[RALIP]

Hi, my name is Pilar and was just hired charge nurse for the oncology and telemetry unit. I've been a registered nurse for 26 years but never been in oncology and tele unit. It is kind of scary though but nursing is basic and just trying to get used to it now. I spent most of my nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse, few years with geriatric and developmentally disabled pupolation, and few years too in nursing education as a clinical and classroom instructor. I work for the VAMC in Gainesville, Florida. I love my job and the people around me. Nursing is exciting most of the time. Thanks

[efiebke]

Congrats on your new job! Good luck with your new position!

Ted

[RALIP]

Thanks for your response. There are so many things to learn in nursing. It is really true as one of the nursing theorists said, " the nursing profession has no boundaries", it is ever and forever expanding be it technogically and educationally. Thanks!

[anc33]

Hi Pilar,
Congrats on your new position! I am actually going to be moving back to G'ville once I finish my BSN. I was wondering if you could give me any info on the VA like nurse/pt ratios, benefits, continuing education, etc. I was excited about the fact that the website says that they do hire new grads in their CCUs. Really, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[RALIP]

Thanks for your inquiries. I think it depends on the area. The unit (example ICU..) has 2 patients for 1 nurse I think. In my floor (not a unit) in a good staffing day is 6 patients to a nurse, with NT and medication LPN. RN basically does the daily assessment, carry out orders, admi. and discharges. It may go to 8 per nurse in the evening which is quiet heavy though. It think it is hard to recruit evening nurses. Our head nurse went to Orlando to recruit new graduates. I don't know the progress of it. But many RNs from private hospitals who transferred here said that VAMC is better than the place they came from with better benefits. You can apply online or call tel. 352-376-1611 then tell the opreator to connect to nursing recruiter (Brenda or Anita). They will be happy to assist you.

[nurse educate]

Interesting mix- onc. and tele. Good luck. Oncology is a world unto itself. I'd be interested to know how you'd react to the oain experience of an onc. pt. compared to a pt. in labor.

[RALIP]

Thanks for your response.. To tell you the truth, my preceptor has left me a month after she oriented me, and now, I am feeling the stress that she once told me. I am the charge nurse with about 10 patients on lele, 10 patients on chemo and the rest about 6 patients of varied medical illness. My head nurse told me today that I have to get the same load as the rest of the staff nurses. Hummm. I said to my self..."will rather demote myself to keep my sanity". I am not a superwoman! Plus I carry the tele. beeper and the narcotic keys. At least in labor and delivery I only have 2 patients the most and one during active stage of labor. But the one thing I hate is that it has a very high liabilities (for L&D). Maybe I need your good advise. Thanks!