Notca67

Hello! I'm an ADN RN that currently works on a Neuro Cardiac Unit at a rural hospital on the night shift. I've been on my unit for 18 months, and most of the RNs on my shift most are new grads or have a few years of experience. Our schedule works on a 12 hour shift rotation from 7-7. As a Nursing Assistant I worked at a much larger Urban Medical Center in the float pool, and all the units there did self scheduling for the Nursing Assistants and RNs. When I was hired my manager indicated that within 6 months we would be moving to self scheduling, after that point I heard that another unit had a bad experience with it. Its been 18 months and I haven't heard anything about it from my manager. Working on nights can be tough if your days aren't spread out in a convenient way, since most of us have to switch between working during the night and getting back to a regular sleep schedule so we can enjoy being up during the day with our families. Self scheduling really would help with this, I'm sure I don't need to say anymore about the benefits of self scheduling. My manager is a very reasonable person and I think she might be open to self scheduling if I show her how it works using google docs and how everyone can indicate what days they'd like to work using an open flow-sheet through google docs. From my experience at the last hospital I worked at it's pretty straight forward. At the bottom of each column there is a tally of how many people are on for that given night, each Nurse will be instructed of the minimum amount of nurses that is needed on each shift. If everyone wants to work X night but no one wants to work Y night, then who stays on X night will be based on seniority or other factors such as people who are currently enrolled in BSN programs who have a school schedule they have to plan around.. The final schedule will still be determined by the Nurse Manager, but self scheduling is a way for each nurse to indicate what the best schedule for each pay period would be for them. In my experience at the last hospital I worked at sometimes changes had to be made, but most of the days that people wanted to be on where what people got. I've spoken with my co workers and everyone seems to be for the idea, I think doing a trial on night shift could be a good way for her to work out the kinks in self scheduling. She's a very reasonable person, but I don't want to step on her toes. How should I go about proposing this to her? Should I ask her about self scheduling and try to set up a time with her to show her how a google spreadsheet would work? I'd also have to be prepared to answer how scheduling conflicts would be resolved in this situation. Obviously I want to be diplomatic about this, is it appropriate for a floor nurse to go to his/her Nurse Manager about this? Honestly I love my co workers, I love my manager and I love my floor but the schedule has been rough. I think everyone would be happy with a change. I know that self scheduling didn't work out on the other unit because people became upset about not getting the days they wanted. All of my co workers on nights are very reasonable, and we understand how potential conflicts would be resolved based on seniority. I'm sure everyone would prefer a system where you get to be on 90% of the days that you want vs a system where your manager schedules you for whatever days you are needed without input from the individual. So to reiterate I'm just looking for some suggestions on how I could propose self scheduling to my manager in a diplomatic way, and what materials I should come prepared with. Thanks!

I'm in an ADN program. The rep I spoke with on the phone said I could be working as a Nursing Assistant or LPN to qualify for the program. I made a mistake in my last post, site wont let me edit it. I really want to enroll in a BSN asap after taking the NCLEX in the hopes of it improving my chances of getting a job.

I'm strongly considering this program but I'm concerned about their requirement that students have to be working currently in the nursing field. I'm currently a nursing assistant, as well as a 4th semester student in a BSN program. I currently work at a hospital that will accept BSN applicants only, and will lay off any NA's who graduate from an ADN program and then pass the NCLEX due to liability issues. I'm sure I can apply to WGU and get accepted because I'll be in the field at the time applying, but I'm concerned about how long it will take me to gain employment as a new grad, and what kind of work I'll have to do that's related to this. I see in this thread that some assignments require you too interview healthcare professionals, etc that you'd have access too working in the field. What do you guys think about my situation? I really want to enroll in a BSN program ASAP after passing the NCLEX so I can put it on my resume and hopefully get a better chance at getting a job. . . . Thanks!

They used to do this at our hospital, but stopped after 2012-2013. . . There are a few BSN programs in the area, so they can pick and choose who they'll hire. A lot of people aren't to happy about it, but it is the way it is. Still love where I work, it's just a shame they wont hire us ADN grads who already work there. . .

I agree with the OP, I HAVE heard that taking a position in anything else besides acute care shuts you out of acute care as a new grad. I'm not sure if this is a regional thing. . . I currently reside in the hudson valley area in NY going into my 4th semester as an ADN, I also work at a hospital seeking magnate status, so they won't consider me for any RN positions. . . I've considered just doing a blitz for the BSN, but then I've hear no one will hire me after being an RN for a whole year w/o a job. . . Pretty frustrating. I actually made a topic about this two days ago but no one responded. . .

