denicola.c

Hi all, In May of 2015 I received my associates degree and in June became a registered nurse. That following September I began my bachelor degree program, which is another two years- set to graduate in May 2017. Its come time to renew my license, and I'm wondering if I still need to complete all 30 CEU credits, even though I was full time in school? As of the day the renewal is due I'd have had 13 college credits that were nursing classes as well as an additional 6 that were science related... Do I need to still do 30 credits of the continuing education course, or do my college credits count towards that at all? No one at my school seems to know, I've heard mixed answers as well. I don't want to be audited and not have anything to back up my credits! My license is active in Pennsylvania, if anyone has any knowledge about their laws. Thanks!

Hi guys, I'm a licensed, working RN who graduated in May with my ASN. I recently accepted a job working with special needs kids. I'm also continuing for my bachelor degree which is another 2 years. Right now my schedule is jam packed, and I feel like my manager is still trying to cram shifts in. I'm really scared of becoming burnt out. I LOVE my job, but with school and commuting it's really taking a toll on me- and it's only been two weeks. I have a two hour commute (round trip) for school three times a week. Two of those days, right after my class, I run to work a short 3 hour shift. I'm usually home by 7pm, but at that point I'm starving, exhausted, and mentally fried. Two of the other remaining days of the week I'm working 8 hour shifts. I'm also going to be starting another 8 hour shift, leaving me with essentially half a day off (since I have clinicals that day). The remaining day I have to be on campus from 9 am to 7 pm because its the only way I could fit the class in. It doesn't seem like a lot, its really only 25-30 hours a week, but combined with school I really don't know if I can handle it. I see friends during my classes, but my boyfriend goes to a different school and frankly I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to see him with his schedule- I really don't want to jeopardize our relationship just because of my busy schedule. I'm very introverted so it takes a toll on me when I'm around people all day at school or work and don't have time to just sit with myself so to speak. I'm torn because although I still live with my parents so I don't really have to work a lot, I still want to so I can gain experience. I have massive driving anxiety that developed due to a car accident after I had made the decision to work and commute to school, so that also really upsets me, specifically when I'm driving after dark. I don't know whether I should suck it up and try to adjust for a few more weeks, or talk to my manager, or drop a class or something. I don't want to fall behind with school work either. I'm just at a loss of what to do. If I do talk to my manager, I'm very shy and a huge pushover so I have a really hard time saying no, like most grads. I just don't know what to say. I would feel really uncomfortable asking if I could drop a shift because they hired me to work, so... If anyone has any kind of advice I'd love to hear what you have to say! Thanks!

I am a new grad and just interviewed for a nursing position with a home care agency on Friday! I felt the interview went extremely well. I met with a case manager and she seemed to really like me. She even went as far as to tell me about some cases I might fit well with, and told me what wage she could offer me. It seemed like I pretty much had the job in the bag. She did want to check my references, which is totally expected, so she said on Friday to expect a call either Monday or Tuesday (today). I still haven't heard from anyone, so I'm wondering if I should follow up tomorrow by making a phone call? Or would that seem too annoying? I'm sure they're busy or just haven't gotten around to it yet but I also am scared maybe they aren't actually interested in me?! I am really interested in this position, so if I called I would most likely say I interviewed on Friday, I'm following up because I'm very interested in working with your company and just wanted to make sure you didn't need anything else from me. However, I've heard that can be annoying to an HR rep, so that's why I'm hesitant! But if they aren't going to offer me the position I need to move on and keep applying for other jobs. That's basically my biggest dilemma. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks so much!!

Hi guys! I'm asking for some advice or opinions. I accepted an interview for a mental health nurse position. The company works in the community. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about it. I am a new grad, so I am wondering if this kind of position would be good or bad for me? I am only 20 and being a small female, my biggest fear is visiting a client and being taken advantage of. The company says on their website they commonly care for addictions, homelessness, and cognitively impaired. I love the idea of the job- I think mental health is so important and overlooked. I would love to make a difference. I have no idea what kind of nursing I am suited for since this will be my first job, so I don't know what kind of job I could even fit into! All that being said, I'm still remaining open minded. I emailed my professor/clinical instructor for my psych rotation and asked her about the specific company and job to see what she thinks so I'd like to take her advice into consideration. Addirionally, if anyone could give me a "run down" of what a typical day looks like that'd be great. Of course I'll be asking tons of questions at the interview and hopefully ask to shadow a nurse in the field. Thanks in advance!

