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Advice for New Nurse Looking for a Job
This August I will have finished all my BSN coursework, then start to study for Boards. I'm just starting to test the waters of looking for a job. Does anyone have any advice in terms of how to find a supportive situation for a new RN. Has anyone had experience with nursing residency or formal preceptorhips. I'm in the New York area, but would love to hear from all over.-Jessica
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June 17th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Jessica,
I am a new grad (just took NCLEX today!) and the hospital I will be working at has a nurse residency program. It is just outside of DC, so not in your area, but here’s basically how it works at my hospital. I’m going into the ED, so it may be a little different too.
Week 1 is hospital-wide orientation. Week 2-14 you are paired up with a preceptor (1 preceptor) and you work their schedule. If needs arise then they will pair you will a second, but they try to keep you only with 1. You attend weekly meetings with the nurse manager to discuss progress and evaluations.
After 14 weeks, you are a full-fledged nurse practicing on your own. However, they bring you in over the course of 2 years to continue education and get you ACLS, PALS and NRP certification. They will also pay for the training and testing to become a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN).
You are on your own after 14 weeks but you really aren’t done for 2 years.
Congrats on almost being done! Best of luck to you!!!
August 8th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Congrats on passing the NCLEX…my advice in choicing the right job is do not let them fool you..don’t just pick a place because of its cover..be sure to look over the benefits and nurse/patient ratio and all they have to offer you. I too am a fairly new nurse going on 1 1/2 years made that mistake. I choose to leave my first job and go to a new facility that I thought was beautiful and had everything I wanted. After working there for a few months it turned out to be the opposite. There will always be problems that come your way regardless of any facility you chose to work for but be sure they give you what you desire. Talk to other nurses who work on the floor about how they enjoy their job. You will find out alot of good/bad things from them. Take your time and don’t think you have to say ‘yes’ to a job right away and if you do take the job and something else comes your way don’t be afraid to call back and let them know you have changed your mind. Choice a job that will make you happy…nursing is a stressful job so don’t make it more stressful by making a poor decision.