Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    Psychiatric Unit Staffing

    Meriwhen replied to dopdop's topic in Psychiatric

    I'm in California, so staffing is heavily influenced by state law. I believe it's a ratio of 1:6 for inpatient psych. You could try dropping the APNA (American Psych Nurses Association) a note to see...
  2. Meriwhen

    Honest advise needed

    Meriwhen replied to lynds80's topic in Psychiatric

    If you were close to finishing up a year in med/surg--like at the 10-11 month mark--then I'd say stick out the year just so you have it under your belt. Otherwise, try to go where you will be...
  3. Meriwhen

    psychiatric nursing - clothing

    Meriwhen replied to edie1's topic in Psychiatric

    I tell people to dress as though they are going to church or to court, but with sensible shoes. And yet I'm still amazed at how many students/staff show up looking like they're going to go to a...
  4. Meriwhen

    Disgusted with nursing career

    Meriwhen replied to Blue4me2's topic in General Nursing

    I'm surprised, because psych patients don't leave their medical problems at the door when they check in. Granted, the medical acuity of your patients may not rival a med/surg floor, but there's no...
  5. Meriwhen

    New Hospital being built, who do I call for job?

    Meriwhen replied to elprup's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    If the hospital is part of a larger organization or chain of hospitals, contact that organization's nurse recruiter or HR. However, keep in mind that they may offer employees at their other...
  6. Meriwhen

    Recent grad-taking a year off?

    Meriwhen replied to nurseonmission's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Normally, I'd say it's career suicide to take a year off after graduation, because when you come back you be an old new grad that will have to compete against fresh new grads for jobs...and employers...
  7. Meriwhen

    Listing license on resume

    Meriwhen replied to aknight07's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    In almost every state--probably all of them--license numbers are publicly accessible on the Internet. Unless you're also listing your DOB and SSN on your resume as well, I wouldn't worry about...
  8. Meriwhen

    starts with Autism.

    Meriwhen replied to DineshDhamnodiya's topic in Psychiatric

    Diagnostic criteria for Autism: CDC - Diagnostic Criteria, Autism Spectrum Disorders - NCBDDD Diagnosis criteria for Schizophrenia:...
  9. Meriwhen

    Smarten me up please! I come to you humble.

    Meriwhen replied to PatMinotaur's topic in Psychiatric

    Welcome to the dark side! :) Two excellent psych journals are The Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nursing Associations (the latter requires membership in...
  10. Meriwhen

    Got hired!!

    Meriwhen replied to RN315's topic in Psychiatric

    Tough call. On one hand, you have a pay raise and plum hours. On the other hand, you have a chance to work in your desired specialty but will have to take a pay drop. Only you can decide what one...
  11. Meriwhen

    Got hired!!

    Meriwhen replied to RN315's topic in Psychiatric

    Warning you...you may not want to leave
  12. Meriwhen

    100% online RN-BSN programs

    Meriwhen replied to JZ_RN's topic in Online Distance Learning

    University of Texas at Arlington has a 100% online RN-BSN track. But I'll warn you, it--and many other online RN-BSN programs out there--aren't all fluff. They are indeed no
  13. Meriwhen

    Got hired!!

    Meriwhen replied to RN315's topic in Psychiatric

    I also prefer adults. But for every poster who prefers adults, there's another who prefers kids...and we're both right :) Why not ask if you can float among the units to try them out first? Even if...
  14. Meriwhen

    LPN Student

    Meriwhen replied to apiedrabuena's topic in Addictions

    To get certification in addictions nursing (CARN) you do have to be a RN. But you can be an addictions nurse without being certified, same as you can be a L&D nurse or a ER nurse without having...
  15. Meriwhen

    Getting Noticed for Job interviews

    Meriwhen replied to kjohnson14's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    Honestly, it'll impress us if you are there actually doing the volunteer work you signed on for, even if it's not nursing-related tasks. We'll notice fast--and not in a favorable way--if you're just...
  16. Meriwhen

    New Grad salary in California?

    Meriwhen replied to Guest603994's topic in California Nursing

    Moving to the CA Nursing forum for more targeted responses. The reality is that not every facility offers BSNs/MSNs more than they do ADNs/diplomas; if they do, the differential is usually much less...
  17. Meriwhen

    Advice foe turning down an offer

    Meriwhen replied to Belle2013's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    First, make sure that the second hospital is a done deal, that is, you've received and accepted an official offer from the second hospital. Do not give up a guaranteed job for anything less. In fact...
  18. Meriwhen

    Taking a job your heart isnt in ?

    Meriwhen replied to mhy12784's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Glad it worked out. However, you (general as well as the OP) should be realistic about what to expect in your first job. The fact is that very few grads land in their dream job right upon...
  19. Meriwhen

    Do I need my BSN?

    Meriwhen replied to mable_may's topic in Diploma, ADN, BSN

    Depends on your local job market, where you want to work, and what your career aspirations are. I'll be honest: an ADN does limit your options. Most management/administration jobs want a BSN (and...
  20. Meriwhen

    School advice for teenage daughter?

    Meriwhen replied to e.r.r.n.9498's topic in Virginia Nursing

    IMO, I doubt the government will. Most of these for-profit schools are doing nothing illegal. Their programs meet their state BON requirements, which is the minimum required. They are free to set...
  21. Meriwhen

    UTA Nursing Research 5/20

    Meriwhen replied to LakeEmerald's topic in University of Texas Arlington

    I'll be in this class as well. I knew someone who took the class and unless it's changed in the last several months, I can confirm that it is mostly group
  22. Meriwhen

    Relocating after 1 year experience? 2 years? 3-5 years???

    Meriwhen replied to NevadaFighter's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    I had to relocate after two years...no major speedbumps in getting a new job other than the usual "job hunting in a lousy job market" woes. One major thing that helped me was getting reference...
  23. Meriwhen

    Help me get into the Nurse recruiters head??

    Meriwhen replied to Encast's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    You have two things against you: 1. You only have 8 months experience, so you don't qualify for a lot of jobs as you are technically still a new grad...yet at the same time, you don't qualify for a...
  24. Meriwhen

    Physical for new job

    Meriwhen replied to Julius Seizure's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Sure, you can refuse to disclose...but should you pop positive on the UDS you may not be given the chance to explain your innocence :/ Not saying that you should or shouldn't disclose medications or...
  25. Meriwhen

    Maxim Healthcare Services Agency

    Meriwhen replied to knurse1212's topic in California Nursing

    I'm surprised they contacted you, as most agencies won't take on new grads. They prefer experienced nurses who need little training. That being said, I've never dealt with Maxim other than...