StJohnRiver

StJohnRiver has 5 years experience and specializes in Hospice, Telemetry.

Latest Activity

1. Hospice as first RN job?

   StJohnRiver replied to brume's topic in Hospice

   The hospice I work at does hire new graduate nurses, but most of them leave after a couple of years. They say they want to learn more, and I can see why they make that choice. I think hospice is wonderful, but you will be much better prepared for it ...

2. Has anyone left nursing job due to COVID19 virus?

   StJohnRiver replied to Tirednurseandmomma14's topic in COVID

   I will be retiring this week as a hospice nurse. I expected the Covid patients would all die in the ICU, but they are spilling over into hospice. I considered sticking around until the economy gets better, but I turn 65 on Tuesday, and the chances of...

3. Specialty Poll for male nurses

   StJohnRiver replied to DatMurse's topic in Men

   Hospice. Two years. Love it. Prior to that, Neuro/Tele. Hated being a floor nurse. So much better helping people die than aiding their suffering by trying to keep them alive via drugs and machines. Hospice can be hard, but it is very rewarding and mo...

4. Do you consider it helpful or not to be given a Pt’s attitude during a report?

   StJohnRiver replied to DesiDani's topic in General Nursing

   Definitely helps. We do bedside report, but a quick "heads up" outside the room is much appreciated. In fact, that is usually the most important info I can get on a patient. I need to know what I am getting into. Many times I get a patient because I ...

5. Im Pagan and a Hospice Nurse....

   StJohnRiver replied to SaylahStarr's topic in Hospice

   As an atheist, I was a bit concerned about going into hospice since I expected religious beliefs to be in the forefront. I figured most of my patients (and their families) would be hoping they were headed for heaven, and I would be drawn into that wo...

6. Why Can't She Stay Here? Getting Kicked Out of Inpatient Hospice

   StJohnRiver replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice

   I work in an inpatient hospice unit in a hospital. We often get patients who come from ED or ICU and are there to be evaluated before a decision is made on where to place them. Saying the right things at the right times, and being consistent, is crit...

7. Hospice Admission Nurse....appreciate any advice and tips

   StJohnRiver replied to Nurseismade RN's topic in Hospice

   I get the admissions, and I have quickly learned who I can trust to bring in appropriate and, more importantly, appropriately educated patients/families. You don't want the RNs who take report from you cringing when they hear your name because you ha...

8. New hospice nurse: Burned out!!!

   StJohnRiver replied to MsPrettyHospiceRN's topic in Hospice

   I have heard this tale of woe before. The thing with being a hospice nurse is that when you visit a home, you have no on-site backup, no fellow RN you can pull aside and ask for guidance when you encounter something new. And as a new hospice nurse, e...

9. Ventricular Tach -- when to call the doc

   StJohnRiver posted a topic in Cardiac

   I work nights and invariably patients develops runs of A-Fib, A-Tach, PVCs, etc at 2 a.m. I know anything ventricular is not good, but does a 10-beat run of V-tach that comes out of the blue and is not repeated require an immediate call to the attend...

10. Career change

    StJohnRiver replied to rewob716's topic in Male Students

    The market in Florida is strong. I am a male nurse who graduated last May and got my license in June. Things were a bit slow at first, but then I had four interviews and three offers in the span of two weeks and started my job in August. I ended up a...

11. Unrealistic nursing students

    StJohnRiver replied to dnsonthego's topic in General Nursing

    I see the influx of second-career RNs as very positive for the profession, and not just because I am one of them. My nursing school class was filled with people who had quit decent jobs to pursue nursing. They had not "failed" at their other professi...

12. Can nursing programs graduate practice ready nurses?

    StJohnRiver replied to dnsonthego's topic in General Nursing

    There is no way any nursing program can prepare a graduate for what awaits them when they hit the floor. The best thing for hospitals to do is have a solid residency program. I was lucky enough to get into a hospital using Versant and am so glad I di...

13. New Male Nurse = No Problem Landing A Job ???

    StJohnRiver replied to RetSGT's topic in Men

    Being a minority (male) helped me get into nursing school and also gave me an edge when it came to getting a job. That's the reality I experienced (and I am not about to complain). Fair? Well, life ain't fair, but what goes around comes around.

14. RN Salary Survey 2013: Post here!

    StJohnRiver replied to ItsColduphere's topic in General Nursing

    1. South Florida 2. Novice nurse (no experience), with BSN 3. Tele 4. $25.72 5. $2 evening (5 to 11), $3.50 nights (11 p to 7 a), $2 weekends 6. Union in name only (no fees paid, no impact at all -- Florida a right-to-work state)

15. When did you find out you got the job?

    StJohnRiver replied to KristenHuerta's topic in General Nursing

    All depends on the facility and HR requirements. I interviewed at one place on a Tuesday, and thought I nailed it. Got a call Friday that I didn't get the job. Interviewed on a Thursday at another place, got a job offer the following Monday. Another ...