Koalified

If you throw money at me, I will work extra hours. Currently I work part-time but when bonus shifts are offered, I will work extra. I do firmly believe that there really isn’t a nursing shortage. There is a shortage of nurses willing to take crap pay, crap schedule, crap working environment.

You sound like a great preceptor! I wonder if NewGrad and you are just not a good match. Could be personality differences or just something random that you guys don’t jive. That said, one of the things I hated about my preceptor when I was a new grad was making me do things that was the “proper” way to do a chart check when literally no one including her was doing it that way. It was tedious and complicated and involved paging through paper charts and 2 different computer systems - 1 nursing system, 1 unit secretary system. So, what I’m saying is maybe teach/mention something that the administration deems the “proper way to do things” but don’t make the orientee actually do the thing if you yourself isn’t doing it. Someone mentioned the sink or swim method. I actually kinda enjoy that method when it’s used towards the end of the training if the preceptor is keenly aware of what’s going on. As long as the preceptor jumps in when definitely needed, sink or swim method gives the orientee the simulation of a true working environment with the safety net of someone still watching over them.

I wear them. I just feel a bit more protected from whatever may come my way. It’s completely irrational though.

You go to the bathroom, pee, and brush your teeth all with your eyes closed.

Some might after years away from high school with various life experiences. My guess is many won’t recognize that they were bullies. I remembering a funny episode on some show where the character who was going to a HS reunion was nervous bc she was bullied. Come to find out she was actually the bully in HS.

I find it easier and quicker to use my cell phone to look up drugs or medical conditions than my work computer. The work computers are slow and wants to use Bing as the search engine which is not my go-to. Sometimes the work computer blocks me from accessing websites. I believe we have PubMed or whatever but that takes forever to load so I don’t even bother. Good article overall! I agree with all the points made.

I was thinking the same thing as I was reading. LOL

Some people might be aware that they were bullies now that they are older. Maybe you teased people for their appearance or maybe you tied someone’s shoelaces together or maybe you slandered someone. Fess up!

I was scrolling on Reddit and one question that came up was, “What are your high school bullies doing now?”. Interestingly many said that their hs bullies are now nurses. Do you think the nursing profession attracts former bullies? How many of you were bullies in high school?

I have only seen Filipino nurses use that term.

All the hospitals I worked at, CNAs do not touch wound vacs. It's out of their scope of practice. I have never heard of wound certified CNAs though.

Private duty is not hectic and may be a good fit. It's one to one. These jobs are usually through home health agencies. You could also look into Acute rehab (not nursing home). These pts tend to be less acute and stay longer in the facility so you get to know them better. The ratio isn't horrible either...maybe anywhere from 5 to 8 pts depending on shifts. I also think ICU could be a good fit. Although the pts are very sick and medically complex you only have 2 pts that you need to focus on. Many hospitals hire new grads into ICUs. They like fresh meat 😊. Good luck and whatever you choose, hang in there. Being a new grad isn't easy but we all went through it and survived.

A pt may be calling in with chest pain. You use the proper algorithm in your software for chest pain. Ask assessment questions like where is the pain, when did it start, are you having pain now, how bad is the pain, does it radiate, what does it feel like, do you have any cardiac history. Depending on pts response, the software will guide you to what the pt should do. The choices could be call 911, tell pt to go to ED, consult the MD and take verbal order, tell pt to make a same day appt or an appt in a few days, or give some things the pt can do at home for the pain.

I had to take a scenario test during my interview. One part assesses your nursing critical thinking skills. Second part assesses your customer service skills. You would get a scenario where a person calls in with an issue like chest pain or slurred speech or a rash. You have to ask further questions to assess the pt and then determine if they need emergent care or an office appt today or office appointment sometime soon or if it can be managed at home.