almost_nurse

I have also had patients thank me for treating them with compassion. I am not Christian. I just believe in service and love toward my fellow humans. I am glad you have found solace in your faith; just respect that people can be good even if their beliefs differ from yours.

250zRN, I hear where you are coming from. I agree--there's no use in complaining! I admire that you pushed through, even when things were tough. I was coming from a difficult place prior to nursing school. I worked hard to get there. But, that doesn't mean I shouldn't be grateful for what I do have--and you're right; I should look at a scholarship as a blessing, even if the terms are challenging!

I haven't graduated yet but I did have a similar experience as a clinic assistant working with NPs at my current job. I struggled with the same question, and got some good advice here. First, I think stress make it difficult to "see the big picture". When you think you're doing a bad job, it (unfortunately) often translates into doing a bad job, because you are distracted. So take a deep breath. Second, I would make an effort to keep a journal. Write down what went well and what didn't after each shift. Notice if there's a pattern. For me, for example, it was anticipating when NPs wanted a pregnancy test on their patients. I realized it was better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so I started getting urine samples from every patient until I had a good handle NP preference. Realize that everyone does things a little bit differently, and recognize when it's someone's preference versus a real error. If two people told you two different things, they may both be right--no need to punish yourself. Just observe that everyone does things differently, and sometimes there will be discrepancies (as you described with hanging fluids on two different patients). Sometimes you just have to say, "okay" and file it away that your preceptor/another educator does things differently than what you have learned. Is it possible to speak with the other new graduates and find out what works well for them? They may be able to share some strategies with you. Your post makes it sound like you are very thoughtful and observant. Hang in there. Sometimes it just takes time for everything to come together.

Thank you all for the positive thoughts and encouragement! I know my post was anxiety-riddled, and I appreciate the calm responses and collective wisdom I've received. Definitely feeling a lot better about the road ahead.

In response to previous questions: I am at a fully-accredited school, highly ranked. I have some loans from a previous bachelor's degree, and from my first of the two-year program (the scholarship only covered the second year). I should add, I live in a state/city where it is notoriously tough for a new graduate to find work, but knew this going into the program and am willing to move.

jobellestarr, I am very interested in working for IHS. It is actually my top choice. This is definitely a point of contention for my partner, as he believes that he won't be able to find a job (a possibility) and will generally be unhappy there because there's "nothing to do". May I ask what region? Feel free to send a PM.

I really appreciate all the advice, even the tough love! I am definitely willing to move anywhere (even the middle of nowhere) if it's what I need to do. I wouldn't have taken the scholarship if I didn't feel that way--and in fact, working in an underserved area is the reason I became a nurse in the first place. Anyway, I'll keep my chin up, and as you all have suggested, focus on passing the NCLEX once I graduate. It's helpful to know that job prospects are better as a new grad once you're actually licensed! Also, feeling better having gotten all that anxiety off my chest.

Dishes, I totally see the logic. I'm more upset at my own decision to go to nursing school despite plenty of warnings that there was, in fact, a surplus of new nurses--not a shortage, as so many people believe.

Personally, I think it'd be nice to at least get hiring preference in healthcare provider shortage areas based on having a government scholarship!

It's a federal scholarship...they require you to pass the NCLEX within 3 months of graduation (hopefully that won't be too hard) and find a job by the six month mark. The contract is that you find a job or pay back everything (tuition + stipend). I thought going into it that we'd get some kind of guidance, but we don't. I know a lot of people have taken 6 mos. to a year to find a job after graduation, so that kind of pressure has got me terrified. It just seems like there's absolutely no wiggle room. And I told the fiancé this...he says it's not so much that he'll break up with me, but he thinks that he'll be so unhappy living in the middle of nowhere that it will put undue strain on our relationship and we will end up breaking up. But, I've tried to explain to him exactly what I said here--that as new nurses we are beggars, and beggars can't be choosers.

My scholarship requires that I find a job within six months of graduation. If I don't have to pay back upwards of $40,000 immediately. I fully accept and acknowledge that I'm complaining--I know it's not the best attitude to have. It's certainly how I'm feeling, though.

