Questions for an almost nurse

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I start a accelerated ADN program n Aug 25 so I am about 17 months from graduating. I have a few questions for those in the area already out there. I will be looking for work in Dallas, Texas and surrounding areas.

What is the average starting salary for new graduate ADN nurses?

Where is the best place to work? Where do you work, do you like it/dislike it, and why?

What are your hours? Did you have a choice about which hours you worked? What were your choices? Do you work holidays? Do you have a choice about holidays?

I am a single mom of a now 13 year old who will almost 15 when I graduate. I know he will be old enough to look after himself for a while, but still want to keep his time alone to a minimal. They say that especially in the preteen years unsupervised time is what leads to trouble.

For those single moms....

What hours work best for you? What do you do with your children ? What about holidays? The only holiday I am really worried about is Christmas. I would hate to leave my child alone all day on Christmas. Anyone else with this issue, and what did you do?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The starting hospital pay rates for new grad ADNs in DFW ranges from $21 to $23 per hour.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Congratulations on your progress.

I know that you are very concerned about working hours - but there is an undeniable fact. Newbies always get the least desired (usually night) shifts in acute care facilities. There are so few perks that come with experience - prefered shift is an important one. Look on the bright side - you'll always be able to take your car in for service in the middle of the week :chuckle

Fortunately, my kids were wee ones when I did my nights.. they didn't even know I worked. I found out years later that they thought I just liked to sleep in - that's why Dad was always the one getting breakfast & taking them to day care.

You will probably have to 'gear up' to face the inevitable. Is there some way you can prepare your teen to prepare for the change? I know some single mom nurses with teens who operate on a buddy system... they alternate days & the one not working is the designated "mom" for both sets of kids.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

Is that the only way to go. I just don't see how I can do it. He doesn't get out of school until 4pm, and home about 4:30. I would be showering and getting ready for work about the time he got home. I would leave about 6pm to make sure I got to the hospital in traffic by 7pm, and had 30 minutes to get through the parking lot/hospital/put my stuff away etc before my shift started.

He would basically be alone all evening, and all night and I would get home right before he was to go to school. He would have no one to help with homework, make dinner, make sure he went to bed, or make sure he got up for school. He would basically be a kid living alone for half a week.

I have come this far and its my dream to be a nurse, but I have to also take care of my child.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

If your heart is set on hospital employment, then 12-hour night shifts might be an unpleasant reality that will be applied to your situation.

However, you have other options. I know that working in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility might not sound appealing to you, but many RNs in DFW work at these places as floor nurses. They offer wonderful day time 8-hour shifts, usually from 6am to 2pm or 7am to 3pm. In addition, most DFW nursing homes offer higher hourly pay rates than hospitals for new grads. Some places will start you out at $25 to $27 per hour.

Home health agencies, known for flexible hours, need RNs, and the pay is good.

I worked at a small psychiatric hospital in the northern part of the metroplex that was always hiring RNs for 8 hour shifts. They also hired new grads.

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

Do you have your heart set on a certain floor? You could try getting on in surgery or cath lab. Those shifts are usually 7 pm to 3:30 pm (plus call). I think they might even have reduced holiday staffing or holiday call (but I could be wrong on that!).

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

My heart was set on hospital work, but not really any certain floor. I was told that if you don't do hospital work for at least a year when you graduate that you kill you options.

I don't have a problem working any holiday except Christmas. I would hate to leave my child alone all day on Christmas.

I will check out surgery and cath lab when I graduate. I had heard that the demand for nurses was so great that it was easy to get almost any hours. In addition, one of the great things people say about nursing is that it's flexible. What happened to that? LOL

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