Meriwhen ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

Psych ICU, addictions

Member

All Content by Meriwhen

  1. Meriwhen

    How is the job market in California right now (2012)?

    Meriwhen replied to Joe33's topic in California Nursing

    I don't think many are saying that it can't be done, more that it's going to be far from easy. True, there are lucky ones who come here and land a job with (seemingly) little to no problems. Could...
  2. Meriwhen

    Psych interview coming up!

    Meriwhen replied to uRN4it's topic in Psychiatric

    In addition to the above excellent advice: Brush up on some common psych conditions and medications...no, you don't need to know them all in detail, but just the basics. Know the serious adverse...
  3. Meriwhen

    Please Help F5 on juvenile record

    Meriwhen replied to Scottman187's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    To be honest, only her state board of nursing (BON) can answer most of these questions. BONs make decisions to license or issue certificates (in this post I'll use "license" to refer to both) those...
  4. Meriwhen

    Drug screen for new job

    Meriwhen replied to RURN2O11's topic in General Nursing

    Actually, it's very common practice to require a UDS within a certain period of time. Most facilities will also tell you that failure to complete the test in that period of time would be considered...
  5. Meriwhen

    Online Courses vs. In Class Courses

    Meriwhen replied to NyLALove's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    I find myself learning more with online classes because I have to take more initiative in tackling the material. I can also do my classwork when it's convenient for me and at the pace that is best...
  6. Meriwhen

    I think I got the job but who has final say? Nurse manager or HR?

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

    HR is the one who makes the official job offer...so it doesn't matter what the nurse manager says to you: until HR extends the job offer, you don't have a job. Hang in
  7. Meriwhen

    What is your nurse-patient ratio?

    Meriwhen replied to Starfish, RN's topic in Medical-Surgical

    Psych RN, CA, 6:1 regardless of day or night or whether Hades froze over. Got to love mandated ratios...I'm going to be spoiled if/when I leave CA and look for work elsewhere
  8. Meriwhen

    LVN Experience to get RN job

    Meriwhen replied to BeJuled's topic in General Nursing

    The LVNs that were in my RN program found their LVN experience to be helpful during the job search, and it gave some of them an edge over other new grads who didn't have that nursing experience behind...
  9. Meriwhen

    I'm so disappointed; CEN exam

    Meriwhen replied to VICTO3841's topic in Emergency

    Haven't done the ER one but I have done the psych one...take a week to mourn the failure, then when you are ready to go at it again, my advice is to use more than one review book. Seriously, stuff is...
  10. Meriwhen

    Advice for RN graduate moving to Cali from Canada

    Meriwhen replied to Chantelle23's topic in California Nursing

    It's a very tight market in a lot of California, for both new grads and experienced nurses. Coastal CA is saturated; I heard that inland CA is somewhat better. Housing is expensive here. Given...
  11. Meriwhen

    Did I just made a mistake by declining an interview?

    Meriwhen replied to miniangel729's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    As a new grad, you should NEVER turn down an interview. The biggest reason is that it may be a long time before the next interview comes along. But I'm sure by now that you figured that out from our...
  12. Meriwhen

    Are there really enough jobs???

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

    Right now, there aren't. And it's not clear if/when things will improve. In fact, experienced nurses are also struggling to find
  13. Meriwhen

    Routine testing of HCV, HIV in healthcare professionals

    Meriwhen replied to mar1981's topic in General Nursing

    Everything Ashley said...plus that fact that despite HIPAA, word may still get out about a positive result. That could result in the nurse/healthcare professional being stigmatized and/or having that...
  14. Meriwhen

    New Grad needs advice on how to find clinic/doc office jobs?

    Meriwhen replied to whatdoIdonow?'s topic in Ambulatory Care, Clinic

    Pretty much the same way you'd look for and apply to a hospital job: check the job search websites, clinic websites, job listings in the paper, etc. Send a nice cover letter tailored to working in a...
  15. Meriwhen

    Can you take the NCLEX-LPN after taking a yr. of the RN program?

    Meriwhen replied to merrywhiterose's topic in General Nursing

    Depends on your state, so check with your local
  16. Meriwhen

    I am concerned with age discrimination?

    Meriwhen replied to Michael Shimko's topic in General Nursing

    there is no nursing shortage anymore. right now even the best and brightest--and younger--graduates are having an exceptionally hard time finding work. unfortunately for your girlfriend, she also...
  17. Meriwhen

    Scam Schools And Diploma Mills

    Meriwhen replied to TheCommuter's topic in General Students

    Yeah that. Keep in mind that for-profit doesn't always mean diploma mill: a lot of for-profit schools are legitimate and accredited, so your would be earning a bona-fide degree. But as already...
  18. Meriwhen

    Do I need a California license before I can apply?

    Meriwhen replied to nurse23jo's topic in California Nursing

    I agree with the above poster: getting a CA license takes weeks, sometimes months, so you better get started on the process
  19. Meriwhen

    Detox med protocol

    Meriwhen replied to Topaz7's topic in Addictions

    Problem with pregnant detoxing patients is that the benzos that may be used to help them taper or prevent seizures, DTs, etc., are all category D (fetal harm is very possible) or X (fetal harm...
  20. Meriwhen

    Has anyone ever worked in the Psych ER/Psychiatric Emergency Services?

    Meriwhen replied to ivyleaf's topic in Psychiatric

    Think of it as the same as a regular ER, except it's psych. You will triage, assess, stabilize, administer medications, and either admit them to your inpatient/medical facility, or send them on their...
  21. Meriwhen

    New Grad Needing Advice

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

    You are a new grad. VERY FEW new grads have the luxury to cherry-pick their first job. Many new grads are lucky to get any job offer...in fact, a lot of new grads are now old new grads because they...
  22. Meriwhen

    Scam Schools And Diploma Mills

    Meriwhen replied to TheCommuter's topic in General Students

    Good article. One thing...there are reputable brick-and-mortar schools that offer online classes or online programs, and who sometimes give their tests online without proctoring. Students are bound...
  23. Meriwhen

    Gossip

    Meriwhen replied to mamamiah's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    IMO, unless this is a very close and personal friend of yours, I'd stay out of it. If it doesn't directly affect you, it's not your concern. Also, you'll find that people tend to kill the messenger...
  24. Meriwhen

    New here! Have ?'s regarding LVN employment with Board restrictions

    Meriwhen replied to sklacour's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    I don't know what your board stips are nor do I want to. It could be possible that they are a reason you're not getting called back. However, also keep in mind that this is a horrible job market, and...
  25. Meriwhen

    Misdemeanors in NJ

    Meriwhen replied to ShilohMadison's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    I'm not a lawyer, your BON, or your employer, so I can't tell you how this will affect your license and job. As far as the BON goes, contact your BON and find out what you need to do. Some BONs...