control

I don't know a whole lot about the politics of the NCLEX, but on the surface this sounds true. It wouldn't hurt to apply in Iowa. You can apply to write the NCLEX in any state you want. Doesn't have to be the state where you went to nursing school. Not sure if there are limits on how far out of school you can be, but you should check out the NCLEX website to find out (assuming they have one). You could also check the Iowa BON website for info.

C'mon....this is not worse than the flu!

Now I get why they call you Big Tiny

We've got a runner.

https://www.NCSBN.org/compacts.page Most questions about compact/non-compact states can be answered by clicking the link above. However, you need to go to Colorado's BON website to find out what you need to do' paltu. Again, endorsement rules vary by state. If you don't have a SSN, you should probably just contact the BON you want to get a license by endorsement from to find out if you can even apply. Good luck.

Licensure by endorsement is done when you've already passed the NCLEX (RN or LPN, whichever applies to you) and have been licensed in whichever state you are leaving to practice elsewhere (say, State 1). Basically to get a license by endorsement, you have to already have a license in good standing with State 1. When you go to apply for a license in State 2, applying via endorsement allows the board to essentially check your credentials with the State 1, your school, police, etc., to make sure you are what you say you are (licensed to practice elsewhere). You pay a fee to State 2 for the license if you're approved (these fees are typically not refundable). State 2 will let you know if you're licensed, and you're all set to practice if you are approved. If licensure by endorsement wasn't an option, we'd all have to rewrite boards....and that would suck. To keep any license, you have to maintain whatever requirements the state BON attaches to having a license. For active licenses, sometimes this is just paying a renewal fee. You can be licensed in multiple states at one time. You just have to pay all the applicable fees and meet whatever other requirements each state's BON requires to maintain a license in that state. In New York, there is a CEU requirement and a fee. In New Hampshire, there is a CEU requirement, a fee, and a criminal background check. In Vermont, there is a fee only. I know because I had license in all three of those states (plus two others) up until last year. I still maintain licenses in 4 states. If you reside in and are licensed to practice in compact state, then licensure by endorsement is a bit different. For example, New Hampshire and Maryland are compact states. If you are licensed and reside in New Hampshire, but plan to relocate to Maryland and would like a license by endorsement, you have generally a month where you can practice on your New Hampshire license in Maryland. Apply for a Maryland license by endorsement before the end of the 30 days. If you reside in a non-compact (licensed to practice in a single state only) state and are desiring a license in another non-compact state, you cannot practice in the other state until you have a license for that state. If you reside in a compact state and are desiring a license in a non-compact state, you also cannot practice in teh other state until you have a license for that state. Also, since your state of residence will change if you move to the new state, your license in the compact state is converted to a non-compact (single state) license.

I have one more class and I'll be done with my MPH. It's not a limiting degree as someone stated. Any degree is limiting if you don't know what to do with it. I have a BSN, and I got my job in public health without having completed the MPH. But the MPH is going to and has opened a lot of doors. It also gives me more choices when considering doctorate studeis (DNP, DrPH, PhD in nursing or public health....my choice; I'm qualified to apply for any of those.). Or I can stop altogether and pretty much lock in at least 50k salary anywhere I go (not much in metro areas, but you could get by if you live simply). Good luck deciding. I almost applied to a joint MSN/MPH program, but I decided a cheap program (upstate New York) was more important than two degrees and a whole lot of money.

I applied for a job with a nursing home in Albany. I have 10 years of experience, and they offered me 24/hr with a 40+ patient responsibility. Needless to say, I ran away from that. Total bs!

Empire Blue Cross is hiring. They recently had an Open House. They start at 60k.

If you think your nursing program was a joke, that's probably why you can't get a job. Honestly, if I were a patient or employer, the last person I would want taking care of me or that I would want to hire is someone who a) thinks they know it all and b)has no respect for their own education.

Physician's office Nursing home (you can probably find something 7-3) Insurance company (maybe) Urgent care clinic

Well, I'm in grad school for an MPH. Actually looking for a floor job or a job on an LTAC to pay my rent while I study.

