $40.00 Per Diem (non-taxable stipend) $1140.00 weekly ($4560.00 monthly) Travel Check $200.00 (half-half) Approximate Net $1410.00 #2 13 weeks/36 hours Base Pay $9.50 ($342.00 taxable) Ot Rate after 40 $40.00 Per Diem (non-taxable stipend) $1140.00 weekly ($4560.00 monthly) Travel Check $500.00 (half-half) Blended Rate $41.16 #3 13 Weeks/36 hours PM Base Pay $10.00hr (360.00 taxable) Ot Rate after 40 $40.00 Per Diem (non-taxable stipend) $1140.00 weekly Travel Check $600.00 (half-half) Blended Rate $41.66 I have been waiting for another travel assignment for almost a month. At this point I will take whatever I can get. Also while I am still needing to gain experience as a Travel RN,I am OK with making 1100-1200/wk. I just want to know if the base pay is ridiculous and will hurt me in the long run. Thanks for your replies!

I too am looking into travel nursing in the Baltimore/DC area. I would like to go there as a first assignment because my best friend lives there. I have been researching companies and the 3 that I want to start calling are Flexcare, PHP, and IPI. I was surprised to see that Flexcare told you that they do not provide license or travel reimbursement. Their website specifically says they do. Are they lying when you call them? They are supposed to be a good company and those are 2 kinds of important travel incentives. Well, anyways have you heard of any other prospects for the Baltimore/DC area. Any other info for different companies? I am scouring for every bit of info I can find on here and all the relative websites. I want to travel, but I am admittedly nervous because this is a big change and decision to make!

Hi all, I will be having to move to Knoxville in a couple of months and I was wondering if anyone could give me some info on the area hospitals please? Which hospital system seems to be the best to work for. Does anyone know if any hospital offers Weekend only positions? I am also interested in possible agency nursing? Does anyone know about agencies in the area? Or would working in a Float Pool be better. I am ok with working regular full time as well. I just know that weekend and agency/float pool tends to pay better. Good pay is something I am desperately going to need. I have 2 +years of Oncology experience in a hospital. Also Any idea of a pay range could be expected for 2 years of experience? I really appreciate any info that anyone can give me. Thanks!

Anywhere along the coast. Gulfport, Biloxi, etc. Do you know anything about the area hospitals?

Hi everyone! I am considering moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. I have nearly 2 years of Oncology/MS/Telemetry experience. There is no recent info on any of the hospitals in the Gulfport/Biloxi/OS/ area. Frankly nothing south of Jackson. Could anyone give me any details about the area hospitals? Which are best, which to stay away from, and also an estimation of pay would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for any info!

I know exactly how you feel. I have a loan debt of $110,000 and I just graduated with my BSN. It is quite depressing. I'm 27yrs old and it took me 7 years to graduate. My reasons are I could not figure out what I wanted to do and essentially wasted a lot of time and money on changing majors and taking classes I really did not need. I also had a hard time juggling a job and school, so of course I borrowed more money for living expenses. It wasn't until I was 24 that I could qualify for FAFSA and other gov't financial aid. In 2008 I finally figured out I wanted to be a nurse. 3 years later I am an RN and sitting on a mountain of debt. However, I am soooooo happy to be a nurse. Nursing is what I was meant to do and I am filled with joy that despite my debt, I am in a career I truely love. That is what keeps me sane about my debt. I know I will spend most of my life paying this off, but it is a "Good" debt and I will just do what I can and enjoy my life of nursing along the way. Find happiness in nursing and pay what you can each month and/or find repayment/forgiveness programs. We just have to deal. If you love nursing just as much as I do, then be happy about finding your niche in life. It will get you through

Thanks all for the info! That definitely helps me think of things. I've got some ideas in my head, I think I will write them down for me to read if/when I get another call. I just got to work on not rambling xD

Hey all, I know this should be the easiest interview question; but it really isn't. Like all other new grad RNs, I am desperately trying to get a job. I have had one real interview and one over the phone. I think I botched both by my weak answer to "Tell me about yourself". I ramble on saying stuff like "I just graduated....I'm about to take NCLEX....I passed NCLEX....I have a minor in...." Basically just spouting stuff that's on my resume. Ugh! I kick myself. I've been thinking about this non stop and I just can't figure out what to say. Another problem I think I have is rambling/talking too much when asked interview questions. Nerves of course, but still - not good. So what are some suggestions on how to answer the dreaded "Tell me about yourself"? What info do managers want to hear that is concise and sounds appealing to them? I have tried to look up suggestions, but can't find anything concrete. SO I come here and ask what do you all say when asked that question? BTW, I grew up as a military brat. Would that be significant info to include to the question? Like I could tailor it to mean that I am open to change and able to adjust well in many circumstances. I have great cultural sensitivity, etc. Well thanks for any and all suggestions. Hopefully the next time I get asked that question, I will have an awesome answer.

