kara89

Thanks for the advice. I haven't even considered pausing my BSN program for awhile just because I want to get into a hospital asap and most hospitals here only hire BSNs. But maybe that is a good idea. I'm just afraid I'm going to reach a breaking point and won't be able to function well enough to do school OR work. I'll think about it and maybe put it on hold for at least a few months. Thank you all so much! :)

Hey guys, I need opinions from you all on my situation because I am beyond clueless as to what to do. I got my first RN job at an nonsubacute and subacute rehab center (technically classified as a SNF) the first of July. Luckily, because I was an RN and not an LVN they had me work on the subacute side where I only had 10 patients, instead of the 24 the LVNs had on the non subacute. It was overwhelming at first, but I know that every new grad is stressed out to begin with, so I just dealt with it. 2 months in, they switched me to being IV nurse, which meant I gave all IV meds to the 100+ patients in our facility. That was definitely stressful as well, but once again just something that I dealt with. Two weeks into doing IV, my DON called me and told me that they were promoting me to nurse supervisor for the NOC shift. I've been doing that for a few weeks now and it's been going okay, I guess. There's still SO much I don't know, and talking to doctors on the phone, writing orders for all the patients, doing admissions, being the one who decides if patients get "sent out" and calling the shots if someone starts to crash requires a lot of knowledge. It's doable and I'm learning slowly, just a little overwhelming for someone who has no experience, you know? Anyway, on top of that, I'm doing my BSN full time which is stressful, and I think the most challenging part is that I'm a very structured person and thrive on a consistent schedule and switching back and forth between sleeping days and nights has wrecked havoc on my body. It's put me into some kind of situational depression. I can focus and fake happy at work, but I literally have cried myself to sleep so many times in the past month. It's so unlike me to be chronically unhappy that it's kind of scary. So, that's my story. Here are my questions: 1. Do you think that this position is asking too much out of a new grad? I'm a hard worker and I've never quit anything before in my life and I'm not about to start here, but goodness, I wish I knew more about what I was doing before I was put in a supervisor position. Are my frustrations justified, or is this typical for a SNF? 2. When is the soonest I can start applying for new jobs without looking like a bad worker? And when I do, do I put my current job down as work experience? Do I just request that they not call for a recommendation if the application requests it? I live in California where there are NO jobs available for new grads, so I NEED the experience desperately. Would working in a clinic or home health be okay? I just don't want to jump from job to job because I know that looks bad. I don't know... I just really feel like I need some guidance here. Please help me!

I would love to hear some feedback on this because I am in a very similar situation...

Thank you both, so much! I appreciate your advice! :) And I'm definitely going to be persistent. I'm planning on introducing myself too all the nurse managers and HR at the hospitals I want to work at and following up on any applications I submit. :)

Heyy! I'm from California where the job market is especially tough, so I'm trying to make my resume as appealing as possible so I'll hopefully stand out to someone, even though I'm a new grad. If any of you would mind critiquing this, I'd appreciate it so much! Name, RN Contact Information Objective I am a nursing graduate desiring to work at ________ Hospital. I am a flexible, quick learner, who adapts easily to new situations and enjoys a challenging environment. I am self-motivated and committed to providing quality patient care and working as a team within the healthcare setting and also have strong organizational and communication skills and a life focus of ministry to others through healthcare. License and Certifications Registered Nurse License #_________, State of California, Issued ______ BLS Certified American Heart Association ACLS Certification American Heart Association to be completed March 7, 2013 Education Associates of Science in Nursing - 2010-2012 School attended, Graduated Dec. 2012 School attended - 2008-2009 Nursing Prerequisites Clinical Experience Clinical Preceptorship: Renal Nov. - Dec. 2012 (74 hrs.) ________ Hospital, City, TN Trauma and Cardiac Intensive Care Units Aug. - Nov. 2012 (34 hrs.) ________ Hospital Nursing Practicum: Intermediate Medical Care Unit (IMCU) May, 2012 (120 hrs.) ________ Hospital Medical Surgical: Renal, IMCU Jan. 2011 - Oct. 2011 (90 hrs.) ________ Hospital, City, TN ________ Hospital Advanced Medical Surgical: Cardiac Step-Down Unit Jan. - March 2012 (54 hrs.) ________ Hospital Labor and Delivery, Post Partum, Nursery, NICU March - April 2012 (34 hrs.) ______Medical Center, City, TN NICU Observation at _______ Hospital Pediatrics, Childrens ER Aug. - Nov. 2012 (34 hrs.) _______ Hospital Mental Health Oct. - Dec. 2011 (45 hrs.) _______ Hospital, City, TN _______ Hospital, City, TN Work Experience ___________Public Radio - Aug. 2010 - Dec. 2012 Radio Announcer, public relations, program coordinator/planner, website editor, concert recording ____________ Summer Camp Girls' Director - June 2011 - Aug. 2012 Girls' Counselor - June 2009 - Aug. 2010 Kitchen Crew - June 2007 - Aug. 2008 School attended - Aug. 2011- May 2012 Resident Assistant for Student Housing Name of Educational Organization - Aug. 2009 - June 2010 Elementary School Name, island,_________ Islands Volunteer Second Grade Teacher/ Student Missionary Other Activities Volunteer nursing at Jungle Clinic in ________, Nicaragua - December, 2011 Outreach ministry leader Aug. 2010 - Dec. 2012 ________________Ministry Coordinator School attended Student Missions Club Officer - Aug. 2010 - May 2012 Secretary

I guess that's true. We'll get there eventually, one way or the other! :) Good luck on your test too!!

Really?! It seemed so low! That's encouraging. Thank you! :)

Hey! I know a lot of you have taken the actual Kaplan Course or have done the qbank questions and I've seen a lot of scores from those on here. I'm using the Saunder's book and CD and scoring mid-to-high 70%'s on their exams and I just have the Kaplan book and took the test in the back and scored 72.5%. I looked at a bunch of the other threads, but I can't seem to find any comments about the what the score in the Kaplan book means. Is 72.5% a decent score or do I need to put in a TON more work? I'm testing next week so my anxiety level is increasing just a little bit. Thanks for the feedback! :)