ayneday

I have a sneaky suspicion, rather I should say I have a witnessed account of the total lack if preceptorship offered to a new nurse educator hired for a well-known well established nursing program. I digress, its not the program itself that is of focus, its the collective atmosphere of the new nursing educator that I am a disappointed witness. It is really eye opening and to me a tell-tale sign of how far nursing has come yet how far it hasn't. When I started out as a new bedside nurse I chose my employer because of a new nurse graduate odyssey program (residency) that lasted a year and prepared me for the ICU's. For educators, is the assumption that nurses who are not new nurses but are transitioning to education roles supposed to have it all together? Is this the equivalent of "throwing them to the wolves?" Are academic institutions regardless of their degree conferring capabilities neglecting the appropriate investment into our most significant contributors? In my observation clinical instructions sometimes function as the "travelers" of academia and there appears to be little-to-some start-up effort in their success but little maintenance to ensure their continued competence and advancement. At any rate educate me, give me feedback, any similar experiences? Asking for a friend.

It has been expressed to me by several female nurses, female rns like having a male nurse in the mix for numerous reasons ranging from assists with obese or belligerent patients, placement of leathers, to therapeutically confront sexually inappropriate male patients as well to provide care to particular male patients who simply refuse care from women. The opportunity for examining patterns of discrimination may arise with a discussion like this, I recall having a female manager express to me she would rather employ a male rn because "men don't get pregnant or catty". Forgive me if I sound like a machismo neanderthal but for the more readily apparent lack of emotional investment in numerous situations, the goal focused achievement, for not caring what doctor is having inappropriate boundaries with whoever and for just having a varying view of the same situation. Male nurses can be an asset and often are but you must be aware that its unconstitutional to pay a person more b/c genitalia when genitalia are not apart of the job description. Humm imagine that. Lol Best wishes

Thanks jackstem and audball, I am surprised by how professionals like us are tossed aside, or rather we allow those around us- other professionals to discount us a if we are dismissible. I have experienced the alternative program, I have the disease of addiction but I am not using nor have I since approx mid 2007. I entered the AP while in recovery in a 28day rehab facility per fax transmissal to my EAP and the BON. I was totally sick of my perpetually suicidal poisoning cycle and all I wanted was relief, so w/o legal council of quickly lapped up any offer extended just to have a reprieve from my obsession. I don't know how much "chatter" takes place regarding our "secret society" but I know once in recovery and working a program we are fully employable and productive. Jack is correct in stating that the BON is NOT an advocate for nurses, NEVER forget that, regardless of frequency and quality of communication they are concerned with protecting the millions of recipients of health svcs as opposed to the providers. I am unemployed now, I have been for 9 mos, but in this time I have been able to more clearly define who I am, what I stand for and what my role is. I am still participating in random screenings as asked by BON but today remain clean and thankful because I live with integrity b/c I desire it. So I am no longer a pink sheet completing monkey fearful of every NCBON caller id call I get, rather I know my most recent consequences have nothing to do with drugs,diversion or any substance=ALLWAYs read and reread the alt pgm contract regarding "pending charges" that is what got me removed from alt program, not drugs, ETOH, no RELAPSE, no beating pts noooo, none of that. Failure to notify the BON of pending charges and answering NO to pending charges on license renewal website. Honest mistakes, honestly never thought my personal life not involving drugs or ETOH or any of that would get me booted out of alt program. So Jack and audball I empathize, I shed the same infuriating tear that trails on to boil away on my inflamed cheek. Can we all say "it wasn't supposed to happen like this!" I know, we remain talented and resourceful and even better experienced thus better prepared for all situations. We know ourselves better than before, we are fortunate and will rise successfully. Best wishes, contact me and tell me how things are in your lives.

How ironic, apparently the NCBON is busy in their new and ostentatious housing. I entered the program here recently, I have been in recovery for about 3 1/2 years. I have petitioned previously in the alternative program but was subsequently removed. I have come to know the BON to be sticklers of details and being forthright and proactive may stave further consequence. I know being in this predicament is sucky, thats about it. I too am soo beyond the initial reason I entered the program, I don't use now and haven't for years but I still fell victim again to consequences of poor behaviors. Of course the monthly random testing is not easy considering I am not gainfully employed. I regularly admit to those who listen that this plot is not an easy burden. Options include quitting and becoming a vagabond or buckle down and fall in line with the BON requirements. Or aka submitting( again with surrendering) to their standards. I would call whosoever you were assigned as a liaison at the BON and ask all the questions you have. I do suggest remaining respectful and carefully wording what you say-having a concise list of your question as concerns, oh yeah, leave your emotions in your pocket, the BON does not have a soul! LOL

Hi The uNC new nurse residency program is really a good step up to possibly transition into critical care. CTICU, Surgical/trauma/transplant ICU, neuroICU, Neonatal icu, pediatric icu, and medicine ICU and ED are the units that provide acute care experiences. I participated in the program several years ago, then referred to as CORE. K. Richuso is the nurse education coordinator for critical care and I must say, new nurses or any nurse for that matter who starts out and survives in a critical care (level 1 state referalctr) is a damn good nurse. I precepted some folks who could not meet the demands of the learning curve, some whom made really bad mistakes and asked not to complete the residency program. One thing is for sure, you will not get bored. As nurse at UNC you will work with some of the best doctors in the US and the research goes on simutaneously. This program prepares nurses for greater challenges like anesthesia school, some nurses have gone on to med school. You will be challenged so enjoy! Bell, RN

Well, if you are looking for generally good people and pleasant surroundings I think the Triangle area is the best. I must warn you that Wake County the county of NC state, Research Triangle Park and IBM is growing extremely fast and schools cannot be built fast enough to keep up. If you have children I suggest either private schools or Living in areas like Apex, Zebulon or Knightdale where growth is not as fast. Cary is a wonderful place to live, but relatively expensive in comparison to other triangle areas. Cary is also pet friendly , good for outdoor sports and lots of summer camps and activities for children. There are two University Hospitals, Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, and some secondary reputable hospitals, Wake Med, Wake med Cary, Raleigh Community. There are tons of jobs but the pay sort of suits the area. Avoid the hicks and stagnant folks and the place is quite nice.

icu from the jump, always wanted ER, ICU or Psych working towards CRNA

I often find and are complemented on my ability to refrain from the drama of the day. I dont enroll in conversation with the chatty nurses who want to find out whats going wrong or scandalous in some one elses life. I have been told that I could have the tendency to be cold, yeah so we laugh at some of the circumstances of our traumas but dont we all?

Level 1 trauma--ctr neurosurgical/trauma/srugical/transplant ICU remember cool heads prevail.

acuity has a lot to do with what I consider too much for a pt load. I think that for safety sake only the sickest of your patients x the total number of pts =greatest possible load allowable. I think the most ever in a med surg setting should be no more than 6. Providing you have a tech or NA to assist. Your UAP unlicensed assistive personnel helps some.

yeah its true, I am male nurse who works in a trauma/Surgery/ neurosurgery ICU level one trauma ctr and I have witnessed a correlation. I do not believe in luck nor happenstance but our traumas are more devastating. If our affiliated university has some sporting activity someone is going to flip their car someway or how.

I prefer working consecutive shifts because it frees up my week for other activities. My wife who is a cardiac surgery stepdown rn does not like working consecutive shifts. She works a wonderful facility and the pay is decent but she says its too much hardship for her body. I can sympathize. ayneday