nursen_99

UNC rocks in pay, nurse satisfaction, floor condition, magmnt support, etc....

I've worked at Duke and find it to be okay. Just OKAY. It's got the supplies, technology and reputation. I'll give them that. But as far as pay, they're the lowest paying hospital in the area. That still shocks me! And I'm not talking about $1 or 2. Ask them what their weekend differential is and then call UNC or Wake Med and ask them what theirs are. You'll be surprised. I know it's not all about money but if you owe Sallie Mae your right arm like I do, or have real bills, this is important. Also, depending on the unit you land on, you may feel as if you landed in another time zone. I worked on Land D and in the space of 3 mos, the unit lost 20 RNs. No one batted an eyelash. What does that say to you? Anyway, I put in my contracted 2 yrs and kindly escaped to UNC where I have been most happy. Also, I am a transplant here in NC. I relocated here 3 yrs ago and was fed the same 'avoid Durham' because of its gangs/crime, etc... non-sense. Show me a big city or a small town that has NO crime. I've lived many places and worked as a travel nurse for 5 yrs before settling here. Trust this - Durham is a pretty awesome place to live. You want nightlife? Got it. Theater and arts? Got it. Education? Top notch universities abound. There are tons of private schools and awesome Magnet schools (public) for your children if you have any. My children are at Club Blvd Elementary and Morehead Montes. and I am very satisfied. We have numerous parks, bike trails, walking trails, festivals, markets, great shopping (Southpoint mall), gardens (Duke Gardens), great churches, tons of restaurants, etc... As for work, you'll be centrally locted to Duke, Durham Regional Hosp, UNC, Rex and Wake Med. I am a New Yorker and when I tell you I LOVE DURHAM (NC as a whole), it says a LOT.

It would be easier for you to just wait till you get there and do it all at once. I flew to cali in December and got my temp license in lesss than an hour, me and a group of friends. Just have your paperwork filled out and your check. They do the fingerprint for you. you MUST have your prints done professionally. You can't do it yourself. Save yourself the hassle and just go to the BON when you get to Cali.

UNC has awesome residency programs. You are put on the unit to practice but also get more classroom training. It's great. You often come outbetter prepared then someone who went somewhere else, spent 6-12 weeks following different people around and then being thrown out into the pit to survive. I experienced it both ways and the formal residency programs are the best way to go.

I don't know if they are necessarily posted as new grads post but I know for sure they are hiring new grads. They are hiring in maternity for sure. I see a new one everyday.

Duke, UNC Healthcare, Rex, etc... all of them will hire you. And it's only a couple of hours away from the ocean. I understand about being sick of the winters. I escaped from NY and I'm IN LOVE WITH NC!!!!

***** I don't know exactly what you are looking for but UNC-CH's online program is for RN-BSN. Their MSN programs are on campus.

*************** Now this brought tears to my eyes. I am moved immensely. It's good to know that there are people out there like you. I don't know you but I would have been pleased and honored to know you. Thank you again for this very uplifting and heartwarming message.

Oh my gosh, SharonH, THANK YOU FOR THIS! I am sitting at work reading and my mouth dropped open at some of the posts I read. I';m just sitting here in shock, wondering how to respond. You put it well. Very well said!

****************** I read your post and it instantly took me back to '00 when I was a brand new nurse! It almost brings tears to my eyes because it's just how I felt. I was anxious, stressed and miserable. I took a job at a major teacher hospital in Philly and was thrown into the fire instantly. My preceptor was a joke and my manager was rarely seen. I felt that rather than being helped, I was being tested in front of other staff members. Everyone was so nice to my face.... soooo nice... and always quiet when I was around. I am not a paranoid person but I swore I was almost paranoid then. I learned nothing and was made to feel like I knew nothing. I was misrable! I left that job on my last day of orientation. I just couldn't deal for another day. I left and went to another major urban hospital and felt the same. I was beginning to worry that it was maybe me. I had a BSN from a top school and did pretty well. I was also a great/fast learner. I was really starting to doubt myself. I couldn't accept that it wasme so I took one more chance and left that place too. The 3rd place was the right fit! I knew then it had not been me. I learned more in my 1st 3mos there then I did at the other 2 places combined! This too was a major teaching hospital so go-figure. :-) I was doing charge by 9 mos and precepting at 1 yr. I've since traveled, done peds, trauma and now L&D. And it's always an easy transition. Whether I've had 2 days orientation to 3 mos. People are always telling me they thought I'd been a nurse for 10+ yrs until I tell them otherwise. It had not been me. As I think it's NOT YOU. Leave. Find your NICHE. It's out there. Don't let this obvious bad fit make you regret your professional choice. Go somewhere else and start FRESH. Good luck!!

I'm ready to go and get my MSN and I'm having a hard time deciding where to go. I like UNC-CH's programs but they are on campus. I have 2 kids and plan on keeping my job (I work 3 days 1 week and 2 the other). Duke has an online program but it's too expensive and I don't want to get into a contract with them for aid money. ECU is a great mix of being online and affordable. I'm from out of state so I don't know too much about ECU's rep. Is it a good rep? Those of you who've attended school there, did you feel aptly prepared? I'm also concerned about doing a MSN program online in that though it'll work out best for me logistically, I'm still apprehensive. I have never taken a class online and wonder how well I'd learn. I work pretty well independently but I'm still cautious. Has anyone done their program? I'd love to know your thoughts, whether you did online or in person. Thanks!

Kimmie, Hi! I'm glad you've found this site! It's awesome isn't it? Anyway, I'm glad you are re-prioritizing and are making plans to do what makes you happy. You are not alone in that pursuit. :-) I respect you, your plans and your privacy. What I read here stays here. :-) Good luck to you and yours. Your BF seemed awefully nice and cool. :-) NurseN

No, DON"T let it go! Address it!!! Decide what you will and will not accept and make it be known. They smell the newness in you and are going to test you. It's done to experienced nurses never mind newbies. Having been a nurse traveler, I had to deal with that. The most common was the "you're getting paid big money to be here so....whatever (ex: take the worst load, don't get a break, figure things out with minimal help, etc...). I learned real quick. Be professional always. Do your best and command your respect.

The Southpoint area is nice but is getting pricey. Norhtern Durham is booming and you can still find nice and affordable spots there. Tons of new communities in east Durham that are awesome to live in: Grove Park, Brightleaf, brightwood Trails, Ravenstone, Stone Hill, etc... Easily find a beautiful home at or below $200,000, a dream in most growing cities. I moved here last yr so it's still fresh to me. PM me if you'd like. I LOVE IT HERE! And people swore I wouldn't coming from NYC. :-)

I totally agree with JAPAHO41!!! I moved to NC a little over a year ago and came straight to Duke, believing that from their reputation, I would learn a ton and so on. I have not been impressed. Not at all. I did traveling contracts for a while before coming here and as such, worked at huge teaching facilities to small community hospitals and I must tell you, I've seen things run better at many small hospitals.