sunbumjul

I don't mean to bring this up again, but there are no jobs open. Not even for MedSurg. Nothing. Zilch. Not sure how else to put it. Even the nursing recruiters are saying there is no shortage of new nurses just a shortage of experienced ones.

Interesting.Thank you for this information.

There really is no such thing as a nursing shortage, maybe it's just in my area, but I can't seem to get a job fast enough. I'm a new grade with about 6 months of ICU experience as an RN and 6 months Telemetry experience as a nurse extern. I couldn't handle the ICU and realized I needed to work in a slower environment/different environment, so I am currently unemployed. Honestly, I don't even think I belong on a medsurg/tele floor because it is so fast paced and I get distracted easily. I've always wanted to work for a plastic surgeon but I have no OR experience. There just seems to be no job market for basically a new grad in the OR. What do you recommend? What are my options? I need to work asap and there are no openings in any hosptial/private practice department. Is the economy really suffering or am I just looking in the wrong areas? Please help.

I have my BSN and am still technically a new grade with a few months of ICU experience. I am interested in teaching online only nursing classes such as pharmacology. Is this possible with my degree and experience? If so, who can I contact? Where can I go to find more information about standard requirements?

I can't believe you asked for this. If you can't pass it you can't pass it. That test is a good way to judge if you are a safe critical care nurse or not. Sometimes these tests are in our best interest as well because we wouldn't want to loose our hard earned RN license over killing someone or hurting a patient over negligence.

I have never had a problem with family members coming into the ICU anytime except during shift change and procedures. Otherwise, they should be able to visit their loved one anytime of day or n ight. So many times they're so sick they end up on their way to Heaven's gate anyway that they need the time with their family member to make "closure" and spend their last moments with them. The only time I feel uncomfortable is when they bring in kids because the ICU is no place for children IMO.

I have to say that I absolutely love my job. I'm glad I started out in the ICU rather than going to the busy floor, but I do think it will be a long time before I feel comfortable doing what I do. I'm looking for a resource that I can carry around with me such as a pocket manual. I need something that will help me with my different blood pressure and anti-arrhythmic drips, reversal drugs, and PA/CVC lines and tubes. I just want to be prepared for the worst and in a time of panic I would like to have a good resource where I can quickly flip to the information I need. Any advise would be great!

I too have thought about getting my own personal malpractice insurance. I used to get mine through NSO when I was in nursing school and never had a problem with them, though I never gave them a reason to. I'll probably sign up with them again.

CNAlady, what cohort are you in? Have you completed your BSN? Are you currently working as an RN? To answer your question, once you complete your BSN degree from NU it will transfer to other institutions. NU is accredited; therefore, once you get your degree you will have just as much leverage as someone from another accredited institution.

I don't know those specifics, sorry...

This is probably the most informative thread I've read so far regarding salaries. Just so you know, San Diego pays new grads $28.25 for Scripps and $26.75 for Sharp. Both with a $4 nights differential and NO sign on bonus. The weather here is gorgeous and the cost of living can be managed if you live 15-20 minutes away from the beaches. Average cost of a one bedroom apartment is $880- $900 with a pool, exercise room, safe area.

I doubt that all the nurses would be sued; however, if the nurse in charge of the patient was not performing her duties I could only imagine she could be sued and have to prove herself innocent in court.