WinterSoldier

Hi Klone! Have you tried reaching out to Central Oregon Community College in Bend? I know it's a few hours away, but, the local (and only) health care system here in Central Oregon is not particularly new-grad friendly so the graduates from COCC typically need to leave town for acute care positions. The local hospital seems to have a strong preference for experienced travelers. Would you mind PMing me your location? Thanks!

California State University, Chico Nursing Programs - School of Nursing - CSU, Chico

I ended up declining the offer. I was really impressed with the hospital, though. It seems like a fantastic place to work. One of my concerns with living in the area was the duration of the rainy/gloomy season in Olympia. Even though my hometown averages ~280 inches of snow each winter, the vast majority of days throughout the year are sunny (just under 300). I don't think I would fare well with 8 months of gloom. My dogs hate the rain and getting them outside would have been extra challenging.

I interviewed for critical care on 11/8 and received an email asking for my references on 11/10. I haven't heard anything since then.

I came across this article not too long ago. It's written by an ED physician who believes "it's just a job" and credits maintaining that attitude for avoiding burn out. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/those-four-words-may-offend-you-also-just-save-louis-m-profeta-md

How did you guys feel about your interviews?

A residency is not required. It's just easier to get into acute care through a residency because most hospitals will not hire new grads into a staff position without experience. It's not impossible, but just a bit more difficult. Residencies are nice because they give you extra education and support since nursing school does not really prepare you for the real world.

Good luck to you as well!

Congrats! Yesterday I received an email for one in critical care. Do you know much about their interview process?

Hi there! I know finding that first job is stressful and wanted to create a thread for Salem Health applicants to find and offer support. Has anyone received an invitation to interview yet? Best wishes to everyone!

Yes, what Harveyslake said. The science courses for nursing are not the equivalent of "for majors" science courses. I've taken both and they are night and day. I thinks it is very unlikely BSNs will ever take over the lab. In California, regardless of your actual degree, you can be a CLS so long as you meet all the requirements. The allied health science courses that nurses take do not count. However, BSNs that did take the "real" classes would be in a position to meet requirements although given the number of units for all those classes the time to complete the necessary education would be extended considerably. Academic requirements Bachelor's degree (baccalaureate) with specific course requirements: 16 semester or equivalent quarter units of chemistry, which must include clinical chemistry OR analytical and biochemistry. 18 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology, which must include hematology, immunology, and medical microbiology. 3 semester or equivalent quarter units of physics (light and electricity Training or experience Minimum one year of post-baccalaureate training OR Minimum one year of work experience. Training or work experience must be comprehensive to cover all areas of the clinical laboratory. Training or work experience must be in a clinical laboratory. ExaminationsThe following certifying organizations are approved by the Department for the CLS generalist licensure examination: ASCP certification ASCPi (international) certification AAB certification AMT certification There are also specialties within medical lab science: Clinical Chemist Scientist License Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist License Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist License Clinical Hematologist Scientist License Clinical Histocompatibility Scientist License Clinical Immunohematologist Scientist License Clinical Microbiologist Scientist License Clinical Toxicologist Scientist License https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/lfs/Pages/ClinicalLaboratoryScientist.aspx Also, CLS/MLS and MLT are not equivalent. Medical Laboratory Scientists have a bachelor's degree. Medical Laboratory Technicians have an associate's degree or technical certificate. Some institutions and/or states limit the type of testing MLTs can perform. Generally, an MLS performs more highly complex testing requiring interpretations and correlation of data, as well as more intense trouble-shooting processes. (http://thepathologycenter.org/MLS-Program/faq/)

Ex-phlebotomist/lab assistant and new RN here! Short answer: It depends on the test (e.g. ionized calcium cannot be opened). However, for most common tests opening up the tube will not change the results. The tubes are open when they are in the "analyzer" machines (chemistry, hematology, etc.). If you aren't sure, check with your lab. What is important regarding the blue top sodium citrate tubes used for coag studies (PT, PTT, DDimer) is that they are filled within the range of the marker arrow– seen near the top of the actual tube– to ensure the ratio of additive to blood is correct. Blue tubes that are not filled properly will skew results and the lab will likely reject the specimen.

I recently received this in my email from the ANA/C. It's a survey regarding customer satisfaction with the CA BRN. I encourage everyone to fill it out! The CA BRN is THE WORST. BRN Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey

I'm out running errands, I'll email you when I get home :)

CONGRATS!!!! I have not found housing yet. I emailed a couple apartment complexes, but no replies as of now. Also been looking on Craigslist, but everything is so expensive there. I have 2 small dogs so that makes things a tad bit more difficult. Have you had a chance to research housing yet? I just had to drive 3 hours (one way) for my drug screen yesterday. Are you back in Hawaii already? They only give you 48 hours to take your drug test after the pre-boarding specialist sends you the information. And there are only approved test facilities listed in CA, OR, WA, AK, and MT. Make sure you discuss this with your recruiter, hopefully they will make accommodations since you don't live close. Did you like the hospital? I really got such good vibes from everyone there. It's a huge move for me but I think it will be worth it.

The manager, assistant manager, and educator interviewed me. I was there for about an hour, but a lot of it was them telling me about the hospital and residency program, and they gave a tour of the unit. So, I think I only actually answered questions for about 20 mins or so. Maybe even less. I asked them quite a few questions as well. During my tour of the unit I sat down with one of the new grads in the current cohort and asked her a bunch of questions. She was so nice and helpful, and also reassuring. Talking to her had a lot with my decision to accept the offer. I was very nervous going into it, but the panel really put me at ease. They were not nearly as intimidating as I expected. They talked to me for a good amount of time before they even asked me any questions. I hope you are offered the residency!

