coffeeluvr

Hi! I'm an ER nurse working part-time in Canada, but just wasn't getting the hours of work I needed so I applied to a few Michigan hospitals for the heck of it. Today I surprising got not one but two calls for interviews in Michigan ERs! I've never worked in the US however, and was wondering if anyone has advice about things I should mention in the interview. Basically, is there anything Canadian nurses need to do/prepare for preceding the leap across the border for work? I'm a bit concerned about the international border crossing expenses each day (which will be $10 r/t)...is that something I could negotiate? Do hospitals compensate for extensive commuting?

Wow, that was pretty informative. Good to hear it from someone on a pump firsthand rather than each company trying to market there pump as the best. I'm definitely going to research them all well before I make a choice! Thanks again!

I think that pretty much makes up my mind about it, and I'm definitely willing to give the pump a go. ...and yes, just like RedCell explained the Minimed Paradigm pump has the continuous glucose monitoring which seems to be a fanastic little feature for conscientious diabetics. It also lets you know how fast your blood glucose levels are either spiking or dropping, giving you the heads-up on a plan of action should you need one. Thanks everyone for your thoughts...I'm almost a bit excited to start on the pump!

Hi, I'm an new RN in the ER and absolutely love my job!! :heartbeat It was my dream to get right into ER after school and am still in disbelief that it happened! Now that it's real, I wanna be the best nurse I can be...I luv to be that energetic nurse that greet patients in the ER with a big smile and goes above and beyond for them just to make their stay a little bit less begrudging. I don't even mind when patients in the waiting room coming yelling at me that they've been waiting 9 hours...that's my cue to figure out a way to cool them down and ease their frustration. That being said, I've had type 1 diabetes for 8 years now and have definitely had my share of ups and downs. Getting through 4 years of nursing school was hard, but now being a nurse working 12 hour shifts both days or nights is a whole new ballpark. Anyone working in the ER knows that it's not uncommon to miss breaks or practically run for 12 hours straight...don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, this is the kind of nursing I wanted and the environment I thrive in! However, it often becomes a struggle for me when I don't feel up to par myself and know my blood sugar levels are bouncing all over the map. I'm not going to get into the reasons why...anyone familiar with diabetes know how sensitive this condition is and even the most conscientious person simply cannot maintain perfect control. Soooo...I've been thinking long and hard about going on an insulin pump. Most of what I'm discovering about these things are that they are full of pros and only a few cons...I really like the idea of continuous glucose monitoring and setting your own personal ranges. I think that this feature alone would eliminate a huge heep of my problems!! I don't like the fact that it is attached to you all the time, but my purse (with supplies) always has to be within range of me now anyways so really I'm sure I could get used to it. Just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat and wears an insulin pump. Are they better for shift work? Do you have better glucose control despite your hectic schedule? Do you feel refreshed in the morning after a night's sleep or does that all too familiar groggy feeling from irregular blood sugar levels still haunt you? Is it a hassle if I wanna go for a spontaneous work-out at the gym or do I have to cross my t's and dots my i's still before I go? Any advice would be great!!