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I’m currently a Clinical Research Nurse and its very difficult it get into clinical research. Many employers want you have to experience since there is a large regulatory component to research that you do not learn in nursing. I took a course at Clinicalresearchfastrack which is an intense “boot camp” that teaches you the regulatory process. Let me know if you have any questions.

So I just need to vent a bit about my last night. I've been off orientation for about a week and have had some pretty easy shifts, even leaving on time. Last night was the worst shift as of yet. I started out with four patients and felt pretty good, some complex surgical patients but nothing to bad. Then within an hour I got a direct admit which through off my whole night. There were no orders, the doc wasn't returning my pages, and the pt. had an insulin pump which I haven't seen before and direct admits take forever with all the charting. Everyone wanted pain meds at the same time, I had to start a heparin bolus and drip, which I haven't done before. There were so many new things that I haven't done which took twice as long to get done. The staff I work with are the best when it comes to teamwork, all offered to help give meds and do anything to help get me through the night. I'm so thankful for them because it would have been a nightmare without their help. I'm sure tonight will be better but man I didn't think I was going to get through the night. Just needed to vent a bit....thanks all. :)

Phoenix, AZ Enrolled for RN-BSN starting Fall 2014 Passed NCLEX 6/11/2014 Applied to 1 job and was hired. I have been a PCA on my floor since the fall and worked very hard during this last year of nursing school to secure a job as an RN after I finished school. I start my new job the end of July on a surgical floor. Advice: If you are still in school get a job as a PCT/PCA in a hospital you would want to work in and stick it out...it will pay off. Many of my classmates are still looking for jobs and keep getting reject emails. I'm thankful but I also put in the time and hard work to help secure a job after school.

I just wanted to share my experience as a PCA/CNA. I attained a PCA position during the last year of nursing school in hopes to gain an RN position once I finished. In my market it is very difficult to get a acute new grad position without networking. So I worked very hard, treated the time as a PCA as an extended job interview and it has paid off with an RN position within a month of passing the NCLEX. So for those who care about doing well and studying endless hours for that "A". I would rethink your plan...no one cares what your grades are in school...they care about how you work within a team, are you able to multi-task, and can you see the big picture. Working as a PCA taught me so much more then clinicals in respect with talking to patients, working with other staff and dealing with MD (on a limited bases). I feel comfortable within the environment which is half the battle learning a new job. So if you are able to work DO IT. It will save you months of saying to yourself "why can't I get an interview" Its not a guarantee by any means but it does give you a way to network, which is how you land a job now days. Ok I'm done with my soap box...:)

So just an update to let everyone know that I did PASS!!! I took my exam on 6/11 and only had 75 questions. I didn't count the amount of SATA but I felt like at least 40% of the exam included these questions. It seemed that if I felt that I answered the multiple choice correctly the next question was a SATA. Kaplan did help with the critical thinking but many of the answer choices were not what I expected so using those critical thinking skills came into play. Good luck to everyone!!!

Today I sat for the NCLEX. It was tough to say the least many SATA and a few drag and it shut off at 75 questions. I tried to register for another exam and I got the good pop up. I can't believe that I'm done with this sucker. It was tough but I feel Kaplan prepared me to think critically with questions that had no clear answer. Tomorrow I should find out if I officially passed but today I'm celebrating with a much needed adult beverage!

Wanted to let those who use Kaplan my current scores. I have found Kaplan to be great in improving critical thinking strategies. I find that I can read the question and pick out the needed information and kick out 2 of the answers in a short amount of time. I plan on taking the NCLEX in less then a week and I'm feeling ok but feel that I need more time. I find that there will never be enough time to learn all that could be presented to you. So learn how to think critically and choose the right answer. Here are my scores: Diagnostic: 67 QT 1: 62 QT 2: 72 QT 3: 58 QT 4: 65 QT 5: 60 QT 6: 63 QT 7: 68 (buy far the most difficult) Readiness: 63 I have completed over half of the QBank with a 65% average. I've heard if you are above 60% with your QBank questions you are doing well and have a good chance of passing per Kaplan. Good luck to all who are testing soon. Keep the faith and remember to think like a nurse!

Wanted to let those who use Kaplan my current scores. I have found Kaplan to be great in improving critical thinking strategies. I find that I can read the question and pick out the needed information and kick out 2 of the answers in a short amount of time. I plan on taking the NCLEX in less then a week and I'm feeling ok but feel that I need more time. I find that there will never be enough time to learn all that could be presented to you. So learn how to think critically and choose the right answer. Here are my scores: Diagnostic: 67 QT 1: 62 QT 2: 72 QT 3: 58 QT 4: 65 QT 5: 60 QT 6: 63 QT 7: 68 (buy far the most difficult) Readiness: 63 I have completed over half of the QBank with a 65% average. I've heard if you are above 60% with your QBank questions you are doing well and have a good chance of passing per Kaplan. Good luck to all who are testing soon. Keep the faith and remember to think like a nurse!

