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: Confidence, NCLEX, New Grad, New Nurse, Nurse Resident Programs, Preceptor, Residency

Have you participated in a nurse residency program? Where at? How intense was the competition? And would you recommend it?

Nurse residency programs-geared to ease the transition from new nurse to competent nurse-are increasing in number and popularity. When you take a look at the benefits, you can see why the competition for a spot is fierce.

According to Jean Roberson, MS, RN, BC, who coordinated a [...]

Related: Career, Expectations, Job Search, New Grad, Nursing Jobs, Nursing Shortage

There’s desperation in the nursing industry. But who’s desperate?

Hospitals or new nurses?

A recent headline touted “Nursing Industry Desperate to Find New Hires” (AP, 1-05-09). According to the news report, nurse recruiters are so frantic to fill the gaping job vacancies they are bribing nurses with lavish giveaways: champagne parties, one-year vehicle leases, vacation getaways, gas cards, TVs, GPS devices, and shopping sprees.

Imagine landing the job [...]

Related: Boundaries, Management, New Grad, New Nurse, Nursing Jobs

I'm a new grad working in a nursing home/rehab. I've been there 4 months and I feel like everyday they seem to forget that this is all new to me.

I've been scolded for practically everything I do or don't do. They've told me, in not so direct terms, that I should take on the nursing supervisors job if need be simply becuase I'm [...]

Related: Expectations, Failure, Goals, New Grad, New Nurse, Nurse Resident Programs, Organizational Skills, Orientee, Preceptor, Residency, Stress

I graduated in June, got married in July, moved in July and decided to wait a little while until finally starting a new job in Dec. I found a residency in an ER thats really close to my house, and I was really excited. However now that I've been there for 4 weeks, I'm feeling sooooo overwhelmed. The first week and a [...]

Related: Application, Job Search, New Grad, New Nurse, Nursing Shortage

I graduated in May 08 from a college in central Ohio. I passed the nclex and received my license this past August.

I have received offers in other states but have no desire to relocate. Does anyone know of any NEW GRAD RN positions in OHIO?

My friends are stuck working non-nurse jobs because no one wants to hire new grads.

Thanks.

Related: Learning, New Grad, New Nurse, Orientee, Preceptor, Residency, Seasoned Nurses, Stereotypes, Student Nurse, Success

According to preceptor Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, new nurses should expect their preceptors to act differently at the end of the precepting experience. Rapper points out the signs of a healthy precepting relationship at the end of orientation—and they might surprise you.

Related: Career, Job Search, New Grad, Nursing Jobs

how smart is it to go into the navy (or any other military branch) after i graduate from nursing school? Im not tied down to anyone. I dont have any kids. I would like to travel for a bit, but i ultimately don't want to spend too much time away from texas.

Lori

Related: Authority, Management, Morale, New Grad, New Nurse, Nurse Relationships, Nurse Support, Power, Professionalism, Sabotage, Scapegoat, Stress, Truth

When I first graduated nursing school 25 years ago I started out on an adult Med/Surg unit. Because I worked as a nurse aide during school in the float pool, I knew many of the nurses on that floor to begin with. However, by the time I started there was a different nurse manager (back then "head nurse") and some newer faces.

The head nurse was [...]

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.