dashingdiva

Congratulations~!! But I don't know how much impact the omitting of previous work experience could affect the offer... hadn't experienced it yet.. Hope eveything will turn out ok still.. :)

Congratulations~! Impress 'em~! Sell yourself like hotcakes~!! lol. :)

ABC should always come first in your assessment. But of course you should not overlook LOC- as this will provide additional cues that will support your ABC assessments.

I think initially, they allow you to leave the SSN number blank then you have follow up qs on why the area is left blank. You can choose the answer- "choose not to provide SSN" or "Dont have SSN" and if you choose the latter, you have to explain why you don't have SSN. Yes, only either of the two can happen- the BON will let you sit the exam but not issue a license even if you pass OR the BON will not allow you to take NCLEX at all.

I am aware that such questions are offensive and discriminatory. Learn more about the other possible dark sides of the facility and decide if you want to deal with that kind of management in the future. But if I was you and I was desperate, I would probably still accept to just pay for the bills. Otherwise, move on someplace else. Another way you could have handled the situation is to answer the first *inappropriate* question with: "I am not sure how those would relate to my job but I am confident that my martial status and family relations will not interfere with my job performance. Next question, please!"

Probably go with the neutral solid colors or any color that has cool-dark undertones (navy blue, forest green, dark magenta, etc.)- that way the interviewer will not have headaches or a whiplash from the warm/bright colors. Your can stand out from your 'scrub' if it's about 2 shades darker/lighter than your complexion. Easier for the interviewer to focus their sights on your face and remember you! :) (this is the designer side of me talking, BTW. LOL)

Know what you really REALLY want to do and start from there. :) Sounds like youre not fond of doing the med-surg stuff- the hands on clinical/medical (invasive) procedures. There are a lot of options for you and you said yourself- the OB clinic. You can still retain some of the important skills there including critical thinking. Or probably consider a career in an acute hospital unit such as psych or behavioral health where you use less of those procedure skills and more on the therapeutic communication you probably already used as a school nurse. :) You can also pursue an NP career specializing in PMH if you think it is REALLY what you want. If you decide to pursue the hospital peds, you will most likely get adequate orientation and training to regain your skills. :) Good Luck~

Self-awareness and compassion I think are two of the major factors that will help any nurse in the mental health field. You can't deal with someone else and their 'issues' if you have unresolved issues your self or if you don't have a clear idea of who you are and what you are doing in this field. The insults and anything nasty that is thrown your way by patients who are hurting and have ineffective coping mechanisms could really get to you but if you find it in yourself to see beyond the insults and the acting-out; find a way to channel that stress into something proactive for the patient then PMH nursing would be a very fulfilling field. :) good luck! let us all enjoy and love PMH nursing~

Being a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse has always been one of my dreams~ and I got the offer for it too as my first nursing job after graduating and passing the NCLEX December last year. I sent the DON an email directly and he replied after about 3 days. Called me for an interview the next day then offered me a fulltime position 3 days after that interview. So collectively, it took me about 1-2 weeks to get the job. :) Good luck! :) PMH nursing is exciting and rewarding! :)

Very good advice. :) Exploring by asking open ended questions would provide you with more useful cues regarding your patient's status and behavior. :)

I had my interview for a position in a behavioral health unit early february. The questions were generic "tell me about a time when you.." and about my mental health background during my clinical rotations. I asked about the orientation length (2 weeks but I could ask for an extension), the patient ratio (3-4 staff to 5-6 patients), their safety precautions in the unit, and policy about restraining/seclusion among other things. :) Working in a behavioral health unit is my dream starting point as I believe that this field, although it can really be stressful, is indeed very rewarding and enriching. :) Good luck fellow behavioral health RN!

Evening shift is puurrfect~! :) at least IMO. Since I usually wake up at around 9-10 am and be active throughout the remaining hours of the day until 12mn. I also dont have to worry about missing family times since my uncle is usually asleep around the time of my shift for his 3am airport work, while my aunt usually stays up late til 1am anyway, Lol. Overall, Day would probably what most would prefer but evening is the best for me!

^^^ THIS. THIS is so true! got my dream offer in a Behavioral Health Unit because I stepped up my game- sending your resume online doesn't really do anything much now a days. You have to go out there, stand out, sell yourself and exude confidence! DONs and NMs look for the whole package not just the grades, awards and length of experience.

Hi! don't despair! I was like you during the first month that I passed my nclex and still no job offers... but READ THIS! https://allnurses.com/nursing-job-search/i-got-job-532817.html I did what was enumerated in the article and BOOM! after 2 months of searching, (and just 1 months after reading this article) I got a dream offer from a unit in a large hospital in our area. I'm a new grad ( from 2012 and foreign educated with minimal 'work' experience) but the DON was eager to hire me.. Offered me a full time position 2 days after the interview~! Just like the article said, be proactive in searching and trying to get that RN Job! Good luck!

Congratulations~! :) I got 2 peer interviews from different facilities and luckily (ableit somehow stressfully) got 2 offers. No matter who or how many you are going to be talking to, just put in mind that this is your time to impress and sell yourself as much as you can. And always be honest- look them in the eye and answer the questions as confidently and honestly as you can. :)