stepdownRN88

Can anyone shed some light on the hiring process at NSLIJ? I interviewed for 2 different positions so far and both of them went to internal candidates (followed up with the recruiter). I hope I'm not just being interviewed for equal opportunity purposes (if they already know who they're going to hire anyway). I mean, I guess I at least get some experience with interviews, if I try to "look at the bright side".

Appreciate all your advice guys, thank you!

Thanks, Lucy.

BUMP.... anyone?

For starters this is basically my work history: (became a RN in July 2012) 1. School Distict A ■May 2015 – present Substitute School Nurse 2. School District B ■November 2014 – present Substitute School Nurse 3. School District C ■September 2014 – November 2014 Substitute School Nurse 4. Hospital ABC ■March 2014 – April 2014 (same hospital where I was a nursing assistant) Staff Nurse – Intensive Care Unit 5. Hospital XYZ ■April 2013 – February 2014 Staff Nurse – Surgical Stepdown Unit 6. Hospital ABC ■February 2011 – February 2013 Nursing Assistant I have 10 months of acute care experience and the reason why I left my FT job was to be caregiver for my father who needed 24/7 care for most of 2014. Thankfully he is in remission now and has returned to work himself, so I am also ready to be back in acute care. The problem is I'm still considered to be "like a new grad" because of my lack of experience (which I don't disagree with). School nursing isn't considered acute care - so it basically means nothing when applying a hospital position. I also get so anxious during interviews and I try so hard to stay calm, confident and collected... but I usually fail miserably at it. Because I'm unemployed & therefore have Medicaid, I'm having a hard time finding a therapist who can help me with my anxiety (feel embarrassed admitting this on a public forum). Please give me any advice about how I can get a job a.k.a. do well during an interview... what's the best way to explain my work history/father's illness professionally and in a way that I can convince them that I'm not going to leave in 10 months? What can I do to "fake confidence" just to make it through the interview? I did well as a nurse in the hospital (not trying to toot my own horn, just saying - I know I can do it, I just have to get them to trust that I can too... and if I'm a nervous wreck that's never gonna happen)! Sorry for the long post, but thanks for reading.

Thank you, I'm going to look into that hospital!

I left my first RN job in Feb. 2014 - on what I thought were good terms (NM even hugged me and told me I could come back or stay on per diem if I wanted to). I left for career advancement (got a position in ICU). Around the same time, I was caring (Feb 2014) for a very ill family member (24/7 care). I ended up having to leave the ICU position too (in April 2014) when his health took a turn for the worst and he needed me to be there around the clock. In August 2014, my dad was finally/thankfully doing much much better, so I tried to see if I could work on the same floor I was on as a new grad (called/emailed NM). Never heard back from the NM, in fact I heard some nasty rumors from former coworkers of things said about me (basically having a laugh at my expense). There was no way that my coworkers should have even know about my emails because I ONLY sent it to one person - the NM. I thought the whole thing was very unprofessional since any communication/email sent was for the NM eye's only. Anyway, I've been trying for a YEAR to get back into the hospital - this is harder than when I was new grad! I've gotten called for interviews, but nothing ever comes out of them. I'm really starting to worry that I've been blacklisted. In the meantime, I've been able to sub as a school nurse at a local school district, and I volunteer as an EMT for my local fire department. One recruiter told me that my work history worried her because I left my 1st job after 10 months and my 2nd after only 1 month. I tried explaining that I didn't "just leave" - I left for a position in a unit that I really wanted (ICU) and that it was an opportunity I didn't think would come around again for a while. I did my senior capstone in ICU, so I was hoping it would "make sense"/seem logical that I'd take an ICU position if the opportunity presented itself. I explained that I had to take of my father for a few months too, which is why I left my 2nd job. It just seems impossible at this point. On top of that, I'm still really upset that my old NM was so fake - telling me that I'm welcome back/eligible for rehire, yet never responds to my calls and emails. Is there any better way to explain this? I just kind of figured "honesty is the best policy" and told them the truth of the situation. Should I mention the whole thing about when I tried to get my job back from the 1st hospital? I don't want them to think I'm "bad-mouthing" my previous NM. Should I say, "I have nothing bad to say about her at all, and I'm honestly so shocked and confused that she handled things that way... it really came out of left field". I don't know what else to do at this point and I'm starting to feel really discouraged with nursing/my career.

I just endorsed my license to Florida in hopes that there might be more opportunities for me in FL than there are in NY. I'm interested in relocating to South Florida (Palm Beach area or near Ft. Lauderdale), but I would consider Tampa and as far up as Jacksonville as well. Thanks in advance. :)

Would it be wise for me to relocate for the area I really want (L&D) or should I stay in NY at a large teaching hospital but in an area I'm not crazy about (cardiac/telemetry)? The cost of living is very high where I currently live, but nurses are paid very well here too ($35-$38 per hour). I've seen in ND, nurses are paid between $22-$25 per hour on average and it seems like the rent is very high for even 1 bedroom apartments. I also am in A LOT of student loan debt ($103k) . Any advice from someone living in Minot is very appreciated. Thank you!!

Hey, do you only want NYC or would you also be willing to work at Long Island hospitals? If so, I know that South Nassau for sure hires ADN prepared nurses - while you obtain your BSN.

It sounds like you definitely got the job! I'm sure they're just checking your references, like you said. They'll probably have you start orientation in August.

That definitely gives me some hope... thank you!

Thanks! I do have a BSN. Have you applied to NSLIJ on their website? When I first graduated, I was able to land an interview with them - so I'm sure that they still hire new grads. Good luck! :) Not sure if you'd be interested, but South Nassau is hiring new grads for their ER and Telemetry RN residencies right now... I think it starts next month.

Also, a DIFFERENT recruiter emailed me today about conducting a phone interview for a different position. I live in NY, so I'm just curious why they would want to do a phone interview... I interviewed for North Shore in 2012 when I was a new grad - but I went in person for that interview.

BUMP!