EMSnut45 BSN, RN, EMT-P

I'm a new grad in a large ICU. I recently had my 6 month eval, which was pretty much the typical "keep on improving in these areas" kind of thing. I haven't had any "talks" with management, and feel that I'm starting to gain confidence. As a nurse,...

I have just gotten the opportunity to interview via Skype for a cruise ship nurse position. I have never used Skype before, let alone have an interview that was not in person. I plan on doing a few practice trials with my family to make sure I know h...

Awwww, you all have me blushing!! Thank you so much!!!

I'm in a tough spot, and could use a little help from my peers. I have interviewed at two facilities, and they are both moving at different paces. Facility A has offered me a position, and is waiting on my answer. Facility B is working on my backgr...

Been there, done that. I LOVE the high acuity, technology, and independence of the ICU. It was the unrealistic family members, physicians that didn't want to discuss the real prognosis, and ultimately what we "do" to chronically ill and debilitated p...

Soooo very true, and exactly why I'm taking a breather from the ICU. Like others have mentioned, I have also found that families are more receptive if it is first presented as "it's time" rather than a laundry list of options given to an overwhelmed...

Approach the interview as you would any other. It was exactly the same as any in-person interview I've done, just through a computer screen. Dress as you would any other interview, have your résumé, list of questions, and note paper handy to referenc...

You are a pt advocate. It is perfectly acceptable for you to speak up in a professional manner. I have and will continue to do so for my pts. They are relying on us to do that! After reading your reply though, my bigger question would be why are they...

Sure!! Ask away!! as far as shifts, it was 24 hours on and 24 hours off. When I say 24 hours on, I mean I didn't get to sleep and worked for 24 hours straight.

Yup— been there, done that. You'll learn real quick that US employment standards are pretty posh! I worked 100-120 hours per week on less money than I made landside. Living quarters were tiny although not as terrible as the staff lower on the totem p...

Hind sight is always 20/20. It's not easy to turn off the criticism, but it sounds like you did everything you could to get him to take care of himself. Please know that you were a loving friend to him. I can't imagine the pain that you are feeling r...

PLEASE don't call EMS providers "ambulance drivers!" I can run a full ACLS/PALS/NRP cardiac arrest and initiate hypothermia. I can RSI and intubate. I can perform a chricothyrotomy. I can rescue patients from any number of traumatic events and initi...

Precedex is not intended to be the sole drug for sedation when used for longer term (not immediately prior to extubation). By using precedex in addition to another sedative, the amount of that sedative can typically be reduced significantly (sometime...

"Sit down and critically think..." Ha! I wish! It's more like running like a chicken with its head cut off while doing ten things at once, keeping track of orders, vitals, drips, tests, charting, family, all while wishing you could cut yourself in t...

You are very welcome, ICURNBSN!! I posted that four years ago and have made multiple revisions as my pt population changes. I have since worked in an "all in one" ICU and now work as a critical care transport nurse. I still use the same "brain!" I'm ...

I always wear a suit. Studies show the interviewer makes their decision within the first 30 seconds of meeting you. Appearance is a major influence. Elude confidence (but not overly so). Remember your manners. Treat the receptionist well. Spit out th...

It sounds like you are having a rough time right now. If you look around here on Allnurses and over in the Breakroom, you will find that many of us on this site have depression, anxiety, bipolar, and the list goes on. Having the diagnosis in and of i...

A co-worker called out because their "fish was sick." Seriously! Apparently it was some high dollar exotic fish that they had to take to a vet (didn't know vets cared for fish-- learn something new everyday) and give it frequent meds. They later brou...

They say an interviewer knows within the first 30 seconds of meeting you whether they like you or not. Walking into a room, they see you before speaking with you, so your appearance makes a strong statement in that brief time. I've worn a black suit...

There are no questions regarding mental health when applying for or renewing a nursing license in Maryland. I've been a nurse for 4 years and a CNA for 3 years prior to that, and the MD BON does not have any information regarding my mental or physic...

UPDATE!! I recently returned from my first contract... boy does it feel good to be home!! Here's what I learned: -Even though you, as a nurse, are an officer-- which should give you additional privileges, it is entirely ship specific. The captain/sta...

I am a new grad, and my first day off of orientation is tomorrow... and we are set to get 2+ feet of snow in an area that only sees that much snow once every 15 or so years. While I've been in the healthcare setting for quite some time, I've never e...

I took the advice of others and "practiced" a few days before-hand to make sure that lighting, clothing, etc. looked ok. The actual interview went well, it was much like the generic interview you would have with an HR recruiter. At the end, I was a...

Welcome to all nurses.com!! You have summed up all of my (and many others here) complaints about our current healthcare delivery model into five short, but powerful paragraphs! I can't wait to see what else you'll contribute to our online community...

NedRN, you certainly don't have to worry about me weighing 300 pounds! I understand what you state about attractiveness, but I wonder how they could get away with such a subjective assessment when they state they are an EOE?