Siddhartha

6 days of orientation as a new grad....hmmm...who was orienting you? Sounds like the manager that cried "insubordination" is on a power trip. Were they ex-military? C'mon, insubordination for crying is like using a jack hammer to tap in brads! I've had the displeasure of crying at a few of my jobs. It's usually a major indicator that I need to be movin on. I dont want to work for people that make me cry. Ya there's sh!t in this world, doesnt mean I want to step in it every day.

My nursing school class had a ratio of 35f/5m. At no point in my training did I feel the "odd man out", because of my gender. As I choose to work in geriatrics, I have a few clients that prefer a female nurse for "care down there". Otherwise, the Nurses I work with are a team, both male and female, and act collectively so. Most clients/families I have known respected me as a Nurse, without having to ask "Are you in training to be a Doctor?" Family and friends were supportive of my decision...most said something like..."yeah I can see you as a Nurse". Nursing is a rewarding and mobile career. I am glad to be a Nurse, male or otherwise. When asked if I am a male Nurse, I state I am a Registered Nurse (period). Although the "no, I work with females too" is now bouncing around my cranium LOL. Hope this helps. This is a great forum board to collaborate with fellow Nurses. I wish you well on your journey.

I guess the question begs itself to be asked, what do you like about Nursing? With only 4 months to go, something has kept you in the saddle. Nursing grew on me. A friend suggested I would make a good nurse, when i was considering career pathways. It stuck...Nursing works very well for me. RN's are afforded quite the latitude of possible job types (I mean really, what the heck is Forensic Nursing? offering cadavers bedpans?) LOL. I am very happy working with the LTC / aging population and I get lots of kudos from patients, family members and fellow nurses that I am good and seem happy in what I do. I am happy :) Nursing isnt for everyone. My sister loved the nursing studies and the first 2 years of her BSN, but when it came to bedside, she couldnt handle it...so she followed what she loved...books and literacy and studied Library science...my sis the Librarian. Wow, who'd a thunk. All in all, you need to LIVE your life. What is important to you? What do you want to do? No education is ever wasted. Perhaps you need to talk to a guidance counsellor for another focus? Follow your gut, your heart, your soul or wherever you get that good feeling of Yeah, this works for me. Hope this helps.

Interestingly enough, I found a pretty sweet LTC job via craig's list

Where I work, having the narcotic keys means that i have counted the narcotic box and am liable for them. If another nurse (yes my manager or the dns too) wants access to the keys, then they will count that box with me and take over the keys. if they just want to borrow the keys to give a med (?), they could take something out without your knowledge (either to give to someone or steal...you'd have no way to verify. At shift change/count time, if there is a drug missing or count is off, your the one liable because you "had the keys". Chain of command for narcotics count stops with the nurse holding the keys

Consult your instructor. I have never heard of such a thing.

Another possible is to volunteer at a Nursing Home/Hospital. Would give you work place exposure, without the "job" demands, while also helping the community you would work with in the future.

....where is it?? LOL

I am a Mainer and St Joe's is a good school, with a good reputation (a bit pricey, but good). Would expect nothing less from their online studies. peace

My first job out of nursing school was 11-7 charge on a snf unit. Everyone was very helpful when i asked for help. I think LTC is a great place to work. Our general population is getting older, so geriatrics is a good place to be for job security. good luck!

They sing a good song...got me for a couple hundred bucks. They put up a good front too. I have a very stylish award letter and folder, silvered lettering, the works, but where's the book? Some of life's lessons cost more than others, glad this one only cost me a few $$.

the notebook by nicholas sparks really opened my heart to dementia patients and their families

hmmmm. Boundries? Mostly Live and Learn. I try to keep up on my breaks, but sh!t happens and I find myself at the end of the shift going hypoglycemic because I didnt eat my lunch. I try to do better the next day. I try not to let unhealthy patterns (skipping breaks, too long work commitments, etc) become the norm. Regarding overtime labor issues, you should consult both your board of nursing and your labor board for issues of working overtime and not getting paid for it.

i prefer manual over electronic any day. good idea to check with house policy. if you suspect errors in the floor stock equipment...make out a work slip and get the dang thing off the floor. make a stink and advocate for your patient. vital signs are called VITAL signs for a reason. not just to make more busy work for us.

i love books and all things mystical. I want to create a mystically minded shop in the near future. (Did have part ownership in 2 used bookstores in the past...loved it) peace