Memerson2000

I'm a Medicaid provider in NY; have been for many years. We just got a thirty percent increase (up from 30.90/hr) for medically fragile peds cases; it's a good deal. I stopped working for the agencies about 12 yrs. ago. The billing was tricky--six weeks wait for a check, and that's if you didn't make a mistake on the rather complicated invoice--but it's gotten easier over the years--it's computerized now, and if there's a problem, I know right away and can keep fixing the invoice until it's accepted. You have to pay self-employment tax, but your business deductions can allow you to deduct much more than you would if you were an employee. Don't let the naysayers get you down. I'm not sure how you get on board; I kind of stole my first case from the agency--they would leave the patient unstaffed rather than pay me overtime, so I felt like they violated the contract first--some shifts were already covered by a provider, and that nurse walked me through it. Then I got the number of a case manager for peds patients (Maybe your department of social services would have that?) and she tipped me off to other families who were looking. Keep trying--there are families out there who really need nursing, and the agencies just aren't cutting it.

I can't get all excited about the humorous/naughty nurse portrayals in sitcoms and the media in general--lawyers don't flip out over lawyer jokes, or demand apologies from TV shows that portray them as ambulance chasing sharks; cops put up with all the donut jokes; every profession has its stereotype.

It's reported that only 1% of the hospitals who apply for Magnet status are denied--could I hear from some nurses who work for Magnet-denied hospitals? I see from this site that UVA was turned down twice--who else?

"I really dont want to hear anymore stories of how people are allergic to the smell of smoke." Now, that's spoken like a true addict! Don't get between me and my ciggies. I reek of smoke but your allergy is your problem. Again, I'll defend your right to do it, and I think you should consult an attorney regarding the apparent violation of your civil rights.

I'm a non-smoker and have a real problem with smoking odors on other people--instant headache. I think you should speak to a lawyer. I can't stand smoking but I'll defend your right to do it; I think this educational facility is violating your civil rights. I'm especially weirded out by your instructors use of the word "punishment"--maybe she'll spank you? BIH-zarre.

ok, i feel better--that's my take on it, too. all the compassionate, understanding responses make me feel like a real cynic--are you guys that gullible? haven't we worked alongside this person? also, if you're unhappy in nursing and you're staying for the salary--it's not worth it; not for you, not for me and not for our patients. you don't want your kid's burned-out, unhappy third-grade teacher sticking around because it's a liveable wage, do you? if you can't get happy, you have to change something. the first year of nursing is a difficult year; i loved the job but dreaded going in--i didn't realize how stressful it was until "things" got better--and by "things", i mean me. after a year of learning from more experienced nurses, i managed my time more efficiently, i knew the hospital ropes inside and out, and i had a couple of special pals at work to crack jokes with and use as a sounding board for ideas and complaints. i found nurses who had some quality i wanted and i studied what they were doing. i looked especially at good nurses who had been there a long time, were happy, and planned to stay--they all shared similar personality traits. we all get frustrated--you need to surround yourself with people who can talk you down from the ledge, instead of letting you kill your career.

It sounds like you've had a difficult time, but my eye is mainly caught by the part where you say you were moved to another floor, found a preceptor who was great, they wanted you to work evenings, you left. The first year of nursing is often less than ideal in terms of scheduling; a lot of us worked nights and every holiday in the first year out. It's lovely when you can hold out for something more convenient; flip side is, SOMEBODY has to work those shifts; it's the nature of the job. The fact that you don't necessarily have to work and that your husband can support the family seems to have informed your decision making. You'd be surprised at what you can tolerate (and later be happy that you put up with it and found a way to overcome it) when you have to earn a living. There's a spiritual axiom I learned a long time ago that goes like this: "Whever I am disturbed, whatever may seem to its cause, there is something wrong in me and not in my external conditions." When I first read that, my reaction was to sputter, "BUT...". How can it be? It's obvious the other guy is the bad guy. Okay, do I want to be right, or do I want to be happy? There is actually a lot of power in saying that it's your own fault--you can't CHANGE the other guy, but you have the power to change yourself. And when you change yourself, inevitably, the situation changes; the other guy often changes, too. Sometimes the only change you make in yourself is not to let them get to you. Other times, when feeling attacked, I'll pick out the thread of truth in someone's attack--their criticism of me that I know might be valid--and I work on fixing that part of myself. Somebody told me, "Anytime you're pointing your finger at someone, over what they've done, look at your hand and notice that there are three more fingers pointing back at you." I hope this doesn't sound unduly harsh, because that's not the way I intend it. I'm just sharing some ideas that have really worked for me. I absolutely love nursing--it continues to challenge and frustrate and enlighten me and even when I'm just shoveling sand against the tide, I feel like what we're doing is meaningful. Nurses ARE first-class whiners. It reminds me of parents complaining about their kids--but hey, just because they drive you crazy doesn't mean you don't love them. We reserve the right to complain!

Yes, hospitals pay for orientation. I took a travel job last winter, to Florida, while also maintaining my job in NY--it was crazy, but it worked and was worth it for me. I'm part-time in NY--I owed my facility 48 hrs. over each two week period--so I used some vacation time and some creative scheduling to work full time in FL, with two weeks off in the middle of a fourteen week assignment, while working part-time in New York, using four weeks of vacation during the same period. Once I flew back to NY and worked 8 twelve hr. shifts in a row. I was whipped by the end, but I made good money and I saw my family and escaped winter. I will never do another winter in NY if I can help it.

Hi--I don't have a lot of travel experience, but I worked with CCTC about 9 mths. ago. The last thing they want to do is gyp you out of tax-free income--if they're taxing you on the apartment, it's probably because you don't maintain a permanent residence elsewhere. If you're keeping an apartment in your hometown, if you own property, and probably if you live with your folks, and that's your permanent address, you can avoid paying taxes. If you're relying on the agency to provide you with housing and you maintain no permanent base, you'll be taxed. CCTC has a tax person you can talk to about this. You don't want any big surprises from the IRS come April. I was making $29/hr down in Florida, where hourly wages aren't as high--seems like you could get more in NYC. The company charges the hospital for your services and then pays you--and the mark-up is high, about 60%, my sister tells me--she's in human resources for a company that staffs all over the world. I didn't feel like there was a lot of haggling going on about hourly wages, though--a big co. like CCTC doesn't want to negotiate wages with every nurse.