Hello fellow nurses! I have an interview scheduled with a pediatric home care agency on Friday- my first interview for an RN position, yay!! The hiring manager spoke with me and asked me to bring a list of things to the interview, and specifically stated 3 verified work related references and clinical instructor references (if I had them, which I do!!). My problem is that I can't think of a third work related reference... I have been using my managers from my past job (also in home care) and clinical instructors, but this manager wants a third work related reference. My job before the home care one unfortunately ended on a bad note (not my fault though- poor communication between managers), so I don't feel comfortable using anyone from there. I have worked as a babysitter since I was 13 and frequently watched and tutored my neighbors sons. I'm thinking peds, babysitting, theres at least a connection there. However, I'm worried it might be too much of a "personal" reference. I also am still in contact with the manager of my first job, which was a stable hand at a horse farm. I started there when I was 14 and it was under the table, but I would love to highlight learning the values of responsibility, reliability, and time management at a young age. On the other hand, I'm not really sure if I can use an under-the-table job as a reference. What would you think to do in this situation? I'm racking my brain to think of anyone else I could possibly use that is still current who I would feel comfortable asking and confident they would share good words. I would really love to get this job as it is very close in distance to me and I LOVE peds. I'm really trying extra hard to have a great portfolio and market myself well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

Just wanted to update- OMG I scored an interview!! This coming Friday, with a pediatric home care agency! I love kids so I can dig it! :)

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to keep looking. I'm going back in August for my BSN, so I may pick up a part time job just to make money for gas and such. It's getting stressful because I'm applying to jobs 35+ miles/1 hour away which is a huge commute for someone still in school. Hopefully I hear about something soon!

Hi all, I graduated in May with my ASN and passed my RN boards in June. I've been on the hunt for a job since March with no luck. I live in eastern PA near Philly, and the job market is tight for new grads. Time is ticking and I haven't been able to work because I moved and couldn't get a job lined up in time. Money isn't so much the issue as I'm living with my parents and have savings, but I really need experience! I'm willing to work any job and any shift at this point. I worked as a caregiver through my first two years of school with a home care agency. As I said, I moved and had to leave the job. Anyway, I've been seriously thinking of applying to some jobs as a nursing assistant or tech, just to get into a hospital. I feel like I've messed up my life choosing to work in home health instead of a hospital, because I have no "ins" at the hospitals near my home. My main problem is that every intern/externship wants BSN, while I still have another two years before I get that degree. (Yes, I've spoken to someone directly and they've said no.) My main question is if that if working as a CNA/tech would be somewhat a "waste" of time or could put me in the right direction. My first concern is that they won't consider me because I'm overqualified, holding an RN license. My second is that I may miss an opportunity as an RN. With my luck I can see myself taking a job, then two weeks later finding a job as an actual RN and having to leave. Sorry this was a novel, just want to get as much info in as possible. If anyone has advice on what to do, I'd love to hear what you have to say! I've tried homecare agencys, nursing homes, urgent care centers, clinic positions, even flu clinics in my area told me I have to have a year experience as a nurse... Like, really? Where do I get experience then? Lol. Thanks in advance!

So I found a GREAT hospital with a nurse residency program for ED nursing- I'm drooling! On top of that the hospital matches all of my values (religion-wise) and is a reasonable distance. I've always dreamed of being an ED nurse but totally shoved it out of my head because just about everywhere wants experience in that department. But, I found a hospital that will take in new grads with NO experience and you can do a residency in the ER and then most likely a job offer. My critical care experience pretty much ends at clinicals. I had a job as home health aid, not too exciting. I went ahead and applied online and also attached a cover letter. I wrote about how I was given the opportunity to work in the ED at one of my rotations and I highlighted some characteristics I have that would make a great ED nurse. Now my next question is how to follow up, and what should be my next steps? Assuming I don't hear from them otherwise, should I call HR and ask specifically to speak to a manager who does new grad hiring? I'm at a loss for what to say. I just got my license and just started applying- I'm in a very difficult area to find a job and am bracing myself to not be in work until possibly 2016. This feels like the opportunity of a lifetime and I want to stand out and at least have a chance! I just don't know what to say or do. Any advice would be great!

Hi all! I tested Friday at 11:30am EST for NCLEX-RN... It is now 11:48 on Sunday and I still don't have quick results available! Is it just not before 48 hours or can it take longer? I'm freaking out as this is MAJOR! I tried the PVT and got the good pop-up 2, 6 and 24+ hours after testing... What was your experience? Did it take longer than 48 hours to get your quick results?