Not just that, but it also says in the little graph comparison that a CRNA has 2-4yrs of education! This leads the consumer to believe that a CRNA ONLY has 2-4yrs of college. This DOES NOT say that the CRNA has a 2yr ADN/ 4yr BSN + an MSN, and not to mention the years of RN experience required in an ICU! Altogether to become a CRNA, it requires just about/ nearly the same amount of education and training as an MD. An RN CANNOT just become a CRNA overnight - which is what this website is implying. Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt the quickest time to become a CRNA about 8yrs? same as becoming an MD? HOWEVER, to become a GREAT CRNA more years are needed. Ive seen CRNAs in the OR and it looks to me that they do 98% of the work. The MD is there in name mainly. P.S. I quote you to add emphasis to my post because I agree, even if my post may "sound" as if I am angry at you. Which I am TOTALLY NOT! lol I am angry at this website

Here's some interesting things. The East Carolinian seems to be completely open to the public - as in anyone can post comments. The paper has what is called "Pirate Rants" that alone is disgusting and appaling. You should see what these "fine college students" are writing about each other! The biggest kicker I noticed: Over Half the paper staff are FEMALE, especially the Editor in Chief. Either these women are complete idiots or Ben snuck his article in w/out approval. If so, that just shows how even more Ben screwed himself. I bet he has an undiagnosed personality disorder...

He thinks this is so funny. He doesn't realize yet that he just ruined his nursing future. I'm not worried about him caring for patients anymore because it is not going to happen. The repercussions of his article have blown up. On facebook alone it has spread like wildfire. My FB network is 1000 miles away from Greenville and we're hearing about it. Often it is nearly impossible to weed out those who should never become nurses. Ben Cochran made it extremely easy for him to be weeded out. From day 1 nurses are taught to put compassion first and leave judgement at the door. Ben missed that day. How many nursing questions have we seen on exams that are along the lines of "A nurse is preparing to care for a patient of a different culture/religion. The nurse's PRIORITY action is to what?" The answer is to examine one's own beliefs and make sure they do not interfere with providing culturally competent and acceptable care, along with cultural awareness. Ben's behavior shows he is lacking in all the keypoints of culturally competent nursing care.

Hey all, just wondering if you all think I am doing too much, not enough, or should do different. I'm taking NCLEX in 12 days. Here is what I have done so far: Downloaded an NCLEX app on my phone with over 3k questions - still have about 1k+ to do. Read the Kaplan 2011-20112 NCLEX book and did all the questions. Right now I am 350 pages in to the Saunders Comprehensive 5th edition review book. While I am reading that book, I am making drug flash cards for all the drugs in the book and supplimenting with my pharm ATI. I also plan on retaking all the practice ATI exams that I still have codes for. I am also contemplating rereading all my ATI books. I took the ATI NCLEX predictor exam the last day of school. Without studying for it (there was just no time) I managed to double pass the predictor. I got a true score of 80% overall AND that equated to a 98% chance of passing - so "double pass". I do feel confidant that I will pass, but I can't NOT study. I just would like a bit of feedback on what you think of what I have done so far and what I plan to do. I've heard that doing as many questions as possible is helpful. I have done thousands so far and I feel like it is zombifying me: I barely read the questions on my phone app b4 I select an answer based on instinct (?). 60-70% of the time I am correct. NOW when I do the end of chapter mini quizzes in the Saunder's book, I score between 75-100%. I am on chapter 31 and have failed 3 or 4 of the mini quizzes so far. I even have tried taking the mini quizzes before reading the chapter (to see if I could do well without being immediately exposed to the content) and STILL passed the quiz. Maybe I am getting better. I do like the Saunder's better than the Kaplan. I scored between 60-70% on Kaplan. I know I am probably just being paranoid. I should work on thinking positively - I am trying. Yes there is a lot of suggestions in the NCLEX forum, but it helps to have personal feedback. I appreciate any you give me

