jeangarc18

Does anyone know how one becomes an ENP? I always thought it would be a straight program like FNP (ie get masters and take another NCLEX)... But I was researching and I'm gathering that you just first work as an FNP in acute care adult or some other acute care specialty before you can become an ENP? I'm confused...

Thanks everyone!!! I worked in a rural hospital on an adult and peds med-surg and tele unit where we actually did obs as well. It was mainly a med-surg unit so I don't really know what it would be like to have 20 straight obs patients.

Ello fellow Nurses!!! I recently just got a job at a big hospital on an obs unit. I was told by the director that it is an extension of the ED and ICU... But that still leaves much info to be desired. We have obs on our med-surg unit sometimes but it doesn't feel like were on the same page. I currently work in a rural hospital in the sticks. Any info on an obs unit would help. Thank you!!!!

You are absolutely right. When the State came in it was nuts. I was supposed to be off my "orientation" (which isn't even adequate new grad training, more like a crash course..) they put me back on it so that the State wouldn't even talk to me because I was a "new grad". They shave off time off of our hours thinking we won't notice it. But I do and I say something and they fix it. It's ridiculous. Thank God I got my own malpractice insurance, because I've never been at a hospital where they throw their nurses under the bus as much as they do. I just have to keep reminding myself that my first job is NOT my career.

I figured it was fairly new since there aren't many programs out here in California for it. I was just confused if they went the FNP route and then branch off... Hopefully by the time I am seriously applying to grad schools there will be more supply of legitimate NP programs in my area. Thank you. I wasn't even sure that NP's could treat in more acute care specialties.

Is there a real demand for NP's? What about ENP's? I'm looking to go grad school in a year or two and I wanted to know which way to direct my nursing career. How does one even become an ENP? I know the programs must be limited.

There were 4 new grads when I started. In a matter of two months half of them found better jobs and left. I wish I could be so lucky. They're literally pinching every penny over here. That's why I was finally able to get "full-time" status with half assed benefits. And that's total BS about your situation. They can't discriminate against you because you're pregnant. Needless to say, I've been applying since about a month ago.

So update: I finally got a job in a small town in the sticks of California. It's probably considered rural nursing. The only problem is the way the hospital is run. I started off "per diem" but worked full-time hours so they wouldn't have to give me benefits. Recently they switched me to full-time but made me sign a statement that said I was "offered insurance but I declined." I have a feeling that this is rampant in the smaller hospitals. Don't be surprised if this happens to you...

I have been looking for a year and a half. Still no such luck. I'm considering joining the military and moving out of state... But even that looks bleak at the moment... I'm desperate to start my life, get married, do grad school and get settled down like the rest of my classmates. But I can't even move out of my parents house. Not where I saw myself at the age of 26.

Any new grad/inexperienced nurse-friendly states out there? Looking to relocate just to get a job. Cali is dried up for new grads.

I graduated in 2010 and obtained my license 2011. I was burnt out from full time BSN course plus work study plus full time job. So I took a break. Anyway, it is now 2013 and I've had my license for a little over a year and a half and have had to renew it since. I have my ACLS, PALS, BLS (obviously), and my NRP. I've had multiple interviews: 1. Discriminated because I live in Orange County. Joke of an interview and the recruiter was completely condescending the whole time. 2. Got the job. The "internship" aka work me as a slave for free. Mind you, at this point for a little under a year, I worked 7 days a week with my two part-time jobs and this internship. 3. 9 months into said internship they promised me an interview with the director of the med-surg/onc unit for the available position. 4. 2 months after THAT interview with the director I finally got a panel interview. 2 months after the panel interview I quit because they clearly weren't serious about my candidacy. All they saw was free labor. 5. Interviewed for the director of maternal health at a hospital close to my home. MY DREAM JOB. 6. Second interview with said director. GOT THE JOB as I was told but the director just had to get it signed by the CNO. A week later I get a rejection email because of the freeze they imposed all of a sudden. The director who was going to hire me... GOT FIRED. 7. Interview at a small town south of Henderson, NV. Rural health. Will be hearing next week if I'm to relocate myself from Sunny Southern Cali to Henderson, NV. Cross our fingers. Oh yeah, this is ONLY a per DIEM job... On a side note, I signed up to take an expensive ass critical care course in September. I work two part-time jobs at a hotel and at a dermatologist office. Suffice it to say, paying two student loans off, with plenty more in forbearance, plus regular bills is stressing me the eff out. I'm desperately considering the military at this point....

