olivia28

Yes, you are right, I remember one new grad telling me he commuted to Albany from NYC area for one year (3 hr communte).

Yes, I interviewd with them at the beginning of Nov. They wanted 5 references for an online survey and it was very difficult for me to get people to fill it out. Two of them had to be managers and it took those two so long just to get back to me, much less fill out the survey. Anyway, I called the recruiter once my references were completed and she told me I would get a response either way. 5 weeks since the last interview and nothing. No return phone call, email, letter, pidgeon, nothing. They have too many people working in that office not to have someone send a generic email or letter just saying, thanks but no thanks. I hope you have better luck than me, I think it is the recruiter I dealt with. I am going to apply to LIJ in the future, if I see a position that fits my interests.

Hello All, I am just wondering if experienced RNs are having difficulty in finding work. I know it depends on the area you live in ( I am in NYC, UGGGHH), and with all of the layoffs out here the competition is stiff! I have been getting down to the last two or three candidates on every job interview I have been on, but no luck yet. I am not feeling any desperation, but how about those who are out of work? If new grads are not finding jobs easily, how are the experienced RNs doing? Thoughts, comments?

Debmom- I disagree with the above poster. I know the job market sucks, but I do believe it is getting better. There is much that has to be worked out in healthcare, but the tide will change in 2-5 years as the older generation begins to retire. Age is nothing but a number in my opinion. I work with a young grandmother who became a nurse around the same age as you will complete your degree. Nursing is her calling and she dedicated her life to raising her children and went back to school. Yes, nowadays new grads need to find creative ways to get their first job, but it can be done. I have done it and many of my ADN classmated did it also, yes in the tri state area. nycnurse2b, I feel sympathy for those who cannot find a position in this economy. All businesses are afected by the worldwide economy these days and it does not help that you have taken out loans and worked hard for what seems like nothing. It is hard to remain positive as the time goes by, but I encourage you to focus on the positive things in your life. It is taking some longer than others to land a position and it seems RIDICULOUS to have to wait so long for a breaktrhru. I wish you nothing but luck and prosperity in the future. Olivia

Jacky- The job market is so shaky, getting a BSN would not guarantee you a job anywhere. There are hospitals that hire ADN candidates, it is usually the larger Manhattan hospitals that prefer BSN candidates, but even then, competition today is tight. Focus on your ADN now, especially if nursing is your calling. I graduated with my ADN in 2009 found a job and completed my BSN while working. Out of 40 ADN graduates, 30 of us found jobs in 3-6 months. Many who started in LTC found acute care positions within a year. Jobs are coming back now, I am noticing more postings as I am looking for a position now. By the time you graduate, we should be coming through the worst part of it. Many who would retire cannot because of the economy. You have not gone wrong if this is what you want to dedicate your life to. Consider it a blessing that you were accepted. I remember how many people that did not get into the ADN program I went to, still get people who say "Oh, I wanted to be a nurse but did not get in". Being in nursing school is a day to day process, so focus on that, you will be fine. Get over that NCLEX monster and you will have all the confidence in the world Good Luck Olivia

Hi nulife, First Congrats on your pregnancy! As an ortho nurse who was pregnant this year, you need to use the staff around you. Do not be shy to say you need help lifting a foot or finger of a patient, because there is a LOT of lifting in ortho. You will still be able to learn and perform all of your other nursing duties and responsibilities. If staff give you a hard time because you are pregnant, do not let them make you feel bad, your health and pregnancy comes first. Being pregnant and working as an RN is not easy, but hopefully you will feel much better than I did. Maybe because I was not a new nurse, I was still working too hard! Thank goodness I had supportive staff who would tell me not to lift a finger. Good luck and you will be fine! Olivia

Chamberlain was very successful for me. It was a way for me to earn a degree in a short amount of time to complete my career advancement goals. I learned so much from the material presented and the instructors. The program is expensive, but the amount of time to completer the program vs a traditional 2 yr completetion was worth the extra money. I used to rent my books online or purchase used books. Much cheaper than buying from the bookstore. I would also purchase the previous edition, there was not much difference in the material, just different pages. I know not everyone agrees with this, but these are the methods that worked for me. I hope you are able to complete your degree at Chamberlain with only 3 classes left to go. Good Luck! Olivia

Hi Ebony- I applied to both and have been told that there are two separate HR offices. I was trying to get an idea of how happy some nurses are at Columbia, because I have heard horror stories, but that depends on the department and manager. Thanks for your response. Olivia.

