mardebretan

Actually, I DO read cover letters! That's the first opportunity you get to highlight your experience and sell yourself. It's not rehashing what is on your resume. And it should be institution specific not a generic one you use for every job you apply to. I don't like receiving just a resume. The cover letter speaks about you and what you can bring to this job. The resume speak about your education and work experience. Good luck!

When I moved out of my marriage with my two sons 18 & 20, I started on nights. They didn't understand about keeping the house quiet during the day. That is until my next day off when I set my alarm for 3 a.m. and went into their bedrooms and started vaccuuming and ensuring I bumped their beds frequently to ensure they were awake. And I flipped the lights on as well. Strangely, it was never a problem after that! They had to know that their daytime was now my night time and they were to be quiet! I turned a fan on for 2 reasons: white noise and it cooled the room. I had a warmish hot shower when I got home because I read it would lower your body temperature quicker. I also used foil in addition to back out curtains on my window to make sure there was not one sliver of light. And a twel aginst the bedroom door bottom. Ate a small meal when I got home like a banana or bowl of cereal. It's easy to put on weight on nights so be sure you pack lots of healthy snack foods. This worked for me for 10 years and while I travelled as a flight nurse to different countries with lots of time changes. Welcome to nursing and best of luck!

I truly believe that there should be a "mandatory" 1 year of Med/Surg nursing before you get into a specialty. That first year is so critical in developing the clinical skills you don't get anymore with the BSN programs. That's why they developed the residency programs. Basic things like time management, technical skills, etc. (I don't understand how a new nurse can graduate without ever once inserting a foley or changing a dressing! My advice is the same as the others - get a position on Med/Surg for a year. It will make you a much better nurse. And way more marketable! Best of luck and welcome to nursing!

Capt C. Most of us still love nursing. It is still, in my opinion, one of the nobelist jobs in the world. The problem is everything comes back to the almighty dollar. Please maintain your optimism. There are good and great positions in nursing where respect is a little more forthcoming. We need you to be a nurse. Many of us will retire. I want a good, no a great nurse, looking after me and that may be you. Good luck in your career.

Dear Burned Out: I am a Canadian nurse. We have most of the same pressures here. Take the time you need to re-energize your soul. This is why the young are leaving nursing so soon after graduation. The poor treatment and lack of respect given nurses is global. My only piece of advice to you is to keep up your license. I'm not sure how that works in the U.K. I was forced to quit nursing 2 1/2 years after I graduated. I was born a nurse. All I ever really wanted to be. I was heart broken to leave but had had 2 car crashes (not my fault) and I couldn't keep up the physical or mental demands. I let my license go. I received a letter from the college of nurses telling me I could not call myself a nurse if I didn't have a license. That hit me in the gut. Even if I hadn't been fortunate enough to return to nursing as I have, I would have continued paying every year just to call myself a nurse. Like you, it was that important to me. You can't tell what the future will bring to you. I never thought I would return to nursing and in part had a breakdown because of that. The universe and/or God has shone upon me and allowed me to re-enter nursing without jumping through hoops. That was 17 years ago (Yikes!) I have had the time of my life in my second go at this career. I have done community nursing, flight nursing, managed a cardiac critical care floor, managed and directed flight nursing, and now I am in the absolute best nursing job in the world. I have autonomy and respect. From doctors and management! Unheard of in most nursing positions. So while your soul is bruised at present, there may be something lying in wait for you. While I was off those years, I worked for a house builder as an executive assistant. I want my retirement career to be a wedding officiant. With all the pain and suffering I have witnessed, I want to be part of something good. Good luck with your next part of your career!

Good luck to you! I beleive nurses (at least the good ones) are born. Your Mom was wrong in discouraging you but look at all you have gained. Our careers seem similar. When I was 17 I decided I wanted to be a paramedic before I became a nurse. My Mom didn't want me to she wanted me to be a nurse. But she relented. Eventually I went back to school for nursing using an insurance settlement from a car accident. About 3 years after graduation I walked off the cliff and had a nervous breakdown. I had had 2 more car accidents, was in terrible pain and couldn't take it anymore. I was told I could never go back to nursing. Took me some time to heal emotionally and accept my fate. I worked for 5 years out of nursing and then the business closed. Didn't know what to do so I tried nursing again. I have had an amazing career and even though I am in constant pain, I thank God every time I sign RN after my name. People can have the courage to come back. Again, best wishes for a great career!!

LOVELY.....

The doctor finally acknowledged my existence and called me by my name! (We've only been working together for 10 years)