theStephmonster

Hi there! I graduate in about 3 weeks, and I just accepted a job offer today in my unit of interest at a hospital 45 min from my house. I applied to many hospitals in the area that had "RN residency" positions open. I started applying about 2 months ago. This was the only one that contacted me (I submitted to about 6 different residency programs), but perhaps that is because I am graduating from an ADN program and I only have 6 months of experience in acute care as a CNA. Many of my classmates have already accepted RN residency positions at the hospitals where they work. We all started applying months ago. I hope this helps! Look for RN residency positions at your local hospitals if you're trying to land a job before graduation. I start in mid-August. The nurse manager in my interview asked for my top choice of floor and so I got a spot there (oncology/med-surg). My dream is to be a pediatric oncology nurse, so I feel really optimistic about starting out here. I am so happy to not have to worry about finding a job after I graduate! I hope that the same happens for you, OP! :) Good luck!!

This was very helpful, thank you so much! I really appreciate your time in helping me understand where to start. :)

Hi there! I'm graduating with my ADN in June, and am hoping to get into an RN-BSN program this year. I have a long way to go, but I know for sure that I want to be an APRN. I haven't decided whether to go for the Nurse Practitioner route or the Clinical Nurse Specialist route. I am confused on the differences between the two, and the job prospects. I also know that I want to be in Pediatric Oncology. I'm unsure about what my plan should be. How does one go about becoming an APRN in Pediatric Oncology? Do I have to work in Oncology for a number of years first before applying to a program? I hope that I am posting this in the right forum. I would like guidance on my plan for my future, and I'm not sure who to turn to! I have been researching about certifications in Oncology on this website Oncology Nursing Certifications | ONCC and it just made me even more confused about what I should do FIRST. Thank you in advance! Stephanie

Hi there. I work as a CNA in LTC while I am in nursing school, and I have been at this same job for about a year and a half. The first couple of months, I went out in my car and cried during every lunch break. I said "How can I possibly do this? It's so hard, there is so much asked of us..." but after I became better at the required skills (turning, feeding, talking to dementia patients, changing briefs...) I stopped crying. Then, I went to nursing school. I have been so grateful for everything that I have learned in LTC, because it has made me feel very comfortable caring for patients. If you can care for a patient that is yelling and confused, then you will be able to take care of any patient. I know it's hard. You're not alone. It's a very hard job, but you really need to tough it out, because it will be so difficult to get any healthcare job without some experience. Someday you will look back on this job and you'll probably think to yourself... "I'm glad that I'm not doing that job anymore, but I am really grateful for everything I learned while I was there." Trust me, I've been in your shoes. Really. It does get better, and you will become a stronger person because of this job.

Hey guys, I don't know if this is a dumb question... but are the textbooks we're buying for fall going to be most of the textbooks we're going to need for all 6 quarters of the nursing program, or are we going to have to buy like 9 books every quarter? The Elsevier package that we got info about at orientation includes a book from a later quarter of the program, so it just made me wonder if we are buying all the books we need at the start. Thank you! :)

Bellucy- Here are the required books & materials lists that we got at orientation. (You might have to rotate the pictures, my phone is doing that for some reason) Congratulations on joining us! :)

Gotmilk & thriftykid: It really depends, when it comes to the NAC exam. I got a test date in the mail about a week after I sent out my paperwork, but the test date was about a month out. Then, after I passed my exam it took me 3 months to get my license. But if you're willing to drive really far for your exam and you keep bothering the DOH after passing so that they'll push your license along more quickly, you might be able to get it fairly fast. Just be sure to send out all your paperwork to the DOH as soon as you finish your class, even before you get your test date, so they can process it quickly after receiving your test results. Also: see you guys tomorrow in orientation! :)

Chie called me yesterday too, and after playing phone tag we finally got to talk just now. I accepted a spot in fall!!!! I can't believe this is happening! :) Congrats ASL! I see that you took a spot too!

Kare_bear: I am in winter cohort and I would totally switch spots with you in a heartbeat. I wonder if you asked if they'd switch you with the highest person on the winter list. Maybe!

Oh wow Jaycam I'm such an idiot I thought you were reading the nursing school textbook Hahahahaha!!!!! Congrats Acrandall! :) Yay!

Thanks Seattle Jess, and shoreline is a great program from what I have heard! Really though, It's okay if it doesn't trickle down for me, I'm okay with starting in Winter. Just 3 months later then I'd hoped! Like I said I'm just happy to be given the opportunity to go to BC Nursing! :) Jaycam- what's the title/isbn of the first book? Do tell! :) I wanna be a nerd with you.

Don't give up hope, you guys on the waitlist! Hopefully only the people on this forum accept the offer, because that would open up a lot of spots! also, we have to pay our deposit by May 31st! So soon after that people should hear about getting bumped up

I'm in for Winter!!!!!! Congrats to everyone who got in so far! If anyone gets bumped up please post I'm just hoping to get bumped up to fall... (88.7 TEAS) I'm not holding my breath hahaha. I'm so happy just to have a spot.... OMG.

Asl and Jaycam, congrats!!!! I'm so happy that everyone has gotten in so far :)

Congratulations on getting in! !!!! :) Flipping out guys! Why does my mailman come at 4pm? Grrr!