In The Field: A San Diego County nurse offers insight into the hiring process for new graduates
We’re chatting with Samantha Simmons, an ICU NOC shift nurse from San Diego County, CA. She’s telling us about new graduate programs, the hiring process and her career path journey. Read on for some helpful advice!
Samantha Simmons, ICU NOC Shift RN.
What is your specialty and where are you based?
ICU NOC shift and San Diego County.
TRUE or FALSE: Nurses eat their young.
It depends on the environment. I have heard this is a problem. It can depend on the unit or geographic location or even specialty. In my learning environment I have not experienced this, but it was always a fear. That being said, I have always gravitated to new grads and new to specialty nurses or even travelers to let them know I’m a resource for what they need. Just knowing who is in your corner, helps you get through a lot!
Any self care or mental health tips for new nurses?
Resist picking up a lot of extra shifts; burnout is real. Do what you can to help, but understand you have to take care of yourself! Pay attention to the signs and respond to your own needs.
How did you choose your specialty? What drew you to it?
In Southern CA, it is very hard to get into a hospital setting as a new grad. You have a small window to be accepted into new grad programs and other positions require experience. I was lucky to get into a new grad program and went on a panel interview of ten -- two interviewers at a time for ten min for each group! Very grueling! After the interview, they talked to me about why I chose the specialty I did and suggested putting me in ICU or ER. I was petrified and reluctantly agreed to ICU step down. They saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. Two years later I went to a specialty ICU upgrade. This was also not quite what I sought out. My step down unit was dispersing and I had to choose tele or try ICU. So I tried and I’m so happy I did.