maydaysvp

Absolutely you can! One of the best ICU nurses I know started her career as an oath nurse. She used those years to build good assessment skills, good technical skills (she always volunteered to start IVs, do blood draws, insert foleys and NG tubes, etc), and she said that she used to request all of the sickest patients so that her delegation and time management skills would be good. Like MMC says, a good nurse is a good nurse. Lots of luck to you!

Hey, fam. I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling down. I think it's totally normal to feel down after finishing something as immersive as nursing school. I know that I felt the exact same way when I finished. (I also have depression and additionally I'm super, super introverted.) My number one suggestion is to stop looking at social media sites like Facebook and unfollow/unfriend people who make you unhappy. That's what I did. I got so discouraged when people got jobs before me and got engaged because nursing school was over and announced pregnancies. Checking Facebook made me feel really alone and isolated. So I took Facebook and Instagram off my phone. I kept Snapchat and WhatsApp (and Tumblr but I didn't follow anyone I knew on that one) so I could share stuff from my life/keep up with friends. But I stopped looking at other people's lives; it was stealing my joy. Because here's the thing: one of my former classmates has an infant daughter and a handsome carpenter husband and the cutest house you ever saw with chickens and a shaggy dog. She and her family went on a trip and she posted these lovely pictures of her perfect family with a message about how much she loves her husband. I was so sad and, I'm not going to lie, a little bit jealous (I know, I'm a terrible person.) When she returned, she came to one of my study sessions and ranted about how terrible her husband had been during their trip--he was rude to her family and refused to participate in activities because her mama wouldn't take time off from work to watch the baby. And that was when I really realized that we only see a snapshot of people's lives through social media. We don't see the husband stalk off to sulk and the baby wet herself and the coworker feel like she's a failure as a wife and a mother and a daughter. I'd heard people say that what's on social media isn't real before but I didn't really understand it on a visceral level until that moment. That's when I decided to stop checking Facebook (now I check it like once a month or whenever my calendar says it's someone's birthday.) So lay off on the social media. (If you feel you have to tell people something, tell them that you're focusing on the NCLEX and Instagram/Facebook/whatever is too big of a time waster for you.) But for a positive contribution: try meet ups! I started going to a foreign language one when I was studying for the NCLEX and it was really helpful for getting my mind off things. Also it only cost the price of a drink at a local cafe, which was good because I was broke. Contact people you want to hang out with from school. You might think that they are too cool or too smart or too whatever to hang out with you but it's surprising how many people feel lonely and are looking for friends. Form a NCLEX study group. I studied for the NCLEX with a bunch of classmates and I'd make an open ended plan like, I'll be at the Panera at this mall from noon to five. That way people don't have to commit to a certain time and they can stay as long as they want/need to. People would intermittently drop in. Sometimes for hours, sometimes for 30 minutes while their kids were being tutored down the street. And if no one showed, I still got a lot of studying done. Self care. Going to a movie with your dad is a great idea. Do your nails/get them done because this might be the last time for awhile that they're really nice (assuming that you're into that sort of thing! I just realized that I know nothing about your gender identity so sorry if I've got you wrong.) Listen to your favorite music. Watch a favorite TV show (something that isn't taxing like Psych or House Hunters International.) Eat when you are hungry and try to get a veggie or two in if you can. Meditate or pray or whatever. Drink lots of water. Shower at least every two days. Clean your living space. Brush your teeth at least once a day (twice would be great but do what you can.) If these suggestions seem rudimentary, I'd suggest making a self-care plan. You'll probably need one at some point in your career, so now's a great time to make one. (Basically, you identify the things that help relax you and comfort you and when you're stressed or depressed in the future, you can refer to it for help. The University of Buffalo School of Social Work has some good resources.) Plan for your future/set some goals. Look into certifications for your specialty. Look at super expensive stethoscopes. If you have to buy your own scrubs, look at scrubs. If they provide scrubs, look for cute shirts to put under them (they can be hard to find this time of year). Look at all the advanced practice options available to you and if you like one, start researching it. Start looking at ACLS algorithms (if you're working in an area where you need them.) Make a budget like with Mint, if you don't already have one; dream about all the bills you'll be able to pay with that big nursing paycheck! Write some thank you notes. I know you've already got a job but at some point you might want a second job or you might want to change jobs. Write notes/emails/texts to your clinical instructors and any staff nurses you worked with who gave you their contact info. You never know when someone might be useful so keep those channels open. Look for volunteer opportunities. I started volunteering at an animal shelter while I was studying for the NCLEX. Walking wiggly puppies was so relaxing and therapeutic. I don't do this because I don't like competition (got kicked off a soccer team when I was five for repeatedly sharing the ball with the other team) but one of my friends joined a recreational soccer league and another plays on an adult volleyball team and a coworker does roller derby. So those might be good if you like team stuff/want to meet some new people. Anyway, this is probably too long and not very useful but this is what I did to get through that awkward period between nursing school and starting my first nursing job. Best of luck on the NCLEX and the new job! I'm hoping for nothing but the best for you!

