BSNRN2014

I am in a similar position. I also struggle with feelings of guilt ,knowing how much it costs to train me and embarrassment that I couldn't stick it out. However, I've decided to put my health and emotional wellbeing first and to seek another work environment/field in nursing. Hopefully we'll both find better positions :)

I'm surprised by how insensitive some people are being about this issue. I am in a similar position where I'm unhappy with my current work environment however I've decided to stick it out for a year and get more experience. People say ignore the cliques but that is easier said than done. Personally I feel that you should hang in there until you can find another position. Who cares if it makes you look like a job hopper! Life is too short to live in misery and if you're unhappy then do something about it.

I have found that after multiple washings they become a little bit softer :)

Thank you everyone for you words of encouragement. I keep telling myself that the first 6 months is the hardest for new nurses. I am watching the the nurses on my unit, seeing how they respond in critical situations so that I can learn from them. I am still having moments when my confidence takes a hit but i'm trying to move past those moments and to learn from them.

You're not alone. I just finished crying after an overwhelming day where my preceptor made me feel incompetent. When they nurses eat their young its definitely true. This experience has dampened the joy i had when I first started this profession. I'm not sure what I can do or how to proceed.

Thank you for your post. Week 3 in my orientation and I really needed to read your message.

I had a rough day on Friday. I'm a new grad in my 3rd week of orientation and I froze during my first medical code simulation Which was video taped and recorded. I was so embarrassed and disappointed in myself. If anyone has ever gone through something similar, can you please share how you moved on ? Thank you

Hospitals in NJ and NY hire new grads in PICU and NICU. Most of my classmates got hired into both specialties.

I think this cartoon also applies to all the new grads during orientation. Take advantage of the knowledge your preceptors have and ask a lot of questions.

Hi everyone, I need some advice on how to soften my scrubs. The hospital requires us to wear a specific shade of green which is very difficult to find and are only sold by a few brands. The ones which I have been lucky to find have a very stiff/harsh material quality which chafe my skin. I am planning to wear tights and under shirts to reduce the skin irritation but I would also appreciate any tips to soften the fabric.

Definitely get some help and find someone to talk to...see if there is an occupational health department where you work. they usually have great resources for staff. I also think that it would be advisable to find a better work environment that is less stressful.

Go for it. Regret is the worst thing to live with.

Mazda CX-7 is very roomy

Don't be too hard on yourself but next time remember to check the BP before giving the med. Also, I just wanted say that it sounds like you have a very supportive team ( RN manager) which is something every new grad needs.

Hi everyone, I found this thread so helpful, especially qriousRN's detailed experience. qriousRN would you mind sharing what your experience was like during orientation at NYU? Any tips for new grads starting orientation soon? How is the work environment and culture at NYU?

It's very difficult. I agree with the previous post, if possible get a year experience under your belt before entering the competitive job market on the northeast.

I used the Kaplan review and did 1 chapter of Lacharity. I would recommend Kaplan but I'm not sure if Lacharity is worth all the hype it gets on this forum.

Apply for NY and PA license. it will improve your chances of finding a job.

Doctor: Ahhmm i'll come back and check on the patient later. He looks okay from here.

Hi would you mind sharing your interview experience at Hackensack UMC? I have applied and would love to know what their interview process is like. It's my first time doing this and I would really appreciate your help.

tatum210 when I was studying I also felt like my school did not prepare me well for the NCLEX, so I took a content prep class which really helped. My classmates used to make fun of me saying that I would be the first one to pass at 75 questions with no time left on the clock :) Because of those jokes I decided to also focus on learning strategies and on training myself to do a lot of questions on the computer. The more questions I did the better I became at figuring out questions, picking up on tricks/trick answer choices etc. Another piece of advice my teacher gave me is if you start making up stories, rationalizing or saying "maybe" that means you're reading too much into a question.

congrats!

Don't give up! Now you know what to expect and you'll be better prepared next time. Time was also my issue and I trained myself not to linger on questions, read it twice, select an answer and move on to the next question.

check the CDC

I apologize for the long post but I wanted to share my journey in hopes of helping other grads just as I was helped by previous postings on this discussion forum. I took two weeks off from work to study for the NCLEX and before that I was studying for 2-3 weeks after work for 3-4 hrs each day. During the entire time off from work my mother was hospitalized with a serious aliment but I prayed and made a promise to myself to do some quality studying each day. Sometimes I would study from 12am-3am when my mom was resting while on other days I was able to put in 5-6hrs. I didn't make a day go by without doing some kind of NCLEX work. Let me start of by saying that even though I used Kaplan exclusively for my prep, I have heard of fellow students using Hurst, NCSBN or combination and passing the NCLEX. I believe either NCLEX prep is good. I think some are more geared towards content while others are more geared towards strategy. I bought the $499 Kaplan package (includes class session), it was a financial sacrifice but I paid in installments. Here's what I did and it helped me pass at 75 questions: 1. I attended all the class sessions (didn't want to waste my $$$) 2.I listened to the Lectures (videos) and the videos reviewing in class questions (very helpful) 3. I completed all the Q trainers (I did all of them except one, # 5). I also retook the Q trainers that I scored low in. 4. I used the Q bank- try to complete all the questions. (i did 75% ) 5. I completed the alternate format question 1 day or 2 days before my test date 6. I made a name card with my name +RN. I looked at it everyday before I started studying. I believe in the power of using vision boards and in envisioning what you want. Time was limited so I decided not to waste time reading the review book from cover to cover. Instead I used the test analysis as my guide and after each test I would look at the analysis and review content for areas I was weak in such as, infection control and management of care (ortho) etc. I used either the Saunders book or the Kaplan ebook. However, I preferred the Kaplan ebook because it organized RN actions by priority and it kept things short and sweet. I felt like Saunders was too wordy. I did a lot of questions and I reviewed/ looked up information as I went along. If you have time review ALL the questions including the ones you got right, look at all the answer choices as it will give you extra info as to why each choice was right/wrong/not priority. When it got closer to my test date I didn't have the time to review everything, instead I looked at the test analysis report to see how my scores were distributed to find my weak areas. I looked at areas less than 60% and I would go back to the test to review the incorrect and correction questions in that particular area. I made notes if I noticed a trend. I made notes for areas that I was weak in or for any concept I could not remember. I organized it by section ( Management of Care/Positioning/Pharm etc). The key with notes is keeping everything organized so that you can find the info easily. I reviewed these notes periodically. Lastly, this is something I personally felt that I needed but it might not work for everyone or be within everyone's budget...I got a tutor. Two weeks before my test I was overwhelmed and felt disorganized especially with my mother being sick in the hospital. I finally bit the bullet and hired a tutor. She really helped me to be organized, provided me with the structure that I needed and a study schedule + info packets suited to my needs and situation. When I was taking the test I found myself using the tips that she gave me to answer a majority of the questions, even the ones I didn't know. Stay positive, during the exam I wrote on the dry erase board " You will Pass !!!" and every time I got to a challenging question I would take a break and read those words before going back to the question. I also took a break when I felt physically tired and overwhelmed by a question (# 33) and I did not wait for the scheduled 2 hr break. I went to the bathroom, washed my face with cold water and took a brisk walk in the hallway. When I returned to my computer, I knew how to answer #33 It definitely helps to walk away/ look away from the computer to regroup before answering a challenging question. Prayer also helped me through the entire process, knowing that I wasn't alone during the test also added to my confidence. I hope this helps and good luck to all the future RN's :)