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alibee - you're awesome! Thank you so much, I have a much better idea of what to expect now. I'm actually going to print this out and keep it with my orientation notebook! =)

Hey everyone, I'm a newbie that will be starting orientation for the Surgical Step-Down unit April 10th. Can anyone share any words of wisdom for what to expect out of orientation and a Surgical Step-Down floor in general? I'll be working days and the NM told me that they get very busy with admissions... They primarily do bariatric surgeries on the floor that I've been hired for, but there is also a mix of Med/Surg patients. Depending on their acuity, I could get anywhere from 4-7 patients... I'm very happy and can't wait to start, but I'm also nervous. My biggest fear is making a medical error with medication or anything else. I originally applied for a full-time night position, but ended up getting a part-time day position on this particular unit. It's been 10 months since graduating nursing school, so I'm so grateful for this opportunity and I really want to be successful. I also think it will be better for me to start out as a part-timer; I don't feel as overwhelmed.

LadyFree28- Thanks! I hope so too! =)

five10fevr - the job fair went pretty well. No interviews on the spot. Got a lot of info as to how the hospitals in my area hire. I asked plenty of questions. Left my resume with a few of the recruiters who said they hire new grads. At one booth, the DON of the med/surg units (didn't realize till afterwards!) put down that she'd call me for an interview next week for one of the med/surg units at her hospital... =) I asked for her email address so I can contact her as well, and she gave it to me. But yeah, just make the most of it, and you never know, it could open up a lot of opportunities for you. Best of luck!!!

I'm going to dress professionally as if it were an interview. I also plan on bringing extra copies of my resume to hand out to recruiters. This is the first time I'm going to a career fair, what is there to expect? Is it true that sometimes they'll interview you on the spot? Any other tips? Should I ask for business cards? Etc. THANKS! =)

I included it on my resume as a quick list of which hospitals I went to and for which clinical. I also listed my senior practicum, separately though. My leadership professor is the one who advised that I list my clinical rotations, since I am an inexperienced new grad.

The awful truth is that most women are SO catty. Does it REALLY matter how a new nurse LOOKS as long as they're a great nurse and willing to help/learn? Are you as threatened by the new nurses who are in their 40's-50's that went into nursing as a second career? The ones that aren't "young, thin, and cute". They're new too! Didn't you have to start somewhere too? I'm glad most of the more experienced nurses I've worked with (as a CNA) don't have that attitude towards the younger, new grads. It must be a nightmare for new grads working with people who think like this. Mutual respect goes a long way.

Congrats!!! & best of luck!

Thanks everyone... and you guys are right, I am on a "pity party" and I know I need to stop because it's just gonna become a vicious cycle. There are plenty of people experiencing much worse in their lives than I am. So thank you for the "tough" answers because I need to hear that -- didn't realize how whiny I sounded lol. It's true that if you see yourself as the victim, you give up the control you have over changing the situation. Yeah this situation stinks and it's partly due to the economy too, but I just need to make the choice to work on my confidence, self esteem/insecurities (things within my control). Even if I have to fake it for now, just for the interviews... Anyone have any tips for that? I don't want to project that kind of image...

I'll definitely check it out, thanks.

*Raises hand*

So sorry =( ...at least you can take comfort in knowing you're not alone! It's been 9 months for me and counting... Good luck though. Hope you get your first job sooner than later...

Sorry to be so negative, but I've gone on 5 interviews and I still can't secure my first nursing job. I got laid off from my job as a CNA a couple of weeks ago, I'm only getting unemployment for now. I still live at home with my parents so it's not so bad. I lost touch with nearly all my friends since I've graduated which stinks. Makes me feel so lonely. I feel like I'm spiraling into a depression. Sometimes I have trouble even getting out of bed and just taking care of myself lately. The last recruiter I spoke to told me that I come off as very sweet and like a pushover. I appreciate the honesty and constructive criticism, but come on -- someone's gotta give me a chance to prove that I'm not a pushover, that I am strong, and that I can handle whatever challenge comes my way. How can they judge me after only meeting me once??? It's so frustrating and unfair. I feel like all these rejections are the Universe's way of telling me that I'm not cut out for nursing! That I should just give up now because I don't fit the exact mold... Just because I don't fit into the box of what they think makes a great nurse. Well, they're the ones losing out on a great nurse... =(

Thanks for the support everyone... I come on here when I need some encouragement. I had another interview yesterday for a different hospital. I'm not really sure how it went, sort of okay I guess... but an okay interview usually doesn't get a call back... Trying to stay positive though! I remember a recruiter once told me that I come off as very sweet and like a pushover. Seems like I'm doomed to land a nursing job because I'm nice??? I can definitely assert myself though and I'm a very strong person... if only someone would just give me a chance... Don't patients like sweet nurses anyway? Lol After 5 unsuccessful nursing interviewers, I'm starting to think that the common denominator is me. I try to "fake it till I make it", but that just feels awkward and forced. The thing is, I don't want to have to change my whole personality to get a job or for any reason really. This truly stinks.

I love this posting... Nice to know that I'm not the only introvert that became a nurse in a very extroverted world.