marie o'brien

It's been a long time since I applied for a job, so I have no experience in this, but what I understand you might try a professional resume writer for a better looking resume.

When I graduated nursing school ('02) I was offered a $3500 sign on bonus. I told them I didn't want it because I didn't know how long I was going to work. She insisted I take it and said if you don't stay, you can pay it back. I'm glad I took it, I stayed 10 years and only left to take care of my husband who is ill. They paid half at sign on and the second half after a year. They weren't going to pay the second half because I didn't stay on the floor that I started on, I wanted to float. But after I did a sales job on them they agreed to pay it. So if you can just put it aside and spend it when your year (or however long they deem necessary) is up.

I'm in New Jersey (South). The hospital I worked at (Magnet) paid $1 an hour more for BSN.

I'm sure if there are 7 full time positions open, you'll get lots of extra time as PRN, but you'll have the option to choose if you want to work extra or not. Stick with PRN if you can.

Kudos to you. You have a positive attitude and that's why you're a success. The problem with a lot of forums is they perpetrate negativity. The truth is if you BELIEVE you're too old, you probably are. If you BELIEVE you can do it, you will.

I have to say I had such a positive nursing experience, I feel sorry for everyone else. I graduated at 58 yo. When the major hospital in our area came to school to talk to us, I told the Human Resource person if she didn't hire me I was not going to work anywhere because I didn't want to commute. Prior to nursing school I worked at a co. that I commuted 75 mi. each way and had to drive some more to visit clients every day. My goal in nursing was night shift, float pool, prn. They oriented me on days for 10 weeks, nights for 2 weeks. I really didn't like the area they oriented me to (ortho), but they said I was too new to float, so after 7 months they asked if I'd like to orient for another floor so they could pull me if they needed me. I said yes and they oriented me for six weeks in tele. After that they left me float almost all over the hospital; ICU and ED when they were very desperate. When I was 65 I thought maybe I was too old for the floor so I applied for Admissions position, which was interviewing admitted patients and putting info in the computer. After 6 months I was lonely for the floor and one of the manager's offered to call me when she needed someone and I'd get a day or two on the floor. Age 68 they did away with the Admissions position and because my job had me in the ED most of the time, the manager there offered me a position. Out of the 7 people who worked in our dept, I was the oldest by at least 5 years. However, when she'd be walking around the ED she'd see me emptying bedpans, answering lights, testing stool (ha Ha). It was my favorite job in the hospital, but alas, age 70 and my husband got ill and now I take care of him. I think my experience was a lot different than most people, but I want to people to know there are good places to work. Much of it has to do with attitude.

Here are some other thoughts that I had when I called you selfish, and I do apologize. Remember, the hospital only has a limited number of slots for interns. If you take one and don't finish, someone lost out that could have had your internship. Secondly, the area you were going to orient to lost an employee that they were probably counting on having. I commend you for thinking this through and working for a year. And again, I apologize. Sometimes we old graduates forget what turmoil new graduates go through because it was so long ago.

It may seem harsh, but she's still screwing the hospital. I'm sure you remember your orientation. The hospital puts a lot of money into this. She wants to do a couple of months and then leave for a couple months to have a baby. By the time she comes back, she'll have to be retrained.

I think it's unconscionable that you would consider this. You have no idea how much it costs a hospital to train a nurse. You are almost useless the first three months and you're collecting a full and generous paycheck. That you would even consider this shows you have no consideration for anyone but yourself. Once again, shame on you.

I feel like I'm trying to "mother" you thru this time, but you're being too hard on yourself. First of all, you might get into tele and hate it, then what? Try to keep an open mind. Secondly, ask yourself....Do you really want to work for someone who treated you like you were not worthy of her floor? She isn't going to change when you start working there. You really need someone supportive when you start out. Not getting this position may not be the worst case scenario. And you're still waiting to hear from interview no. 2. I think a lot of people reading your post would be jealous, some not having any interviews. I'm still hoping you get what you want, but like I said...if it's meant to be, it'll be. By the way, if I may ask, how old are you?

Med Surg is really a good place to get your nursing feet wet. If you don't like it, don't worry, you'll probably only have to stay 1 yr. and then you can move on, with good basics under your belt. I wish you good luck on your tomorrow interview. I hope the interviewer is nicer to you than the previous one. Let everyone know how you make out. Remember...confidence is key. There are things you have no control over, don't fret. In a couple years (2-3) this will all be a bad memory.

Don't fret over something you have no control over. If you get the job, you get it. If you don't, you're in a good position to eventually get a job at the hospital. My question is, can the hospital keep you on as tech with an RN license? I didn't think they were allowed to hire you below your license. As far as float pool, I don't think they'll do that to you. Float pool was the job I coveted when I graduated. I was a mature graduate (58 yrs old). They told me I needed to learn the charting and my way around the hospital. I did 3 mos. orientation on an ortho floor (I hated it). I did one month orientation on night shift, same floor. Then they posted a request for people to float to another floor. I signed up and it was my lucky day, I did 2 months orientation on Tele. and after being a nurse for only 9 months, I was float pool. Every day for the next 2 years I prayed and was scared to death when I went to work. However, after 2 yrs, I knew everyone in the hospital and got the most choice assignments. I did take some bad assignments, but they knew they could count on me if they needed someone whether I was scheduled or not. The reason I liked float pool so much was you don't get involved in the politics of the floor.

Here's another thought. Forego the ADN program and go for BSN. I don't know where you live, but as an example, I'm near Phila. Pa. If you were to be accepted at Jefferson or University of Penna. for the nursing program, you would do your clinicals at same hospital. So you would be either accepted or rejected and not have to wait until all sites approve you. In other words, try a teaching hospital.

Beth, the one thing you forgot to mention was to be admitted to an LPN to RN bridge program (ADN), was that she would have to have all the pre-nursing courses, A&P, chemistry, etc. I did a bridge program and I think when I figured it out, the amount of time it took I could have had a BSN (especially if you consider the time spent in LPN school. At the time I thought I wasted time going to LPN school. However in hindsight It did give me the confidence to know I could perform. Just my opinion, but I think she would be better off (if RN is her goal) to enroll in a BSN program and preferably an on-campus program. New grads are having a hard time getting jobs now and I think Human Resources tend to hire from traditional schools.

I subscribe to a magazine Healthcare Traveler (free). You can subscribe at http://WWW.healthcaretraveler.com. It has lots of ads and one from a co. called Supplemental health Care that advertises for Australia and New Zealand. I don't know if your view on the computer is the same as mine, but right above your post is and ad for nurses for Australia. I haven't looked at it. I hope this helps.