I am about to begin study for an MPH. I have a BSN.

I've never had this problem. Coughing would probably help.

I work for a Fortune 500 company. It contracts with state governments for healthcare programs (HUSKY in Connecticuit, LaCHIP in Louisiana, etc.). If you're interested in jobs in healthcare, pm me (I don't know if we're allowed to post that sort of information here!). Also, try insurance companies, too. I know of lots of places with 8-5 jobs. The majority do not require you to use all of your clinical skills (other than assessment basics), though. I work 8-5, Monday-Friday. If I work more, it's my choice. I've been doing this for almost 3 years. If any of you guys want any more info, feel free to pm me. There are lots of 8-5 jobs out there for RNs!

I don't work in a hospital anymore, haven't for the last 3 years. I make around 54k annually, 2 weeks paid vacation. If I went back to the hospital, I could probably make 60k or 70k easily. A friend of mine makes 34-50 dollars/hour depending upon whether she works extra shifts or not (34 is her base). This is Louisiana.

this is true. you'd think that people would know this by now?!

Excellent advice.

Thanks, Caroline. I really appreciate the encouraging words.

Thank you, Caroline, for this post. I've been trying to become a permanent resident of Canada for 2 years now. I've been engaged to a Canadian almost as long now, and sometimes I feel very discouraged about the situation. He was living temporarily in New Orleans when I met him and went back to Toronto just before the whole Katrina debacle in 2005 (his mother became ill). He had to stay in Toronto, so for the last two years I've been flying to Ontario every 3-4 months. It's emotionally draining. I'd love to just marry him and wait around for a year to become a permanent resident, but I can't just NOT WORK for an entire year. My goal was to be out of here by June of 2006 (beginning of hurricane season). Here I am, April 2007, the next hurricane season practically upon me. This whole migration thing has been a real learning experience for me. I really feel for people who are in more dire straits than I am and are trying to migrate. It is nerve racking. If I didn't love him so much I'd give it up. Anyway, your post gives me a bit of hope. Thanks.

Actually, I think she's gorgeous, overweight or not.

I would have simply said that "RNs are human, too." And yes, I would have been offended. What a silly generalization.

I worked in physical rehab which is an area of med-surg. I loved working in physical rehab. It was in a free standing rehab center and was great. My first general med-surg job was in your standard big city hospital. The ratios were ridiculous, and we were understaffed, but if we had a good team everything was ok. Except for the politics... What I hated about med-surg was having other nurses in the hospital think/act like they're above us med-surg nurses. Specifically ER, ICU, surgery (not PACU, though), and day surgery. I always felt like the ER and ICU and surgery were very cliquish. Surgery was always a political crapshoot....ER and ICU were ridiculously pampered, and whenever we were in the presence of them we're supposed to bow down or something....uh, whatever. I won't even start on nurses who worked in specialty clinics. Med-surg nurses end up being the lowest on the totem pole in hospitals. Tele/stepdown is just above med-surg (and they let the med surg nurses know it...I used to work in Tele, too. Some of the things I heard were ridiculous.). It all made me miss my community-like physical rehab center where I had my first job. The politics (like that above) are what made me get the heck out of hospital/clinical environments. Now I work in an office. It is stressful, but I do feel like my colleagues respect me at least. I think a year of med-surg is good for all new grads, however I wouldn't encourage them to go into general med surg....maybe neuro or trauma or ortho or something more specialized. I would (and don't) ever encourage anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself....going into physical rehab first was the best thing I did for myself, because I learned what a work environment is supposed to be like and did not have the misfortune of being completed alienated and burned out my first year out of school. I've noticed in nursing the more XYZs (i.e., certifications and/or specialties) one has behind his/her name the more "clout" the nurse has. Whatever....

ita with bolded part....i've gotten this impression as well.

I pretty much agree with everything that has been said here. I realize that pretty much all nurses work their butts off. I just thought my coworker was being melodramatic and "woe is me" ish.