PurplejadeRN

Hi Tricky, I would recommend becoming a pct or aide in a hospital while you are in school. You can get a per diem job that only requires you to work 2 weekends a month. I also graduated from Rutgers ABSN. I know that the faculty advises you not to work while in the program, but once we began our clinicals, every new nurse we met told us that they got a job after graduating because they were already working in that hospital and they encouraged us to become aides/techs. I worked while in school and had an offer from my hospital before I even graduated. The first summer is the busiest, so I would advise you to begin working in the fall. If you wait until the spring it can be harder to secure a job because employers will know you are graduating soon and will be more reluctant to hire you (this was my experience) That's just my 2 cents. :)

Wear a Suit. It will show as professional, not materialistic. Honestly I don't understand why anyone would go into an interview in anything less than a suit, it is the best way to show you are a serious and professional candidate.

The accelerated program I completed had almost the identical amount of clinical days and all the same clinical courses. We ended up having 8 less days total of clinical (4 in psych, 2 I'm community, and 2 in leadership)

I don't think you need to worry about it. I have never been asked to show proof of being on the deans list. If anything if they look at your transcripts they will see your gpa and this will give validation to your resume.

I am a new grad who started working this past year in NJ. I received two offers 1. $26.24 w/$3 diff for part of shift between 3pm-11pm, and $6.50 diff for part of shift between 11pm-7am 2. $27.64 w/$3 diff for night shift and and additional $3 diff for weekend shifts I didn't try to negotiate, both places seemed to have a set rate that they offered new grads What have others experiences been?