Thanks for the feedback! Let me clarify some things: First this hospital is in the process of achieving Magnet status. (if that matters with the interviewing process) Interview 1 was HR, Interview 2 was supposed to be w/NM, but NM had a family emergency. She had a different NM from a "sister" floor interview me, in addition to that I met with 2 staff nurses on the intended floor. Interview 3 was with the actual NM of intended floor. Interview 4 was a job shadowing day. Interview 5 was the final one with the CN. So that is a bit out of the ordinary, but considering the family emergency, I think it falls with in expected. HR told me I should expect: HR interview, then Nurse manager, then peer interviews/job shadowing. So yeah Its a lot and extensive. I just am hoping it is reassuring and that these interviews are good things. I should also mention I went to the other side of the state (400miles away) for this interview. They know this and have been prompt with those interviews. I guess I am being anxious and want to know quickly. At the same time, this is my first hospital interview and I am unfamiliar with the process. So if this sounds promising to you all, I am happy. And I will call on Friday if I haven't heard anything by then...as long as that followup call makes me sound interested, serious, persistent, but NOT pushy/annoying. lol Thanks!

Hey everyone! I have searched this similar topic, but no answers found have been satisfying. I am hoping for some advice on my personal situation. First of all, I just graduated with my BSN. I have held service industry jobs for the past 10 years - therefore I have interview experience that entails being hired on the spot. In the past 2 weeks, I have had 5 interviews for the same position on a Med/Surg floor at a major teaching hospital. I passed initial HR interview and 3 hours after it, I was called by a NM for an interview. I have had 2 interviews with the NM and 2 with staff members and charge nurse. My last interview was this past Thursday with the charge nurse. First of all, am I correct in assuming that after so many interviews this is a very good thing? They wouldn't keep calling me back if they didn't like me right? Every interview that I had I felt good. Of course I was extremely nervous and it probably showed a bit, but I felt comfortable with the interviewers and the whole entire experience. After the 2nd interview w/the NM she scheduled a day for me to shadow (the next day, a Friday) and also told me that I should take the weekend and decide if her unit was where I wanted to be and let her know. That following Monday I called and said I loved it and really want to be a part of her staff. She then told me she wanted me to meet with her charge nurse. I felt comfortable and got along great w/the CN. He loved my customer service saturated work history, saying along the lines that such experience makes for great nurses. He then confided that he used to work for the same restaurant company as I had, before nursing. He did ask me some situational questions, and one of them I struggled with. It was easy and my answer ended up being "good enough". Of course I thought about a better and more appropriate answer later AFTER the interview! Well, at the end of the CN interview, he said he hopes to see me soon. I thought I would hear something as early as today, but nothing. So I ask, how do you interpret my chances and how long should I wait to follow up? I know references and back ground checking can take some time. If I dont hear anything by this Friday, should I call the NM? That would be one week after my last interview, is that appropriate? And btw, I have sent a thank you email after EVERY interview. I want this job so so much!! Thanks for your time in reading this and giving me some advice on my new grad job woes

Hey everyone, could someone please tell me how to find out if a HOSPITAL is eligible? I know how to search for health centers, but I want to know about hospitals. Maybe post a link so I could see what specific hospitals are eligible. Sorry if this is redundant and already on here. Just 60 pages is a lot to search through on this thread. I have a potential opportunity at a major teaching hospital associated with the local University of my city. Would that count? Thanks for the info!

:rolleyes:Hey all! I finally got my first new grad interview...a week before graduation! I am so excited and thankful. Its the only one I have and in this economy, I hope its the last (meaning I get the job of course!). So I have 2 questions. First, I have been in contact with the recruiters for 3 months. One recruiter is receptive and the other does not sound like it. In a nut shell (kinda): Email from me expressing interest 3 months ago. One recruiter says: Thanks for your interest! Call and let us know when you can come for a tour and get general info! You can start sending apps in a month before graduation. We look forward to hearing from you. The other recruiter: Thank you for your interest. We usually hire in June and all of our new grad positions are filled at this time. You may apply for a staff nurse position and we will keep your app on file. Now I finally send an application. Recruiter 1 is nice and happy, saying please have your instructors fill out the reference form. Let me kow when a good time is for you to come. Recruiter 2: Thank you for your application. We will keep you in mind as positions become available (I applied for 6 positions:rolleyes:) So, I gave all the info Recruiter 1 wanted and she called me and set up an interview. She told me how many positions are available and told me I am applying at a great time where the influx of new grads is low. SHe made it sound very promising and that I will have interviews with HR, nurse managers, and a Peer panel. Plus I will do some shadowing. However, Recruiter 1 will be on vacation during my scheduled interview and I will interview with recruiter 2. So after this short, but lengthy situation lol, my questions are: Since recruiter 2 has acted all indifferent and uninterested, do you think that will affect my chances in person?? 2nd Question: If I get to move through interview process, what should I expect with the peer panel and overall interview process? Any tips? This is my first real interview in the formal adult world (interviews at restaurants and fastfood did not count in my book, they were not formal). I want this to go well. I REALLY want this job!!! Thanks for reading and for your input! :)

