guest517235

December 2011 Excelsior College graduate. From New York but spending Winter in Dallas/Fort Worth. Job market here for grads is poor. Should I go back and look in NY? I will be taking an extended road trip: TX > LA > MS > AL > GA > FL. How is the job market in those states? FYI, Excelsior grads cannot work in CA and MD. Many other states require at least one year of experience to gain licensure. Still, even if I work in NYC I want a good externship to gain experience. Are they still out there?? I can easily relocate anywhere in the USA. My main concern is finding a solid preceptorship. Preferably one at a better hospital that lasts at least 6 months. Feedback please! Anticipated working at Lennox Hill, but read mediocre/bad press. Any feedback for Columbia-Presbyterian? NYU? What about hospitals in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, or Miami? Recommendations? Appreciate any and all feedback!

Excelsior graduate struggling with hand eczema. I'm concerned that hand washing on a full time schedule will be a problem. Should I mention this in a job interview? Should I seek part time employment? (Depending on climate/location this may be a non-issue.) In general what interview questions should I ask? What kinds of questions should I be prepared to answer?

I will graduate with an ADN-RN from Excelsior College in December 2011. Currently prepping for NCLEX, but unsure how, where, and when to take it... 1) I'm concerned that passing NCLEX may make me ineligible for preceptorship, externship, and/or residency programs. Do these programs exist anymore? How does passing NLCEX effect eligibility? 2) I must pass NCLEX in order to *apply* to Excelsior's BSN and/or MSN program. I suppose I should just go ahead and take NCLEX, right? -Would it be easier to find RN work as a BSN (or even MSN)? -Could I become overqualified for entry level RN positions if I do the BSN-MSN bridge? -In the 1-2 years that would take, the job market should get better, right? -Or is it steadily getting worse out there? Should I look for something now? 3) Must I physically sit for NCLEX in the state I want licensure? Does Pearson VUE send results to any state? It's a national exam, correct? FYI, Currently in TX and not sure what state I will work in.

Just got ASN from Excelsior College. Had BA in liberal arts from another university. An EC Masters Degree is actually less credits for me than a BSN! Added bonus, I can enroll in the masters program before I take NCLEX (not so for BS). What I'm wondering is: will Magnet hospitals still hire me? I'd think having an MS trumps having a BS. But not sure what rules hospitals must follow to maintain Magnet accreditation. Usually all nurses have to be BSN... Also, looking for hospitals with good preceptor programs. Suggestions? Anyone know of nurse practitioner programs that are online or part time? Too bad EC grads can't work in CA. Anyone doing this at a federal facility?