cateye112

Hi Midnightlpn, First, they are likely giving you more work than should be allowed as that has become the norm in nursing these days, unfortunately. As an RN with ADHD, I can relate. For the first several months I was attempting to do my job without my medication for ADHD and I too would feel inept/get in trouble for staying late to get the mandated work finished. In my case, my preceptor had been overcontrolling with her last newbie (who then greatly struggled on her own), therefore went to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and pretty much left me to fend for myself. After getting back on my properly dosed medication and getting some prioritizing advice from a helpful co-worker things finally fell into place. To make a long story short, my suggestions are to ask co-workers what works for them. Find someone that you can trust and that does a great job. Also, make sure you are well prepared before the start of your shift and have a routine, we thrive in that. Lastly, make sure that your medications are working properly. If you don't feel like they are talk to your doctor. Also, has something changed recently that you are suddenly having problems? You are 3 years in right? So why now? Just something to consider. I hope all gets better for you soon.

I am a new RN and just started on the Neuro med-surg unit at my hospital. We have another floor for Neuro (CVA, MS, etc.). We get a lot of post-fall, TIA, observation, AMS etc. Our floor has frequent patient turnover but we are usually pretty full. While I love the hospital that I work for and the team that I am surrounded with, I have to say it is crazy busy. I will admit that I have some difficulty delegating tasks as I want to take care of my patients as much as I can. It could stem from nursing school, where we had to do it all...bed baths, vitals, accuchecks...all of it. Or perhaps it stems from my former days as a server or just my need to please. However, I am quickly learning the harsh reality that 12 hours is not as long as you think when you consider all of the work that you need to fit into that time frame. Prioritization and delegation are key. As Nurse_Diane said, very unpredictable. We do get a variety. Definitely a lot of neuro checks, post-op/ post-void bladder scans, etc. Certainly not a dull moment. I think the most important factor no matter what floor you are on is the team you are working with. Some advice that we got in orientation was to make sure you introduce yourself to everyone. Don't keep yourself in a bubble. You will need the support system.

Just wanted to share that at my orientation on Monday, the hospital said they get between 14,000-30,000 applications a month! I am not sure if that is the case for most hospitals (this one has roughly 1,000 beds). This helped to put things into perspective a bit for me.

KATRN78- I know exactly how you feel. It has taken my 6 months to find a job, many much longer. I was tired of everyone's suggestions and pity. I felt like no one understood, searching fora new grad position is NOT like any other job hunting I have done. But from one new grad to another, if you get so discouraged that you give up, obviously your not going to find a job. Although you are not asking my advice here is what I did: Call your local hospitals...all of them. Ask about their new grad programs. They usually open them 2x a year, in May/June and December/January. Find out when theirs starts. 1.) After you apply, call and let them know that you applied and are checking on the status of your application. Find out when they expect to start interviewing and such. 2.) Follow-up! Many places aren't as good about following up. The job I just got, I called 3 times before I heard back...and the craziest part was that I receive an automated rejection letter one night but then got a call for an interview the next day. 3.) During the interview, try to start a side conversation with the interviewer. I have read that this helps and I saw that my interview have young children (as do I) so we struck up a conversation about them that really relaxed things. 4.) Send a thank you card after you interview. I did. I need to note that two weeks prior I had a phone interview with a different hospital under the same umbrella as my current. I did not send a thank you or have a side conversation but I thought the interview went REALLY well. However, I did not get the job. I know how frustrating it is...even my husband was trying to find jobs for me as if the pressure of everyone else (and from myself) wasn't enough. I know he meant well. But I was ready to throw in the towel and find something else. I should also tell you that I did a lot of praying. This is the hospital I really wanted to be at. I believe that God's timing is perfect and he was keeping me available for this opportunity. Though it was challenging to keep that mindset while I was in the midst of it all. Either way, best wishes on your job hunt.

Great news, I got a job! It took a while but I am very excited. Best wishes to each and everyone of you that are hunting for a job...don't give up hope.

Great news, I got the job! Best wishes for you interview next month Emerald.

Thank you Emerald. I have been looking for 5 months now...I really need it. Have you found employment?

Nevermind... got ahold of my original clinical instructor. All is well.

I am a new grad and like most I have been having a difficult time finding my first nursing job. Monday I had an interview for a new grad position and it went very well. I actually ended up interviewing with the HR person, then two people from the Education Dept that head up the New Grad program. I am very excited! However, they can't move forward until I have two letters of recommendation (has to be from a Clinical Instructor, Nursing Instructor or Preceptor). I didn't think this would be an issue because all of the aforementioned have offered to do so. Although I have tried to contact each of these people several times, I can only get ahold of my nursing instructor. She sent one of the two letters that I needed. My clinical instructor is no longer with the school as she has taken a new position and though I have tried to contact her view phone, email and pager, I have had no luck. Same with my preceptor. My previous clinical instructor has offered to write one but can't until this weekend. So...here's my question(s).... The position starts on Nov 28, do you think this is an acceptable time frame to turn in the second letter? Should I contact the HR person and explain the situation (I have her phone and email information)? Please help. I really need this job! Btw, the reason I don't have a generic letter of recommendation is because they each wanted to personalize it.

I can't relocate. We are a blended family and share custody of two of our children. So relocating is not an option for us.

I am not working now. I am in Tampa FL. There are a number of school around here that I am competing with. I was even contemplating applying to different positions just to get my foot in the door. EDnursetobe - I assure you I am. I am not being picky at this time. I am looking at places even an hour away.

I found that our exams in school asked much more difficult questions. However, that is great because it will make you more prepared when you take it. Make sure you don't overthink things though. Another suggestions... everyone in our class hated the SATA questions but you NEED to study those. They are the hardest and you want to be comfortable with them when you take your exam. Also, I went to test with a classmate. We got plenty of rest the night before and relaxed. We went to lunch prior to the test but made sure not to eat anything to heavy. We got there early so we weren't stressed out. That really helped. Best of luck to you.

My classmate and I did Kaplan which was extremely beneficial for me. We also used a bit of Mosby's too. We both passed with 75 questions.

I am in the same boat but a few months behind you. I graduated in May, passed my boards in June, moved to a new town in July. Since I moved, I have no connections locally. I had to move for family reasons but I am certain I would have had a job, had we not moved. It is very discouraging to receive the same stock rejection letter repeatedly via email. I don't understand why there are not more programs out there for new grads. It feels pointless to have left a decent job to bust my butt in school just to be unemployed six months after graduation. So I feel your pain, money is tight! Whats worse is that we have 3 children...Winter (warmer clothes) and Christmas are coming. I pray for relief soon.

Hi teokie0824- I am a new grad that moved to the Tampa area this past July. I have to forewarn you, I have been looking for 3 months now and have only found 2 internship programs thus far. I know that Tampa General Hospital has them 2x a year and Baycare Hospitals have them periodically. Aside from the Graduate Nurse Programs, pretty much every other place I have looked or applied wants experience. Since I didn't complete my clinicals in Tampa, I don't have the connections that others might. If you can tolerate it, I would try and get at least six months to a year under your belt before moving if I were you. Then the possibilities would be endless. Also, you will have your BSN which will likely give you an advantage over others like me with an ASN. Also, as far as living in Tampa or surrounding areas, it really depends what you like. There are some trendy places downtown. We live in South Tampa and it is pretty decent. There is a lot of traffic around here though. Best of luck whatever you decide.