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I am retiring in a few months. I would like to give back to the community. Has anyone done volunteer RN work or knows of retirees that have? I would appreciate any leads or advise.

I have been searching for free websites that offer ANCC approved CEUS. But, the ones that advertise free online actually cost a subscription fee. Can someone direct me to the right resources for CEU requirements? If not free, then the less costly ones will have to do.

Hello Nurses, Has anyone had to in person bring corrected name labels to lab to re label specimens on a stroke patient? How did the lab handle the situation? I am especially interested in Blood Bank if patient needs an urgent blood transfusion. I understand recollecting and labeling correct name will delay patient care. What is the best practice??.....

Title: Leaving Nursing. Best wishes on your future career. Life is short, so you owe it to yourself to be happy with yourself and career. I am a nurse, but not working in that capacity. I chose a few years back to work on my other healthcare field. I am currently working as a traveler in different parts of the country. I am happier and healthier now then when I did bedside nursing. I hope that I can use my nursing knowledge down the road. Perhaps upon retirement.

Health care facilities depend on their workers to relieve staff in good or bad weather. I try to stay ahead of the storm and plan ahead. I pack food, clothing, etc. just in case I am needed beyond my shift. Also, I feel safer than having to commute back and forth to work during extended bad weather. From my work experience, administration tries to meet their employees half way. Such as having security pick up staff at bus and train stations, offering private empty patients rooms for sleeping, meal vouchers. etc. Staffing during inclement weather should be the employer and employee joint effort. On another note, if you feel you are putting your safety at risk such as icy road conditions and sub zero temps communicate this to the shift supervisor, etc. Then, maybe they can offer you to make up your shift,etc. at a latter date.

It seems to me from the responses, the nurse to patient ratio is dependent on the location, availability, acuity, risks, experience, finances, management, and the circumstances (which is really in a a nutshell, those that I just mentioned). Let us ask ourselves, do you honestly feel that staffing practices put patient safety as the number 1 priority? Do we leave work each day feeling good about ourselves and our employer? And what about California with their mandated 1 nurse to 5 patient ratio, practical or paranoia? At my institution, there is really a nursing shortage...for experienced nurses. New grads are in a tight job market right now. Nursing school teaches us the "ideal" but not the real world. Every nurse know this. Then why is this the approach? I know I am throwing quite a few questions out there. Just like everything in life....finances dictate practices.

My concerns are the following;A. 30+ million new customers. We need more nurses/doctors,etc.??B. Will the middle class shoulder the majority of the cost, since this has been traditional? B. Diluted service delivery (Longer waits, increase in nurse:patient ratio)?C. Will the bill improve patient safety?D.Will working conditions/environment improve?D. Will the insurance companies dictate less health care delivery and have genuine compassion over saving dollars for themselves? What I am trying to understand, is the bill going to make health care delivery better for the average american? Insights and opinions appreciated.

After working for many years in another medical profession, when the opportunity presented itself (tuition assistance, grants, etc.) I decided to get into the profession that I wanted to right after high school. You see my father was from the generation (and some still do) that men did not become nurses. And since he was the one paying for college, My father and brother enrolled me in a medical profession that they perceived was more male oriented. Now that I am an RN I like talking to people, the autonomy (although limited), the bonuses, more patient contact, the giving of compassion, empathy, understanding, public respect, imparting information to other people, the job security (far better than other professions), interaction with doctors, respiratory therapy, and other supportive and techincal departments, etc, etc. P.S. I read on this website that there is now a national nurses union. I have NO experience working under a union. Let me know what you think. It appears at work, that the majority are pro-union. I get comments like "Under a union patient safety will improve". "We will get better working conditions", etc. etc. Thanks for any input.

When you say nights, do you mean exclusively the 11:00 PM to 7:30 AM shift? I am a permanent 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM shift nurse. Do we do more work than day shift? It is comparable. We get the most admissions to do while day shift get the most discharges. Admissions have more forms plus the assessment for the nurse to complete.We pass just as much medications as the day shift. I can only work evening shift because I need the shift differential in order to keep my head above water. In this area shift differentials are between 5 to 8 dollars an hour.

