Newnurse75

Working in an Urgent Care clinic, when someone pulls the nurse card with me, it is usually when they are trying to assert their "knowledge" of what is best. I've had someone tell each staff member(front desk, tech, and then myself) different job titles (MA told to our front desk, Rad tech told to the tech, and nurse told to me). So I really doubt people are honest with what they say they are (at times). Like the the original poster, I don't usually acknowledge anything further than an "of cool", or "oh, where at?" I don't have an in-depth conversation. Personally, when I go to the doctor, I try my very best to not let it be known that I'm a nurse. It seems like providers can tend to assume you know what they're talking about (which I do not like).

From my understanding, you give the medications as ordered. If it says every 2 hours as needed, you give it at the 2 hour mark if the patient states they are in pain- the 2 hour mark and not a minute earlier. If they have anything that is ordeted for break through pain, my understanding is that that should be given, if it falls within the time parameters. I have not worked in the hospital setting, so my understanding comes from clinical experience during nursing school- so things may be a little different on the floor. But. Pain is whatever the patient says it is. I was told once that if the patient says 10/10, document that. But if they are do not appear to be in pain, document how they appear (I have been told about documenting there stated pain and their pain on the FACES Scale as it appears to us) and their vital signs (someone correct me if that is wrong). Addict or not, it is our duty to care for our patients. After all, addicts can still be in pain. :-)

Meghankavs has some excellent advice. Another thing to think about, too, is trying to get some certifications that are special to that area (like NRP, EFM, and even ACLS or PALS would look good on your résumé). Having these certs makes you stand out to interviewers as this would be saving them money on having to get you certified. While it can be costly, it shows potential employers that you are serious about nursing and this area. It also makes you stand out among a crowd of sometimes a hundred applications. As far as specific programs to your area go, I don't know of any (but most of the major hospitals typically have residency programs- but big hospitals also may be more competitive with their residencies with a massive number of candidates, so be sure you make yourself stand out in a good way) BUT google google google. That's how I found almost all of the programs that I had applied for. It takes time, but do your research and then research the hospitals. Find things you like about them and include that in you cover letter or interview. Let them know that you didn't just pick random hospitals, you picked hospitals that stood out to you. Also, try asking your instructors or even your preceptors for clinicals. If you like the hospital you are at for you clinical rotations, try to talk with the nurse recruiter or even the OB manager (which is what I did- they weren't hiring, but it goes with the networking that Meghan talked about). Don't be afraid or intimidated to speak with any higher ups. Call them and ask if they can schedule a meeting with you to speak about new graduates and their OB unit. And another thing that goes along with networking, some residency programs have meet and greats and open houses where you can go, meet with those running the programs, like the nurses or managers of different units, and you can also do d out more information during their info sessions. These are GREAT to go to. I have heard that 90 or so percent of the hiring decisions are made based off of meetings that happen here. You basically have a couple of minutes to sell yourself to them- like a mini interview. Sometimes they will ask the same question to the person standing right next to you, and talk to you both at the same time. Can be intimidating, but a great experience. I have heard that its recommended to apply to these programs before graduating. Start early, you know. Best of luck to you!!

Thanks for the comments and support Futurenurse, Roxy, and Nanik! I check my application status frequently to see if I get another interview spot. Keeping my fingers crossed! For those who've gotten job offers, what's the process like after the interview?

And it's nice to see that the pay increases with experience. I will have at least a year of experience when I move to Colorado, so it's good to see that the starting point is higher.

Yeah UC at Colorado Springs is one of the few programs that I've found that will accept a nurse with some sort of experience. I've researched on different threads and stuff and have seen that it can be hard for an out of state nurse to get a spot in a residency program...Do you know if it's the same for just any job period?

Sometimes I can stumble when I speak. And it can be hard for me to think of the words to say..kind of like they're on the tip of my tongue but it might take me a few seconds to think of the word. I mean I am still an effective communicator with a team...it's just sometimes it might take me a little longer to "spit it out". I know employers want you to pretty much be perfect...I'm not perfect...but I know that with time I will be a better communicator. My background is in the food service industry so I have good customer service skills...I just haven't had a chance to draw on that experience in my interviews. Not really sure how to pull that in with the questions I've usually been asked...any tips?

