MoshRN

Yes, San Diego is over saturated with new grads. Tougher for ADN's and out of state grads. Yes, it can be done if you are willing to be persistent for that acute care job experience. Definitely apply to VA when they have new grad programs.

Everybody on our unit gets a 2, unless c/s fresh (or mag pt) gets a 3. Funny thing, we will still get a mag pt with 3 other couplets.

Gumby - Did you list this on your new job offer for NICU? You obviously did something very right.

Can try RNInterview Tools on Facebook.

Northern & Southern Cali are over saturated right now. Getting a new grad job is tough. Doable for those who graduated from the area. Still doable for outsiders, BUT it takes a great deal of prep work and a little luck. PM for specific info. I can point you in a direction that will help you gather everything you will need to land on offer in Cali. The struggle is very real here for new and old grads.

My advice would be Network, LinkedIn is a big one. Reach out to managers. Solidify your resume and targeted cover letter for each job. Know about ATS and use JobScan to help you easily add those keywords to your resume, cover letter and application. Get additional certs. For Mom Baby, BLS, ACLS, NRP, STABLE, Cert Lactation Specialist - so you will be Baby Friendly. If you are in an oversaturated market, you must learn how to play the game. PM me for more advice. I have loads. The struggle is very real. Also remember these units are very coveted. You must fit in with the team they already have. Volunteer, join associations related to Mom Baby or where you know you will meet professionals currently in your dream job.

Mistaken entry.

Get your certs ACLS BLS NRP STABLE. CERT LACTATION SPECIALIST so youwill be baby friendy. AWHONN has a conference this month. A few others coming up in Las Vegas. Yes Doula is great non medical side. I will message you.

"...My anal-retentive/OCD/do it right the first time for the love of God self is driving me crazy." Totally me!!!

Agree. I had an amazing Anatomy teacher who went out of her way to help students. I had to take my final in one of her other classes, and I was blown away by the blatant cheating. It was a big class and teacher was doing other things (in the room) but never saw or heard them. I know these students may never get into Nursing School if they could not grasp basic Anatomy, but I really felt for this teacher. I sent her an Email and kept it to the facts. She was grateful.

You can do it. Have to figure out what is best for you and how you can take care of your body. Just do not set yourself up for failure when seeking a job. 5 8 hour shifts are a killer for me. 3 12's, not so much. Know that nursing school is hard on the body. Make time to sleep and recuperate. And get to know your disability counselor. They are a great help in school. :)

New grads forget they are not only up against other new grads, they are also up against stale new grads who are doing everything they can to stand out. Like obtaining TNCC, ACLS, PALS, BLS, EKG, NIH Stroke Scale, IV, NRP, STABLE, EFM, Lactation Consultant, and volunteering, career coach, Networking, awesome LinkedIn Profile, and paying for Post Grad Internships. All to get our foot in the door! The struggle is REAL!

2.9 million RN's in 2012. We should be able to change the world with those numbers!

Must be a hole somewhere.

I learned to only put facts. No curteous, positive team player, fluff stuff. Instead tell them what you did, "Implemented policy change." Think back, I bet you did amazing things you could highlight....rather than repeat everything everybody does in nursing school. PM me if you want more info on what I mean.

Saw this and think it explains situation. "Words of Wisdom from the Nurse: The nursing shortage has always had its ups and downs. About 15 years ago it was realized that there was a huge need for nurses, and for a small amount of school, you could be a licensed nurse and make a good salary. So at that time many people went into nursing saturating the supply. This plus the recession, there hasn't been a nursing shortage for about 10 years since many of the nurses who would have retired did not because of the hit to their retirement plans. This over abundance of nurses gave a lot of power to the hospitals that employ us since we could be easily replaced. Many of us remember the day of Nursing Job Fairs or being able to walk into any hospital and being told, "If you're an RN, I can start you working tomorrow!" Now that we are coming out of the recession, nurses are again becoming short in supply. They predict the shortage is going to be national in 2017. I urge and encourage all of you to prepare and use this to turn the table on hospitals. Know that during a nursing shortage, they need us more than we need them. The most desperate will be for nurse educators. Keep informed about how much other nurses are being paid in other hospitals, benefits being offered to other nurses, and if necessary, be prepared to make BUSINESS decisions for yourself as a Registered Nurse. Know that no hospital is loyal to you. You are an employee to make them money, and thus, they need to be good company to you to make you happy and to make you money. If things aren't good, during a nursing shortage, the hospital needs improve or nurses will leave. You own the license. If you go, you take your license and your skill with you."

Hoping this tragedy sends a message to the public, things have to change.

In a similar boat!!!

These classes are tough. Maybe withdraw from the class? Talk to a counselor and see what your options are. If you must, buckle down and kick butt from now on. Nursing school only gets tougher as it continues!!!!

Just go in with your eyes open. As the only RN, you will be asked to do things they cannot, plus your regular duties. Best wishes!!

We gave nitro for a pt who had a piece of food stuck in his lower esophagus. Airway and breathing were intact. Weird but worked.

In the same boat.

I am a reentry nurse, completed a refresher course 12/2013, plus a 150 hour Labor and Delivery Internship and just recently completed a Post Graduate Nursing Emergency and Trauma Course that included TNCC, ACLS, PALS, BLS, EKG and IV/BLOOD Certification and a 168 hour Emergency Room Internship, and I have yet to get an interview in acute care! I literally apply and drop off resumes every day. Of course I have a personalized resume, business cards, wear my suit, the whole bit!! I am in Northern California and it just sucks. I refuse to give up.

Yes, I agree with you. I was a member since 2004 and signed off a few years ago. Recently I came back, and it is the same old drama. Very disheartening. Glad to know that I am not alone in my thinking.

You could take TNCC and also study the CEN (I think it is called). TNCC you do not have to have experience, but make sure you take the time to read the book before class. ACLS, PALS would help too if you do not have them.