I am a new graduate RN in the east coast. Only about 1/3 of my class that graduated in May 09 have found a job. So it is true that the state of the economy has affected the hiring of new graduates RN nationwide. I am one of the fortunate ones to have found employment. I talk to my other classmates who didn't. I know it is frustrating for all new graduate nurses. Latest indications are that the economy is starting to rebound. I hope so, so that all these new nurses can be employed. Especially since we all worked to get where we are today. My advise for those that need the income is to take a job to pay the bills, network with other nurses, keep checking facilities for their hiring needs. :)

I found a job as a new grad in an intern program a month after graduation. What worked for me was that I did an externship the previous summer and stayed on as flexi-patient care tech. I was just at the right place at the right time. I see others have advised you to physically go to these facilities with your resume; meet the nurse managers, network with other new grads b/c they may have some leads as to job possibilities, do an inventory of your strengths and your weaknesses and be honest to yourself and whoever interviews you. I'm sorry you took a big hit financially. For right now you need to find a source of income (even if it isn't healthcare). I have seen these times come and go. Fortunately, they pass and then they will be looking for more nurses.....YOU !!!!

I used be in another health-care field before I became a nurse. My story is based in a hospital that has since become a long-term care facility. I worked the 11 pm to 7 am shift. Every morning at about 4 am I did my ICU rounds. One particular morning as I entered the ICU, I sensed something was odd because the 3 nurses at the nurse station were unusually quiet. I asked one in a whisper, "Is something wrong". She replied quietly, "I started with the monitor turning on by itself". She signaled toward an empty room. I watched as the curtain around the hospital bed moved on it's own until it stoped exposing the whole bed. The last patient to die in that bed was a hospital employee who became acutely ill. I still at times run into these nurses somewhere and remind them of that occurence. They acknowledge the experience too. I don't have an scientific explanation for what we saw. Subsequently, I have observed other phenomenon at another hospital I worked at in the presence of others. I wonder.

I am a male and a brand new RN. I am fortunate to have landed a job. I am in orientation as a Geriatric Psychiatric/Medical Surgical nurse. There are 2 other male nurses in the department.

I am it in my household. I don't have a second income. A family member has been gracious in helping me when I am short of funds to pay my bills. Thank G-d for such person. I like to be independent. So as soon as I can get a part time job I will. Like I said, I am grateful for a job, 75% of my graduating class either do not have a job, living at home, spouse is sole-earner, or working in the same job (non-nursing) that they held throughout nursing school. Such is the times we live in!

Thank you for your responses. I have not done it yet, but in the near future, another nurse said I could bid for a shift at another floor for extra income. I need to check our facilities policies. I used to work in another medical field which was 80 hours per pay period. I guess once I get more experience I can bid or fill in for extra hours. What I am trying to find out is that are you nurses who work 12 hours shifts, 72 hours per pay period being paid 80 hours pay or straight hours only??..

I just want to take a survey. I am a brand new nurse. I just passed my NCLEX and got my first RN job this summer. The hospital that I am working hires the majority of nurses on a 72 hour per pay period contract. I assume this is to defray overtime pay. Do most of you find this as common practice? Like most students, there are the college loans to pay off. I was really hoping to get a 80 hour per pay period job. I am thankful though that I got a job considering 25% of my graduating class have found jobs. This area has curtailed drastically the number of new RN hires. Perhaps, as soon as I get a couple of monthes experience I can look for part time RN work. I was looking forward to graduating and getting a job and not having to worry so much as to my finances. But, it seems finances are going to be a concern afterall for a while. I am thinking of ways in which I can avail of some extra income. Advice? :nuke:

I did the Hurst Review 4 day on-site review and Kaplan NCLEX-RN strategies book. Kaplan is great for testing strategies and Hurst for content. Because of NCLEX copyright laws, I can't tell you the nature, topics, etc. of the NCLEX exam. Truthfully, You have just completed 2-4 years of academics...you already know your content. So don't sweat it!! Do some practice questions but don't try to cram over ALL of your nursing notes. I trust you will be fine!!!!

