EwokRN

Hi. I recently had to resign from my new grad Med Surg RN position on an Oncology floor. I actually have 10 months of experience working in a LTC facility from 2009-2010, but had to resign from that position in June 2011 in part, because I was pg with my twin boys. Got back to work in a Med Surg position in oncology, but was forced to resign. I've decided to take a break, and actually go for counseling, because I've been under a lot of stress lately. Wondering what to do, and trying to essentially take it easy. My manager in my last position said that I can return after I vamp up my nursing skills, and that there will be no bad record on me on file, and I can always come back when I'm ready my vamping up my assessment skills. You see, I got my 2nd Degree BSN from nursing while I was pg with my first child, and that along with the birth of twins during my first job as a new grad RN and dealing with this economy..well, developed Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The counselor asked if nursing was for me, and what I think I should be doing. Well, to give a little background I was in the US Navy, and under a program where the navy paid me to get my MS in Environmental Health, which has some statistical background. Plus, I'm still interested in Nursing, but not too sure about floor nursing now. I'm interested in computers, and have been complemented on my ability to move around an office program. From the suggestion of my manager, I've decided to volunteer working with Med Assistants at my pcp office, and perhaps volunteering with the school nurse at the school my daughter will be attending for kindergarten. Would there be a possibility for a position in informatics for someone like me with 10 mos of experience in LTC and some experience in a clinic? Sorry this is loaded. Lots of things happened to me. Unforunately, I don't know if the anxiety from GAD is getting the best of me, or I'm wrong for floor nursing. Thanks for listening. Ewok

Well, I found another job this time it's actually in a local hospital on a Medicine Oncology unit. I went into this interview panel at a local hospital last Wednesday, and lo and behold one of the panelists actually was an old classmate of mine. I like totally froze, because I saw her and the older sister of one of my old classmates back in college/high school who I didn't really know. My old classmate, who I know better, is the manager of this Medicine Oncology unit. I applied for the New Graduate program at this hospital, which I've been actually dying to apply for since I graduated Dec '08 just because I felt more comfortable at this hospital during my school's med surg clinical. My old classmate, who I actually am on good terms with, told me early '09 she would hire me if she could, but back then the economy was bad, so nothing happened. When the HR manager called me Friday to make an offer, she said that all of the panelists wanted me but my classmate/friend really wanted me to be on her unit, so I'm hopeful. Still kind of reeling a little from the Psych experience I had briefly from Feb-Mar '11. Looking back though from my first med surg experience, and the LTC facility, and the Psych facility made me realize that I shouldn't have accepted these positions in the beginning, because they hired me on the spot; however, with the exception of the LTC work (which lasted 10 months) I didn't really get that good of experience. The LTC experience actually was kind of a freak of nature that I lasted that long there. One thing that all of these places had though was high turnover, so I kind of blame myself for that happening. I think that if it wasn't for this bad economy I wouldn't have applied to these places in the first place. The LTC experience, however, in a sick, ironic way, helped me get this job. Knowing one of the managers also didn't hurt too. Anyway, I'm trying to think of ways to get ready for my next position. The LTC experience I received will definitely help me. Mind you, I've not been working for a year..been taking care of my 9 month old twin boys/4 y.o. daughter with my husband. My parents are retired so they will definitely be looking after my kids while my husband and I work, so that's set. I was thinking about doing the following: -reading up on cancer-related diseases -looking up case studies on AJN/Nursing Made Incredibly Easy -making up cheat sheets to use when getting report. -go over nursing skills (e.g., injections, hanging IV bags, critical thinking exercises) -Labs? Is there anything else anyone could recommend I could do? I really want to prepare for this next job. I think my first med surg experience I didn't prepare enough, and I think that's why they were asking me to get transferred. Thanks in advance. I almost feel afraid to try again, but since my parents are still well, and hopefully have a couple of more years I need to take advantage of this time. Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide. Ewok

Yes, I agree that it is really important to do lots of practice questions. When I failed HESI, I mulled over in mind whether my weakness is test taking skills or lack of knowledge. What really helped me was doing 100 questions a day from the Prentice Hall Reviews and Rationales NCLEX book CD, and then reviewing what I missed using primarily the Saunders book as a knowledge guide. All this while I took notes what I missed so at the end of the day and the end of the week of reviewing I could review what I missed. The CD as well as that Prentice Hall book provides tips in the CD and the book how you should read the question along with test taking skills. If you did enough questions, and reviewed enough you would actually discover yourself repeating a few of the questions that you already reviewed from that Prentice Hall book CD. That's something I discovered amongst me and my friends especially the ones who passed HESI and NCLEX. Just food for thought.

