Will Graduate Dec 2011 w/ BSN and BA (Social Work) - Advice Please

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jun 5, 2011

Wow thanks all-
Actually Houston, TX was another area I was considering....I would not be opposed to working weekends, I am a divorced empty nester so I am hoping the availability that I can offer will be an asset in my favor.
So excited about the prospect of living some place new and starting a new career...
A little concerned about the pay, but I am sure it will work itself out:)

Texas is a great place to work considering the cost of living (it is very cheap!) and no state income tax.

Texas is also a compact state. I am not from the Houston area but they seem to be hiring new grads pretty frequently.

rainedsoul · Jun 5, 2011

My friend who had graduated a year ago applied Vanderbilt several times and could not get an interview (as a new grad).

Vanderbilt is very competitive and I've heard it is hard to get a job as a new grad.

The pay is not high compared to any other hospitals around this area.

Most hospitals in this area (west TN) starts around $19 as a new grad. I think $1.50 difference for the night shift and $3.00 on weekend.

Vandy starts around $19.00 also as a new grad.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2011

Just curious as to if you have considered the DC metro area? I have noticed that there seem to be more new grad jobs available in this vicinity than other areas, as alot of graduate nurses seem to be moving here and finding work. Plus we have Georgetown Hospital, George Washington (Level 1), Washington Hospital Center (Level 1), and more. Not to mention John Hopkins in Baltimore. Many of these hospitals offer new grad residency programs as well as generous tuition reimbursement plans if you chose to go back to school. Also, the hospitals in DC proper are almost all unionized. Pay starts around $25/hr with shift differentials for nights/weekends/holidays.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jun 6, 2011

MelasaurRN-
How did you adjust to working nights? I would like to try the 7p-7a on the weekend shift, but have never worked overnight before. Was it a killer to transition from day to night...
For me, if I stay up past 11pm I get ridiculously sleepy and cranky...so not sure how I would fair.
If I wanted to change my shift as a new grad would I be able to or would I be stuck for an entire year?
Anyone else have any tidbits on how to make the transition?

It was tough the first couple of shifts because you're not used to it...after that it isn't bad at all, and I honestly prefer nights over days. It is a much different pace, but you don't just sit around the whole time! There is always that day/night shift rivalry and day shift thinks that night shift does nothing except sit around the whole night lol...don't get me wrong, you'll have your slow nights, too.

the key is getting adequate sleep before going into work. When I'm transitioning into the night sleeping schedule, I will try to stay up the entire night the night before my shift. If I can't, I'll go to sleep for a little and wake up very early then go back to sleep. Another thing I sometimes do is take a children's dose of Benadryl (1/2 of an adult dose)...I remember when I worked at The Cleveland Clinic someone came and talked to us about that...sleep doctors recommend it, apparently. I don't make it a habitual thing; just once in awhile if I'm having a hard time sleeping. The good thing about the children's dose is I can sleep but when I wake up I'm not groggy - unlike the adult dose.

drinking a lot of coffee throughout the night really helps :)

as for staying in the position, I'm not really sure how that works...it depends on the hospital. I have a friend who works at Akron City Hospital on night shift. For RN's, I believe you have stay in the position for 7 months (other positions, such as tech positions, require you to stay in for 9 months before you consider switching home units). I know my friend was mentioning once her 7 months was up, she was going to try to apply for a day shift position...either on her floor or on a different floor in the hospital. One of the hospitals close to my area (Scott & White in Temple, TX) requires you be in for 6 months before you switch. I don't know if that includes switching from nights to days. Like I said, it all depends on the hospital and it also depends on if there are any openings for day shift. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this?

Guest 360983 · Jun 7, 2011

Please don't come to Houston. There are WAY more new grads than you'd expect for a city of this size, and there aren't enough jobs for us. Half the spring grads at my well regarded BSN school didn't have jobs at graduation. Not bad compared to California, but not what it was here just a few years ago.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jun 10, 2011

I think any large city will have a huge influx of new grads all competing for jobs...you're probably better off looking for jobs outside of a large city.

trina9230 · Jun 10, 2011

Thanks all for the advice...I am more excited than ever, I know there are challenges with jobs and shortages, I honestly wish the media would stop reporting that there is a nursing shortage because obviously there isn't. I haven't decided on a city even if I do it would only be for the year that I do my residency because I own a home here in Charlotte. I have a lot of faith that I will find a good position, and wish everyone who is looking much luck and best wishes.

Thanks again

Trina9230