Pretzlgl

Probably wouldn't be unheard of if you then worked every Saturday...If you work in a hospital setting they would most likely require 2 weekends per month - you could fulfill that by working 4 shifts, or every Saturday.

NOT working during nursing school - because I scrimped and saved for a year before and all during...

Excellent idea! One of the Assisted Living Facilities I visit has dogs come in - and the residents love it....

Yeppers. I would bet, Acosmic, that you are a brand spanking new RN. Idealistic and all. Not a bad thing - but give it 10 years and get back to us.....

Thanks, Karen, for putting my thoughts into sentences. Great post.

Why does this so-called profession have to be this way? I worked as a bank teller before becoming a nurse and was treated with waay more respect. Hmm, maybe that would be an idea....

I totally agree. When I was a new nurse we went to the Nurses' March on Washington. I was so impressed at that time by how well nurses stuck together. I couldn't wait to practice. HA! What a jolt when I realized that I was way off on that one. I was also asked to change my charting when I charted that a doctor hadn't called me back after multiple pages (pt with blood sugar of >500) Finally called charge nurse who called medical director and was taken care of. BUT I charted it all. I was asked the next day to change my charting and a general memo went out stating that we cannot chart that a doctor did not return a page. I gave my 2 week notice the next day. I think I too picked the wrong profession. We not only worry about our patients care but also our licenses, ALL THE TIME. Anyway, that felt good to get that out...... :chuckle

Wow! Thanks for the great reply and advice. I am turning in my 2 week notice - but am going to do just what you said with witnessess. Thanks again!

Thanks for the responses. Let me clarify - I don't mean that the doctor would hang the nurse out to dry - I mean the facility. A little background is that 2 nurses have been fired recently - and one has had disciplinary action placed on their license for not performing according to the facilities' "standard policy". One of the nurses is suing because how can you follow standard policy if no such thing exists. (Wrongful termination). Anyway, I myself am getting out of there - too much liability IMHO.

Hi all. Any input would be appreciated. I work for a facility with no policy and procedure manual. I have repeatedly asked for a policy pertaining to, for example, how to flush a central line - only to be told "we don't have a policy on that". It is a hospice - not JCAHO accredited - so they technically don't have to have policies set. BUT - I feel that my license is on the line every time I do something but it isn't according to any policy or procedure set by the facility. I'm told just do it by MD order. Well the MD order say, Central line flush per protocol. I really feel that this is done purposefully - it will be the individual nurse hung out to dry and not the facility if something goes wrong. What do you all think?????

Interviewing for a per diem hospice position - any advice on how to present myself would be great from you experienced hospice nurses. It is a goal of mine to work hospice - have been working ICU and pretty burned. Mostly due to keeping folks alive who are already dead... Anyway any advice would be great.

Thanks y'all - I'll check into local travel assignments - good idea. One thing for sure - I am definitely taking my time to find a good fit.

Turned in my 2 week notice a couple of days ago - don't have a new job yet so it is a little scary. But I have just had it with hospital nursing! (At least this hospital). 3 and sometimes 4 patient assignments in the ICU are becoming the rule rather than the exception and they won't use agency nurses anymore - so we just run short. (And run, and run, and run...) Benefits have been cut, twice this year. First retiree medical benefits were taken away, then health insurance was changed and the rates shot up. And the raise structure for RN's was changed - if you get any negative comment on your review you don't get a raise. Needless to say morale is at an all time low. It stinks because the staff I work with are really great people and I will miss them - but I just won't take it anymore!

FIRST check to make sure that the pulse ox is on the finger correctly