hofamb

I worked a year in the ER before transferring to NICU. I have about 4 weeks of orientation left, but I definitely think my experience has helped. It's obviously totally different but knowing how to manage my time and prioritize makes a huge difference when learning a different speciality

My PALS instructor taught us everything we needed to know. Even if he didn't, I can't imagine studying for a month. March 10 should be fine, and I'd probably suggest taking it as soon as possible. I know nurses that didn't have it be for orientation was over which kept them from a lot of patients. Good luck!

I relocated to NC from Michigan and had a job almost 2 months before graduation. I started applying in February/march for most places including the job I ended up accepting!

I've only lived/worked here for about 6 months, but I'm currently at Duke Regional in Durham. I have friends that live in Raleigh and work in either Durham or chapel hill so duke or unc would be good options! Depending on where you live in Raleigh, it should be between 20-40 minutes to either place :) My roommate works on Duke's cardio/thoracic step down and really likes it whereas my other roommate works at unc's cardiac step down and likes it too! Good luck!

Thanks! I'm loving the area so far. Right now I'm living in Carrboro but will be moving to Durham soon. I was given time to change between my shadow and interview, so you may want to ask. Mine was set up as an open house so maybe that's why it was different?

Good luck on your interviews! I just moved down here from Michigan for a job at Durham regional hospital. I haven't started yet, but the relocation for out of state is $3000. You can either have it paid to you (taxed) or paid to a moving co (not taxed) so far I love it down here :) let me know if you have any questions!

My externship absolutely got me my current position-in a different health system. I just had to explain why that externship prepared my to become a RN. Without it, I don't think I would have even been remotely considered for this position.

I can't guarantee that it won't hinder you, but I thought I'd share with you my experience. I actually never worked in an ER (externship in the surgical ICU and capstone in neonatal ICU) and was hired into an ER before graduation :)

I would keep trying to call hr and/or email whomever you interviewed with. When I interviewed the interviewer gave me her phone & email and said to contact with any questions. Good luck! It seems like they can be kind of slow with stuff so you may still have a shot! Let us know when you find out :)

I am also having my license endorsed after passing my nclex in my home state. I don't think you would save anytime by trying to take the nclex by examination in Georgia. Everything I've been told points to exam taking much longer than endorsement because they have to make you eligible by looking at all of your school records. By endorsing, you've already been made eligible, just have to pass the background check. Did you check and see if Ga has a temporary license that they'll give you until you are cleared for your permanent?

Congrats on the interview! What unit? I'm going to be in their ER and have talked to some current employees that love it. All of the negative comments I could find were pretty outdated, but there's no way to tell till I get there! Good luck, let us know!

I am a tech in a large surgical icu and recently graduated. I can tell you that the biggest thing that I did to be a great tech is to be available and show that I want to learn everything possible. Rather than spending any free time chatting with other techs, I tried to see/do as much as possible. It allowed me to learn more than I ever thought possible. Good luck! It's an amazing opportunity.

I just graduated NS, but have worked as a tech/aide on 2 different units within a very large research hospital for the last 2 years and have always taken the BS for every patient assigned to me. That's just how our units are set up, but we don't rely on writing the correct number, we put them in the computer (by hand) in the pts room and then verbally tell the nurse. I've never heard of any issues on either of my units.

I currently work in a SICU and had 2 girls graduate with FNP degrees after working in SICU their entire careers (they're fairly young as well) and both had job offers before graduation. I can't guarantee the schools you're looking at will be the same though :)

Oh. Sorry. Apparently my state doesn't have that! Haha good luck!

If the BON gave you a license number and said you passed, there's not really a reason to pay the $8 from pv?

I'm from Michigan and know that 4 people from my class received offers from duke. Only 2 of accepted, but that's still better than most parts of the country from what I've noticed.

There are so many different aspects to nursing, that I'm sure you'll find your nitch! I work as a CNA currently (graduate this week from nursing school!) and even though I appreciate the experience, I know it's not where I want to end up. Sometimes you have to figure out both what you want and what you don't!

Wrench, what unit did you interview for? They called me this afternoon, but I have a friend that also interviewed (a week before I did) that hasn't heard anything yet. I really think they only have one recruiter that has been super swamped. And she said she'll be gone again this coming Thursday/Friday (not today) for a recruitment event)

Yes. So hopefully you'll hear soon!

I got a offer for the emergency department at Durham regional today! It sounds like they're starting to catch up but definitely got a little behind. Good luck everyone!

That interview is Thursday. Driving to nc from Michigan tomorrow morning!

I had two apps forwarded to nurse managers as well (for GEMS). I got an email asking to schedule a phone interview for the critical care GEMS program but haven't heard anything from the recruiter since I responded with my availability. Did anyone else have this experience? I have a feeling they are running behind so we should still have a chance to hear! Good luck everyone!!

I work in 2 different ICUs, neither of which restrict visiting hours or ages. I've never ran into an issue with it. Occasionally a family member will want to talk to you during report, but I just inform them that we are rounding and will be in shortly. We also explain upon admission that the nurses will be giving report between 0700-0730 & 1700-1730 but will be able to monitor the patient from outside the room. I think this helps reduce fears that they are forgotten about during shift change. We also allow visitors in the room at all times. There are very few examples of asking family members to leave and they are usually given the option to stay or go to the waiting room.

Thanks! I've been researching like crazy! I'm sure it will go fine, but I wish it was sooner! I think it took them around a week to hear back from the nurse manager :/ It drove me crazy. But they emailed me. I don't know if it will be the same for GEMS. Good luck!