Joanne15

So I have been a charge nurse for around 8 months now. One of the most challenging things is to make assignments for the oncoming team. Just recently we were short RNs for the oncoming shift and I unfortunately had to make some tough assignments. I wasn't sure how to make the assignments so I got feedback from other charge nurses and our supervisor for our shift. Some nurses had to be pushed by 1 extra patient (but I gave them a lighter load) and some nurses had to have a heavier team (at their normal full capacity). When the oncoming team came in, I explained the shortage of nurses for the day and how we all had to stretch. Majority of the nurses were understanding but there were a few who were LIVID about their assignment. It had gotten so far as to them speaking to me in a disrespectful manner in front of everyone else and rudely telling me to change their assignment because they will not take their team. Some of them made rude comments out loud about how I was wasn't thinking thoroughly through making the assignments. Some of the nurses from my shift tried to explain to them about the assignments as well because they seen how upset they were. I had to over-explain to them about why I had to do the assignments like that for the greater good of everyone and how they are not alone in how heavy their assignments were. I've been a nurse for almost 2 years now and I have never felt so disrespected by my own co-workers. I felt embarrassed and they almost made me feel like I was incompetent with being a charge nurse. I just never thought you would feel comfortable speaking to your own co-workers like that. I have gotten a rough assignment before and I never speak to our charge nurse like that. I just buckle up my boots and start my day. Other nurses who overhead the conversations encouraged me to speak to our manager about it. I ended up e-mailing my manager about what happened. I didn't want to come off like a "tattle-tale" but I hope we get a resolution, because (to me) that was very toxic. I'm a sensitive person and I'm upset that they used my kindness and lack of defense as a means to be overly disrespectful. Is this type of behavior common? How would you have handled the situation? I'm wondering if I should have stood up more for myself in front of them. I just kind of ignored it and tried to be polite about it because there were other people around and I felt embarrassed.

If you were provoked, and were involved in a physical altercation outside of work, how could this affect your RN license ? What if you were threatened and warned about this altercation (in advance) and you react first?

Ok guys ! I just finished my NCLEX RN Exam about an hour ago. I finished in 76 questions it took me almost 2 hours. How soon can I try and do the Pearson View Trick? And would it work if I just changed the expiration date in my credit card?

Hi, I'm currently studying for my NCLEX. I take it January 31st. I am currently using Kaplan (through our school) and it is great as far as learning how to answer NCLEX style questions. It's really good that you are starting now. I think you would benefit greatly by doing practice questions. There's this app that I JUST started using called "NCLEX RN Mastery" and I bought the 30 day package for $29.99. It has tons of questions from different categories, mnemonics, quizzes, terminology and skills. I have been using this in between Kaplan and it is great. I really love the Mnemonics section. If you want a quick bang for your buck I would say the NCLEX RN Mastery app would be great. I believe you can even try out some questions before you buy it. I hope this helps.

Hi all, I graduated December 2019 and I am scheduled to take the NLCEX at the end of January. I have been seeing people say that NCLEX is easier than Kaplan !!? For anyone who has already taken the NCLEX, is this true? I have been using Kaplan for about 2 weeks now and I must say, this content is pretty hard. I do around 60-75 Q Bank questions a day (4 days/week) and then look over the rationales. I still haven't used the book yet. I honestly haven't really met the 60% passing score and this is making me nervous. Here are the results: Management of Care: 45% (Ouch) Safety and Infection Control: 78% Health Promotion and Maintenance: 56% Psychological: 68% Basic Care and Comfort: 38% (Wow...) Pharmacology and P.N.: 54% Physiological: 51% Reduction of Risk Potential: 54% Diagnostic Exam: 61% NCLEX RN PRactice Test: 70% Questions Trainers averaged out 50% My category scores are really not impressive... I take the NCLEX in 4 weeks. Can anyone give me advice on ways to study using Kaplan?

At our hospital, they started hiring internal candidates (graduating in December) on July 1st. So far there's about 10 (out of about 70) people in my class who has accepted positions at the hospital. We even had to apply very early (June 30th) for the nursing program at school also (the start of January the following year).

You're 100% correct Susie, I do believe that one should always look inward for self improvement to make a change for the better, and believe me, I genuinely try my best to get that done. The previous issue that you are referring to was resolved, a formal apology was made and actions were corrected since this single incident. Again, thank you to everyone who have given me feedback. The post you are referring to was deleted because I felt like I learned from the situation and I was hoping that, that particular event could be left in the past and not hung over my head every time I make a post on this site. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone openly admits to them and tries to correct it. We have all fallen short one time or another. I understand that first impressions mean everything and maybe I shouldn't have come here to ask for advise from seasoned nurses about that specific topic.

