JonathanRN

CONGRATULATIONS! Even though I don't know you, I KNEW you could do it!

Nice job!!! Isn't it a relief?!? CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Nice! Thank you everyone for making this thread of props so long it spans two pages!! You love me. You really love me!! Good luck to those who are still waiting to either take the test or get their results!!!

Thank you!! I took it on the 19th, and found out on the 27th. I heard from my other classmates that our transcripts had been delayed, just so you know.

Thank you. And good luck Serenity! I'm sure you'll do fine!

I got my license in CA this morning via the website! Woohoo!! I would appreciate appropriate props please :)

I got a job at Marin General Hospital (about 10 miles north of San Francisco) on the evening shift (3p-11p) on the medical unit and I am being paid $43.81 ($39.xx base rate). I get full benefits. I don't necessarily agree with the whole 'high-cost-of-living' excuse. True, you have to pay a couple of HUNDRED dollars a month more to live in SF, but you're making a few THOUSAND dollars a month more working in SF. I say: DO IT!

CONGRATZ!!! You found out from Pearson? Not the BRN? Is that normal? Thanks, Jonathan

Thanks for the reply. Don't give up hope yet. A few people have said that their results have been held up due to some paperwork issues. You should give the BRN a call. I just now (as I am writing this) got a call from a classmate who said that our school hasn't sent the BRN our transcripts yet. One of them called the BRN who said that from the day they get our transcripts, it will be 3-4 weeks until we get something in the mail (and probably around 2 weeks for online). Just in case, call the BRN and ask them if they have all your paperwork in order. Good luck!

From searching around the forums on this site, the consensus is you have to wait about two weeks until it is posted the BRN website. Is that right? I took my exam yesterday and it cut off at 75. I'm not terribly worried (reading about all of your experiences did make me feel better going into it) but I want to know if checking the website about 20 times an hour is pointless this early. Thanks! Jonathan

It's seems amazing to me to see such low salaries for nursing in certain states... If I'm not mistaken, California rates (especially in the Bay Area) are very high. Just out of curiousity, if you work in California as a nurse let us all know what you're making (try and include what part of California you're in, what type of nurse you are and how much experience you have). I think this will be interesting for everyone to see... Jonathan (I would put mine, but I'm still finishing up school :)

Has anyone volunteered in the Peace Corps as a married couple?!? I would love to hear about your experience... Jonathan

Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate your honesty. The reason I wrote the question in the first place was because I had a feeling that might be a problem. However, so many people have told me otherwise I was wondering what state you work in and where you do the hiring (what hospital, what unit etc.) ... in case that would make a difference. For example, perhaps getting hired as a new grad in California would be easier than Oregon etc. Look forward to hearing from you, Jonathan

Thank you so much for all your replies. I really appreciate your input. The reason I'm not considering anything like Doctors without Borders, but am only interested in the Peace Corps is because other travel volunteer/work organizations require more experience than a new grad can provide. Also, the peace corps accepts applications from married couples and will allow my girlfriend and I to do this together. Having an experience of a lifetime, like the Peace Corps, together will allow us to grow stronger and not further apart as I would imagine many travel nurses would from their spouses at home. If any of you out there have been in the Peace Corps... i woulde love to hear from you!!! Looking forward to reading any comments you may have on both issues. Jonathan

I am currently finishing up my ADN program and will officially be an RN by the end of this year. I live in california and know that I won't have too much trouble finding a new grad job right now due to the severe nursing shortage. However, recently I have decided that this would be the last opportunity in my life to realize my dream of joining the Peace Corps. My concern is that upon return getting a job will be much harder than right out of school. While the Peace Corps will probably provide me with a lot of different, wonderful experiences, I fear that hospital management and recruiters might be sceptical of hiring someone with a degree which was not used for 2 years in the traditional sense of the word. If you are someone who has hired RN's into a hospital before, I would love to hear what you have to say about this. What concerns would you have if you were to view my application 2 years down the road? Would volunteering in the Peace Corps be seen as a positive or negative quality in an applicant? Is there any advice you have on the matter? Thanks so much for your time. I look forward to reading your comments. Jonathan