Thanks for the reply. And sorry for the late reply of my own.
I started to think back on my experience working under a manager and try putting myself in her/his situation. What I wanted from a leader, and why I value that person much more than anyone else.
I am months from assuming the post (Visa, screening...) so I am gathering input and wisdom from many. Yours included as well. So thank you very much.
Very recently, I astonishingly went for an interview and passed! It was never in my dream to finally being 'that' high up and went in just for the sake of trying out. I do fit their paper qualifications and work experience, even though my experience in management is not that much. I've worked for almost 9 nine years majoring in ER and Dialysis. Been a floor RN, a Charge Nurse and currently as a Clinical Instructor in a nursing college. In terms of work experience - I have worked for a total of 4 institutions (nurses these days move a lot!) and have worked overseas. Shifts, office hours, on-calls - I've done all that.
Despite of that, I do not have a post-basic diploma related to the field (ER) even though I've attended BLS, ACLS, NRP, ATLS and a trauma course years back.
My greatest concern is my lack of experience in being a Nurse Manager. I know somebody must start somewhere, but this is an overseas job offer. And there's also the factor of age. I am in my early 30s. And I do look young. I just hope there's no issue with this.
My question is - How do you people start off with being a department head/Nurse Manager?
And what are the things (or pointers) that may help this newbie?
Actually nursing shortage is real. I've worked many places and there was never a time when we really had excess staffs or not being called for yet another overtime. I have survived as a temp for almost a year, relying on staff shortage on getting slots.
This is the real deal:-
Hospitals are very reluctant to hire new grads, preferring instead to get nurses that had years and years of experience. Lack of efficiency, not willing to spend on training, and risking errors. They prefer people who can work asap, with less to no supervision. And even with this, they are even reluctant to consider an intake at all. And in the end, the remaining staff on the floor will have to cope with the extra duties (thus, hiding the shortage). This is how it is being played in where I am at the moment.
At least you take action and move out from a situation that bothers you. The least that I wanna see is a half-hearted nurse who calls off every three days with an MC, emergency leave and whatever there is that keep them off the line. Nursing is tough, but nobody is forcing you to be a stone.
I just have to comment on this because it hits home.
I've been verbally assaulted so many times that I lost count. And I've seen a fellow Dr being assaulted by a patient and his relative. I have no doubts writing that incident report long and detailed, putting my name as the witness. I am just tired of this nonsense.
ER, if you are wondering.
Now, what annoys me most if the way of how some people try to assume the situation. I had a Dr telling me that instead of seeing the pt as the problem, it is us that needs to change!!! And I was like, *****! 'Anger Management' issues, communication and verbal approach... In sort, reading ourselves in anticipation of whatever that is thrown to you.
And best of all 'silence is not defeat'!
If you are dead it is!
I really wished he will not see the moment when that semi-drunk pt slapped the daylight out of that poor Dr that morning - his spectacles flew into the floor. Try putting some sense in that situation.
I do not want to see some nurse being stabbed or dead before somebody took notice or action.
I am annoyed but usually let it pass. Unless I want to make a statement.
Calling us as 'male nurses' is like describing another species of nursing.
I was once suggested by a friend to share my experience as a 'male nurse' on paper - and I was like 'what experience?". Only those that pertains to nursing!
And I told her this - there is no male nurse, just a nurse who happens to have balls and a penis.
We used to have a round table discussion everyday when all the pts are settled and all the nurses discuss about their pt of the shift. Anything out of the ordinary was discussed. The charge nurse of the day is usually noted of the change.
And based on experience, dialysis (at least chronic) is not so much of a handover type of nursing. You and me have seen or nursed the pt so many times and we can anticipate or expect what their problems may be at the time of the future.
You will get noticed as a male, but it won't affect much how the hiring process will be. If they like you, they'll hire you.
The recent trend of employment that I noticed (at least where I am ) seems to be that employers have the tendency to filter applicants based on their training. A certain nursing school tend to be blacklisted, as reflected by the type of new hire that they took. I am ashamed of the bias, but that is just reality.
I am currently unemployed, but this is due to choice. Waiting for deployment to another country by a work agency.