I'm a new graduate RN in Texas. I just my first nursing job at an urgent care clinic here in Texas. My family and I are wanting to move to Colorado (not sure where exactly right now...just not the eastern side....cause it looks more flat, honestly...but anyway) in the next year or so. I tried researching online for clinic nurse pay in Colorado, but wasn't really coming up with much. Do you guys know the pay for clinic/urgent care/physician office/outpatient care nurses? Also, my long term goal is to get into the hospital setting in Labor & Delivery or Mother/Baby, but I know to get into these units you either have to 1) get into a residency program or 2) have experience in acute care setting (which I'm not sure if working at an urgent care clinic counts as that). I've researched residency programs that accept nurses with experience and found that UC Health in Colorado Springs and Centura Health accept nurses with under a year of experience. Do any of you know of any other places that accept nurses with under (or over) a year of experience for their residency programs? I know Colorado nurses make A LOT more than Texas nurses. The clinic pay here for a new grad is around 20-24 dollars and hour. And the hospital pay that I've seen is about 25 to maybe 30 (for nights) an hour. Do any of you know comparable pay for Colorado? Also, any tips for an out of state nurse wanting to get a job in Colorado- like in a clinic or (preferably) a residency program? I appreciate any help you guys can give!

Thanks for the tips Roxy! You know, I felt like the interview went well...I was very excited to be there- so I was smiling a lot and genuinely interested in what she was saying. With the Denton Women's Center, they are doing construction so she was telling me all about their upcoming changes in that area- which I thought was awesome....and I kept saying "that's awesome" "that's so great" and stuff like that. She only asked me like 4 questions, and none were "tell me about yourself" so I kind of feel like I didn't get to express that part about myself adequately enough. I did have to include an essay about myself/a clinical experience that most impacted my nursing practice. And I wrote stuff in my cover letter that talked about the values and characteristics of myself and what not. I did research the hospital and read up about them and that sort of stuff but I feel like I didn't get the chance to bring that stuff up- like about their awards. But I did speak about how I like that THR is willing to spend money and make changes to their facilities all for the sake of improving patient care... As far as questions and practicing goes, I didn't do a whole lot of it. I've had 4 different interviews over the past 4 months or so- 2 were for a residency in Austin and the other 2 were for a clinic in Denton. I had prepped and practiced for my very first interview- looked up a whole page full of questions and wrote down my answers to them so I had like a little script to kind of pull my answers from. I was definitely nervous...probably fidgeted with my ring and fingers. Maybe I talked too much? Maybe they don't like that...I talked about how important communication is and teamwork...she asked what I would do if a patient was having trouble understanding what I was saying- I said it's important to bring myself to the patient's level, not just bring them to mine. I sent a thank you email the next day...and then a few hours later I got an email from the recruiter saying they chose someone else. Meh. I like the idea of walking a resume to the manager...only problem with that is I live 200 miles away. We will be moving up there in a few weeks (I got a clinic job and am just waiting for the official job letter and drug testings stuff). But I don't know if the positions will still be open by the time we move up there. *sigh* I just pray I get an interview with one of the other areas....THR is truly a great place to work (had clinicals there in school) and it's just where I've wanted to work ever since...meh But I really appreciate your help Roxy! Hopefully I can use your tips on another interview!

Well I didn't get the L&D spot I interviewed for. But I still have two Mother/Babys that are forwarded to hiring manager. Anyone have any tips for acing the interview? I always feel like the interview goes well, but then I don't get the job (same thing happened to me at a different hospital system residency program I had applied for earlier this year). I am always myself, giving honest answers from the heart...sharing my passion for nursing and whatnot...but never seem to get the job. Any tips from you guys who have gotten job offers? Or anyone?

Ok thanks Roxy!

Can anyone tell me what the heck a loose bound folder is? Is it like a regular folder? Or one with the brads (I think that's what they're called) in them?

I have an interview this week with Denton L&D! I'm excited and praying that it goes well!

Congrats Roxy! That's exciting!

I have 4 sent to the hiring manager and 1 under review for L&D and mother/baby for Denton, Southwest, and HEB. Just waiting/hoping to hear back soon. Does anyone know how long these processes can take? I'm in the process of interviewing with another facility, but am really wanting the THR job, so I'm just hoping I hear something sooner rather than later. Also, I saw on another posting (from like 2011 or 2010) that the base pay is 23.50- is that still the same number? If anyone knows? I saw on the thread for the 2015 THR residency that differentials are about 3.50 for nights and 6.50/7.50 for weekends. Anyone know if that's pretty accurate?