I found out yesterday that I passed the NCLEX RN with 75 questions. I took it on July 4,2009. Held my breath through-out the weekend. I called a number given to me by another successful NCLEX RN and was so relieved to hear the automated message that I have an active RN license!!!. I am rooting for you all that will be taking the NCLEX in the near future. So far, everyone who has taken the NCLEX RN in my class has passed....we are working on a 100% pass rate.

I took my NCLEX on July 4. I used three NCLEX review resources: The Hurst Review on site 4 day sessions; Saunders NCLEX 4th ed, and the Kaplan NCLEX strategy book. When it comes right down to it...I felt I was being tested heavily on application and analysis requiring a strong content base. So if you know your content I trust you will be fine. I have not gotten my results yet. The literature handed to me after the exam indicates 48 hours before you could get results by phone and longer by mail. I thought I would take a break after the 75th question...the computer shut off after that so I was done. I trust this was a good sign. Best wishes to those taking the NCLEX!!!!

I am somewhat surprized that no one has mentioned the Hurst review. I just took the Hurst review. I was pleased with the review. However, I would like to hear from those that took the Hurst review and passed the NCLEX THE FIRST TIME. Did you just use the Hurst review or had other supplemental reviews and which ones? Judging from the postings I have read, Kaplan and Saunders are popular reviews for 2009 NCLEX takers. I have the Saunder 4th edition. I do not have any Kaplan material nor financially able to purchase them. I have faith that Hurst and Saunders would guide me to NCLEX success. Again, I would like to hear from others. So please feel free to advise.

I live in the Tidewater area of Virginia. I just graduated this May 2009 with a B.S. in Nursing. I took an externship during summer 2008. My experience in finding a new graduate nursing position is taking advantage of nursing related employment like externships and patient care tech positions during your junior and senior years. You can only increase your chances by networking and having already established yourself in a health care facility. My externship experience evolved into a nursing assistant (patient care tech) then into a new graduate nursing job offer. From what nurse recruiters have told me, there are a substantial amount of new graduate applicants for the very limited new graduate. I am not trying to discourage other new graduates, however, with persistance and flexiblity I trust you would find a position. Being flexible could include being able to relocate or even holding on to your present job until you find something in your location. Some of my classmates are doing just that. Best wishes in your job searches!

Congratulations on acceptance to nursing school! Even though I have not been a unit clerk, I have worked in hospitals for 27 years now. You know the regimen of your duties. Parts of them will be to your advantage in nursing school. Nursing school is the hardest thing that I have ever done. So apply yourself and you will be fine.

I graduated yesterday, May 10,2009. I am only a few years your junior, male. This is my second health professional degree,2 B.S. in the health care field now. My other profession has helped sustained me for over 20 years. In today's nursing market, it does not look good for me right now. Even though I work as a health technician at a hospital, I don't have a new graduate nurse job because of their "freeze" ( the same for some 8 hospitals in this area). I know it is discouraging, keep on working hard for you have only a year left!! I at times wanted to give up, I persevered, graduated with honors....my faith keeps me going.

Hello fellow students and already RNs! I am thinking of purchasing one of Evolve's Hesi NCLEX review books. Do you all think it is money well spent???? thanks

Hello future nurses! I have read from one of the posted messages about a Online Test Bank by Hesi. I have gone into the Evolve Elsevier website but was unsuccessful in finding this test bank under products or reviews. Does anyone know how to purchase the online NCLEX test bank questions? I will be willing to do this to supplement my NCLEX preparation. Also has anyone heard of any success stories with the RN-NCLEX 3,500 review? Please advise. thanks