Congrats emersonarchie! I live in Oregon so I drove up there for the day. Where are you flying from? Are you interviewing for the ICU? If you are, it wasn't very stressful at all. I was so impressed with everyone I met there. I don't remember the exact questions, but they were typical "behavioral" scenarios. For example, one was something like, "Tell me a time you went above and beyond a patient's expectations." Another one was about showing compassion. I had several examples I drew from my past work and clinical experiences. They also gave me a clinical situation where I had to prioritize my actions, don't remember exactly, but basically the scenario involved a very busy unit where both doctors and patients needed your attention, but you have all the resources possible to help out. It was cake compared to NCLEX priority questions so I'm sure you'll be fine. Best of luck to you!

Hi there! I am a new RN from Oregon starting the St. Peter Residency this Nov. Anyone else here? I'll be in the ICU. I am looking into housing right now and not finding much on Craigslist. I am not very familiar with the area either and I don't want to inadvertently move into a sketchy neighborhood. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I'll try my best to answer your question! So, you can take the NCLEX in any state for any state (i.e. you can physically take the exam in South Dakota for licensure in CA). You have to apply for licensure by examination for they state you want a license in–make sure your school sends them your name for the candidate list asap your last semester in school. That being said, I don't suggest moving to CA without a firm job offer. The market is saturated with new grads. Your best bet is a residency, start applying asap. This is a useful resource: nurseresidencies.com When do you graduate? If you decide to apply for licensure by exam in CA, submit your application at least 2 months before your graduation date, and have your transcripts rushed as soon as your degree is posted. I graduated from a CA school this past May and some of my classmates waited months for their ATT, then weeks after that to find out if they passed. Many of them had to contact their local assemblymen and senators to get anywhere. The California board is literally the worst. Don't expect anything to change soon. If you want a nursing license as fast as possible in general, apply for licensure in any state but CA. After I graduated I tested for licensure in Oregon and received my license the day after I NCLEXed. My classmates that stayed in CA weren't licensed for weeks after I was, even those who tested before me. I think applying to residencies anywhere and everywhere you don't mind living before you graduate is the best way to go, then apply for licensure by examination in the state where you are hired. If you are dead set on CA, apply to test for CA. Endorsement takes much longer than licensure by exam. I hope that all made sense. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!

Brandon, thanks to both you and SYeH for the encouraging updates. Did you live scan or hard card?

SYeH, did you do a live scan or send in a hard card? I mailed a hard card several weeks ago, but I think I may drive down to CA to just go ahead and do a live scan if it will speed up the process.

You're welcome :) I wish I had known those things before I moved here. My SO and I moved here to be close to his family and I knew it would be a challenge to find a job, but I didn't think it would be this hard. Congrats on your upcoming graduation and good luck with your job hunt!

FaithI7, are you graduating next summer? If you are considering moving to Bend as a new grad it will be VERY DIFFICULT to find an acute care job. St. Charles hires new grads into Med/Surg and Ortho/Neuro only, and they have a strong preference for their local ADN graduates from COCC. If you know a manager there you may have better luck. St. Charles is also the only hospital in town and they own all the surrounding hospitals within a commutable distance (all about 1 hr away from Bend with the exception of the Redmond facility, much longer drive in the snow). I graduated in May from a non-Oregon BSN program; I've been applying to acute care positions here since April with a very strong resume and several years of health care experience and cannot even get an interview for acute care. I've had a few interviews for outpatient clinics within the last month. Some other things to consider are: rental housing is difficult to find and becoming increasingly unaffordable and the locals are generally unhappy about all the new people moving into town. However, the town itself is great, especially if you enjoy the outdoors and having 4 seasons.

I, too, have a degree in exercise physiology and I am currently finishing a BSN program. I originally applied to direct entry MSN/FNP programs but backed out while I was signing my loan forms 2 weeks before classes were to begin because the cost freaked me out. I am earning my BSN at a state school because I'm trying to keep my loan debt down. That being said, I believe I would have preferred a PA program. The medical model would have been more my pace--I like science, period. Nursing school involves a lot of theory and paper writing (i.e. busy work) that I don't find useful in the real world. I have been working in a critical access rural hospital for over 3 years and PAs are more respected at this facility (I am in California) however, the FNP pay is a little bit higher. My friend started a PA program when I started the BSN and she is finished, and very pleased with her education--I still have 2 semesters left for a bachelor's and I feel my education has been lacking. PA school generally requires far more clinical hours than FNP programs, which I would take any day over writing papers about warm and fuzzy movies I was forced to watch (I don't really know for sure how FNP programs work since I am not in one, I only know what I have read on allnurses and it seems FNP programs involve a lot of theory, too). The nursing model is much more warm, fuzzy, and touchy-feely; if you prefer to get down to the nitty gritty I say go the PA route. Yes, physicians will always wield power over them, and yes, FNPs are at the top for nursing. The latter played a big part in my decision to originally pursue the direct entry FNP option, but hindsight makes me wish I would have gone PA. I intend to pursue an MSN/FNP degree because this is the path I am already on, but truth be told I've seriously considered jumping ship and applying to PA school anyway. At this point that doesn't make sense for me because you cannot work during a PA program due to the intensity; I can work as an RN while I earn a MSN. I highly recommend taking the time to calculate out the costs of the programs (both FNP and PA) you are considering--make sure to look closely, sometimes the first numbers you see can be deceiving. It's also useful to know if the MSN programs confers a BSN along the way. Sorry this post is so long, I just have some really strong opinions about nursing school after being in it for 1.5 years. Even as a 2nd degree BS student, my school's nursing program is 2.5 years total.

The cutoff before alternates was 87. I had 89.5. Good luck!