I applied to the med/surg and my status is still "application received" I guess I didn't make the cut. It was worth a shot.

No. My status is application accepted.

Speaking from experience, if you want to increase your chances of getting an acute RN position after school, work in a hospital as a Tech while in school. I've been working for almost a year as a PCA and it has helped me land a RN position on my same floor, even before I graduate from nursing school. It is a tough job to say the least, but it will help you leaps and bounds to become a well adjusted nurse. Most of the students in my class that worked as Techs while in school have jobs lined up before graduation. Its not a guarantee by any means but it does increase your chances of getting a job 100 fold. Get a job while in school it will pay off in the end.

Mine says "application received" as well.

For you to apply to the Critical Care position you have had to work in Critical Care as a PCA, ED Tech or some other support staff. Unfortunately it is to late to apply, they only opened up the dates to apply for 3 days. I'm currently working in a med/surg floor as a PCA. My status hasn't changed yet but I'm sure there were plenty of med/surg apps.

I have also applied to the med/surg position. It seems like a great opportunity and I guess they hire both BSN and ADN's, but we shall see. I'm currently finishing up my ADN in 4 weeks!

I'm attending Central Arizona College and I'm working full time 3 12 hour shifts as a PCA (patient care assistant). It is doable but you have to be able to process information quickly. If it takes you awhile to grasp disease process or it takes you longer to understand concepts it may not leave you with enough time to study. But I will say that if you don't work while in school it is difficult to attain a job in acute care after you graduate. Gaining your first RN position after graduation is based on networking and location of where you live. If you do not know someone within the hospital it is very, very difficult to get a job right after school. It may take as long as a year to gain a job within the acute care setting. So I would either get a PRN or part time job just so that you have a way to network if working full time would not work. Also, working as a PCA will give you tons of experience at the bedside that will give you a HUGE advantage over those who have not worked in a acute care setting. Hope this helps and good luck!

I just wanted to give an update with my Banner interview. I received an offer and accepted the position. This position could lead to a new grad RN position in May when I graduate. I'll be working on a Med/Surg floor that mostly has post-op then medical pt. I'm sure it will be an adjustment, since this is my first direct pt. job. Banner is not an easy company to get into but I've heard they treat their employees well. Good luck to everyone!

You can get hired at Banner with a ADN but you must have been working as a PCA while attending nursing school (ADN), also they would like you to be enrolled in a RN-BSN program once you have completed your ADN. So it is possible but its difficult to get a PCA position at Banner unless you know someone there. I just got hired as a PCA at Banner and I'm in my final year of a ADN program. Others that I know at Banner have been hired as ADN new grads but they have been working at Banner. Its tough out there but if you make good connections and network with the RIGHT people you can land that job. Just be smart with your time. You MUST work while in nursing school as a PCA/PCT to at least have a fighting chance to land a new grad job. Good luck!

I do believe you can get a new grad job at a valley hospital by working as a PCA/PCT while in school. You must be enrolled in a RN-BSN program like NAU so that you can start completing the BSN once you are finished with your ADN. I'm interviewing at Banner for a PCA position and from what I've heard you can get a job at Banner as a new grad ADN, but you must be enrolled in a BSN program and be a current employee. But I will see once May rolls around. :)

Well I had my 1st interview with Banner and did well enough to get a 2nd interview for a PCa position in Med/Surg. Seems like a very busy floor but it will be worth it to gain some good experience. I'm also attending my last year of nursing school so it will be a challenge to do both school and work full time. But others have done it so I'm sure I can. :)

Well I got a call from Banner and I have a phone interview this week. Just FYI you MUST know someone at Banner who can contact the hiring manager for you. I'll keep you guys posted as the interview process progresses.

I would get your CNA and try to network yourself a PCT job in a hospital, if at all possible. To land a job anywhere it takes networking and luck. If you are able to work as a PCT while attending school either at Maricopa or CAC you will have a higher chance of getting a RN job once you graduate with your ADN. I would then apply to NAU and get a RN-BSN online while still in your ADN program which may give you a slight edge against other ADN new grads.

I think Banner requires you to know someone there to get a job. I have applied many times just for PCT positions and have never even had a call back. Such is luck.

There are programs that allow ADN students in their 3rd or 4th block to enroll in a RN-BSN program. You need approval from the ADN school to do so but I'm starting my RN-BSN degree in the spring while still completing my 4th block of the ADN program. It allows you to get a head start on the BSN program, which at full time status would take at least a year to complete. I hope it gives me an edge to get a new grad position as in most area hospitals prefer BSN grads.

Yes from what I've heard from those who work at Banner they will not hire you unless you have a BSN. I'm not sure being enrolled in a BSN program would help but it might. I just don't want to be one of those new grads still looking for a job 9-12 months after getting my RN.

Thanks for the response. The market here in Phoenix is becoming worse for ADN's. One of the major healthcare systems in the area is no longer accepting ADN new grads. They own at least 50% of the hospitals in the area so I'm looking to move to other states. Do the hospitals hire ADN's in ABQ? That will at least give me some hope.