Blink75

I'm in SWFL, as a brand new RN grad, starting pay in an intern program was 23/hr. Shift diff of 6/hr for nights, 7p-7a. I was told a couple days ago that shift diff increases to 8/hr in Oct.

Yes, that is why I was so worried about this intern position, there are a bazillion nursing schools down here in SWFL, and all of those nursing students have had most, if not all of their clinical time in one of the Lee Memorial Hospitals. I got lucky, I passed my NCLEX in February, applied in March, and was hired for April internship. I guess I should not say I got lucky, I worked hard for this, and I earned it. Without having clinical time at any of the hospitals down here or having recommendations from any of the instructors at any of the various nursing schools/programs down here.

Ahua12 It's going great! There is definitely a lot of information thrown at you the first week of orientation. I hit the floor with my preceptor for the first time this past weekend, and it was great. Still a lot to learn, but as a nurse, you never stop learning. As for advice for getting into the internship, just be confident and be yourself during your interviews. Almost everyone who applies is a new RN so none of us really had RN experience. Kind of makes the playing field level for everyone. You have to make yourself stand out somehow. For me, it was the fact that I had worked at the same LTC facility for 4 years prior to us moving to Fl. (loyal) They make you sign a 2 year contract, because they don't want to invest all this time/money into your training, then have you bail out on them. Think about things/experiences that set you apart from other people who may be applying, and PRAY! I never prayed so much as I did the weeks I was going through interviews and waiting to find out if I got the job!! LOL Good Luck to you on your NCLEX. Cape Coral, and SW FL in general is a beautiful place to live! We really need good nurses down here!

I don't think anyone can tell you exactly when you will be able to sit for your NCLEX. It depends on how long it takes your school to send out your transcripts to the BON, how long it takes the BON to approve your application. Then when you get your ATT, and you go to schedule your test, you may not be able to get in for 2-3 weeks depending on how busy the testing site is. Good luck! Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

The Lee Memorial Health Systems RN internship is a paid internship. They have a posting on their website the 1-5 of each month where you can apply. Good Luck! Their hospitals are located in the Ft. Myers area on the west coast of S. FL.

April 7th So, I have just over one more week of freedom! lol!!!

Oh dear! I'm sorry to hear about your condition! Is it painful? It sure sounds painful!!! I'm glad you think the advice will help, I know it is what worked for me!! I am sure tomorrow will go just fine, I just always have to have something to worry about!! lol Thank you! and Good Luck!!! :)

I graduated from nursing school in IA in Nov. 2013. A few weeks before my graduation date my husband was offered and accepted a position in Naples for a manufacturing company. A week after graduation we were moving to Florida. Once we were settled in and had license plates for our vehicles, and drivers licenses ourselves, I applied to the FL Board of Nursing to sit for my NCLEX-RN. I took my NCLEX in early February 2014. I knew I wanted an internship/residency if I was going to be working in acute care, so the beginning of March I applied to the Lee Memorial internship program. 3 interviews later, (for the same position) I got an offer, and I'm doing my paperwork and physical tomorrow. Don't lose hope, it can happen! :) Florida needs good nurses badly.

Try to think of ANY situation from life that could apply to it, from friends, family, school, anything. If you really can't think of anything, then just tell them that you have not had to deal with that type of situation yet, but you are interested in learning how to handle that type of thing properly. (or something like that) I know she asked me about teamwork, and "tell me a time when you had someone who didn't want to work as a team, and what did you do?" I totally started rambling on about something that had nothing to do with teamwork....then about 3 minutes in, I stopped myself, and said, "Oh, I guess that doesn't really answer the question, does it" LOL So, then we talked about teamwork for a little while and everything ended up ok. Just try to be yourself, and remember you don't have to be perfect, I don't think any interviewer expects anyone to be perfect, but it is good when you can identify situations from your past and be able to explain them in the STAR format. S-situation T-task A-action R-result That can help you organize your thoughts for your answers! It really does work. I know it's hard to remain calm. I was a nervous wreck. So, now that I got the offer, I'm worrying that they are going to tell me I have cancer, or some other health problem that I'm not aware of in my health screen and "fit for duty" testing. LOL I always have to have something to worry about. I wish I could change that!!! *sigh* :)

I was an LPN in a 69 bed facility for a year before we moved after I graduated RN school. There were 2 nurses on duty, front nurse and back nurse. We each had approximately half the beds that we were responsible for, and our beds were always full. It can be a bit overwheming at times especially during 0800 med pass. (the biggest one) We didn't have med aides to help us pass our pills. We basically had to do full head to toe assessments on any 'skilled' resident each shift and focused assessments on any 'hot charts' that were on the rack for follow up on anything from a fall to a med change. So really even though I had 35 residents, they were low acuity and keeping them safe and off the floor was my main concern. Along with their meds 3x per day and whoever had treatments. I can say I never had a dull moment there, and I learned a TON of useful information that I can bring to my new position in acute care. We all worked as a team and did what we need to care for our residents. Time management and prioritization are very important. Good Luck!!!