This is just a suggestion. I actually was in your situation 2-3 years ago trying to pass the HESI in my school. I really liked the Prentice Hall Reviews and Rationales Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX. To me the questions in the book really mirrored the questions found in the HESI. I really believe the HESI is a test of knowledge while the NCLEX has more prioritization questions and such, but that's me. Kaplan will really hit on what you need to pass the NCLEX. Like the PP, I think NCSBN will be a good alternative if you don't have enough money for Kaplan. Also, use the Saunders Book for reviewing for the NCLEX too. Keep on hitting those books, and don't give up. Believe me, I know what you're going through. You can do this! That's what I kept on telling myself, and eventually I passed! Good luck! Ewok

Thanks again. Hopefully I can ask the moderators to shut down replying to this thread, because it keeps appearing in my email. Oh wait a minute, here you go.."no email notification.." Yeppers that's the ticket..haha Ewok P.S. Taking care of twins and a 4 y.o. Luckily though my parents are also nearby to support me not like it's already stressful as it is.

Yeah, I know. Thanks for the input. I realize that already. People can stop replying to this message now LOL! I just want to move on. This is very painful as it is. Ewok

yeah. no worries there since this will definitely will be the last pg. btw not like i have any ;0p

Yeah. Thanks to everyone who posted. Whatever the reason they terminated me I have to agree that I really wasn't a good fit. It's just a pain finding the right fit, and having to go through Kubler Ross stages of grief to realize that. It's very hard though... Guess next thing on the drawing board. Ewok

I never said that I pumped during the interview! You're not reading correctly. I pumped after the interview. That's insane. The interviewer, my boss, actually allowed me to pump during classroom orientation in the infirmary. In fact, she encouraged me since a lot of the nurses are pumping in the infirmary. Plus, I didn't fail the self-defense class like they said I did. I got a certificate that said I "successfully passed" on the certificate in black and white, which the HR manager said was only a certificate of attendance. If that's so why didn't it say "certificate of attendance?" I also never got the Pharmacology test back. It was a take home test with a lot of psych medications that I didn't know that much about. In fact, I was asking some of the nurses in the infirmary about helping me with the take home test, which they couldn't help me much on. They told me that the ADON actually helped them with that test two months ago when they were being oriented. So, why couldn't she help me? BTW, I didn't have help with the test, I did it on my own with the help of the handout they gave me. Plus, I didn't volunteer how many kids I had, she asked me if I had kids during the interview. I knew that was an illegal question anyway, but I decided to take the job which she hired me on the spot for, because there weren't a lot of jobs available at the time for new grads. Well, anyway, maybe they based my firing on the pharm test anyway, but still the HR manager should be familiar with the certificate for the self-defense class indicating successful completion of the class. Besides, the self-defense instructor said no one ever fails his class, and if we did we'd be kept after, and I wasn't I received a certificate of passing. Anyway, thanks for listening! Ewok P.S. I always passed my Pharm tests with 90 or above. I have to admit though, that Psych test was kind of tough..wish I knew what grade I made.

