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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.

@BlackMurse1 Yes, I'm willing to relocate.

@the smack Good luck to you, hang in there... I completely understand, trust me. I heard that the job market for new nurses in FL isn't that great, same for NY (where I'm from). I'm gonna keep applying and I'll try volunteering at hospitals, if anything it'll help me meet the right people... Check nurse.com every now and then for job fairs too -- http://www.nurse.com/events/career-fairs. @lisy321 Good luck, hang in there... try taking a nurse refresher course so that you can remain competitive in today's market. If a year passes and I still don't have a job, that's what I'm gonna do.

Thank you all. Each day is a day closer to the right job... that's how I have to look at it for now. I applied to several more jobs today. Like some of you are saying, I also thought that 3 interviews was a great sign and that it meant it would only be a matter of time before I was offered the job. I tried to call HR for feedback/constructive criticism, but no response. It's time for me to just move on...

Thanks, I sure hope so...

I know...that's how I look at it too. As a learning experience. It's just sad that it has to be this way. I really felt like I was going to get the job this time around though...

Hey guys, Well I just found out that I didn't get a job that I had 3 interviews for. I can't help but to just sit here and cry because I really thought that I got it! This is beyond disappointing... If I would've known it was gonna be this hard to get a job in nursing, I may have reconsidered my major 4 years ago. I still have to pay off $30,000+ in loans like pretty much all the rest of us new grads. I'm not even a new, new grad. I'm an old, May 2012 "new" grad. This definitely took a stab to my self esteem, I'm not gonna lie. Tomorrow I'm interviewing for a part time Tele position at the hospital I work at now as a CNA. A friend of mine, another CNA, interviewed already for that job last week, whose dad works as a nursing supervisor there. I feel like she'll get it, but you never know. I'll be happy for her, but I'll be a lot happier if I get it. I just feel so discouraged.

Thanks jujubee. It's another phone interview, because the hospital is 4 hours away... so hopefully it is just a "getting to know you" type of interview. Honestly, I can't imagine what more they could want to know or what else I could possibly say before offering me a job.

I got a call back last Thursday from the hospital I interviewed for (YAY!) and they were doing my reference and background check. The next day (Friday), the recruiter from HR called me to set up a phone interview for tomorrow with the Director of Nursing of the Med/Surg units. Should I take this as a good or bad sign? I'm panicking now, because they told me I was a final candidate for the RN position last Thursday... could this 3rd interview with the DON be the one that makes or breaks my chance of getting this job? I'm worrying because: 1. I'm a little intimidated because this is all new to me (1st "real" job) and 2. I don't know why they need to interview me again; I feel like they're not sure if they want to hire me or not. Pleaseeee let me know how I can seal the deal and make a really great impression with the DON. These opportunities have truly been far and few between, and I really want to start working as a nurse already... Thank you so much.

Good luck! I'm in the same boat! Waiting is the worst part, I hope you get it! =)

Anyone?