I'm nursing student currently going into my final semester of nursing school in a ADN program. I'm also a nursing assistant at a hospital seeking magnate status. Unfortunately they won't be willing to hire me because I'll lack the BSN. My hosptial has implemented a new policy set to go into effect in 2015 where they'll be laying off any Nursing Assistants who graduate from an ADN program and then pass the NCLEX due to liability issues. . . So I'll be unemployed after passing my boards. . . yipee! I currently live in NY in the hudson valley area, and I have more then a few acute care facilities on my list that I plan to apply too, the great thing about my situation is that I live in an area where I'm within striking distance of several different markets. I'm also considering relocating to PA as I've heard the job market is great for new grads out towards Wilkes-Barre. . . Anyway I've heard from several nurses where I work, some being new grads and others with experience that it actually makes my resume look a lot worse if I where to take a position in a LTC/SN Facility. . . I wouldn't be against working at such a place for a year to get the basics down while I pursue my BSN, but I don't want to take a position that would shut me out of any opportunity to work in Acute Care in the future since that IS my ultimate goal. Has anyone heard that this is the case? I haven't really heard much about working at clinics or urgent care institutions, does anyone have any idea how this type of experience is viewed by acute care employers when the applicant doesn't have any acute care experience on their resume? As far as other types of employment, such as at correctional facilties, apparently they don't consider applicants without acute care experience either. . . So as everyone knows getting acute care experience is REALLY important! Unfortunately I thought I'd be able to take the time to hold out for an acute care position somewhere else until I received notice that I'd be laid off right after passing my boards. . Any advice?

I'm going to be graduating from an ADN program myself in the hudson valley this spring, and I have to say I disagree with the advice given in this thread about working at LTC/SN Facilities. I work at a hospital that is seeking magnate status, so unfortunately they won't be able to hire me as an RN. I've been given advice from several people in management where I work as well as several new grads who have recently gotten jobs where I work, and the advice has been to hold out for a job in acute care and NOT to take any jobs in LTC as it'll actually make your resume look more unattractive then a new grad without LTC/SNF experience on their resume due to the stigma that it carries. . . This is something I plan to get more information about, and if experience at a clinic or at a urgent care facility is seen the same way. . . . Things are pretty rough all over NY. People focus on NYC, but things aren't much better in the hudson valley either. A lot of places are going BSN only and I have several friends who have graduated from BSN programs in the area who STILL couldn't get any acute care jobs in the area. It's pretty tough where I work for new grads from ADN programs too, because a lot of us are currently PCA's and they'll be laying us off as soon as we obtain our licences due to liability issues. It usually takes up to 3 months to find a job after becoming licensed around here, so that puts us in a really bad position. . .. Employers around here won't consider you for a position until you have your licence. . . We where notified about this new policy recently too, and I'm not sure why they're doing this as this is the first year they're going to enforce this polity. In the past new grads where allowed to stay on until they found jobs elsewhere. . . It seems that a lot of experienced nurses from NYC are moving upstate into the hudson valley. Albany seems to be the place to go if your a new grad, but the pay is REALLY low. I'm talking about $19/hr here, and most of those positions are flex scheduling. . . Not sure how they expect us to pay for rent and also pay back our student loans on those wages. At least in my case I'll be able to defer my loans for another year while I pursue my BSN. Has anyone else heard of LTC/SNF experience being a turnoff for potential employers? I wouldn't be against working at those types of places while I pursue my BSN, but my goal IS to eventually work in Acute Care, and I don't want to take a job that will turn potential employers off to me in the future. . .

That sounds pretty encouraging! Do they do 12 hr shifts? What's the pay rate like? It's usually around $20 hr in the rural areas of upstate NY. . . Nice to hear they're hiring new grads!

Thanks for the advice. I'm currently a Hudson Valley resident. I'm actually half way between NYC and Albany. Jobs in upstate NY aren't as plentiful as some would have you believe on these forums. The hospital where I currently do my clinicals is scheduled to be closing in the next year or two. A lot of the hospitals south of me are moving towards hiring BSN applicants only, including where I'm currently at. The job market in Albany seems alright, but I do draw the line at flex scheduling which seems to be what Albany Medical Center is mainly hiring for new grads.. I don't care if I start at $19 an hour, but at least let me work only nights or only days. . . There are several other hospitals that I'd like to look into, but a lot of hospitals up there hire BSN only as well. I actually graduated from high school in syracuse, and a lot of hospitals out that way only hire BSN as well. From what I hear LTC on your resume pretty much equals a death sentence when seeking employment in acute care. I've been told by several individuals where I work, both in management and new recent grads to hold out for acute care and not go into home care/LTC as it makes your resume look worse then a new grad. I'd consider working at a corrections facility or at some sort of clinic. I'm willing to move anywhere in the northeast, and I'm definitely interested in looking at facilities in PA. I'm really in the dark as far as what the job market is in PA, so thats definitely advice I'm going to follow up on! Good luck to anyone else whose in my shoes in the area! I wish everyone the best of luck!