Hi. First of all, let me explain that today I was terminated from my job today at a Psychiatric facility for children 5-22 years of age. My parents' neighbor, who works at the facility made the recommendation for me to try the facility, and hence told the ADON, his friend, about me. Well, I was hired March 1, 2011 on the spot in an interview last week of Feb 2011 after they started their background check on me last week of Feb 2011. Well, I was on Nursing classroom orientation March 1-4, and I was at Nursing orientation on the floor March 7-11; however, I could not interact with patients hence I ended up listening to the patients mostly through the infirmary door. This was mostly, because my background check did not come in yet. I was also told that I couldn't really look at the pyxis, because my background check was not completed yet I could look at patients' records?!! Does this make sense to anybody? Well, on March 11th they said they were going to re-submit my background check,and on March 11th they re-did my fingerprints. The HR manager realized the I was hard to fingerprint, and said that's why it's taking so long for my background check to be completed. I was in HR orientation Mar 14-15, and the ADON was telling me that she hoped my background check would come in. It didn't. Well, from Mar 16-24, I called twice if my background check was in and twice they said no. Then, today Mar 25th, I was told that I was terminated as of the 24th of March. ***!!!! Well, they said the reason was because I had to be frequently re-directed and demonstrated poor comprehension. Also, I failed two required tests for orientation. The HR manager said I failed the Pharmacology test, which was take home..I didn't know I received a failing grade. Plus, I thought they would go over it. I know it required an 80% or more to pass, but I was reassured by the previous orientees they'd go over it. Plus, they said I failed the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention test, and that the certificate I received, according to HR, was just for attendance. If that's so, then why did I receive a certificate from this class that said I "successfully completed the course"? I mean, I know that I had trouble with the holds, but I finally got it. They said this was the re-direction they were talking about. But then, why did I receive a certificate of successful completion? I'm sorry. I had to rebuttal. I don't really want or expect to get re-hired, but I wanted to write something down. I talked with my husband and my parents about this. My dad says it's 100%their fault, and they're just covering up their A$#! My mom thinks breastpumping during the orientation sent a red flag to them, and that they're just looking for an excuse. Well, maybe mentioning to them I just had twins didn't help. My husband thinks it's a blessing in disguise, because the kids in that facility are pretty dangerous. In my previous job, I held the position only for 10 months. I was suspended because I left someone's meds in the cart. I decided to quit anyway, bcz of my twin pregnancy. Overall, my husband thinks i have bad karma. What do you all think about this? I think what they did was full of b.s.! Sorry so long..had to vent! Ewok

hi. I'm thinking about working as a volunteer EMT while I wait for an RN position. I'm a new grad with 10 mos of experience in LTC. Unfortunately, I had to quit that position at 10 mos, because I had complications with my twin pg and the LTC facility I worked at was horrible, so I'm not going back. What do you think? Do you think my state board of nursing would look badly on this, or do you think it would be beneficial? Ewok

You know, you're right! I actually remember a girl who had to sell herself to get into this stepdown unit despite the fact that she was a new graduate in this hard economic times. Thanks again! Ewok

Hi. I graduated with my 2nd Degree BSN Nursing Dec '08, and I acquired my nursing license back in Jan '09. I worked at a LTC facility for about 10 months, and I quit back in April '10. I actually made a mistake of leaving some pt's medication in the medicine drawer of my med cart and the DON caught whiff of it when the oncoming nurse tattled in me, and hence I was put on suspension, but before she could do anything I quit. I thought to tell you the truth that it was time for me to quit anyway considering the fact that I was putting myself under a lot of stress, because of my twin pg, and the fact that the environment was hostile both physically (80 degree temp in the nursing home) and mentally (other nurse not really helping with my violent pt). Plus, they kept on switching my pts. In the long run, I really didn't feel so bad, because my doctor two weeks later wanted me to take it easy due to the suspected VSD in one of my twin babies, so right now I'm just glad I quit when I did. I figured with my one year of experience working a combination of long term care with some acute experience mixed in, then I could actually go for other jobs after my twins are born. Something in me makes me not so hopeful though. I looked at some of the jobs locally here in SE VA, and it turns out that a lot of the jobs require you to work in a hospital for a year? Should I be concerned about this? My mom, the retired RN, said I should just bank on my experience in LTC counting. What do you think? Thanks for any info that you can provide. Ewok

