UNCgirl

I was sort of in the same boat. Every time we had a different clinical rotation, I suddenly had "found my niche." Apparently I had a lot of niches. I liked med/surg, I liked psych, I liked OB, I liked ICU. I have settled on emergency as a specialty because I get to whet my whistle with all of these specialties (except maybe OB...I currently work in a trauma center but have yet to see a precipitous delivery...but I do see a lot of OB/GYN patients). I'm graduating in Dec. and debated accepting interviews in mother/baby and med/surg, and did go to an ED and an OR interview. I chose ED. Anyway, I don't know if you could see yourself in emergency but I like the variety- although it's definitely not for everyone.

The hospital where I just accepted a job (I'm a Dec. grad) has had their new grad intern positions for May 2008 grads posted for about a month now. I don't know if they are interviewing yet but they are definitely accepting applications. Some other hospitals hire later though.

Hi DTCC, I am assuming you are at Durham Tech...I actually was planning on applying there for school. I remember thinking that I could not wait 2 years to start my nursing classes. However, if I remember correctly, everyone that meets the criteria gets in eventually. With that said, you could probably knock out those other classes in 3-4 semesters and be in school in a year or two after that at most. Would it be different at another nearby school (ie Wake Tech)? I remember their application process to seem a bit more appealing. Stick it out...it will be worth it.

Jam, I'm not down on magnet entirely- like I said, I only have extensive experience with one hospital. But I don't think that it counts as much as it should...I think the a huge of magnet is that nurses have a say in administration and policies. It may be true at NH but I think that those that do have a say are a small group. But maybe it is different elsewhere. I do not know anything about Craven, but I visited their website and think that the pay and benefits seem competitive with elsewhere in NC. truern- I agree about RDU. I like that the hospitals there have competition and therefore must be more "on their toes" about facility, benefits, pay, etc. I actually saw another post of yours and had posted some questions about WakeMed. "Can you tell me what you think of the benefits package at WakeMed? I have an offer there and am really psyched because I loved the facility. Seemed like a great work environment. I am somewhat nervous though because I have not been to my other interviews in the Triangle area and am unsure about how the benefits compare to the others, but I have to make a decision before. What about shift diffs?"

truern- Can you tell me what you think of the benefits package at WakeMed? I have an offer there and am really psyched because I loved the facility. Seemed like a great work environment. I am somewhat nervous though because I have not been to my other interviews in the Triangle area and am unsure about how the benefits compare to the others, but I have to make a decision before. What about shift diffs?

Jam, I am familiar with New Hanover as I have worked there and have done clinicals there. My experience in other hospitals is limited. I do think there are some staffing issues there...retention rates are skewed. If you live in Wilmington, you have little choice but to work there if you are in acute care. I do not know of many people that leave unless they leave town. The hospital knows this and therefore I believe the pay reflects this as well. I don't believe nights are required- I have a new grad friend who was just hired on days. Positions are limited, so unless you have a lot of experience or want to work med/surg you may not have a lot of flexibility with your shifts. Check the website for open positions. I do not think that they value new grads as much as some other places. I think the main reason for this is that the nursing shortage here is not as bad, since it is a desirable place to live and most people are willing to work for less money when the beach is nearby. I do not think it is a terrible place to work, but I will be leaving after graduation since I have a better offer elsewhere. Oh, and I don't have all that much faith in magnet designation anymore...

A J tube is smaller in diameter than a G tube (and makes it easier to clog). They look essentially the same though. Also, since the J tube is placed in the jejunum, it bypasses the upper GI tract. I don't think you can check placement of it with an air bolus. I have seen a pt. with a G tube, J tube, and D tube all with JP drains (not used for feedings due to dead gut). A PEG tube is a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube, placed in the stomach as Marie_LPN mentioned. It is therefore done by scope and is minimally invasive.

I guess it's not too soon. I was worried about applying this early, but I just officially got offered the exact position I wanted in the ED yesterday! I interviewed there on the 16th and was offered the job 10 days later. But a few of the other places I have already applied/interviewed at are not deciding until Nov. or Dec. Hope everyone else's job search is going well!

