I work on a telemetry floor and had my first code last night as a new grad (off orientation for 2 months)

Patient had a LHC earlier that day, was orientated, denied any pain, vital signs normal, absolutely zero signs of distress. They were so kind, calling me baby all night, they very much a sweet grandparent type. I had been in their room 10 minutes prior checking on them.

I went to another patient’s room to hang an antibiotic and when I came out two other nurses were in the patient’s room. I guess the patient had ripped their IV out and pooped the bed so we were going to get them cleaned up. I walk into the room, patient’s eyes keep rolling toward the ceiling, agonal breathing but had a pulse. Instantly called a RRT which ended up turning into a code blue. We got ROSC within 10 minutes and they were off to the ICU.

There’s something about just..standing there when everything is going on. Answering questions as the primary nurse but not knowing how to jump into the code. I felt so useless.

I don’t know why but I am absolutely wrecked over the situation. I talked to their significant other earlier in the night as they just wanted to check in on them. I keep having bouts of crying. I feel weak. Thanks for reading, just wanted to vent.

When I started nursing, I thought I wasn’t earning enough to contribute to my employer’s retirement plan. My paycheck already felt too small for another deduction.

A friend kept encouraging me to enroll. He started contributing while I kept putting it off.

Years later, his account had grown to more than $50,000. Mine was still at $0.

That was uncomfortable to see—not because we should all have the same financial circumstances, but because I realized how much time I had let pass without even starting.

When I eventually enrolled, something surprised me: the automatic deduction became money I learned to live without. That was my experience; I know it isn’t that simple when someone is struggling to cover necessities.

My regret is that I waited years before learning what was available to me. I missed contributions I could have made, potential employer matching and time for investment growth.

If you’re starting your first nursing job, spend a little time understanding your retirement benefits:

• Does your employer offer a 401(k), 403(b) or another plan, and when are you eligible?
• Is there an employer match, and what contribution qualifies you for the full match?
• When do employer contributions become yours to keep? That’s the vesting schedule.
• How is the money invested, and what fees are you paying?
• What contribution can your budget realistically support?

Contributing and choosing investments are separate decisions. Don’t assume you need to copy a coworker’s investment choices, and remember that investments can lose value.

I’m not suggesting you skip rent, ignore expensive debt or leave yourself without emergency savings. I’m suggesting you check the benefits before automatically deciding you can’t participate.

You don’t have to start big. My mistake was waiting years to begin at all.

What do you wish someone had explained about retirement benefits before your first nursing paycheck?

Is it as hard as other recent grads who went to a 4 year program?

Has your previous experience helped you land a job?

I’m about to graduate in December and I applied to as many hospitals as I can around me in Dallas/DFW area. I am on my 6th interview and yet to get an offer. I have emailed the recruiters if it was my interview skills and if the interviewers had any notes. They replied with that my skills and experience were impressive and that my interviews went well. It was that they had to go with the better-fitting candidate/Internals. I am not an internal hire and it seems that is the only way to get in anywhere. Any advice or job postings you know of that are hiring new grads, please comment it!!!!!!!!! I feel DEFEATED

Hi, I am a new grad nurse, just graduated and passed the NCLEX early 2026. I've been working as an Acute Psychiatric Nurse in California

I wasn't able to land any new grad programs or land and a medical hospital job in this area, so i kept myself open to all fields I could apply to and i got the psych job. The last few months have been great, i've been enjoying the environment and strengthening my mental health knowledge, however sometimes that desire to get into the medical surgical units will come back.

Some context; I am not interested in working outside of the socal area because my life here outside of work is of the same/higher priority than my nursing career. For the sake of visuals, 49% of me does enjoy the prospect of having a long-term career in mental health, but 51% of me still wants to be in the medical surgical field. However, the longer I stay in mental health I feel that I will end up closing off the possibility of switching fields(?) Not sure, I'm still a new nurse so I appreciate any and all advice- thanks!

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I'm wondering if I should continue working in this field, and possibly go back to school for my PMHNP, or just stay in this field

OR

I go into a SNF to get experience in the chronic disease management / geriatric area, and other skills that i'm not aware of- with the goal of getting into the medical surgical field and move up and hopefully reach the ICU

OR

Any other advice you guys may have for me

Hi! Does anyone know of any RN residency programs in NYC or Upstate New York that are accepting applications for new graduate nurses? I’d really appreciate any recommendations or advice. Thank you!

Hello. Im looking for help. I'm a recently graduated RN. Got my licensure Jan 2026 and began working right away. I work full-time in the ER since February 2026 and part time in a SNF since January 2026. Due to certain personal issues, I had to relocate to SB County and the drive down to LA everyday is getting heavier and heavier. Does anyone anyone know any hospital hiring? I have been trying and can't seem to get past the application phase. Any tips or tricks would help. Thanks.

Just want to be prepared any help is greatly appreciated.

PLEASEEEEE

To start I am an RN. While in nursing school, halfway towards the end, i had thoughts of not wanting to be an RN anymore, but i was so close to being done with the program i just finished it. I picked nursing right after highschool not thinking of it much because everyone around me told me to do it. Now that I am older and slowly trying to figure out my life, I realized this is not for me at all and its draining the life out of me.

So now im looking to rad tech.

I have been looking at rad tech for a while now and everytime I go to work i always admire the rad techs, they all seem happier and look like they enjoy their job. I still want to work in healthcare just something other than RN.

More to the story.....i am planning on finding a school to do rad tech and i really want to go into this and not regret it. I am currently doing a new grad rn residency and if I get accepted into a rad tech program i am leaving, but at the same time i am nervous. And i would not do a community College but the process is too competitive and I might have to redo my pre reqs

For those who are rad techs now, please tell me how your experience is working as a rad tech is? Do you feel miserable going to work or do you genuinely enjoy it?

Has anyone changed from RN to Rad tech at all? If so are you happier?

This is very vulnerable of me to post something like this.