yajaira

I did, but I have also moved about an hour plus commute away. There are a system of hospitals and now live 3 miles away from a sister hospital that I have applied at, haven't heard anything yet.

I took an extended maternity leave and now I am having trouble finding work. My little one is 19 months and I've been looking for work since Feb. I've been a nurse since 2004 and the last four years have been in CCU. I have maintained my BLS/ACLS certification, and I have my BSN. I have applied for FT, PT, PRN positions in PACU, ICU, Stepdown and ER. I have applied for case management positions (in case my lapse at the beside is frowned upon) as well as claims management with insurance companies. I have also sent my resume to travel nurse companies but they want experience wihtin the last 12 months, which I totally understand, but I can not even get a call back much less an interview?! Any suggestions? Any advice would be appreciated.

too funny! Thanks for making me laugh RIGHT before the start of my shift...it's gonna be a good day!

I agree, I don't see what the confusion is all about. i have worked as an NA on my unit basically because we had the staffing just no CNA. That means I am responsible for the duties of a CNA. As far as acting as an RN- I don't do anything for any patient without the permission of the RN with the assignment. I say this for a few reasons. You can place both you (NA) and the RN in a compromising situation. If a patient needs medication I need to inform that patient's nurse. They received report, they know how to care for their patient. I would ask 'do you want me to see if the patient has something ordered? Would you like me to give it?" If so, I do and document it as an RN It really isn't that big of a deal. Some nurses don't feel comfortable doing that and that's ok too. then just stick with patient care, vital signs etc, all things we were taught in nursing school.

From what I understand.. and this is information I have received from a CNL student, is that a CNL would work with a team of bedside nurses on a unit in the same way that an attending physician does at a teaching hospital. In the sense that there is a hierarchy between the attending the resident. At least that is how it was explained to me.

I agree, I am a VA nurse in Florida. I have worked in the Tampa VA and now at Bay Pines. Pay is competative, benefits are good, opportunities are literally endless. It does take some getting used to if you have experience in civilian hospitals but I would strongly recommend it.

First let me congratulate you on wanting a career a nursing. If you live in the San Diego area it would be a good idea to see if they are hiring at the VA hospital. If you can get a job there and work for about a year you will qualify for some of their scholarships. I don't know what they are called but I know there is one where they will pay you, pay your education and pay for someone to take you place while you are in school. I think you do have to work during breaks but you get paid when you are in school as well...I think you will owe them a few years after that but you will already have a free education and your first job as an RN. That's something you should definitely look into. Google their website. Good luck

I agree, your references and experience probably weigh more than degree. However you would want to get your BSN if you want to advance your career beyond floor nursing.

maybe your facility can give you a budget to work with and go online to search for companies that provide supplies to families at home...they sometimes have information but you have to pay for it.

I think if you look at your population you can come up with lots of great ideas instead of the food pyramid...no offense but that is not very stimulating crisis in this country involves diabetes and heart disease maybe preventative eating happens to prevent either or both since they are so interrelated? low sugar/ low fat meals or desserts maybe talk about splenda and how to incorporate it into everyday life increase fiber? alternatives to salt maybe compare a fast food meal vs something quick to make at home hope this helps

No weekends and new to the game? It wouldn't hurt to ask what the policy is at the facility you interview at. Someplaces is only 1 weekend shift a month...it usually depends on what they already have on staff. I definitely wouldn't make it a deal breaker...trust me I know nurses who have worked every other weekend for years...you show up on their unit thinking you are too good for that? don't expect a warm welcome. most clinics expect a nurse with at least a year experience so maybe suck it up for a year and keep your eyes open for opportunities. another option is with HMO call centers...they usually want experienced nurses to but an interview is an interview and if you sell yourself right they might overlook it... good luck

This is my opinion since I am a nurse who worked in a Magnet facility for the past 3 years and have recently started working at a non-Magnet facility. There is a difference. This is just based on my personal experience. There is a sense of prgression at a Magnet facility, as a nurse I felt as though my opinions/ideas/concerns/suggestions were not only appreciated but also sought after. Nurses were collegues and not just people I work with. More respect for everyone. I also felt as though if I was put in a compromising position...and by that I mean staffing concerns. Pt acuity that sort of thing. I knew I could put my foot down and not be reprimanded. There is also a great deal of changes in practice...evidenced based research is taken very seriously and it is also encouraged to come up with research ideas and projects on your unit. If a magnet hospital is trying to recruit you, I would definitely look into it. I don't recommend burning bridges but it's your career.

These are all good points...I think as nurses we are also in a position to educate staff we work with in order to promote a aura of competency "on the clock". I think this is easier to do than adding on more work, it instills confidence in the crew and a sense of rapport. This also establishes an abilty for nurses to trust those who work under them. Though I think the institution should have hirer standards for thoose they hire.

for the record..I absolutely will not live in a gated community...if I wanted to live in cage I would've come back as a bunny or other small animal that needs to be caged. wink wink

I think base rate is in the $20/hr range. Ive been in nursing for about 3 years and I made around 50K in 2006. This is working OT, weekends, holidays you definitely have options in nursing but please don't make money your motivation because you will absolutely hate everything about nursing..at least that's what I have seen from folks who took that route. good luck