hoopette34

As I was filling out the Nursing lincensing application for the State of New York, I have come accross a section that requires a course in Child Neglect and Abuse. I have a WI lincense and was not required to take a class. Does anyone know about this requirement? Any experience aquiring a NY license after being licensed elsewhere? All suggestions appreciated. Thank you.

I have been thinking about becoming a travel nurse for awhile now. I feel now is the time in my life I should step out and explore the possibilities. However I have concerns, my current hospital has a hiring freeze and began laying off stafff 2 months ago (they have not reached to the point of laying off RNs..yet). I would like to know how strong the field of traveling is? Are there numerous traveling contracts out there? Are the companies still providing the great benefits of housing, bonuses, etc? With hiring freezes and layoffs going on in hospitals around the US, will travel nurses be guaranteed hours? I look forward to moving somewhere new expecting to work 36-40hr/wk, and terrified of being canceled numerously, as I presently am. Any suggestions or comments appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for your replies.

Passed boards 7/7/07 Lucky 7's I have been a RN for 9 months Oncology Med/surg

I am currently working on a med/surg Oncology unit (1 yr). I have been thinking about working in critical care. Could someone please explain to me the differences between MICU and SICU? I know that one is medical and the other is surgical. In the SICU, are you taking care of more post-operative patients that require critical cares? Also could you briefly tell me how best to prepare for either MICU or SICU? I recenlty purchased an ACLS book, and am looking to become telemetry certified (as it is not required on my current unit). Thanks.

What do you consider a safe nurse-patient ratios for night shift? I live in WI, and so far I cannot find documented anywhere the maximum patient load a RN can have. The other night we had 18 patients 3 nurses and no nursing assistant. One nurse had to go to the ER because she became ill, which left us with 18 patients and 2 RNs with no help, and an admission on the way. Its a med/surg onc unit with very heavy patients, I have been working for 4 months, and I definitely do not feel safe taking care of 10 patients. I cannot keep up with the assessments, PRN meds, call lights, telephone calls, q 2 hr bed turns, and anything of the unknown that comes up i.e call to the doc, etc. I would like to know if others have experienced patient:nurse ratios like this or worse? I feel like when I bring this up to people, they say I am complaining because I am new and not use to working yet.