With all hospitals laying off nurses because of the economic downturn, Duke won't hesitate to kick you to the curb during the three month probation period. I learned alot, but one of the things I learned was NOT to make a huge committment to an impersonal organization like Duke.
I moved from another state, obtained a NC nursing license, rented my townhouse elsewhere, leased an apartment 5 minutes from Duke, shipped or stored furniture and personal goods -- in short uprooted my life.
I was told after just 6 weeks (I had hints at the end of 3 weeks) that hiring new nurses into my unit was an "experiment" and that they really needed nurses "with more mileage".
I spite of their knowing how much I had uprooted myselt to accept their employment offer, the best they could do in terms of helping me to find an appropriate position elsewhere within the organization was to "check their web site".
It has been a nightmare. I forfited the lease security deposit on my apartment, am living with a friend's parents while looking for a job ANYWHERE in North Carolina. Most hospitals are laying nurses off, so I have applied for over 40 positions and gotten not even a nibble.
Not only did it cost me financially and emotionally - but also in terms of finding other openings for new grads. For example, in July there were some nurse residency opportunities in some area hospitals. these programs are now full.