Hi. I graduated from a 2nd Degree BSN-RN program back in Dec '08, and obatained my RN license Jan '09. At first I worked at a local hospital for what lasted only about 1-2 mos. at a Med-Surg unit starting in Feb '09 before they said that that area was too fast for me, and I should try a slower area in their vast units at their hospital. Well, it turns out they didn't have any, so I ended up at this LTC facility outside that hospital organization. The facilty I work at has been pretty flexible overall for my schedule. I work 3-11 pm and so far I've been here for 9mos. Well, I just found out I was pregant with twins late Feb '10. Mind you, I'm married and already have a 3 1/2 y.o. daughter. Well, before I found out that I was pg I was applying for a job at the hospital (same hospital where I first worked)where they said I could still apply as a new graduate. Unfortunately, like so many hospitals around this country, this hospital has not had many new grad RN positions available. I did a phone interview over 2 weeks ago with one of the recruiters. Around a week ago the recruiter said that my application was still on file; however, the unit manager apparently neglected to look at the application as of yet. I tried calling the recruiter about 2-3 days ago, and I left a message, but so far no response. On one hand, I'm hoping to interview at the hospital before I show so I can at least get my foot in the door, on the other hand I'm playing it safe by staying at this job, but at the same time I know I'm starting to plateau in my experience here. This LTC facility really overworks its nurses. I'm passing meds to 30 pts sometimes many them are grabbing me for little things, the CNA's talk back sometimes, there's not much equipment here which makes this facility a health hazard not only to the pts but also to my license. Plus, there's no unit secretary to really take calls, so basically I'm writing up my own orders and taking calls at the same time. I applied for a Surgical nurse position, a position in Cardiac Stepdown and an ER position (yeah, like I really want ER at this point in my life). I talked with my OB, and she said we'll see if I need to rest more around 24-28 weeks. I'm at 16-17 weeks. In June '10 I would have been there a year, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but I haven't really perfecting starting an IV. I know the procedure, but I'm not really a sharp-shooter yet, because there haven't been that many opportunties to really practice. Plus, I'm sure my other skills are not that up to snuff. Plus side though, is that I do have experience with trach suctionings, trach care, clisis, wound care, IM/SQ shots, of course administering PO/inhaler meds/PPD's. Plus, I have experience taking phone orders. I guess my question is should I really stick it out over here for a year? I know we need the money esp with twins coming, and my dh is looking for a higher paying job once he found out in Feb '10 (OMG, will it take him a year?!). Plus, i heard from one hospital that they won't really consider me a new grad once I have one year of experience. I feel that translates into they expect me to learn quickly not knowing that my LTC experience didn't provide enough experience esp since I can't start a freakin' IV. Sorry Just needed to vent my feelings. Please, if anyone has any input let me know. Thanks. Ework

Hi. I guess technically I can consider myself a new grad RN-BSN, because I've only been working for about 8 months now at a LTC facility. Well, first of all let me explain that I graduated 2nd Degree BSN accelerated program Nov '08, and passed NCLEX-RN boards Jan '09. I started off with a big hospital here locally, and was asked to be "transferred" off from Med Surg to one of their LTC facilities, whic of course didn't work, because I was a new RN w/almost no experience. So, I went and looked for another job. Well, luckily, I found a job here at a LTC facility, which is the most disorganized facility I have ever worked for in my adult life. However, I have learned some stuff. Now that same hospital I worked for previously for one month is asking me if I'd like to be considired for 2 positions: an ER nite position, and a position on the surgical unit. I felt pretty lucky and relieved to be considered for this, because according to recruitment they have been holding onto my name for the longest time as part of the new graduate list. I was looking at my experience and realizing that I haven't really been truly able to start an IV yet was wondering how to list this on my new, improved resume. Well for starters, this is the line I'm going to put under my experience at the LTC facility. Pls tell me what you think?: " Assessed, planned, and implemented care of residents in long term care facility. Performed medication administration, blood glucose checks, dressing changes, trach care, trach suctionings, transcription of physician orders, 24-hour urine specimens, wound vacs, IV pushes, and charting on patients with various illnesses in a long term care setting. " Another question: Should I also put IV administration as one of my skills, because initiating IV's are rare at my LTC facility, and unfortunately, I have yet to be able to start one, because there aren't many IV initiations at the facility. Also, let me clarify that I did attempt to start several IV's a number of times, but have been unsuccessful. Thanks in advance for any info that y'all can provide. Ewok