I am graduating in two months. It took me seven years from the moment I decided to become a nurse to when I started my BSN program. I thought I did everything right. Graduating Summa Cum Laude. Volunteering at every opportunity. Years of job experience in healthcare. Networking. But, I am getting turned down for every job I apply to. I am still in debt, though I signed my life away for a scholarship that doesn't even guarantee a job but severely limits my employment options after graduation. My fiancé is talking about leaving me if I have to take a job that's not in a desirable area (even though I knew I might have to do that when I took the scholarship). But, even jobs that are considered "undesirable" won't take me. And it's not just me. It's all new graduates. The best advice I could give anyone is not to pursue a career in nursing. I thought I was going to be an awesome nurse. I have the passion, the drive, the compassion, the dedication, the hard work--but that doesn't matter. If you don't have two years experience you can't even get your foot in the door. No one will take you. I got one job interview but I flunked the "describe a situation where..." questions. The biggest employer in my area requires an electronic "talent" test and if you don't get the right algorithm your application doesn't even make it past HR, so it doesn't matter how hard you work. I regret the moment of "clarity" when I thought nursing was the right thing to do. Me, and thousands and thousands of other naive people who think they're actually going to make a difference in the world. This is probably the lowest point in my life, and I've been through a lot. I thought I'd finally "made it". I thought I'd pulled myself up by my bootstraps. But I don't see any way out, now. I'm in debt and can't get a job, and neither can many, many other new graduates.

Anyone have experience applying to IHS as a new grad, or has anyone worked for IHS? I am willing to move (almost) anywhere to work for them. It is my top choice for employment. I also have a HRSA scholarship--I'm not sure if that boosts my chances. I sent an email to a recruiter a while back who was quite discouraging. He said that there are very few positions open and most go to those who qualify under the Indian Self-Determination Act (totally understandable, but I was surprised that there are enough applicants to fill all of the positions). He basically said I shouldn't even bother applying until I had a few years' of experience elsewhere. I'd like feedback, especially because the application process through USA Jobs is fairly lengthy. Again, this is my top choice for employment, so any insight is appreciated!

Socal EMT, I hope that you will accept advice from someone who has been in your shoes. I was accepted to a number of top-notch schools several years ago and struggled with the same question. Even with their generous grant program I was still looking at about $80,000 in debt (out of an upwards of $120,000 price tag). I was devastated, because I thought my only choice was to shell out the money, or not attend school at all. Well, I found a third option--I worked a year in direct patient care through an AmeriCorps program. It was valuable experience, even though I was already in my late twenties with a background in healthcare. It was a "gap" year, but one that I spent working towards my goal of nursing school. Not only did I get to put it on my resume, but I also was able to get residency in a state with a number of good nursing programs. I chose the location carefully, because it meant in-state tuition when I got accepted. This shouldn't be an issue for you if you already live in California--you have access to a lot of good schools, plus may qualify for the WICHE program where you can get discounted tuition in Western states. I chose a two-year BSN program (instead of the accelerated programs I had previously been accepted to) because it would allow me to work during school. It also permitted me to apply to two cycles of the HRSA NURSE Corps scholarship program. With my AmeriCorps background, I was able to get HRSA on the second try. It's tough to get, so I wouldn't rely on it, but if you don't get it during school you may be able to get into the loan repayment program once you graduate. With the HRSA stipend plus a small amount of money from my part-time job, I have been able to significantly pay down my student loans DURING school. Rather than rack up $80,000, I have paid down the loans from my first bachelor's degree and paid off the loans from the first year of nursing school. PLEASE do not take out that much in loans. You will regret it. There is no education (not even the top three nursing schools--trust me) that are worth that. Choose a program that is reputable, but affordable. You will get the same education but won't be forced to take jobs based on salary alone. You will be happier for it. And, lastly, your education is what you make of it, no matter where you go. Good luck!

I have severe depression and anxiety, which in the past has been exacerbated by lack of sleep. I am in my senior year of a BSN program and am planning on doing community health as a career. I have no interest in acute care. I was passed over first block for senior practicum and am waiting for placement second block. I requested all outpatient sites, both because of my interest and because I am very concerned about getting an inpatient, overnight clinical schedule. I am a very good student with positive reviews from former preceptors, but I'm afraid if I get assigned a night shift 2-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks it will completely undo me. I've heard of students who don't have mental health issues struggling with night shift. I can't imagine effectively managing my depression and anxiety on little to no sleep (I also struggle with insomnia even with a normal schedule). Other students are already getting placed, some with outpatient placements when they wanted acute care. My question is, would it threaten my relationship with the school and possibly my career if I told the placement coordinator about my mental health issues and expressed my concerns about being placed in acute care with overnight shifts?