So. . . I'm currently a nursing student going into my 4th semester in an associate degree program. I've got a great GPA, I'm a peer tutor, and I don't think graduation is going to be an issue at this point. I'm also a nursing assistant at a hospital seeking magnate status. Apparently there is going to be a new policy where i work that will start to be enforced starting in 2015 where any Nursing Assistants who graduate from an associate degree program will have to be let go after obtaining their Licences due to the fact that they only hire BSN applicants and see nursing assistants working with a licence to be an RN as a liability issue. I'm not going to go into whether working as a NA with a licence to be an RN actually IS liability issue, this is what I have to deal with and I have to plan accordingly. . . My first reaction to this was to seek employment elsewhere as a nursing assistant. I had a interview at another local hospital that DOES hire Associate Degree Nurses, but unfortunately they chose another applicant for the position. So at this point I'm looking at being unemployed after graduating from nursing school with honors and two years of experience as a nursing assistant at an acute care facility. . . I'm going to be pursuing my BSN immediately upon graduation, this way I can defer student loan payments and have that on my resume which will hopefully make me a more appealing applicant. I have to say though my outlook isn't looking to good. Any advice on how to protect my own interest in this case? The bills need to be paid obviously. I'm currently a NY resident, and I've looked into the 599 unemployment program. . . it seems like the fact that I'll be pursuing my BSN through an online program might complicate things a bit with this. Any other advice? I'm sure other people have been in my shoes at some point. Ive heard working at a nursing home makes my resume more undesirable to prospective acute care employers then if I had just stayed unemployed. . . As you guys can imagine these circumstances are pretty disheartening for me! Kind of upset that I made all these sacrifices and I'll have not much to show for it upon graduation . . . thanks.

So I uploaded a great cover letter recently, which I got great critique on here at all nurses. . . it lead to an interview this Tuesday as a PCA! Here's my edited resume, what do you guy think? I obviously edited out a lot of parts for privacy reasons. xxx Address, Home Phone, Cell Phone, Email PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Two years of experience in acute care atXXX. Maintain strong reputation for achieving high levels of patient satisfaction. LICENSES Nursing Aide Certification: Certification # xxx Expired 7/32/14 Basic Life Support Certification: 3/13 - 3/15 SKILL HIGHLIGHTS Understands mobility assistance needs Calm and level-headed under duress Quick problem solver Trained in Epic Charting Trained in Paragon Charting Culturally sensitive Strong medical ethic Trained in grooming and bathing assistance Medical terminology knowledge Familiarity with disease management programs Able to lift heavy weight Enthusiastic caregiver Colostomy care familiarity Flow sheet charting Specimen collection/processing proficiency ER and PACU experience PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 01/2013 to Current Nursing Assistant - Float Pool Xxx Hospital - xxx, state Disciplined, energetic employee who quickly establishes rapport with patients and colleagues. Recognized and reported abnormalities and/or changes in patients' health status to nursing staff. Comforted patients and provided them with reassurance and encouragement. 08/2012 to 01/2013 Certified Nursing Assistant Xxx Nursing Home -xxx, state Assisted with transferring residents in and out of wheelchairs and adaptive equipment. Charted daily information on the residents such as mood changes, mobility activity, eating percentages, and daily inputs and outputs. Assisted with ADLs. 03/2011 to 08/2012 Housekeeping Aide XXX TBI Center- xxx, state Performed housekeeping duties on a locked Neurobehavioral unit 02/2008 to 03/2011 Package Handler Fedex Ground - xxx, state Loaded products weighing up to 150 pounds onto trailers for delivery. Communicated with floor managers to determine merchandise placement. EDUCATION AND TRAINING 2015 Associate of Applied Science: Nursing xxx Community College - xxx, state Deans List Fall 2011 - Present Peer Tutor - Skills lab

