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Dec 30, 2003 10:32 PM

new to California too


Hi,
I am living in the Bay Area, I have recently moved here from UK ...I have just received my interim permit and I am currently attending interviews and job hunting...I was wondering how do RN's obtain IV,and phlebotomy certification in CA...back home it was up to the employer to provide in house training and updates yearly?? I am also reviewing books for the NCLEX, what is the most popular nursing textbook used in training programs in CA nursing programs. My background is cardiac but for the last four years I have been working part time while studying a BSc fulltime....so I guess I am returning to nursing fulltime...I have applied for ICU new grad or return to nursing training programs as I feel i will need to "get up to speed" I get the impression that nursing (like everything else in America) is years ahead of the rest of the world??
Are all nurses PDA equipped and is all charting electronic? What are the typical skills of a newly qualified US nurse....??Basically any information that you can give me about any aspect of a day in the life of a US nurse would help...

Thanks!
Sinead


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5 Comments
No. 1
from batmik
Old Dec 30, 2003, 11:11 PM

I graduated over 17 years ago but we did some iv's in nsg school . However when I started working I think I had to be signed off having done 7-10 successful iv sticks with supervision. There was no actual iv certificate given and I have never done phlebotomy except for drawing blood out of central lines. All other phlebotomy is done by lab tech
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No. 2
from Sinead375
Old Dec 30, 2003, 11:30 PM

Nurse advice for RN new to California
Thanks for the information. I have applied to a few hospitals in the Bay Area , San Fran, San Jose, Palo Alto...I think a new grad proogram is probably what I need as nursing in the US (correct me if I'm wrong) seems to be more advanced than in the UK? I am really looking forward to getting started. Any advice on what to look for in prospective employers?
Thanks again
Sinead
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No. 3
from Mimi2RN
Old Dec 31, 2003, 01:30 AM

Welcome, Sinead! I think you do need a good orientation, partly to get used to the new skills and give you chance to work with equipment. It doesn't sound like you quite fit as a "new grad", as you have already worked as a nurse, but an employer may think it's the best way to go.

IV starts take practice, they will go over that in orientation. Some hospitals have IV teams who will help with difficult starts. We draw labs from central lines, and most of the other labs are drawn by the phlebotomists. We don't have computer charting yet, although it is coming. All our requisitions for lab, xray, etc. are entered in the computer. In most areas, there will be a unit secretary to help with that. Lab results are also printed up on the computer. We can also view xrays.

Every hospital is different, but you shouldn't have a problem finding work. Good luck!

mimi
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No. 4
from batmik
Old Dec 31, 2003, 11:21 AM

By the way I have worked in the Bay Area for 17 years. Just so you know the pay is high but so is the cost of living.
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No. 5
Old Dec 31, 2003, 12:20 PM

Hi, welcome to California. I'm way up north of you almost to the Oregon border, 70 or so miles northeast of Redding in the mountains.

We learned IV skills in nursing school and then practiced and got good at it while working.

I love to visit San Francisco and the Napa Valley. My husband and I plan on a vacation in April for our anniversary.

Lots of snow here . . . . with more coming.

Best wishes on getting a job.

steph
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