Thanks! I highly recommend it. I did the same thing for the first interview and that went amazingly well. I think I was just super nervous to have made it to the second interview and knew it was down to 7 people for 2 spots I just freaked myself out. But if I wouldn't have thought about things ahead of time it might have been a lot worse and I might not have gotten the position. Good Luck to You!! :)

I did, I DID get the call!!!! :) I have officially been offered my first RN position! It's for an RN/internship, so I am super stoked about that! I really thought I may have messed up in my second interview because I was rambling on and on, infact, one question had something to do with teamwork, and how do you handle a co-worker who refuses to be a part of the team? I started rambling on about something completely off topic, then stopped myself and was like...."oh. Well that didn't really answer the question, did it?" LOL OMG.. I could have died. I am so thankful, and feel so blessed that I no longer have to search for a job, and I got the exact job I wanted. I looked up common "Performace Based Interview" questions, which usually start with "Tell me a time when.....and what did you do about it?" Then I sat down and thought about my life experience with school, work, etc, anything and wrote down times that I have dealt with that type of thing. Also, thought about what to say for "tell me about yourself..." "what is your greatest strength....." "what is your greatest weakness......" "why should we hire you...." To tell you the truth, even though I spent a week preparing for it, I was still so nervous that I did not do as good as I had hoped, but it was ok, no one is perfect.

Thanks NurseKitty2013! I figured it was going to be a lot of listening and learning the first week. I'm very excited to have this opportunity!! I am ready to get in there and get things started!!! :) I think I'm still a little bit in shock that I actually did it. Even though my husband and friends all said they knew I would. haha!

Thank you! Whew!! :) Super excited!

I have to do pre-boarding March 26, (next Wednesday) and I haven't gotten the email with all the other details yet, so I don't know when/where anything else will be? I really don't even know what pre-boarding is, I just know she said there will be two attachments on the email I will get and I need to print those out and bring them with me on Wednesday. A little curious about the whole process, but I am sure it is nothing to worry about. :)

I got my offer today. :) I DID IT!!!! I'm so proud of myself!!!

I feel your pain. I'm pretty much in your same boat. I have filled out 2 applications, received one rejection email, and made it to the final round of interviews on the other. They said they would call yet today, but it's 5:30 now. Hopefully I will find something out first thing in the morning, because I feel like I want to throw up. I don't have any advice for you, besides maybe do mock interviews with a friend or someone to feel more comfortable with answering the questions. I know I tend to ramble when I am nervous, and I do not like that at all. Nursing is a different world, for sure. Good Luck on your search!

Cool! I got my call Tuesday as well. My second interview is for General Medicine at Gulf Coast. I will cross my fingers for the both of us!

Thanks! I'm at a huge disadvantage though, being not from around the area, but I'm not giving up! :)

So, I had my interview this morning, and it went swimmingly for anyone who is interested. I will be having another interview next week! Super excited!!

You're welcome!

Someone had written that a CNA who worked at LMHS graduated RN school and still had to go through the same application and interview process as everyone else, I think you would just go through as an internal candidate instead of an external candidate. Good Luck with nursing school!!

I should never underestimate myself...I just got a call for an interview Monday, the 10th. Looks like I now have an excuse to go shopping!!! :) Also, time to brush up on my interview skills since I haven't interviewed since April of 2010! SO EXCITED!!! (and super nervous!!!)

Well, I just applied for the April Internship at Lee Memorial. I don't feel very confident, I know there are probably a bazillion people applying for these internship positions, and since I am not from around here, I don't have any referrals, or know anyone who works there. I went to nursing school in Iowa, so I don't even know any instructors or other resources around here. But, I just passed my NCLEX-RN Feb. 6, and I am looking forward to the difficult task of finding a new grad RN position somewhere. It just seems crazy to me that there are so many RN positions available in this area, yet they all require experience. Wish me luck if you're reading this! :)

I recently graduated from ADN-RN program in Iowa in November of 2013, and a week after my graduation, we relocated to Florida because my husband was offered a job in Naples. I did not have my RN license in Iowa, so I did not gain license by endorsement, but I did go through the whole application process, and electronic fingerprinting stuff you are referring to. I took my NCLEX Feb. 6, and was issued a FL RN license on Feb. 8! So, I hope this will help you: 1. For the CE, I went to this website https://fmes.net/ and registered, and took the "Prevention of Medical Errors" course here, I think it cost about 16 dollars for the 2 credit course, and I then printed out the certificate of completion and mailed it to the FL BON. 2. Electronic fingerprints are not cheap!! I paid $96 for mine! There are out of state locations, google "livescan" or go to this website: https://www.certifixlivescan.com/category/fingerprinting-service-locations/connecticut Before you go get these fingerprints done, be sure you have the ORI number for Florida license by endorsement, this allows the fingerprinting company to be sure your prints and results of your background check are sent to the proper place. You can get this number from the Florida BON. (email or call them) I emailed to get the number for license by examination. I hope this helps you, and let me know if you have any other questions that I might be able to help out with! :)