I graduated in 2010 and obtained my license 2011. I was burnt out from full time BSN course plus work study plus full time job. So I took a break. Anyway, it is now 2013 and I've had my license for a little over a year and a half and have had to renew it since. I have my ACLS, PALS, BLS (obviously), and my NRP. I've had multiple interviews: 1. Discriminated because I live in Orange County. Joke of an interview and the recruiter was completely condescending the whole time. 2. Got the job. The "internship" aka work me as a slave for free. Mind you, at this point for a little under a year, I worked 7 days a week with my two part-time jobs and this internship. 3. 9 months into said internship they promised me an interview with the director of the med-surg/onc unit for the available position. 4. 2 months after THAT interview with the director I finally got a panel interview. 2 months after the panel interview I quit because they clearly weren't serious about my candidacy. All they saw was free labor. 5. Interviewed for the director of maternal health at a hospital close to my home. MY DREAM JOB. 6. Second interview with said director. GOT THE JOB as I was told but the director just had to get it signed by the CNO. A week later I get a rejection email because of the freeze they imposed all of a sudden. The director who was going to hire me... GOT FIRED. 7. Interview at a small town south of Henderson, NV. Rural health. Will be hearing next week if I'm to relocate myself from Sunny Southern Cali to Henderson, NV. Cross our fingers. Oh yeah, this is ONLY a per DIEM job... On a side note, I signed up to take an expensive ass critical care course in September. I work two part-time jobs at a hotel and at a dermatologist office. Suffice it to say, paying two student loans off, with plenty more in forbearance, plus regular bills is stressing me the eff out. I'm desperately considering the military at this point....

Thank you! Ya it did. I almost cried in front of my last patient. And I cried on the way home... I had my best friend mock interview me the night before so I was prepared already... But disappointment yet again...

I just want A job. And they are one of the few that actually offers a Versant program. Other than those in LA.

I don't know anything about their system... I volunteer in Covina. I've been there for almost 7 months now... I've had one interview there and was promised a panel.. But so far nothing...

BSN; Mount St. Mary's College; 2010 graduate; ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP; Speak English, Tagalog, Spanish; RN and PHN licensed; Working at a hotel (my college job) and as an MA at a derm office, ALSO work 12 hour shift in an "internship" on a med-surg unit; Its been a year since I've had my license and I've applied a hundred dozen times to hospitals in OC, LA county, and San Gabriel County... I've only had one ****** interview with a mean recruiter who picked on all my responses and said that they probly won't hire me because I live in Garden Grove; Literally every other recruiter I've met in person (who would actually come out to meet me) have been mean and condescending... With the exception of Orange Coast Memorial. She was nice. IM BURNT OUT FROM WORKING SO MUCH BUT I HAVE LOANS THAT WON'T PAY THEMSELVES AND WHO'S GONNA HIRE ME WITHOUT EXPERIENCE?! Apparently we need experience to get a job but my volunteership/internship isn't good enough even though I'm essentially precepting with a nurse... BECAUSE ITS NOT A PAID POSITION it doesn't count. My entire 12 hour shift doesn't mean **** to any recruiters.

Thanks you... So that interview lasted like 10 min. And she moved me to the panel which was supposed to be last week... We were slammed!!! Charge nurse had 4 patients!!! So obviously they couldn't spare anyone... Needless to say no interview... Hopefully tomorrow? I was so sad.

Well they legally can't discriminate based on where you live or went to school or what degree you hold but it's been done to me.. :/

Ya be happy you got an interview. I've been applying to that program for about 2 years now... And************* refuses to see me in person or even take an application. I went to Mount St. Mary's, a pretty well known nursing school, I speak 3 languages, fully certified (ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP), with my BSN and can't get ****. They make applying online so much harder... I'm working 2 jobs plus an internship (7days a week). I don't know what more I can DO!!!! Or where I can get an 8th day in the week...

UGH!!!! The only other interview I've been on was at a hospital in Torrance. I get there super excited because I loved that hospital. I precepted there my senior year. So... I get there in a suit, no perfume, light make up, hair out of my face. The very first thing the recruiter says to me as I sat down and she looked over my app... "We probably won't hire you because you live in Garden Grove." From then on she just picked at every single one of my responses. I was livid. She was so condescending and couldn't be bothered to actually give me a chance.

Thanks everyone! I definitely will omit the ugly volunteer uniform comment.

Those certs definitely are a perk... That way the hospital sees that is less money they have to invest in your preparation. I'm also considering taking a critical care course.. Not cheap but will give you a leg up... Especially if you want to work in an acute care setting. Just keep applying. This past year has been an intense roller coaster with pressure from my mom, myself, co-workers, and classmates.. It's not easy but nothing worth doing in life ever is. :)

I've been volunteering at this hospital for about 6 months now. I work a full 12 hour shift essentially precepting with another RN. After half a year I thought I'd gone unnoticed.. Until finally half an hour before my shift ends the unit secretary pats me on the back and says that the director is on the phone for me. I thought I was in trouble. She actually called to set up an interview with me next week on Wednesday when I'm back on the floor. She said she didn't need anything from me... And she'll just come grab me some time during the day. This is not quite the interview I'm used to as I won't be able to dress professionally nor did she ask for any of my papers (letters of rec, transcript, resume... Etc.) I will try not to be a hot mess when she comes but taking care of people... Kinda makes me sweat. Literally. Any ideas how to calm the nerves, take care of my patients, and still look professional/presentable in my ugly volunteer outfit?

I didn't go to a career college either. I went to a well known and accredited private college called Mount St. Mary's. I got my BSN and my PHN as well.