nursecait

I drive 1.5 hours each way to work, it's not too horrible unless I hit traffic

I did my Clinicals on the unit and everyone remembered me! Also my clinical instructor works as an RN there as do two people I graduated with. I had a lot of people pulling for me and I was VERY persistent :)

I'm a new grad and I work in the ICU. I had my first code today and honestly it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. It was organized chaos and everyone had their own jobs to do. There were about 15 people in the room between doctors, nurses, respiratory therapy, and the nursing supervisor. You're never alone in a code situation, always call for help. just try to think, the worst has happened already, now you have to fix it.

Christiana is an EXTREMELY competitive hospital to get in to (beautiful hospital and incredible) especially as a new grad. As is most of Chester County. I live in the area and had to take a job 1.5 hrs away from Chester county

The only issue with working as a med tech is people will wonder if you're an RN why aren't you working as one? I understand job market is tight and you have to do what you have to do. Just be prepared that working "under" your license may raise some eyebrows.

I just started on a CVU/ICU as my first job as a new grad, it's totally possible! As long as you have a good orientation time and an awesome preceptor. Your dreams are not out of reach :)

Same with CRNA, you HAVE to have bedside experience.

You absolutely need bedside experience to be a NP. I don't see any way around that. Even as a RN or BSN, all of nursing school is bedside nursing. You have to have patient contact at some level, after you graduate you can work for insurance companies as a nurse if you don't want bedside. But I can't imagine any circumstance that you wouldn't have to deal directly with patients to become a nurse practitioner.

The constructive criticism mention may lead them to think you need ALOT of criticism. They don't want to hire someone they think constantly needs to be criticized. This is a point I would sell on an interview, not a résumé.

Be honest, be yourself, and congratulations!!!!

Very true! You go where the job is, the market is difficult right now especially for new grads!

I just started my first job in an 18 bed CVU/ICU. Prove those people wrong and knock them dead!

Okay take a deep breath! I know this has probably been the longest two months of your life but it's not a long time in the job hunting world. It took me three months to get a job and persistence is key! Show them you want to be there. Stopping in may not always work and they aren't being rude telling you to go online, YOU are intruding on THEIR day. Not saying it's not worth a try but, they may not always be nice (it's happened to me too). But that doesn't mean to give up. Keep calling to check the status and restate your interest. Try getting in touch with the nurse recruiter and see what you can do to appeal to the hospital. Good Luck!!!!

In the ICU where I work we wear royal. Printed tops are not allowed in the hospital with the exception of Peds :)

Thank you everyone for the words of kindness, wisdom, and advice. I really, really appreciate it! I know I have a ton to learn! But I will remember all you said!! And I'm a new grad in PA for whoever was asking :)

Just keep being persistent, follow up on your follow ups! Just don't give up. In this job market you have to go after what you want fiercely ( but politely!)

Thanks so much!!!

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia , I wasn't looking for anyone to be rude and I can obviously use the website. I was looking for what I said "words of wisdom" and things that you wish you knew when you started. Everyone started somewhere, you were also a new grad and a new ICU nurse at one time so remember that. And everyone else thanks for the support and advice I really appreciate it :)

Hello all! I just got my first nursing job in the CVU/ICU! Any words of wisdom from experienced ICU nurses out there?

First of all keep your head up, I know it's rough out there but this will pass. I just got my first job after passing my boards in early July. My advice would be to follow up on EVERY application. When I got the call for my interviews HR said specifically that I got my interviews because I was so persistent. I called once a week for two months. You have to make yourself stand out from the other applicants. This is a long process and I know it's frustrating but don't give up!!!

Graduated ASN May 2013 Passed NCLEX July 2013 Applied to about 20 hospitals 3 interviews in September, 3 offers received. I start in the ICU in two weeks :)

Thanks! I'm super excited:)

Thanks all!! :)

Same thing happened to me, application was tossed because of my location 1.5 hrs away from the hospital I now currently work at (yay!) but I totally agree. Put a local address if you can!

I graduated in May, took boards in July, interview September 19th, job offer yesterday. Good luck with your BSN. My advice is network as much as possible!