I have been working in the ED for over a month now as an ED Tech (I guess the same as PCT/NA/etc.) and am also doing a preceptorship there with an RN for my last semester of nursing school. I also get very nervous under pressure, similar to suddenly forgetting normal lab values, etc. I have never worked as an NA before this so I am coming into it with only experience from clinicals. One of my biggest fears has been venipuncture since I have no experience whatsoever with this and it seems that normally our manager does not hire techs without any experience and expects that you can draw blood. I have been practicing this past week and am starting to feel more confident. So I think I understand where you are coming from. Regarding expectations, I agree with the above posters. I always ask my nurses if they need help whenever I have down time (no labs to run, no blood to draw, etc.) Also if they look busy I will also stop what I am doing to help. When I see them cleaning stretchers or something like that, I ask if they would like for me to do that and if they have something else they need to do or need help with. Often, they don't seem to mind doing it if they are not busy. Occasionally, a nurse will go across the department to find a tech to ask them to do something like a glucose check...even though it seems so silly since they could have done it in the amount of time it took them to find me, I do it. I think it's just a matter of prioritizing- this aspect of nursing school has helped me immensely here. Just thinking to myself if it's more important that I get the EKG on the new patient with C/O chest pain, or if I get the hourly vitals on the rest of the patients, or if I help the nurse with the Accucheck. Once I figured this out, I started to feel less stressed out and am enjoying my job a lot more.

We are a busy Level 2 (the only one within a 2-hour drive). We have one LPN in our ED but she has been there a long time..."grandfathered" in so to speak.

Hi onmywaytorn, I was searching the archives about Grady and found this thread. I, too, am looking to start in the ED right out of school (I graduate in Dec.) I am looking at the other larger hospitals in Atlanta as well and want to know how Grady and its new grad program measure up. I was wondering if you took the job with Grady and how you like it so far? I appreciate the help.

I have the same question, but I am having a surgical procedure right after take the NCLEX in Jan. or Feb., so I won't be able to start working until probably the end of March or so. I don't know if I should apply early, do interviews, and just be upfront about my start date, or wait until after I am medically cleared to start work to look. I'm worried that will force me to compete for job openings at the same time May 2008 grads are applying. I know a few people in my class have already applied for jobs or plan on doing so in Sept. or Oct.

Hi, I don't know if this is too late, but I am finishing my last semester at UNCW. Most of our clinicals are at New Hanover, but we did do our maternal-infant rotation at Onslow Memorial. I thought the staff there overall were much more friendly. The nurse managers from both maternity and nursery came to talk to us on our first day and seemed really pleased to have students working there. It was nice to not be snubbed for a change, even as a "lowly" student. Several people in my class were interested in applying at Onslow after our experience there, despite the drive. I don't know anything about their ICU, though

Hi, I am not an RN yet but am finishing my BSN at UNCW this December. I have never set foot in Pender, but it's quite small (I think about 80 beds). It, as well as Cape Fear Hospital in Wilmington which used to be private, are part of the New Hanover Health Network. Cape Fear is small but larger than Pender. New Hanover is where we do most of our clinicals. I also did some of my clinicals at Onslow Memorial, in Jacksonville. It is also a lot smaller than New Hanover but I did think the work environment, staff, and especially the nurse managers were friendly and seemed to enjoy their job. Also, Brunswick County is nearby and has a hospital (larger than Pender) that is affiliated with Novant. Personally, I am thinking of moving away after I pass the boards since the pay here in general is low in comparison to the cost of living. Where are you planning on living? That is a consideration also...Pender or Brunswick could both be quite far depending on where you'll be. Hope that helps.

Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington is also merit-based. They have a great clinical program and good pass rate on the NCLEX. I applied and got in for the following semester, though I ended up choosing to get a BSN. I had considered Durham Tech since I was in Chapel Hill at the time and wanted to stay in that area, but ran into the same waiting list problem there (2+ years to get in).