Currybread

Hi, I'm a new grad nurse that graduated in May 2015. I started my first job in August in a new grad program on a medsurg floor. At first the job seemed perfect, it was close to my home, good pay, and it seemed to be new grad friendly. But after working there for a while I realized I just can't adjust to working 12 hour night shifts and I just don't fit in with the rest of the nurses (while the other new grad hires do). I have a very introverted personality and quite socially awkward so I often feel isolated from the bubbly, outgoing personalities that the other nurses have. Furthermore, I am a slow learner and my preceptors get annoyed with me while the other new grads seem to grasp things so fast. Medsurg is so broad that I get overwhelmed too easily. I am almost done with orientation and making progress, but very slowly, and I'm not enjoying a minute of it. I'm starting to think that medsurg isn't the place for me. I am thinking about going into mental health instead. With my connections I am almost positive I can get a mental health position in one of my past clinical sites (it has 4 open spots). I have more fun in psych and the orientation process there is much smoother. The people who work there are easier for me to get along as well. Plus, it is evening shift so I wouldn't have to stay up all night anymore! If I got the job offer, I might just switch over. The only drawback is the much longer commute. I would feel bad for quitting my current job because the hospital already invested so much in me and my manager had so much hope in me. I feel like this will burn bridges and I would never be hired there again. Also, since it is a new grad program, everyone would be talking about me, the new grad who quit. It's embarrassing, but I should probably learn not to care so much about what other people think. Should I stick with my current job? Leave for the mental health position if offered? Should I put on my resume that I have 2 months experience at a hospital that I'm contemplating quitting from? It is hard to tell if my struggles are just due to being a new grad or if there is a real problem.

Ariba, I'm pretty frustrated about all the other requirements too. The CON website says they want all the documents by july 1, but then the website says that there will be more info about cpr classes at orientation? It's contradicting and confusing. I was expecting more info in the letters than just "more info will be provided in the summer.." Especially since they want all the paperwork so soon. I will call them when I have my questions organized. I am currently doing what I can and getting my immunizations processed. Taking the TB test next week...

I was thinking about getting the books beforehand, but I don't know which ones to get. First of all, when do we sign up for classes? At orientation in August? Or can we start choosing it on our own already? Also, are the classes already chosen for you for the first semester? If not, then which classes are recommended to take for first semester? Can you choose which teachers to take? And does each teacher require a different book? Finally, do the books change frequently (such as editions -- can we use old editions)? A complete list of the textbooks would be helpful. I prefer to order textbooks online to save money, and I would like to start reading them in the summer.

Congrats on finishing nursing school stewie! I wish you luck as a nursing graduate! :) I just have so many questions regarding the nursing program! I really don't want to go into the program unprepared so I would appreciate it if you could tell me what to expect. Here are some questions on my mind: Are there things that I'm expected to know before the course starts (like medical terms and conversions)? And are there things I should review or learn that would also be helpful? How much is the homework load generally? Do they require several chapters of reading per week? What kind of assignments and projects are there? How frequent are the tests and checkoffs? What is the difference between the first year and second year of the program? Also, could you explain what to expect from the clincals? How often do you go there and how long it takes per session? How do people get to the clincal sites? Are they close enough to walk to if I am living in the west campus dorms? I assume that you have to write an essay after each clincal, so is there a type of format they want you to use?

I believe private messaging is for registered users only. It's a shame because I wanted to ask Stewie some questions without spamming this board. Stewie, could I email you?

Hello! I got accepted into the fall 2013 nursing program and I am so excited! I heard it's going to be tough and I really hope I can handle it all. I'm a bit worried, but I will try my best and see how it goes! The day before I got my acceptance letter my mom actually argued with me and told me not to get my hopes up. I am so relieved that I got in. I didn't think I would make it. I have a 3.8 gpa, but my science gpa is a bit lower since I got Bs in a few classes. However, I was told that gpa isn't as important as the essay writing and medical experience? Not too sure how they judge it, but I volunteered at a Doctor's office over the summer and put those experiences in my essays. My essays were also over the word limit, but I didn't care. I had to get my point through. I also got my recommendations from my biology and nutrition teacher. I had over a 100% in bio and the teacher really liked me. My nutrition teacher also used to be a nurse and I was one of the few people that got an A in her class. Well that's the gist of my story. I actually got waitlisted for NIU, so I'm glad this pulled through. UIC was my first choice anyways! Congrats to everyone that got in! Let's work hard and graduate with As!