I am graduating in December and I have been trying out units at my current hospital. I really loved the heart transplant unit, however, after the manager spoke with HR and my current manager (I am currently a CNA at this same hospital), she told me it was best that I work on a lower acuity floor and gain experience from there. She also told me that I had a great personality and that will "take me far in my nursing profession." Before she spoke with my current manager, she told me that she heard great feedback from the nursing staff and she she thought I would be a great fit for her unit and the culture. I was looking forward to working on this unit because it would help me transition into an ICU unit, which is my ultimate goal. Soon after, I accepted a position on a short stay intermediate unit. This unit sees lower acuity patients and also gets overflow from the ED. Patients are also here for short stays while awaiting procedures or tests. I know some of my classmates who have been accepted straight into ICU units and specialty units. I am very grateful for having a career opportunity at this hospital, however, it made me a little nervous about my future. I am a little sad about this because this is now the second time that I have been rejected from a unit that I really wanted to work in. Is it possible to still be transferred to a specialty unit or an ICU unit from working on an intermediate unit and gaining experience? I almost feel like this rejection put a cap on my abilities to the other managers and they may be unwilling to hire me. Has anyone else gone through this? Is it beneficial to the start of your nursing career?

I understand how frustrating that may be. Unfortunately that type of behavior may not change unless you speak up. I would have said something like “Yes I’m about to help so-and-so start an IV in room ##, do you mind getting that for me please?” I try and always use kindness while being assertive. I hope this helps.

I am currently a CNA and I graduate in December. I work on an Intermediate Cardiac Unit as an intern and I was planning on working in this same unit as an RN. Some months ago, we had to sign up for meetings (on a schedule sheet) on the manager’s office door. I added my name and a time. When I showed up she looked surprised to see me and said “thank you for coming, you didn’t have to come. I hope you didn’t have to drive far”. I told her it wasn’t a problem at all and I lived close. I kind of was a little weirded out on why she said that. I wanted to talk to her about my upcoming graduation and how I was interested in staying on the unit. Well, my meeting with my manager was sort of a sweet slap in the face. She asked me about my previous clinicals and immediately told me she was full on the floor and she would help me find other units to work on. I didn’t even get a chance to express my interest. I was kind of thrown off about her rapid response because, at the time, that was around 10 months before I graduate. I was kind of discouraged that she didn’t even offer me a position. I spoke with other nurses on the unit about the night shift’s ratios and they told me that they were needing nurses and were not full on the unit at night. Just recently a classmate that also works on that floor was offered a position in the unit and she accepted it. I honestly was heartbroken about it because I really enjoyed this floor and I really wanted to work in the unit. I’m not really mad because my manager was real nice about it and helped me to get hired at another unit (not any of my top choices but I’m happy I got a job now). I guess I just want to know, what are the main reasons for managers to politely turn you down? I felt like I got along with everyone and tried my best to do great work and patient satisfaction. I will add that this was my first EVER CNA job. At first learning all of the ropes was really challenging and my manager did call me back in office for constructive criticism (during my second week in the job). Also, when we have peer reviews I ALWAYS get top scores from my CNA peers and great comments about teamwork and patient satisfaction. I even got a daisy award nomination. I feel like it may be my lack of experience. Any other people gone through this before? How do you maximize your chances on being a good candidate to your manager?

i am currently a nursing student and I graduate in December. Yesterday I accepted a position at my hospital for an intermediate, short stay unit. There we will see a ton of different patients and overflow from ED. They usually stay up to around 3 days. I start in February 2020. I know travel nursing usually takes 2 years experience. I plan on doing 2 years on the short stay unit then try and do travel. I know it’s not a specialty, but is there any advise on how I can use this unit to transition into travel nursing ?? I am also single with no kids so I kind of want to take the opportunity now to travel around and get new experiences at different hospitals.

I was so excited to see that I got a Daisy’s award from one of my patients ! I got the card and it said “Thank You !” From my manager. I did not receive the pin but I was happy that the patient wrote one for me. Another nurse (RN) on the u it got a daisy award and a letter AND a pin with a daisy on it. I’m happy for her as she is an AMAZING nurse. I just was curious why I (CNA) didn’t get a pin or a letter. Just curious. ?

I am a CNA and I really do enjoy communicating with my patients but sometimes I find myself sitting in their room for long amounts of time listening to their stories. It’s fun at the beginning, but as time goes on I’m listening less and less and thinking about all of the other things I need to get done. Eventually I catch myself just smiling and nodding without listening to a single word they are saying anymore. I honestly have a hard time cutting a patient off mid story and explaining that I really want to get back to what I was doing. What are some good “end-the-conversation” phrases that I can start using without sounding rude for cutting them off??