CowsRGreat

Hi, I jst recently became a per diem agency RN in LA. I have a BSN, work tele/ms, and have two years experience in a acute care teaching hospital. I know we really don't discuss numbers here, but I can't help feeling like I'm being ripped off. I won't mention the agency I'm with but I will say that I am making $36/hour + time and a half for every 4 hours I work over 8 hours during a 12 hour shift. I typically work 3-12's/wk. I don't have benefits or any other incentives. I love working for my agency, but feel that I should be making a bit more. It would be great if you guys could disclose some known rates/hr! Thanks, Victoria

While I was in nursing school i was shadowing an RN in the ICU. We had one patient that had an incredibly overbearing family. They were constantly hovering over the nurse and scrutinizing her every action:uhoh3: At one point the nurse went to administer a bolus feeding through the patients g-tube. As she was doing so the patients wife was once again hovering and complaining. Well, the nurse injected the feeding and a port came loose and the tube feed as well as some gastric juice went all over the wife's face:roll :roll The nurse apologized profusely, but we had a good laugh over that one! It sure taught the family to back off a bit:mad:

Whats a compact state? I currently have my license in PA.

I thought I'd post to tell you about my new diet breakthrough:nurse:. I call it the "No diet -diet". All last year I stressed about my weight, ate barely nothing, and worked out like crazy. I'm not at all overweight (5'8, 125lbs). I just became obsessed. I realized that I was trying to control my weight because my life was so out of control at the time:o . Well, I didn't lose much weight and I was constantly hungry! So within the past few months I went on a new kind of diet, a healthy diet. Basically it consists of three balanced meals a day. I eat a lot of frozen lean cuisine meals, lean pockets, and soup. The difference is that I allow myself treats whenever I want them:chuckle. But instead of overloading, I just eat a small portion. I actually find that when I allow myself to eat the foods I want, I don't crave them and I few bites is enough to satisfy me! Last year at this time i was only eating very low cal foods, but then I would binge on treats. Now I feel that I have found a healthy balance and a healthier lifestyle

I am ready to begin traveling to California in mid March through MSN. I am currently on assignment in Easton, Pennsylvania. This is my first travel assignment and so far so good. My only complaint is my communication with my recruiter. I just called her today and told her that i would like her to start searching for CA nusing assignments. I took the initiative to start filling out the license application myself. Well, my recruiter just told me that it has been taking about four months for California liscenses to be processed!!!!!!!!! Also, I believe that I am inelligable to do a "walk in" application due to a stupid DUI conviction(which is now expunged)that i recieved while i was a college student. Has anyone else had any problems with the long application process. I am really getting freaked!

Ahhh, Lexapro has been my life saver:p I was experiencing extreme anxiety and panick attacks:uhoh21: Lexapro helped calm me and get on with my life I've been on it for about 6 months and have had minimal side effects. No weight gain. Although, when I fist started it it actually increased my anxiety(which is normal). My doctor prescribed me Klonopin to help me threw the adjustment period. I don't know how I would be functioning without it!

I'm so glad someone finally brought attention to the issue of nurses with anxiety/depression:rotfl: . I too suffer from anxiety and panick attacks:uhoh21: . They are under control now thanks to Lexapro and the occasional Klonapin when my sypmtoms are severe. At one point I was almost unable to leave my house:scrying: . Yes, there were even a few occasions where I started to have a panick attack at work. During those times I would slip into the bathroom and try some deap breathing or take .25mg of Klonopin. I always carry the Klonopin with me (as a safety blanket), but I haven't needed to take it in about three months. I did talk to my nurse manager and simply told her that I was going through a rough period and was experiencing some anxiety. I told her this in confidence and she was extremely supportive. My advice if you are suffering from anxiety or depression would be to talk to one person on your team that you can completely trust. You may find that they are more supportive than you thought they would be. As nurses we deal with daily stresses just like anyone else in the world and we are not immune to emotional problems. It is important though that we recognize them and get the help we need! Forget about the stigma, focus on your own healing. I now have helped out several nurses that I knew were facing emotional problems and they were very thankful for my help. so, for all that are reading this...let's not kill our own, but help our own..because you never know when you may be that nurse in need:wink2: Good Luck