2ndChance

Hi. I'd like to hear your thoughts on experienced nurses completing an official Perioperative Orientation Course to become OR nurses. Most of my experience is in Case Management and insurance work, but frankly I'm tired of the game it's become. I've always been interested in the OR but at this point haven't done patient care in many years. Do you think a nurse with a mostly administrative background could be successful, if he/she completes one of these OR fellowships? The training program I'm looking at is at a Level I and looks to be around a year long. Thanks!

Can anyone tell me how much direct patient care is done as a hospice Case Manager? I have CM experience, but haven't done any patient care in quite some time. Do the hospice CMs do the same thing as Hospice nurses? Thank you.

Hi. I started working my first ever travel contract on 10/27/2021. I really like the hospital, etc. I have not, however, gotten paid yet from my agency. The agency is blaming this on the hospital and the hospital is blaming it on the agency. The director of the hospital called me to discuss my time sheet, stating that it looked odd. I had been clocking in and out using the app that my agency told me to use, but the hospital doesn't seem to know anything about this timekeeping process. When I ask my recruiter, he says it's the hospital's software and he can't help. From the looks of it, it's a third-party vendor called "b4health." I also haven't received the reimbursement for 2 pairs of scrubs, etc. Can anyone please give me some guidance on what to do? I am interested in working for this hospital permanently and have decided that I never want to travel again. However, I do want to get paid the money I worked for. Any advice is welcomed.

I think my biggest concern is the extremely short orientation time. How long does it usually take to get in the swing of things? This will be a whole new charting system, etc. When do you start feeling comfortable?

Hi, All. I'm leaving for my first contract in a few days and am just asking for last-minute words of wisdom/advice from any and all travelers out there. This is my first travel gig, so I'm nervous. Thanks a lot, 2ndchance

Hello, all. I've been recruited for my first travel contract; I'm an RN Case Manager by specialty. I was floored at the hourly rate they were willing to pay, so I decided to take a chance on this. I'm in the credentialing phase now, and it seems like they are asking for more documentation than I've ever had to submit for a job! It seems a little ridiculous; I've been a nurse since 2004 at this point, have 3 degrees, multiple certifications, etc. Just wanted to get some insight on the credentialing process from some experienced travelers. Is it always this stringent? Also, do you always have to get a physical examination? Some of the questions asked are a little intrusive, IMO. Thank you!

I just started a new case manager position. I am a weekender, meaning I work every Sat, Sun, Mon. We also have weekenders who do Fri, Sat, Sun and I overlap Sat, Sun with them. Right now, we are hiring more weekend staff so the weekday case managers have to come in from 8-12 on Saturdays; they rotate this duty and I'm not sure how they do it. I have worked both weekdays and weekends and I would say weekends are much harder. More putting out fires, doing things at the last minute for patients and units I'm unfamiliar with. Many of the resources available during the weekday are closed on weekends and that adds to the workload because I can't delegate as much. We also have to answer a rotating pager and you never know what's coming next. Discharges are a priority instead of assessments. I am not sure if I will move to weekdays someday but because of family scheduling I need a weekend schedule right now.

Thanks. I have an interview on Thursday. If you can think of anything that I should ask, please let me know. You've helped me a great deal! Thanks!!

Thank you. If you don't mind me asking another question, can you tell me what your opinion is regarding the patient acuity? I'm wondering how it compares to private psych. I saw another post saying it was less acute. Would you agree with that?

Does she tell you what she likes about it? Thanks!

Has anyone ever done psych nursing in a Veteran's hospital? I'm just wondering what the differences might be. Any information would help!! Thanks.

Wow...I wasn't aware you could accept two offers. This is great info to have. Good luck with the rest of your process! I'd love to hear of your progress and how things are going. The timelines are stressful. Thanks again, EH

Hello. To any of you nurses that work for the VA Hospital system, how did they extend your offer (telephone call versus email?) and how long did it take after your interview? Thanks! 2ndChance

Hello. I'm wondering if any of you could tell me if there's a difference between psych nursing at the VA's versus the private facilities? I have applied for a couple of Mental Health RN jobs and am wondering how, if at all, it differs. I would appreciate any and all info! Thanks, 2ndChance

Wow. I'm sorry to hear that. I wish you luck in finding something else. Is there any good place to be a nurse anymore? I can't do patient care due to injuries.

Thanks! Sorry if I posted in the incorrect place.

I know you wrote this post a while ago, but I was just wondering if you were still an at home Care Manager with Humana and if you were still enjoying it. I am supposed to start training for a similar position through a subcontracted agency. The flexibility sounds great, so I hope it's for real!

Hi! Just wondering if any of you know anything about being a Care Manager for Humana? I am interviewing for this position; it's not patient care oriented but is more like case management, advocating for the patient and teaching. I would love to hear from anyone that has done or is doing a job like this. Thanks!

Hi, everyone. I'm hoping some of you current or former VA nurses out there can help me. I am applying for several VA RN (non-bedside) positions and have a "targeted disability," also known as a Schedule A disability. I guess the VA tries to have a certain percentage of its hires fall into this category, to enhance diversity and inclusion. My epilepsy is under control fully with medication and I will need no accommodations to do my job. Do any of you or anyone you know have any experience applying under the Schedule A disability protocol? I was wondering what the pros and cons were of full disclosure; this would be the first time I was honest about my epilepsy at all because most of the private hospitals are very discriminatory regarding epileptics. Thanks for your help!

Hello, everyone. For those veterans in the audience, thanks for your service. I am in the process of applying to the VA as a nurse and when I was filling out the paperwork, it appears that I qualify for a Schedule A disability, though I will not need accommodations. I read further and it said something about the VA not using the Schedule A list for its health related positions, but that it does use Title 38. As a lifelong civilian, I'm not sure I understood the terms properly. Can anyone break it down into layman's terms for me? I appreciate your time! 2ndchance

Thanks for all the info, guys. I have a phone interview tomorrow and I am wondering if I should just be really honest about my concerns regarding my back. I realize they won't hire me if they know about it, but I don't want to go back to taking 9 ibuprofen a day and getting another ulcer... Thanks a lot for your time!

Hello, everyone. I'd like to first thank you all for the advice I have received thus far. I have scored preliminary interviews with 2 area OR training programs. Both seem to be good programs, last 6+ months, and have the general 2 year commitment beyond that. My question is, what are your thoughts regarding OR nursing as an option for those of us former ICU nurses that wound up with a back injury? My injury was back in 2006; I only had a torn annulus and it healed, but I have had a lot of pain since. I went through PT and was told I had serious core weakness. I have been working with a trainer the past 1.5 years but still have pain every day. From what I have read about the circulating role, it seems like there is a lot less lifting than a direct patient care role. Can you let me know how much lifting is involved with circulating? And are you setting up and positioning the patient alone, or with help? I appreciate your time, and wish me luck! 2ndChance

Thanks!

Looking into the OR specialty. I've been doing 8-5 office/insurance jobs for a while and am totally burned out. I liked the 3 surgeries I shadowed several years ago and want to explore that arena. Can you tell me how long your workdays are, and what the hours are? I realize it would depend on the surgery, but can you give me an idea? Thanks so much for your time, EH

Hello, all. I have an interview for a PT job in an EMU and am wondering if any of you out there work or have worked specifically for an EMU. I have done several different kinds of nursing, including neuro, but never specifically epilepsy. I have actually had epilepsy since I was 11 and have very good sz control with only one medication. I have always had an interest in working with epileptic patients, but would love some input on what a typical day may be like, how many patients to expect, etc. I have not been at the beside for several years, but I sent in my application and was able to get an interview. Wish me luck! Thanks for your time.