Thanks! That really helps!

i was wondering when someone would pose this idea. i was going to post: did anyone think that the op is actually a teenage boy who may or may not have been in the hospital recently? if he was, he may or may not have had something "gross and embarrassing" happen to him while in the hospital. so, he comes to the site (he is bored, you see) and he would like to know nurses' views of boys like him. or nothing bad happened, but he was still in the hospital for something. now after d/c, he is home and bored and was thinking about his nice nurses and is curious how nurses viewed him.

And the title of my thread would be pLease...not Pease. lol nerves xD

Hey all! I got an email from a nurse recruiter at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She asked me if I could give her more information about what area of nursing interests me the most "prior to proceeding further with the interview process." I am BEYOND ecstatic and want to work for JHH sooooo much. I live in TN and want to move there for JHH. Can someone please give me some advice on the response I intend to reply with. Do you think it is good enough to warrant a legitimate interview and job offer??? Would YOU want to "proceed further with the interview process" with me?? Thank you all!!! Here is my intended response: Dear Ms. X: Thank you for the opportunity to tell you more about my interests. My first interest is Medical/Surgical and my second interest is in an Intensive Care Unit. I have had all of my non-specialty clinicals on Medical/Surgical floors and I have found that I have enjoyed those clinicals the most. I have heard that Medical/Surgical units are the best places for a new graduate nurse to start out on. I could not agree more, and I am glad that is the case for something I truly enjoy doing. I have learned and seen a lot of different things on those units and I would like to begin my career in a unit that would help me to continue doing so. In the future, I would like to branch out into intensive care. However, I feel starting on a Medical/Surgical unit will help me learn to become a better and well rounded nurse and be better prepared for advanced care. Johns Hopkins Hospital has an exceptional reputation as a teaching facility and it would be an excellent place for me to learn and achieve my goals. Again, thank you for considering me Ms. X. If you need any more information from me, please do not hesitate to call me at any time at 000-000-0000 or email me. I look forward to hearing from you again. Sincerely, Me

Before nursing, I used to work as a waitress, grill cook, and more at a restaurant. When I would grill cook, I finished my shift with grease all over me. My face would be shiny with it. I would take a shower the moment I got home. The funny thing is, now that I work in a hospital, I feel twice as dirty at the end of the day than I ever did as a grill cook. I feel dirty with all the work I did, the smell of all the patients I took care of, my own smell (lol), poop, pee, everything! I can't stand it when I get home and I MUST shower immediately. I would also never wear the same scrubs more than once without washing them. Its weird. We work in the "cleanest" environment; but for some reason it just does not feel like it. Well whatever your habit is after work is fine. Just dont go to work again without showering atleast imo. Oh and if you DON'T smell at the end of the day, you didnt work hard enough!! Hahaha

Wow thanks for all those views! That makes me understand a lot better. Let me just clarify on "dead body" You all are right. It is not just a dead body, it is the body of a recently deceased person. I guess I thought of it that way, because I came after the fact. It was like seeing a person in the morgue, except different surroundings. When you have no part in the particular patient's care what so ever, it gets different I guess when you see them. Well, I only saw the person's body and I felt it was a different experience than if I had any part in the patient care. So, that's why my thoughts and feelings were jumbled. Everyone's advice helped alot. One person said how they still talk to the person during post mortem care. That reminded me that I was taught in the beginning to still talk to the person while you are doing what ever needs to be done to the body. This also goes for coma and sedated/intubated patients. I remember hearing the CNA who was doing the post mortem care say "Ok Mr. X, I'm going to turn you now". Well I don't feel like I'm a "cold" person anymore. I constantly amaze myself in all that I am able to do while nursing that I never imagined I would be able to handle. Everyone's advice helps me to feel more confidant in my future abilities. Not many people can do what we do, and I feel that since I am able to do things well so far that I will be able to be a great nurse. Thats all I want to do, is be a great nurse. I'm nervous at times about what lies ahead, but I am eager to see how I handle the upcoming obstacles. So far I am now waiting on how I will handle Vomiting, Massive Burns, and the death of a patient where I have had a major hand in caring for. One step at a time. Thanks all! :)