,It’s the age old question. Does nursing school prepare you for nursing? Before we answer the question let me paint you a picture…. ,Ha-haaaaaa! Finally graduated nursing school. ,I’m the best new-grad that’s ever walked the face of the planet. I’m the king of the world! I’m the greatest! I’m the …. ,The sad truth of the matter is that nursing school can only prepare you so much for what’s to come after graduation. Feeling like Sandra Bullock untethered? You’re not alone. You’ve been blasted with mountains of info and you’ve distilled it down to application in hopes of passing the NCLEX-RN ..read more

,When you are ready to apply for a nursing license it is important to be familiar with the state requirements. Each state has different requirements and fees. Planning ahead will allow you to organize the required paperwork and budget for the required expenses. ,North Carolina provides the new graduate with a timeline to complete required tasks in order to decrease the total time between completing school and becoming a licensed registered nurse. ,Graduates of North Carolina Programs ,Step 1: Register for Nurse Gateway. ,This is the system which you will use to apply for your license and even ..read more

,I’m a big believer in planning ahead so if you find yourself wondering what’s next after a nursing degree, I can certainly tell you that you aren’t alone. Many people will find themselves thinking about the same things. ,The very next thing that comes after getting a nursing degree is to take the NCLEX-RN and get your license. After that, the path depends totally on you and your goals for the future. ,Take the NCLEX-RN ,Congratulations on finishing nursing school! Now it is time to hit the books again and get ready to pass the NCLEX-RN. ,Apply for the test – Every state has different proced ..read more

,Note that this candidate has not graduated yet. It’s important to start applying before you take the NCLEX. Waiting can delay your entry into a residency by up to six months. ,There is no one right way to structure a resume. There are many good formats. People debate the do’s and dont’s. But all agree that a poorly constructed resume is likely to be put aside. Choose a layout/structure that best highlights your information and experiences. ,This will teach you how to build your unique resume to stand out and catch the employer’s interest ,[Tweet “Your resume may be the first and only chance ..read more

,I’m so happy to announce my new book! I gave it my all in this book… my passion for helping new nurses, my role as a career columnist at allnurses.com, my background, my blog……… ,A book of Nurse Beth’s practical wisdom, insider tips learned over a long career. ,My writing style has been called concise and comprehensive- it’s true- no fluffery but chock-full of practical actionable tips and strategies. I like to give real and actionable content to help you ,where you’re at. Something you can walk away with and use. When competing for a job, it’s essential that you stand out at every step of t ..read more

,Who is the NCLEX Whisperer? It’s a nurse who is a miracle worker in helping students pass the NCLEX. ,Meet Damion Jenkins, who I met recently at the National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA) conference. Here’s how one nurse saw a need… and started a business! I was inspired because so many nurses don’t realize the skills they have that could parlay into independence and an income. ,I asked Damion a few questions to get to know him better. ,Damion, tell me about your business. ,The Nurse Speak is a boutique nursing education and consulting company specializing in creating customized ment ..read more

,Lisa was amped to start her new job. She had prepared for the top ten interview questions and carefully crafted a winning resume learned from reading the popular “Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job…and your next!” ,She landed a job straight out of school in a magnet hospital only 20 minutes away from her home. She bought new Gray’s Anatomy scrubs and laminated cheat sheets for her clipboard. She was ready. ,What she wasn’t prepared for was the emotional roller coaster ride. In nursing school she was confident and comfortable. Made decent grades. Rode the wave. Now sh ..read more

,The road to qualifying as a nurse is not an easy one. You could spend as little as one year at nursing school or as long as eight, depending on the qualification you’re aiming for. Either way, nursing school is not for the faint-hearted, and it can seem like a daily battle. ,You’ll likely need to put in more study hours than other students, meaning less time for extracurricular activities or work. Budgeting can be tough for student nurses as they often have many extra costs but less funds. These include buying nursing scrubs, , but also have less time to take up paid work than other students ..read more

,Your grades do matter. Many nurses will tell you that they don’t. ,You’ve probably heard some of these nurses: “I’ve gotten LOTS of jobs, and they never asked about my GPA” they scoff, rolling their eyes. ,or “You passed the NCLEX, didn’t you? That’s what’s important”. ,They aren’t lying. They are out of touch with today’s newly graduated nurse in today’s job market. Most likely, they were hired at a long-ago time in history known as the Everyone Gets Hired Decade or “If you have a pulse, you get the job”. New grads used to be wined and dined and had their pick of hospitals. ,These nurses go ..read more

There’s many reasons why nurses are so exhausted. One reason is sustaining a state of hyper-alertness. Much like firemen who wait for the next alarm to go off or a new mother  anticipating her baby’s cry, nurses are on high alert all during their shift. Fatigue is at bay until the vigilance/adrenalin surge is no longer needed. ,,Overwhelmed,, Being busy is one thing. Being overwhelmed is another.  Hospitals are chaotic and complex. There are so many demands coming at a nurse that the situation can change from manageable to unmanageable in a heartbeat.  Being overwhelmed is not o ..read more