I'm looking for some constructive criticism for a cover letter for a position as a PCA. I currently work at another hospital as a Nursing Assistant in the float pool, but unfortunately they're trying to go magnate, so I won't be considered as an applicant for a position as a RN after I graduate this spring. . . =( (I'm going into my 4th semester of nursing school.) Securing a position at this facility is pretty high stakes for me, since later on down the road this could very well lead to a position at their facility as an RN, since they do hire ADN's. . . The original document was formatted with 1 inch margins, times new roman with 11 pt font. I also wanted to know how to go about finding information for the recruitment team so I can address the letter to a recruiter. xxx xxx xxx Cell: xxx Email: xxx December 9, 2014 Nurse Recruiter Address City, State, Zip Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX Dear Blank, I am writing in response to an employment opportunity for the posted position on your website as a Patient Care Assistant on x floor. I am currently a Nursing Assistant in the Float Pool at xxx, as well as a Nursing Student pursing a Degree in Nursing at xxx; my graduation date will be May 2015. I am thrilled to see that the position really fits my education and skill-set, and I am confident that I am a perfect fit for the position. I strive to provide high quality care to patients, families, and the community through excellent professional nursing practice and the application of new knowledge and ideas. xxx's dedication to provide the highest quality of patient care with respect and excellence are qualities I seek out and value greatly in an employer. Through my experience working at xxx, I've had the great opportunity to work in many different settings including the Emergency Department, The Oncology Unit, Telemetry, ICU, Bone and Joint, and Med-Surg. My responsibilities include assessing patients' vital signs, monitoring blood glucose levels, answering call bells, and reporting any changes in status or concerns of the patient. I'm also part of the code grey response team, having an in house certification for preventative management of crisis situations (PMCS). As part of this team it's my responsibility to respond to any situations that might place individuals at danger to themselves or others. I gained the ability to think on my feet, problem-solve, and effectively communicate with other members of the healthcare team. My educational background, clinical experiences, and prior work experience have provided me with a solid foundation that will allow me to be an effective part of your team. I am interested in the challenges and opportunities provided by the position. I look forward to interview with you. Please feel free to contact me at my cell phone number xxx-xxx-xxx or via e-mail at [email protected]. I have enclosed a copy of my resume with this letter. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Sincerely, xxx

THANKS! Sometimes people just need a little reassurance, thanks for giving me some! Now I gotta pull up my big boy pants and grab the bull by the horns!

Im considering applying for a position at a hospital where I have an actual chance of getting a job as an Rn after graduation versus where I work now which hires only bsn applicants. I'll be graduating with my adn this may... I was planning on staying where Im at now until I recently heard that they let PCAs go who get their nursing liscenses after graduation from ADN programs due to 'liability issue'. . . . So no one is perfect, and neither am I. . .Ive had less then perfect attendance for the past year. Ive had to use 3 emergency personal days, and got sick twice this year. . . and the first time I missed 3 days (I was on considerable pain medication). I gave appropriate notice for all these times, and provided doctors notes for both times.... I had to use an emergency personal day the first time because I went off the road in bad weather trying to get to work (I live an hour from my job), the second time my fiance got into a serious car accident, and the third time I had ran over a deer the previous night and the extent of the damage wasnt apparent until I started driving to work the next day. . . I also had an issue with a coworker earlier this year that I brought to the attention of my boss,and she kind of sided against me but no punitive actions where taken against me. . . So as you can see my record has not been perfect but generally I arrive at work 15 minutes early, Im pleasant with people and when people ask me to jump I ask how high without giving an attitude, and Im more then willing to step up and take difficult assignments when asked too. Ive never been written up for anything, and my boss has never come back to me with complaints from coworkers. Im allowed 4 emergency personal days in a year, and Im not sure how many sick days, but I know the first issue only counts as one occurance since I provided a doctors note. . . Im worried about what kind of feedback my boss will give, and if it will hurt my chances of getting a new job. I know my other two references, who are clinical instructors will give me great references though. I mean Im sure people are able to secure new jobs in situations like mine, but what can I do If my current employer gives a bad reference, and should I be worried? Thanks! Edit: So Ive done some research and apparently some places only verify employment and nothing else unless the potential employer is willing to pay a fee. . . I think this might be the case with me, I filled out an application for an apartment 6 months ago and they got back to me about my employers refusing to release information without a fee. . . In this case should I just put down the hospital number or still give my bosses extension....Thanks!

I know several new grads who have gotten jobs in acute care in my area with their ADN, then I know of people who graduated with their BSN and had a rough time getting a job. I think the key is getting some sort of acute care experience in nursing school. Also relocating to an area just two hours away might help a lot. Usually rural areas have jobs available, but the pay is really low. I know of several places north of me that will pay 3-4 dollars an hour more then what I make now as a nursing assistant for new grad programs. It's not that bad though, I plan to start working on my BSN right away to defer my loans while getting experience. I know in other area's its really hard to get a job period, so I feel pretty fortunate! Just keep your head up and keep moving forward!