KristiePDX

Dr Barfi (oncology)

I had the seasonal that came in single dose/unit syringes. No thimerosal. My arm was very sore, and my lymph nodes on the injection side were also very sore. Mild fever, and fatigue. The H1N1 shot came out of a multi-use vile which had the preservative thimerosal. My arm was hardly sore and I had no other reactions. H1N1 was much better than the seasonal for me......

The more I hear about what other peoples experiences have been with H1N1, the more I think I have already had it too. Back in August I had the worst "cold" I have ever had. Rapid onset of symptoms (4 hours) Extream fatigue (laid in bed for 4 days, on the couch for another 3) Constant running nose, couldnt breath out of it. Horrible cough, non stop and tasted like blood. Nausea, no appatite. Mild headache Sore all over Oddly I had NO fever and no sore throat. After that week, I had reactive airway issues with pollutants or stale air. I had "bronchitis" like symptoms for about two months after. I would be fine for a few hours, then start coughing all over agian. Terrible. I was 12 weeks pregant at that time. In September I got the seasonal flu shot. I reacted to it as my usual. Swollen lymph nodes on the injection side, temp 99.1. Then bad fatigue for about a week an a half. That is pretty typical of me. Then when I got the H1N1 shot, NOTHING. No fever, no fatige, barely a sore arm. NOT typical of me. I wonder if I had H1N1 back in august and thats why no reaction to H1N1 vaccine?

Obama is a smoker. That in my book is a risk factor for many things, including worsened severity of any respiratory illness. Plus he has at risk children at home.

My facility is using osha guidlines (I think) and they are NOT going by the CDC. They made it clear that we are to use surgical masks during routine care(we use gowns and gloves protective eye wear), and only N95 if we are suctioning, opening a vent circuit, or coding a H1N1, or anything to do with TB ect. They are also no longer fit testing for N95 either. No love...... I just received my vaccination today. How long does it take? I hear anywhere from 8 days to 2 weeks. Anyways I can only hope that it starts working in time.

I can understand your frusteration. I am frusterated because in my facility (large inner city hospital) They sarted giving out the vaccinations two weeks ago. They started in the ED first. Then they will be moving to ICU/CICU and L&D. (I came in on my day off today to get it.) What really gets me fired up is that I had to wait 2 extra weeks being a 27 week "PREGNANT CHICK" (I also get viral induced athsma) Caring for known/ruled in Pts on vents with surgical masks. We have sooooo many H1N1 that they have no choice but to give them to me. They are only alowing N95 if the vent circuit is opened. BUT, just last week, my H1N1 Pt became combative and the the circuit came loose. Real nice! I have a feeling your pregnant co-workers will also be finding themselves providing care to H1N1 pts whether they like it or not. Heck, half of the time you get these Pts up and you find out after you have been exposed that they are being R/O for flu.

30-40 positions for critical only care sounds huge. Why is that? Did a bunch of people just quit or somthing?

So H1N1 vaccines are "Starting to trickle in" at my hospital. (Meaning that there are doses availiable?) I called employee health and asked them when they plan on giving them to staff. The employee health rep sated that they have the first doses set aside for "high priority areas". I asked her how will I know when and were to be when the vaccine is first availiable. I also explained that I am a pregnant nurse transferring to the ICU. All she would tell me that they will first go to high priority areas and that is all she would say. So would someone enlighten me as to where the high priority areas are most likley to be??????

Strongly encouraged, sign a waiver if you don't get it. No talk of it becoming mandatory or making folks wear sugical masks as a threat. Given free of charge by RN's pushing vaccine carts to each unit (on all shifts). Take it or leave it. Just as it should be........

Yes, I think I have enough homework to do......

I recieved the standard flu shot when I was pregnant in 2007-2008. I just got the 2009-2010 flu shot, and yes I am pregnant again. I did not ask about preservatives then and did not this time either. I will get the H1N1 vaccine when that comes around too. For me, the preservative issue is not that big of a deal. I take my vitamins, try to eat healthy, and follow proper precautions. I have enough things to worry about in my life. Everyone has a soapbox, me included. This one I just have little/no interest in.

I just had an interview and was hired same day. We actually talked for quite a while (two different managers, a charge, educator and me sitting around a table) Was a really great interview, and they were very welcoming. I forget the exact wording but here are a few questions that I remember.... Explain a difficult ethical situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. Tell me about a time you went the extra mile for a Pt. Where do you see yourself in 5 years. Why do you want to work in ccu/icu? What qualities do you think is important for an icu/ccu nurse? Why? How do you handle stressful situations? What are your areas of strengths/weaknesses What is your definition of teamwork? What is the best job you have ever had and why? Does you manager know that you have applied. What would your manager say about you as a nurse?

The hiring freeze is beginning to thaw. I have seen quite a few positions open up after months of nothing at all. It is just that here are soooo many new grads competing for the jobs there is a bit of a bottle neck effect. At present it seems people are doing a bit of shifting within the organization. After nothing being posted for months more desired/specialty type positions are opening up freeing up others. It is getting better. I would surf the websites of the places you want to work daily. Check and check. Apply to as many positions as you can. If you apply to a postion and then it gets filled, then you see the position re-posted...re-apply. They may have got the go-ahead to open another slot. Seeing your resume reappear is a good thing. All you can really do at this point is be dilagent.

Yes they did, and I hear its really nice!

The providence system is opening up many various positions. I think that the hiring freeze may be beginning to thaw. I did happen to see several in oncology as well! The only issue being that there are sooooo many out there looking for jobs (mostly new grads) I was speaking to a charge on another floor, and she said that they already have over 70 applicants for the one spot they had. (surgical uro/gyn unit). Since you have some experience in oncology you may have a shot for the oncology positions. The openings I saw were at the Portland Providence Medical Center off 43rd? and Glisan. Good luck to you....