Thank you very much for the feedback! I will shorten my cover letter and take out the introduction.

Hi, nurses! Would anyone be willing to give me some feedback about my résumé and cover letter? I'm graduating in less an a month and am looking for a position that will strengthen my time management and assessment skills. I don't have any previous healthcare work experience; so I didn't list any work experience (but I do have ten years of experience.) Per suggestions in other threads, I have removed all identifying information. Thank you for looking at my résumé, any comments or suggests would be welcome! (Seriously, don't spare my feelings. I want to be better, not feel better.) FirstName LastName My address | city famous for meth manufacturing cellie # | [email protected] PROFESSIONAL PROFILE - Independent, highly-motivated nurse seeking dynamic workplace - Critical thinker, dedicated to providing evidence-based, culturally competent care - Patient advocate, passionate about quality customer service EDUCATION University of My State, City, State Bachelor of Science in Nursing, expected May 2014 Capital City Community College, City, State Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, expected August 13, 2013 Small liberal arts college, City, State Bachelor of Arts in something useless cum laude, May 2009 CLINICAL EXPERIENCE Step Down Unit, a VA Medical Center, Summer 2013 Progressive Care Unit, Level II trauma hospital, Summer 2013 Psychiatric, State Behavioral Health Institute, Spring 2013 General Pediatrics, Level I trauma Hospital, Spring 2013 Labor and Delivery, Level I trauma Hospital, Spring 2013 Medical/Surgical, Level II trauma hospital, Fall 2012 Medical/Surgical, Level II trauma hospital, Summer 2012 CLINICAL TRAINING Assessment - Assessed patients ranging from neonates to pediatrics to adults and geriatrics. - Performed neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal assessments, as well as assessing PICC, IV sites, NG-tubes, G-tubes, chest tubes, sundry wounds, ostomies and stomas. Planning - Collaborated with RNs, and doctors. - Coordinated care for multiple patients with diverse needs. Implementation - Administered medications IM, IV, subcutaneously and orally. - Followed aseptic technique to start IVs, monitor intake and output, provide oral suction, give tube feedings, monitor blood glucose levels, and discontinue IVs. - Provided patient and family education on wound care, diabetes and medication. Evaluation - Charted assessment and medication administration on Cerner in a timely fashion. And my cover letter: FirstName LastName Address Address Phone Number E-mail address Date Hospital address Dear Nurse Manager, I am writing to respond to the recent job posting on your website about the inpatient registered nurse position on some Gen Med Ward. My name is FirstName LastName and I will graduate in August with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing from Capital City Community College's accelerated program. As an accelerated nursing student, I have quickly learned to prioritize activities, manage stress and provide safe, effective care; these qualities will allow me to transition easily to a clinical setting. Enclosed is my résumé, I hope it will give you a strong impression of my nursing experience. What I can offer your hospital is a hard-working, motivated caregiver with varied clinical experience. Through my clinicals, I have gained a broad knowledge base and a well-rounded set of skills. My experiences exposed me to a variety of medical practices, cultural issues, and healthcare concerns that have prepared me to be a competent nurse. I believe that my drive will positively contribute to your unit. I know that having a BSN is important to the hospital as it progresses towards magnet status and would like to note that I have been accepted by the University of My State's RN-to-BSN program. I anticipate completing my BSN in 2014. I am very excited at the prospect of beginning my nursing career at Level I Trauma Hospital. I know that I am capable of fulfilling all of your hospital's needs. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or clarifications more about my experiences and skills at any time. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, FirstName LastName Aww! You read all of that. Thank you very much. I hope you have a wonderful day.