abbythetabby

It all depends upon which part of CA you want to work in. In Los Angeles, new grads start just under $30/hr and demand is very high for certain units. Keep in mind that rent for a modest 1 bdrm apt. is $1000/mo. and up.

Man came in by ambulance. His family called 911 after he fell to the floor and was unresponsive. They did chest compressions until the ambulance arrived. Once he got to the ED, he admitted he was just pretending to be unconscious because he didn't feel like talking to anyone.

Oh my gosh. This is right up there on the stupidity list next to my pt who was eating spermicidal jelly on toast for breakfast every morning and was confused as to how she ended up pregnant.

I did end up getting accepted for a Versant residency. We don't start for another two weeks, but I'll be training in the ED. It's an 18 week program with three shifts and one eight hour day of class each week. We've only had an orientation at this point, but it should help with the transition into the "real world" of nursing by having other new RNs to share the experience with. I'll post updates if anyone is interested.

As exhausted as I am from our insane clinical hours, I still get up every day feeling excited about going in. One of my classmates saved a life today. How freakin' cool is that? Only 10 more clinical days 'til graduation!!!

I don't have any experince on the oncology floor, but CHLA is a teaching facility (one of the best I've seen!). Several of my former classmates spent a lot of time on the oncology floor and they all had a great experience.

The ED at USC-LAC is a hectic place. Wait time for patients is usually about 10 hours on a good day. Many of your patients will be Spanish speaking. You'll see a lot of people who should have come in much sooner, but couldn't afford to miss a day of work while waiting for care. Don't expect to do textbook nursing. You'll learn practical nursing. If you have a creative, paitent personality, it may be a good fit for you.

As sudents we parked in a lot at Vermont/Los Feliz, but I think that was just for the students. They have a shuttle that goes to the different lots. Also, it's right by the Vermont/Sunset Metro train stop. If you live close to a Metro stop, that's often the fastest way to get there

I'm graduating in May and am considering working for a hospital that sends new grads through the Versant program. Is anyone here in the program? How helpful is it for a new grad? Thanks!

Yes, there is a Koreatown in the downtown L.A. area. However, I've seen Korean speaking patients in all of the L.A. hospitals where I did my clinical. None of the nurses spoke Korean, so you'd be an asset anywhere in Los Angeles.

Ooh, these are good! Thanks!

I was hoping some of you might like to help my class. To blow off the stress of the last semester, we're going to hand out amusing awards to students and instructors. We already have a Nurse Ratched Award and Best Use of a Bedpan. Any other ideas?

A very belated thanks, Daytonite. My instructor was willing to give me the points for the question, but I didn't need them. However, I was able to share them with a classmate, who passed the class by a half a point thanks to your help. She had a lot of personal problems this semester, but she is going to be a great nurse. Thanks so much for helping us!

We had an 11:1 student to CI ratio. Trying to find the instructor to pass meds or ask a question was very frustrating. And I am so not a morning person. But I loved clinicals. While waiting for my instructor, I'd read other patient's charts, help other students, offer to help other nurses, talk with my patient...anything that could give me a chance of learning something new. If I didn't the day would just drag on endlessly. Take whatever you don't like about clinicals and turn it into a personal challenge to increase your patience, raise the level of frustration you're able to tolerate, etc. And if you can get your hands on a palm pilot with some medical software, you will never be bored in clinical. The things you can look up are limitless.

I only did a clinical rotation there, but I also loved the atmosphere. All of the nurses I worked with were exceptionally professional. Also, they were able to explain why certain nursing interventions were done from a pathophysiology angle. I haven't seen that with many of the med-surg nurses in our other clinical sites. The only drawback to CHLA is that they are one of the lowest paying facilites in the area. However, if you're willing to trade that $10k for a better workplace, then go for it. They also have excellent new grad programs.

Thanks for your post, IMustBeCrazy. I'm considering going into psych nursing when I graduate in a few months. I think your guidelines are very reasonable. At school, they teach us that you really have to know yourself and your opinions before considering a psych career.

What a great thread! I would have to say bookwormom hit the nail on the head with histrionic.

Exactly!:thankya: I've had clinical experience in four hospitals so far, and when I graduate, there's one I would never consider joining. I don't care if they pay more than anyone else, have great benefits and are within walking distance. Nothing is worth being as miserable as those nurses are.

Apparently you're not the only one. At all the hospitals where I've done clinicals (and in our texts), JCAHO notices have been posted that these abbreviations should no longer be used.

Our class has been using the ATI tests for 3 semesters. For me, they are so much easier than our class tests. I've scored 99th percentile every time. If only the NCLEX would be this easy.

Wowza, Daytonite! Thanks so much for the info. I missed a question on an exam, and if I can find a resource that backs up my choice, I get the points. The question had to do with bowel obstruction and whether the "flat" sound was caused by fluid trapped in the intestine or the presence of a mass in the bowel. According to your info, it would be the mass. Correct?

well, actually, there are four "toxic" units where i've had clinicals over the past year and a half. however, on the more specialized units that require more certification, the nurses seem happy and take good care of their patients.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm trying to decide between three hospitals for my internship. One is a Magnet facility and the other is on "the journey" to earning Magnet status. The third isn't magnet, but it is union. The facility is nice, but the nurses spend more time in the breakroom than caring for patients. I've always been a big supporter of unions, and while they may be the best paid nurses in the city, they are the most unhappy nurses I've ever seen. I thought maybe magnet status had something to do with why the nurses at the other two facilites actually seemed to like being there. Guess not. Thanks for the input. The first hospital sounds like it may be the best choice.

Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between a "dull" and "flat" sound when percussing an abdomen? To me those two terms are interchangable. Thanks!

After reading a few threads here about the reasons nurses are unhappy with the workplace, I'm wondering if conditions are better at facilites that have been awarded magnet status.