Hello All- I am applying to jobs at NYP. I was callled rather quickly (I am not a new grad, 2 years of experience) for a position at Columbia, but my initial interest was in Cornell. If I am offered the position at Columbia, and if I like it would it be wise to take the job at Columbia just to get my foot in the door at NYP? Or should I just hold out for a position at Cornell? Are most of you out there happy working at Columbia? I do not expect the salary to be much different. I have had my phone screen and am setting up an in person interview with Columbia in the next two weeks. Any advise is greatly appreciated! Olivia

Hi Lorie- I went to Mexico lasr Sept during classes, specifically to Cancun. If you are staying in the hotel zone most hotels there have wifi or internet access. I was able to complete some of my assignments before hand, anything I typed I put into my email for easy access anywhere. I logged on for 15 minutes daily and it did not cut into my vacation time much at all. It is doable, and with the holiday I doubt anything big would be due that weekend. Olivia

While I agree that other schools are definitely less expensive, I have had no problems with organization. What you do get from Chamberlain is a faster way to a BSN degree. You can complete the degree in one year or less. Or take as long as you need. It depends on what credits you come in with. I started in July 2009 and will be finished in December 2010. I will have spent approx. 20K, which is about equal to what I would pay at a traditional private college campus in my city. The only way I would get a cheaper education is to go to a state or city school and I was not willing to wait two to three years for a degree. The choice is yours. I have had a wonderful experience at Chamberlain. Good Luck! Olivia

What Lunah describes sounds doable to me, guess I am just nervous because if my last experience with statistics. I am more interested in finishing in December. 8 weeks of hard work will not kill me

I won't need an A in either class, but do you think Bs in each class are possible together? Statistics kicked my butt alone...just want to stay above 3.0.

Well, it seems the only option I have to finish in December is to take Economics with the Capstone course. Anybody think this is doable or shoulld I just extend to February?

That is good to hear. Also considering my financial aid options as well. Thanks for the heads up!

I know what you mean Lunah, lol. Right now trying to decide of I should take two classes in the summer, that way I could finish up in December...Just not sure if I can handle two classes. Tried once before and dropped one after the first week. The classes would be collaborative healthcare and evidence based practice.

Hello fellow CCON claassmates! Just finished another semester, passed statistics with an A. Simply amazing, don't know how I did that...On to Health Assessment this session which does not seem bad at all. I do not know how you guys do it taking two and three classes a session. Congrats to those finishing the program this semester!

Hi All! Just finished Information systems. I am in the middle of my program now. I plan to be finished in December this year, I would like to just take one class at a time, but will double up this summer for one semester when I have more time on my hands. I have no plans to go on for a MSN directly because I am a new nurse and still feel I need to get my feet wet in other specialties before I commit to an MSN. I will figure it out eventually. I am taking Statistics this semester as well. My professor wants us to post three times a week, once at least by Wednesday. I think the key is to read the lectures, read the book, go over tutorials and live discussions early in the week, attempt the homework questions, then repeat this scenario. This is how I will get it done. There is a lot of work in statistics and on top it being confusing half of the time. I think if you just jump right into it and ask questions whenever you can, you will come out with at least a B. We will see if my strategy works at the end of the semester. Good luck to us all!

Thanks ladies!

Thinking of taking it with collaborative healthcare or economics...

Hello All! Currently I am taking evidenced based practice this semester, I like this class a lot! I have been taking one class per semester taking my time and paying out of pocket. I am thinking of doubling up for one semester so I can finish in december. Has anyone taken health assessment with another class while working and it was doable? Hope everyone is doing well!! Olivia

Just curious as to why you singled out UMDNJ Tridil2000? Some people do not go into nursing to impress the world of "academia", but to become registed nurses who work hard to improve the lives of their patients. I Made a comment on this thread a few years ago, decided to go to a school that was not accredited because they offered me a full scholarship. The school is in the process of NLNAC accreditation now. I am attending a BSN program that is CCNE and NLNAC accredited. People make the right choices for themselves, that is what I have discovered during my journey through nursing.

Yes MsDiva, that was in New York. Been working since March.

That is a great tip, thank you Susan!

I work night shift, which is very convienient for me. My mom will come over and stay two days per week at most to take my child to school. If it is a weekend, I bring my daughter to my mom to make it easier for her since we don't live very close by. I am able to pick my child up from school everyday, do homeowrk with her while cooking dinner and be to work ontime. I do not live close to my job but some who do are able to take their kids to school as well.