BlessedbyGodRN

That's interesting. Thanks for the info.

I am glad that you reported the issue to someone in a position who can address it. I went through Excelsior College for my ASN. With Excelsior you must have some kind of a clinical background as a LPN, Paramedic or Respiratory Therapist. The only clinical requirement for the Excelsior program is a two and a half day clinical exam called the CPNE. I will be starting my first RN job in the ER on Monday. I am not nervous because I will be on orientation for 16 weeks and I do have a background in respiratory therapy. However, I must admit that I sometimes wonder if I am at a disadvantage compared to another new graduate RN who went through a traditional RN program. The bottom line for you is that you made the commitment to go to a brick and mortar school and so you should get all the benefits, including all the hands on clinical experience that is required for graduation. Thinking back to my respiratory school days, I remember a few days here and there when we got out early, but it wasn't the norm. Best wishes with your studies.

I'm starting my first RN job very soon. The hospital did have me sign paperwork authorizing a credit check as a part of the hiring process. I really don't know if they actually checked my credit or not. I remember thinking this is weird. It's not like I'm going to be handling money. Anyway as a new grad RN, I was just grateful for a job offer in a department I actually wanted to be in. They also wanted to see my original state license. I know they can go to state DOH website and see that I am licensed. I guess some employers are just extra.

I'm a new ASN grad in North FL. I have already started a BSN program. One hospital where I was offered a RN position said that once I finished the BSN I would get an additional .50 cents per hour.

Worked for me too. Congratulations!!!

Congratulations. You really pulled through. Your story will be an encouragement to others.

Yes, I did keep my respiratory therapy license thank you very much. I think you are completely missing my point. It seems like the young lady could use an attitude adjustment. That is all I'm saying. I'm not sure why that is so hard to understand. I am coming off of a lead position in my current department and going to be at the bottom as a new grad RN on my new job. Just so you know, I have always made it a habit to pull people to the side and talk to them and then keep things between them and I without blabbing to my superiors or other coworkers. That is a courtesy, not an obligation.

Just thought I'd mention, the mistake I made did not involve patient care, but it was none the less financially costly for the department.

I'm a new graduate RN. I don't even start my first RN job until early next month. Even I know that when a medication error occurs it is the nurses RESPONSIBILITY to notify the charge nurse, an incident report needs to be filled out and the patient's physician needs to be notified so that the doctor has the opportunity to take corrective interventions on the patient's behalf if needed. I'm surprised that people are talking about tattling and all other kinds of nonsense. Tattling is not the issue. The patient is the issue plain and simple... I hope that as I gain experience as a nurse that I never get so big headed to think that I am above being corrected. When you get to that point you are a danger to your patients. And please, don't proceed to tell me to wait until I've been nursing for a while to give my opinion. I am new to nursing, but not healthcare. I have been a Respiratory Therapist for over 12 years and I'm still learning. That's what being a healthcare PROFESSIONAL is all about...constantly learning and improving. How can you learn anything when no one can ever correct you? Makes me wonder how some people ever got a license to practice anything...

I also wear my name badge on a lanyard and it flips to the blank side all the time. When I introduce myself to my patients, I actually stretch my badge out to the patient so that they could see my name. I have an uncommon name and I find it's easier for people to remember it if they see the spelling.

What JustBeachyNurse said is correct. I took Information Literacy at Penn Foster and transferred it to Excelsior. It cost less than $100 and that was just earlier this year, so I am sure the price hasn't changed too much. You should try to do it before the CPNE or your graduation date will be delayed. That happened to someone I took the CPNE with. She ended up graduating a month after me just because of Information Literacy. I would also call or email Excelsior and make sure they would still accept it. Also, it is not something that takes weeks to complete. It is basically teaching you how to use a library properly. You can complete the entire course in one afternoon and then request a transcript to be sent to Excelsior. Hope this helps.

I am a new graduate RN as well. I have worked at the current hospital where I am now in another field (not nursing related, but involving patient care) for 2.5 years. I started applying for nursing positions as soon as I graduated. I kept getting rejection emails saying that, "another candidate has been chosen for this position, blah, blah, blah... After I got my Graduate Nurse license, I sent out another round of applications and got the same response. I did not give up. After I got my RN license, I sent out another round of applications to any floor who had a daytime position available whether or not they were looking for a new graduate RN. Do not let all those certifications, prefer BSN, prefer at least one year previous hospital experience and all that other stuff they put in the job description intimidate you. Apply, apply, apply. Your job right now is sending out job applications all day. Well, it just so happens by the grace of God that the nurse manager of one of the floors I applied for a position with gave me a call for an interview. I interviewed for the position exactly one week after I got my RN license and was offered the position immediately after the interview. When I look back on the experience, I was starting to feel like I would never get a job. In addition to the applications I was submitting to my current employer I was sending out tons (ok, may 150 total) applications to other employers. Most of them you never hear anything from and some at least send you a courtesy email letting you know that they are not interested. I think that things are just tough out there for new graduate RNs at this point. It seems like you are taking things personally and I know it's hard not to. Don't let this current situation kill your spirit. You got through nursing school and you will also get through this current test. My best advice to you is: 1. Do not limit yourself to applying to only new grad RN residency positions 2. Join the local chapter of your ANA or other local nursing organizations and network 3. Apply for jobs statewide in whatever state you have you RN license in, you may have to move 4. Have an HR professional review your resume 5. Reach out to some of your professors and see what connections they may have with local hospitals And most of all, keep submitting applications EVERYWHERE. Best Wishes

Passed in June at Grady with no repeats... My advice, take the online Excelsior workshops, go the the in person 3 day workshop offered by Excelsior and order the lab supplies so that you can practice those labs until you literally feel like burning the supplies. Practice, practice, practice your nursing care plans and be an advocate for yourself during the exam. When a clinical examiner tried to fail me for omitting a critical element for one of the lab stations (not swabbing a vial), I spoke up for myself immediately, adamantly and a little rudely as well (which I was sorry that I was rude). The clinical associate initially sided with the CE, but called me later that night to say that I would not have to repeat the lab. That boosted my confidence for my second day going into the exam. The CEs were all professional. Some seemed a little cold during the exam, but after testing you realize that it is not personal. It's just a tense atmosphere. The exam is stressful, but it can be done with preparation. Know your critical elements. And please, no matter how well you know the critical elements, do NOT walk into the patient's room thinking that you are going to remember what to do while in the room. Use the back of your assignment Kardex and literally write out in a numbered, list format everything you are going to do while in the room and then check things off as you do them. I hope this helps. Best wishes