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I had this happen one time at a physician's office about 6 months ago where I was greeted by a medical assistant...I assumed that she was a nurse, because the secretary called her one and she answered the phone in my presence earlier and told the patient she was Dr. So and So's nurse.

To make conversation, I started chit-chatting about some of my labs and realized that she seemed unusually clueless..so I asked her if she was an RN or an LPN, and she said that she "didn't HAVE TO go to school because Dr. So and So trained her."

So, as she was taking my vitals, I said calmly, "you know, you should really be careful about telling someone you are a nurse if you are not...you could get into a lot of legal trouble because it is a protected title."

She laughed and said, "Well, gosh, who is going to care enough to do that?"

Without missing a beat, I said, "Someone like me...who is."

I told the doctor when I saw him.

The next time I went to the office, they were making a really BIG DEAL out of calling her a medical assistant.

I have a close friend who is an FNP.

She got her BSN, passed the NCLEX, went straight for her FNP and now works in a physician's office/General Practice.

She has never worked as a staff nurse.

She is an EXCELLENT FNP....she really cares about her patients and constantly works to keep up her skills. She has been practicing about 5 years now and has a very devoted list of patients.

Here is my experience when I went to do drug testing with my hospital, as just after hiring, I underwent a medical procedure where opiates were prescribed, so I was pretty sure I would "fail" the drug test.

I went to the hospital records (you don't need a physician's note...you need proof of a valid prescription...it isn't anyone's business what it's prescribed for) and got a copy of my MAR and brought it with me.

My hospital used an outside lab for drug testing...this is for integrity purposes.

When I went to my drug testing, I told the attendant that I had a MAR with me for a recent medical procedure and she looked at me and said, "Stop! Don't tell me anymore...that is for your privacy....IF we find medication that we are testing for in your system, THEN we will require proof of valid administration, otherwise, keep your records...we don't need them."

They never called me...much to my surprise.

Also, understand that they are testing for drugs that tend to be abused and illegal substances, they don't test for every drug under the sun.

NEVER, EVER disclose any medical condition or medication to ANY employer unless you are SPECIFICALLY told you are required to do so.

You have the right to privacy, just like any other patient.

Look at how little nurses get paid compared to a CRNA. Nurses have a ton of responsibility because some nurses kill people every day.

CRNA's know the pay before they take the job. If they want the "big bucks" there is nothing stopping them from medical school.

I fully support MD's making more money...b/c if they are going to invest a huge portion of their life in school, then they should be compensated for it.

I am posting this because it has become a weekly topic of discussion on the board. To me, so many people overthink this task and make it much more difficult than what it really is. I decided to post some tips that may help with the business of giving your old employer the boot.

Here is some pre-resignation advice:

1. Do not discuss leaving with anyone before you put in your notice. Trust no one. It makes for good gossip as to who is leaving next...I wouldn't trust my best friend at work with this information.

2. Be careful if you are posting your resume on Monster.com, etc. Yes, you can remove your name, but other things in your resume may give away your identity, such as the year you graduated on the list of schools. Be careful.

3. Remain professional...just because you know you are leaving doesn't mean you can slack off now...no matter how tempting. Leave a good impression, even if you never plan on returning. You never know when your old boss or old co-workers may turn up at your new employer...trust me, I have seen this more times than I can count.

Now...how to fire your boss:

1. First, find out what is acceptable for a notice. Everyone says two-weeks, however, this is going to vary by facility. For example, I happen to work in a facility where for nursing staff, 6 weeks is the typical notice given and unless you are on very bad terms with your employer, you get to work out the 6 weeks. Give your notice in accordance of what is customary.

2. Put it in writing...and keep it short and professional. For those that are stuck, I will suggest the following: "Dear Mr/Mrs. Boss: The career opportunity given to me as a Registered Nurse here at General Hospital has been an invaluable experience, but unfortunately, at this time, my career is taking me in another direction. I submit my resignation from my position as a Registered Nurse for my last day to be <insert date here>. I sincerely wish the management and staff at General Hospital continued success in this organization and I thank everyone here for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the healthcare team." Sincerely, Jane Doe, RN.

Yup...that is ALL you need to write. They do not care about why you are leaving...resist the temptation to vent, give them a piece of your mind, tell them everything they are doing wrong, etc. Write it out this way even if you think they are all a bunch of loons and wouldn't go back if they doubled your salary...seriously, in the end, it doesn't matter.

3. Submit your resignation to your direct supervisor or other manager, as dictated by your facility. Bring TWO COPIES with you and give her one...making sure she knows you made two. Listen to any final instructions...they may ask that you not tell anyone you are leaving, etc...LISTEN the warnings, if any.

4. Do not gossip about you leaving to other co-workers after you submit your resignation. While it is acceptable to mention you are leaving, if they ask why, say you prefer not to discuss it.

5. BE PREPARED that your boss may let you go the day you resign...this is legal in many places. It all depends on how upset they are at you leaving...just be prepared for it. Many times it is done for security purposes.

6. Don't bash anyone in the exit interview...seriously...you are leaving, what do you care?

Hope that helps anyone looking to quit anytime soon.

Another piece of advice: never, ever quit a job unless you have another one. The economy is bad right now and even experience may not get you in the door.

Good Luck!

Babylady

I study a minimum of 3 hours a day...but my average is 4. I have studied as long as 10 to 12 hours on each day I'm off from school...but only if I'm behind.

I get up at 5:00 a.m. the morning of exams so I have a minimum of 2 hours to go back over my work before I take a test...so I never register for a class right before an exam.

I'm sorry Ms. Smith, but yes, your drug test came back as positive for a variety of narcotics. No, the hospital doesn't have a conspiracy against you. Yes, we understand that your fifth cousin that's married to your great-great-uncle's step-brother-in-law three times removed had a drug test 25 years ago that came back positive when it wasn't, but I can assure you that it's not a mistake in your case.

Yes, I will call the anesthesiologist to get your epidural started. No, we cannot do the delivery under general anesthesia. And no, your pain will not very likely be controlled by very much at all..but that will be the least of your worries by the time that social services comes and let's you know that you can't take the baby home to the homeless shelter or the cardboard box on the corner of 48th street.

I can assure you that we are not being judgmental Ms. Smith...yes, I understand that you don't have custody of any of your seven children and it in no way makes you an unfit parent of this one. Of course we understand that it's not your fault that you can't find a job with prostitution and drug charges on your record...of course that doesn't mean you can't be trusted...we understand.

By the way, we have several gentlemen sitting in the waiting room that all claim to be the father and Maury Povich is holding on Line 2...would you like to see any pamphlets on our paternity testing services?

No Ms. Smith, no one is saying you are promiscuous and you have every right to date whom you wish.