Marz

Trust me where I came from before my current place it was chaos!! But I agree I know with surgery there could be variables like emergency cases, equipment failure etc but you have an idea of surgeon block times and anesthesia providers or any reps needed (ortho). I think it's important with work life balance for them to have some what of an organization. It's not perfect but I know our charge nurse and manger tries. We have 14 staff, most are 4 days a week, we have one that's 3 days a week and another that's 5 one week and 4 another so that helps with staffing and wiggle room. Good Luck!

I work in Same Day Surgery/PACU setting (meaning we cover both areas). I just received this past week my schedule out til second week of March. It includes my call time as well. I know which area I'm working in (opening, closing, pacu, pre anesthesia screening). I am able to make requests for shifts and days off, I work 4 days a week so not a whole lot of wiggle room but need to be fair to all so we get three "R" per schedule. Now the previous placed I worked at I was also 4 days a week however sometimes I was mandated to work 5 days. There were times it was 7pm before I knew what time I would have to be in to work the next day which could be as early as 4:30am! (Currently the earliest we come in at my new hospital is 6am). Also I never knew when my day would be over and it wouldn't be uncommon to work 9-12 hour days and call rotation was waaaay more. 1-2 times a week vs now I'm 1-2 times a month maybe and every 13th weekend. Also if our ICU isn't busy they may do after hour recoveries as well which helps out. Also we don't do c section recoveries where previously I did an was almost guaranteed to be called in to recover one. Sorry to be so long winded. Hope that helps :)

I know with a lot of people taking online classes there is a lot of material that needs to be printed out...what is everyone using? debating on investing in a laser printer for home use due to volume but unsure what to get?

Just curious to see what track people choose? If you go full time, do you still work?

Ok I'm in Illinois. I've casually looked into it and it seems like western and southern states want more specific things. Good luck if you apply!

If you don't mind me asking what state are you applying in?

I will be there! can't wait! :)

So I'm seriously considering joining the military and I've talked to some friends and family with experience and I've been doing some research on the internet as well. However before I get my hopes up I thought I would throw out this question...When I was 17 I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Some of the side effects include hypothyroidism and insulin resistance. I've been taking medication (I'm 30 now) and with weight loss I really have no symptoms at all. I've never tried going off the medication so I don't know what would happen (the symptoms are more annoying than anything vs life threatening)...but I didn't know since I would be looking into being commissioned as an officer vs enlisting if I could qualify for a medical waiver? I'm not to the point yet where I'm going to be contacting a recruiter but I was hoping I could get some helpful input here. Thanks! :)

Thanks! I know I may be in for quite a sticker shock so that's why I'm trying to do all the research I can and not get my hopes up haha...I keep telling myself I'm moving for the great school and may have to live on a tighter budget for a few years but it'll be worth it! you know I never thought of flight programs but it may be something to consider and the hours are quite attractive for a student...any good programs you could recommend? are they independent ones or affiliated with the hospital? Thanks Again!! Marci

Hi, as the title of the thread says I'm looking to relocate from Chicago to Pittsburgh in 2010 hopefully to attend Univ of Pittsburgh. I'm somewhat familiar with the hospital systems in the area but I'd like to hear what fellow nurses have to say...the good and bad. I know I'll probably make less than here in Chicago but any ideas on rage in salary with an RN with a BSN with 5 years ICU experience could make? Any info would be appreciated :) Thanks!

I've done 3p-3a, 7a-7p and 11a-7p...not too fond of anything earlier than 11

Graduated with LPN at 24, RN at 25...

I love love love Dickies! It's all I wear!

Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby has an LPN program...basically you take 1st year of the ADN and then it's a summer course. I took the course before coming back in the fall for the 2nd yr of ADN. It was nice because then I could sit for boards and see what it was like and work as an LPN almost a whole year before getting my RN the following May.

I think it's great that you're starting in the E.D.! If that's where you want to be why not? I graduated in May 05 and worked E.D. during nursing school I worked as an E.D. Tech and LPN so I had some experience...but if you have a strong orientation and mentor you should do fine!