So I searched this topic on here, and got relatively old topics from '08 and was wondering if there was any fresh perspectives on this topic.
I've been a nurse on the east coast (more specifically PA) for a little over a year now. I'm a new nurse, having graduated last May and it seems my boyfriend might be getting a job in the California area since he's in computers. I told him that, of course, I would follow him there and find local work close to where he ended up working.
I know that the state of California has mandated ratios, which is something I am very not used to here (working day shift, I have anywhere from 5-7 on a Med Surg floor), but what about rotating shifts? Management? General nursing (I heard it's a little more holistic on the west coast)? For those who have worked in the east and west, which do you prefer?
I would be grateful for any insight. Thanks a bunch!
I have no idea what a break nurse is. Is that just someone who fills in for the charge when they're on break...? I've heard fantastic things about the mandated ratios but I'm also being told I might not get a job in San Francisco based on my "only one year" of experience. How many years did you have under your belt before you moved?[/quote']
A break nurse is a nurse that is basically there to help out. They cover patients while the primary nurse goes on break. Since we have ratios we can't cover other nurses' patients it they are away since it would put us over our ratio (although if it doesn't put us over ratio we cover each other). They also help give meds if we have a heavy double, in general they are just an extra person to help out and do whatever the nurse might need.
I would just apply, you never know unless you apply. Just be prepared to not hear back from a lot of places or rejection. There's nothing stopping you from applying while getting more experience under your belt. Good luck.
When I first applied for jobs, I swear I did a 100+ applications just in PA and only had about 5 reply back, so I think that's a country wide thing since companies are so reluctant to hire. So I guess I'm prepared for that.
We have a nurse that sometimes comes in at 11am (I work first shift) and she'll help with discharges and admissions, so I guess the break nurse is kinda sorta a little bit like that.
Thanks for all your feedback! Incidentally, he didn't get the job, but he's still looking at the west coast for jobs. Hopefully soon!
FineAgain
372 Posts
I had a patient once (from the deep south) who called it her "Virginia"...