I can say that I had my fair share of work experiences and getting a job because of this factor has not been a hassle. I have turned down MANY offers because I felt that a certain job is not suitable for my lifestyle and personal stance.
The truth is there is a nursing shortage, but they are only taking in experienced people. Can work immediately with minimal supervision and almost no training - but unfair to new people. Those who do got the job seems to be those that got their training in-house where employment is stated as a bond.
Or those who accept less for more. You know what I mean.
Since this is an ER and not a labour suite, the administration is to be given in the time frame of 10 - 15 minutes. 30 minutes max - solely for the management of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.
A 2 gram ampoule can be diluted with 7.5ml NS or dextrose saline to make up 12.5ml - which makes up a dilution of exactly 20%. I was taught to dilute it to make up to 50 ml total dilution which will arrive at a 5% concentration.
I used to work in a place where the pharmacy prepares the dilution, but here all things (except topical solutions) came in fresh in ampoules and vials.
The leaflet said that a minimum diluent of 7.5ml needs to be added up to the 5 ml stock, to make up of a total of 12.5ml solution.
A breakdown though -
50% = 1 : 2
20% = 1 : 5
So,
if 50% (or 1 : 2 parts) is 5mls,
1 : 1 = 2.5 ml
1 : 3 = 7.5 ml
1 : 4 = 10 ml 1 : 5 = 12.5
1 : 6 = 15 ml
or another way to put it, 5/2 X 5 mls = 12.5 ml
That's for a stock of 2.43g in 5ml.
_______________________________________________
I hope my explanation is correct. It is rare for me to come across a medication that needs the nurse to dilute it into a weaker strength such as these. So I need clarifications on how other nurses are doing it.
Sorry for the late reply.
I have decided to order for an electrical battery operated cutter.
And a ring cracker for tungsten and ceramic rings. Took me some time to search for the models/supplier but I have identified the most essential needs.
Thanks so much
I am in the midst of ordering a new set of ring cutter for my department.
Currently I am considering the 'GEM Ring Cutting System' - the battery operated cutter and the spreader. We have never used this model before.
Any comments on this? Any other brands/make that I can consider?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the reply. And sorry for the late reply of my own.
I started to think back on my experience working under a manager and try putting myself in her/his situation. What I wanted from a leader, and why I value that person much more than anyone else.
I am months from assuming the post (Visa, screening...) so I am gathering input and wisdom from many. Yours included as well. So thank you very much.
Very recently, I astonishingly went for an interview and passed! It was never in my dream to finally being 'that' high up and went in just for the sake of trying out. I do fit their paper qualifications and work experience, even though my experience in management is not that much. I've worked for almost 9 nine years majoring in ER and Dialysis. Been a floor RN, a Charge Nurse and currently as a Clinical Instructor in a nursing college. In terms of work experience - I have worked for a total of 4 institutions (nurses these days move a lot!) and have worked overseas. Shifts, office hours, on-calls - I've done all that.
Despite of that, I do not have a post-basic diploma related to the field (ER) even though I've attended BLS, ACLS, NRP, ATLS and a trauma course years back.
My greatest concern is my lack of experience in being a Nurse Manager. I know somebody must start somewhere, but this is an overseas job offer. And there's also the factor of age. I am in my early 30s. And I do look young. I just hope there's no issue with this.
My question is - How do you people start off with being a department head/Nurse Manager?
And what are the things (or pointers) that may help this newbie?
Thanks a lot.
Actually nursing shortage is real. I've worked many places and there was never a time when we really had excess staffs or not being called for yet another overtime. I have survived as a temp for almost a year, relying on staff shortage on getting slots.
This is the real deal:-
Hospitals are very reluctant to hire new grads, preferring instead to get nurses that had years and years of experience. Lack of efficiency, not willing to spend on training, and risking errors. They prefer people who can work asap, with less to no supervision. And even with this, they are even reluctant to consider an intake at all. And in the end, the remaining staff on the floor will have to cope with the extra duties (thus, hiding the shortage). This is how it is being played in where I am at the moment.
Just to say this - you are not alone.
At least you take action and move out from a situation that bothers you. The least that I wanna see is a half-hearted nurse who calls off every three days with an MC, emergency leave and whatever there is that keep them off the line. Nursing is tough, but nobody is forcing you to be a stone.
