NNurseLina

Hello, I'm a new grad nurse who just graduated from a nurse residency program. Throughout the program, I would forget stuff like my pen lights and and lunch boxes during the didactic part of my training. It fills me with anxiety to know that I'm going to be hired on a MedSurg Tele floor with a 6:1 to 7:1 ratio. I'm afraid I will forget or miss something. How can I get more organized and stop being so forgetful? I start my preceptorship soon and I am so nervous to disappoint or make an error. I have bought myself a tool organizer for my pen light and shears, and I am looking for a good brain sheet to organize my shift well to have good habits before I start. I even want healthy and quick meal ideas on the go so I can have time for my patients. Anything that you can share, please do. Signed, A nervous, forgetful new grad

So. OldDude, why would you say this is a better choice for me than MedSurg or Tele?

Funny enough, there are a ton of ER positions open in my area for new grads. Jobs in Med/Surg or Tele are not hard to find either. I live in the South Texas area (right on the border to Mexico). ICU positions are the positions that are extremely hard to come by for new grads. They get taken quickly. I'm in between two hospitals. Hospital A has the StaRN residency program for the ED with 10 weeks didactic courses and 7 weeks of preceptorship. Hospital B has a level III trauma ER. They have a residency program, but I am unsure of how long it is. Hospital B has a better reputation overall, but Hospital A offers a great residency program. Hospital A has a bad reputation for management, however. What I'm scared of is not meeting the expectations and being set up for failure. I want to thrive in my new job. As much as I love the idea of working in the ED, I'm scared I'm not ready. I'm fine with taking the MedSurg or Tele position before going in, but I cannot stop thinking about wanting to be in the ED. I guess I need to really soul-search before I start anywhere.

We started with 1 first semester and second semester. 3rd semester I had 2 patients. 4th semester it was 3.

I'm graduating my BSN program in May and already having hospital recruiters coming to my campus to do onsite present their job offers for the new grad nurses. The problem is, I don't know where to start! My heart says start in the emergency department, but my gut says start off in MedSurg or Tele. ICU offers are pretty much off the table because those job offers get taken quick. (But I am interested in transferring to ICU later in my career). Please help me. Which area do you feel is best for new grads?

I have a 3.46 overall though. My nursing school GPA is a 3.1.

I have a 3.46 overall though. My nursing school GPA is a 3.1.

I'm okay with not going to a brand name school, as long as it is reputable. I am interested in FNP or PHMNP.

I'm okay with not going to a brand name school, as long as the school is reputable.

What scared me the most was my GPA. But from what you all are saying, you do not need a 4.0 to become an NP.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I shadowed an NP at an ambulatory care clinic and really loved the work she did. She was an FNP. Shadowing her really opened my eyes to all of the liability APRNs and HCPs carry. However, you all are right. I don't want to rush into things. I have plenty of time to think. I would like to shadow other areas of NP before deciding if/what area I'd like to do.

I am so happy for you. You made it! Congratulations. :)

I'm 23 years old and graduating in May. I will have a 3.46 overall cumulative GPA, brought down from a 3.75 when I entered. I have a 3.1 nursing school GPA. I missed two A's in nursing school by 2 points (this keeps me up at night). I am graduating with no debt, so luckily money is no problem. Where am I going with this? I want to be a nurse practitioner. I'm scared I don't have know it takes as far as GPA. I could have done a lot better in school, but some awful personal issues got in the way (family issues, relationships, depression, self-doubt). I don't know what path to take. I don't know whether I should pursue an MSN-Ed and get a post-Master's NP certificate, or go through an online NP program while working. I need some clarity. Maybe I'm worrying too much? Maybe I need to relax? Any advice would help. This is keeping me up at night.

Thank you for wishing me good luck, I wish you luck in your educational endeavors as well. :)

You apply to an MSN/NP program, in which you can sit for the exam for your NP.