washingtonrn

Marshall1, First off-I can so relate to what you are saying about your resume going into the online "abyss" and then never getting a call or followup. The hiring of nurses has become so impersonalized that it feels like an act of congress just to get your foot in the door! I have been an RN since 85 and remember the days where you went in, dropped off your application, and an actual person let you know what positions they were hiring for and maybe even took the time to see if you would be interested in cross training to a new area. Now, if they see your sterile, online application and if you don't have experience in "X", they won't even consider you! Never mind that it might actually be possible for an RN with many years of training to actually learn a new speciality if they are willing (uh..duh!)....it's extremely frustrating! I have gone from ICU to NICU to Cardiac Rehab and now maybe to Oncology--I have found that sites like Craigslist or Careerbuilder have sometimes been more fruitful in getting noticed. I wish you all the best--don't give up--there is the right job out there for you and those patients need your expertise, knowledge and personal touch! For all the hospitals that overlooked your resume, it's their loss! If hospital CEO's and Chief Nursing Officers don't start paying more attention to the poor hiring practices in HR, they will continue to overlook amazing nurses! And please--if they continue along this road, they should never whine about a nursing shortage...ever! Good luck and keep the faith!

I have been an RN for over 23 years and have always felt that it would be a wonderful speciality....my problem: I just am not sure if it's my time yet...It has been in the back of my mind for years. Then through my own mother's death from CA and now most recently when I was at the bedside of a dear friend who died from liver ca. I love the idea of hospice nursing and am a parish nurse at my church. Yet to be honest, I'm a little affraid too because there is so much I don't know. Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated to know if I have the "calling" or not. Thanks!!

I can not believe that we nursing professionals put up with so much ridiculous behavior from management/doctors in ANY setting! Your supervisor should be called out on the mat and written up! I agree with the other posting...run like h-e- "double toothpicks" out of that place! You are an RN and can practically write your own ticket to any hospital in your area. You are a professional (obviously she is not!)...Never jeopardize your license to appease anyone and that includes management----if your state board of nursing reprimanded you or worse yet, suspended your license, for giving a med that another nurse drew up-your supervisor would not back you up I promise you that! I hope you documented her comments and if you feel so inclined, take your concerns to the hospital administration in the form of a formal letter written by your attorney and demand a formal apology from that institution. That will get their attention and she'll be put on alert. Believe me, if she's treating you that way, your not the first and won't be the last. She needs to be disciplined on this because the hospital legal department does not want to hear from disgruntled employees claiming a "hostile work environment" and that's what it sound like to me! Her personal attacks are extremely hostile in nature and should not be tolerated. Good luck! Lisa

My first thought is that this should be addressed with your supervisor. Right or wrong on the timing issue, she should know that her nurses are not being treated with respect. Secondly, the next time you are working with this Doc, ask to speak with him privately, then proceed to tell him that his behavior the other day was out of line and extremely unprofessional. Explain that you understand why he was upset however you are a professional as well, and will not tolerate this kind of abuse. Be prepared to take it to the hospital board if necessary. My guess he will be somewhat apologetic and if nothing else, will at least have a new found respect for you and all nurses in general. I had a similar situation in the NICU and after the emergency was over, I pulled him aside and said he was out of line. He admitted he was wrong and said he was sorry. You have a degree too, and without your expertise and dedication (and other nurses like you) he'd be starting his own IV! Your supervisor should be aware because it sounds like the unit is short handed already and I can't imagine she can afford to be losing good nurses like you!! Don't lose heart and don't lose your confidence!

Hello all! I think in my career as an nurse, the best job to meet your requirements has been cardiac rehab. I think this is the best kept secret in nursing. Patients are pleasant, hours are great--no weekends, nights, holidays, and where I work, we get to come in sweats! ( What could be better! ) One tough one is you have to be ACLS certified but most courses now are really "user friendly" . I suggest you look into this area--it's usually not too exciting but after 23 years of being a nurse, I'm ok without "exciting". Lastly, the patients really appreciate your caring and cheering them on to better health. Good luck!