I think I have once served a 3 months notice.
Which is a looooooooooooong time. A lot could have happened. I could have changed my mind, but I stick with it in the end.
I am happy that you make it in consideration of your child. It's the greatest sacrifice but a good one.
I know you'll be back soon.
I just have to comment on this because it hits home.
I've been verbally assaulted so many times that I lost count. And I've seen a fellow Dr being assaulted by a patient and his relative. I have no doubts writing that incident report long and detailed, putting my name as the witness. I am just tired of this nonsense.
ER, if you are wondering.
Now, what annoys me most if the way of how some people try to assume the situation. I had a Dr telling me that instead of seeing the pt as the problem, it is us that needs to change!!! And I was like, *****! 'Anger Management' issues, communication and verbal approach... In sort, reading ourselves in anticipation of whatever that is thrown to you.
And best of all 'silence is not defeat'!
If you are dead it is!
I really wished he will not see the moment when that semi-drunk pt slapped the daylight out of that poor Dr that morning - his spectacles flew into the floor. Try putting some sense in that situation.
I do not want to see some nurse being stabbed or dead before somebody took notice or action.
I am annoyed but usually let it pass. Unless I want to make a statement.
Calling us as 'male nurses' is like describing another species of nursing.
I was once suggested by a friend to share my experience as a 'male nurse' on paper - and I was like 'what experience?". Only those that pertains to nursing!
And I told her this - there is no male nurse, just a nurse who happens to have balls and a penis.
We used to have a round table discussion everyday when all the pts are settled and all the nurses discuss about their pt of the shift. Anything out of the ordinary was discussed. The charge nurse of the day is usually noted of the change.
And based on experience, dialysis (at least chronic) is not so much of a handover type of nursing. You and me have seen or nursed the pt so many times and we can anticipate or expect what their problems may be at the time of the future.
You will get noticed as a male, but it won't affect much how the hiring process will be. If they like you, they'll hire you.
The recent trend of employment that I noticed (at least where I am ) seems to be that employers have the tendency to filter applicants based on their training. A certain nursing school tend to be blacklisted, as reflected by the type of new hire that they took. I am ashamed of the bias, but that is just reality.
I am currently unemployed, but this is due to choice. Waiting for deployment to another country by a work agency.
I can say that I had my fair share of work experiences and getting a job because of this factor has not been a hassle. I have turned down MANY offers because I felt that a certain job is not suitable for my lifestyle and personal stance.
The truth is there is a nursing shortage, but they are only taking in experienced people. Can work immediately with minimal supervision and almost no training - but unfair to new people. Those who do got the job seems to be those that got their training in-house where employment is stated as a bond.
Or those who accept less for more. You know what I mean.
I am working tomorrow, so I'll pester the pharmacy.
So far no Mg for torsades de pointes at least in my experience (Although it is taught in ACLS).
Thanks for the reply. That's why I love these forums.
Since this is an ER and not a labour suite, the administration is to be given in the time frame of 10 - 15 minutes. 30 minutes max - solely for the management of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.
A 2 gram ampoule can be diluted with 7.5ml NS or dextrose saline to make up 12.5ml - which makes up a dilution of exactly 20%. I was taught to dilute it to make up to 50 ml total dilution which will arrive at a 5% concentration.
I used to work in a place where the pharmacy prepares the dilution, but here all things (except topical solutions) came in fresh in ampoules and vials.
I did actually and hoping to hear their response.
The leaflet said that a minimum diluent of 7.5ml needs to be added up to the 5 ml stock, to make up of a total of 12.5ml solution.
A breakdown though -
50% = 1 : 2
20% = 1 : 5
So,
if 50% (or 1 : 2 parts) is 5mls,
1 : 1 = 2.5 ml
1 : 3 = 7.5 ml
1 : 4 = 10 ml
1 : 5 = 12.5
1 : 6 = 15 ml
or another way to put it, 5/2 X 5 mls = 12.5 ml
That's for a stock of 2.43g in 5ml.
_______________________________________________
I hope my explanation is correct. It is rare for me to come across a medication that needs the nurse to dilute it into a weaker strength such as these. So I need clarifications on how other nurses are doing it.
Anybody else care to explain their unit routine?