DBev93

Hi- I'm a RN of 8 months who took a sign-on bonus for a 2 yr committment with a hospital. I was paid the $$ during my last semester, and only did so because i would not have been able to finish school w/o it .....literally that money saved my butt big -time AND I really liked the hospital organization. Still do, the position I'm taking is in a physician office in the same hospital network....however the hospital won't forgive because i'm no longer a "hospital" employee...ok fine, I understand their position. Now because of my family situation, I cannot fulfill the contract and will need to repay the money. Obviously, they have asked for a lump sum payment, which i obviously won't have. :-( Has anyone ever been in the situation and have the employer accept a payment arrangement??? I have an awesome new job that better meets my family situation (single mom of 3, 2 who have significant special needs) and can make payments, I just wondered what some of you have experienced before I approach my hr recruiter. Thanks, DBev93

Hi - I am an RN of nearly a year, been working on a ICU/post ICU unit as a new grad. I am considering accepting a position in a physician family practice office because 12.5 hour nights are not working out for me as a single parent of 3, 2 of whom have special needs. My question is: those of you who work or have worked in doctor offices as RN , what did you like or not like about it?? Thanks, DBev93

Hi Dani - I DO understand your situation. I am mom/FT nursing student mom of 9 yr twins who both have Spastic Quad CP. They also have a sister who is 8 yo and I went through a divorce 3 yrs ago as well, after 11 yrs of marriage. My girl twin had bilateral femoral ostomy surgery 2 yrs ago and I won't sugarcoat....it was a LONG, stressful recovery...but you can get through it. Also, don't guilt yourself for being late with PT, meds, etc. It happens, we are parents, not superhumans!! Being late with some of his therapy sessions did not cause the hip subluxation, CP did! I know how hard it is and it sounds like you love your child very much and you are doing everything you can to give him a happy life. As for nursing school, if you have a good support system and determination, you can get through it. I am proof of that as I am graduating in 96 days with my BSN and job offers in hand, while single parenting 3 children, 2 of whom have significant special needs. That being said, I was not able to do it w/o help from my mom, my ex-husband, and a couple of great college special ed students. Obviously, your son is your first priortiy, but I say if your husband is supporting you to start the semester...you should consider doing just that. PLEASE feel free to write me if you want to talk or have more questions. DBev

ChloeinAtl - Thanks for your thoughts. You are correct, this is an early offer. However, this is the hospital that I want to work at and their are 5 excellent colleges of nursing (3 of which have Dec. grads) within a 60 mile radius that will be chomping at the bit for new grad positions. I also agree with everything you said about new grads on nights. I am in my first 2nd shift clinical this last semester of nursing school, and man oh man is it LESS hectic!! The chart is always available, less other health team members, I can focus better, etc. So, I can see how nights will be helpful to me as a new grad. This unit is self schedule unit, so I could work 3 12s on the weekends mostly when my kids are with their dad. I've tried to not let $$$ be the main factor, but I found out yesterday that I would get the "bonus"/scholarship money NOW even though I won't start until Jan. 2008. It's a 2 yr committment to the hospital, but I could request a transfer to another area of the medical center after 90 days if need be. (which it would have to be absolutely horrible for me to do this). I am going to think about it more over through the weekend...but right now I am inclined to take it. Thanks for reading/listening! Good luck with your new job. What kind of unit?? DBev93

Hi All - I am a Dec 2007 grad and just received my first job offer. I am very interested in this position, however because I am a divorced mom of 3, I was hoping to not have to start on nights. (This job is 3 x 12's with 16 week orientation). There is another hospital in my area that called me a few days ago regarding my resume & to ask which depts I want to interview with. However, those interviews are not scheduled yet. So my questions is - what is an appropriate amount of time before I accept or decline the first offer?? A couple of days, a week, etc. I am SO broke, I hate the thought of declining any decent offer. KWIM??? Thanks, DBev

Okay...now I see a bunch of old threads with this same question. :doh: DBev93

Question for NS grads - What did you wear on your interview?? I have my first interview with a hospital next week and I can't decide on what to wear. My previous job experience was corporate/insurance environment. so I have a nice navy blue business suit. I don't currently work at this facility, so I don't know if showing up in scrubs would go over to well. Thanks, DBev93

Yes, start applying now. I am a December graduate and I submitted online apps to two hospitals less than 2 weeks ago. I have been contacted by the nurse recruiter at one and I have an interview with a nursing manager next week! Yikes!! I was also told by another nursing recruiter that MOST December grads not only have offers, but have jobs lined up by October/Nov. Goodluck, Dbev93

I'm taking Pharm this semester and was pleased to learn last week that our instructor will allow us to have a one page "cheat sheet" for our exams. We can write whatever on them to help us answer questions.....keeping in mind that the questions are long application type question.....but still a nice safety net

MrsStock10: I would definitely talk to a different advisor if your assigned one is not very helpful. My assigned advisor was "okay", however there were times over the past 1.5 yrs that I had a question, so I would just do a walk in appt and speak with whomever was available. This last time, I was glad I didn't get my advisor because the other one did a little more research on my file and found that I DID NOT have to take a particular college level math course b/c I had one from several yrs ago that met the req's for my future BSN program. TTYL, DBev93 RN 2 B

Hi MrsStock10: I hadn't looked into the LPN at Heartland so I am not 100% sure, but I believe that you may apply even though you are still in progress with your prereq's. I say this because when I looked into the HCC ADN program, I understood that I could still be working on my pre-reqs such as HAP I & II and Microbiology prior to appyling. AND while I was taking Micro 2 semesters ago at HCC, there were SEVERAL people already in the ADN program who were taking Micro along with the nursing classes. In addition, I will be attending ST Francis in Jan 2006. I will be taking the last pre-req at HCC Fall 2005. I was admitted to the BSN program with the understanding that I DO have to have them completed by Jan. 2006. So, in a nutshell I think you should be able to go ahead and APPLY for LPN at Heartland in Oct 2005, work on pre-req to get them out of the way so that in 2006 you will only have LPN. Hope this helps you. DBev RN 2 B

Hi Mrs. Stock10, I noticed that you are froom my neck of the woods and thought I would respond too. I live in Normal and will finish my last pre-req at Heartland comm. college. Then in January 06 I am off to St. francis medical center college of nursing for BSN. I noticed that you said you wouldn't be in HCC LPN program until 2007? Can't you apply for Fall 2006?? DBev93 RN 2 B