Related: Career, Failure, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Preceptor

I'm a new grad (May 09).

Our initial orientation was supposed to be 8 weeks, but I was thrown out on my own a little sooner than I would have liked. I started at my hospital June 1st doing orientation and by the fifteenth they had me on my unit with a peceptor. I did that for two days and by my third day I [...]

Related: Charting, Goals, Motivation, New Nurse Tips, Organizational Skills, Prioritizing, Time

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?

Like you're trying to move forward with something but you're walking through deep, thick mud.  You have some task in front of you (like writing a blog post) and you just can't seem to get it done.

I'm just coming out of a period of time where my whole life felt that way.  I couldn't seem to keep my house clean, couldn't [...]

Related: Anxiety, Exam, Failure, Fear, Feelings, Learning, NCLEX, New Nurse Tips, Success

So how many times will you take the NCLEX?  Most all of you will surely answer at least once.  But for some of us-those select few who no matter how hard we try just can't excel at a nursing exam-it might be a few more.

I'm fessing up: I did not pass the NCLEX the first time.  I had heard from teachers and nurses alike that [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Job Search, Learning, Mindset, New Grad, New Nurse Tips, Nursing Jobs, Second Career Nursing

I know that it is frustrating trying to find a nursing job right now for new graduates. I've been looking for over a year now.

I graduated in 2007 with my BSN and passed the NCLEX. I had a few job offers before I graduated from school, but the effects of the economy eliminated those opportunities. I haven't been picky looking for opportunities. I have been [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Expectations, Job Search, Learning, NCLEX, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Night Shift, Nursing Jobs, Resume

You've worked hard.  Stayed up night after night studying.  Suffered through exhausting clinicals.  Missed out on time with friends and family.  Shoved thousands of facts into a weary brain.  Now all you want is to put all your new-found knowledge to work.  Get out there into the workplace and do your thing.  You're confident.  You're prepared.  You're ready.

You start pounding the pavement.  Sending out resumes.  [...]

Related: Anxiety, Career, Communication, Failure, Fear, Felony, Job Search, Mistake, New Nurse Tips, Nurse History, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Truth, Weaknesses

I understand those of you who are worried about losing your license after a conviction-and wondering about how to appeal the board of nursing. I know what it is like to worry for months and months, because there are no clear cut answers out there.

I am an RN who has been licensed since 1990. In 2008 I got arrested for petite theft, a Class 2 [...]

Related: Career, New Nurse Tips

I am a nursing student and wanted to ask any ER nurses what attributes make a good ER nurse? Also, what is the length of time and where do you need to work to have the right experience to get into the ER? This is the area that I think I want to follow, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Sonya

Related: Career, New Nurse Tips, Organizational Skills

Nurses may not feel well paid all the time, but a few simple strategies can turn even the most meager salary into actual wealth-and help you survive tough economic times now and in the future.

The first step is to take advantage of your 401(k) or another retirement fund. Most employers will match up to 3 percent of your salary in a 401(k), but if you [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Emotions, Gossip, Learning, New Nurse Tips, Nurse Relationships, Professionalism, Professionalism Sabotage, Sabotage, Success

You may be in a job you love.  You may be in a job you hate.  No matter where you're currently at, you have the potential to make the job worse.  Here are a few ways to do it:

1) Always be the needy one. If you're always the one needing help with getting everything done and never offer to help someone else, the other nurses [...]

Related: Attitude, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Non-Verbal Language, Orientation, Orientee, Preceptor

Understanding your preceptor's non-verbal cues can make or break your precepting experience. Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, shares how a preceptor's attitudes can influence the way they interact with the orientee—and offers advice on what an orientee can do about it.