86toronado BSN, RN

neurology, cardiology, ED

Member

All Content by 86toronado

  1. 86toronado

    Ideas for preceptors/new grads

    86toronado replied to purple_nomad's topic in General Nursing

    It totally depends on your unit. When I first started, I knew who my preceptor would be, and had worked with her before, so I knew we would be a good fit. We had bi-weekly meetings with the unit...
  2. 86toronado

    Grateful to have a job.....

    86toronado replied to FancypantsRN's topic in Emergency

    Hi Fancypants! I too am just starting in the ED after about two years doing med-surg and ICU. So far I love it, because each day is different. I can already see that the abuse of the system is going...
  3. 86toronado

    How To Survive (and Thrive) In Nursing School

    86toronado replied to 86toronado's topic in General Students

    Thanks for all the great comments, keep them coming. To answer your question about the externship/internship, I did do an externship through my nursing school during my final semester. I also ended up...
  4. 86toronado

    Job Stress: Floor vs ED

    86toronado replied to BellaRN2010's topic in Emergency

    Thanks for all the great posts. I am starting ED next week after four years in med-surg (2 as a secretary/tech, 2 as an RN). I have no idea if I'll like it, but I do know that the of the jobs I've...
  5. 86toronado

    Starting Nursing salaries by State?

    86toronado replied to ncaru01's topic in General Nursing

    Albany, NY area $20-23/hour, dayshift starting pay for new grads. Shift differentials can get you up closer to $30 if you want to work evenings or nights. The job market seems decent for new grads,...
  6. 86toronado

    how to work in a hospital as an aide at 19?

    86toronado replied to meghan91's topic in Pennsylvania Nursing

    It sounds like you probably could challenge the CNA test without taking the course, based on your experiences with your grandparents. I would look into doing that, but don't sweat it too much......
  7. 86toronado

    What happens to your PTO

    86toronado replied to BettyBoop01's topic in General Nursing

    I used to work someplace that froze your PTO the moment you gave notice, and definitely did not pay it out to you after you left. I would check with HR, and get a policy in writing if at all...
  8. 86toronado

    Pretty Anxious About Drawing Blood!

    86toronado replied to gymnut's topic in General Nursing

    I too learned to draw blood as a PCA, and it definitely made me better at placing IV's once I became an RN. Since then I've been training the techs on my unit to do blood draws, so I'll give you some...
  9. 86toronado

    Preceptor Gift Ideas

    86toronado replied to JjoBsn's topic in General Nursing

    I got my preceptor a candle, and some movie tickets to use on her day off. Oh, and I also gave her a recommendation letter for our hospital's clinical ladder
  10. 86toronado

    Is it okay/appropriate to make a home-cooked gift to instructors?

    86toronado replied to RevolutioN2013's topic in General Nursing

    I think it's not appropriate for nurses to accept gifts from their patients, but I don't think it would harm anything to cook a gift for your nursing instructors, as long as you make it clear that you...
  11. 86toronado

    Your opinion please

    86toronado replied to BettyBoop01's topic in General Nursing

    I've only ever worked for non-profits myself, but from what I've read here on allnurses, it does seem to make a difference... in a for-profit company, the hospital will work in the best interest of...
  12. 86toronado

    rotating shifts

    86toronado replied to BettyBoop01's topic in General Nursing

    That sounds really difficult, I am sorry for you I had a tech job where my schedule was rotating days/evenings and I thought that was bad enough... to rotate nights/days in the same week seems just...
  13. 86toronado

    New RN who doesn't want med surg

    86toronado replied to DizzyLizzyNurse's topic in General Nursing

    It can't hurt to apply to other jobs like ICU, ED... just make sure you have some "backup" jobs too. In this economy being choosy can cost you having any job after graduation. Good luck to
  14. 86toronado

    Every now and then I'm reminded...

    86toronado replied to Mike A. Fungin RN's topic in General Nursing

    I too work in neuro, and have had those moments of "why are we doing this" along the way... why are we detoxing this man who is going to go home and drink a bottle of scotch as soon as he is released?...
  15. 86toronado

    Skin Prep- waste of time?

    86toronado replied to anonymous1919's topic in General Nursing

    I put skin prep on the heels and elbows of patients who are completely bedridden, and tend to slide down in bed. That way the friction when they are pulled up repeatedly does not cause soreness, or...
  16. 86toronado

    calling ALL newly licensed NURSES.......[3yrs<]

    86toronado replied to NURSESrMEAN's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Graduated in May 2009, passed my boards in June and started working as an RN in July 2009. But I had my job lined up in February 2009. Start applying early! Oh, I'm in Albany, NY
  17. 86toronado

    What else is there left to do? (unemployed new grad)

    86toronado replied to sarah38's topic in First Year After Licensure

    If I were you I'd get a job doing whatever I can for now, especially with the holidays coming up, anyplace retail-like is hiring for seasonal help. Then start applying out of town. The east coast in...
  18. 86toronado

    Night Shift!!! How do YOU stay awake?

    86toronado replied to khampl's topic in General Nursing

    My trick is to not try to get onto a "day" schedule on my days off. I stay up until 3 or 4am on nights off, then sleep until noon. That way on work nights, staying up until 8 or 9am isn't that big...
  19. 86toronado

    Nurses: If jobs were equally abundant in America, where would you most want to work?

    86toronado replied to Samian Q's topic in General Nursing

    Someplace warm year round, with decent pay and a reasonable cost of living. Oh, and by the ocean would be fantastic
  20. 86toronado

    New RN, not interested in bedside nursing

    86toronado replied to nf87654's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I have a cousin who landed a pharmaceutical sales job right out of nursing school... but he has an
  21. 86toronado

    dealing with confused patients

    86toronado replied to sprintin08's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've got to agree with the nurse you work with. Going along with the patient's delusions can be a whole lot better for them (and you as their nurse) in the long run. I've seen too many elderly...
  22. 86toronado

    A few questions for those experience in the Neuro ICU

    86toronado replied to StudentICUhopeful's topic in Neuro Intensive Care, ICU

    I was a new grad in Neuro just about a year ago, so I'll try to answer some of your questions... In our ICU, we get a lot of strokes, TBI's, seizures, and brain tumors. Some are surgical, some are...
  23. 86toronado

    "We self schedule on this floor..."

    86toronado replied to Work in Progress's topic in First Year After Licensure

    One word: UNIONIZE I work in a union facility. Everyone works every other weekend, regardless of seniority. We have self scheduling, but it doesn't come down to people getting none of the days off...
  24. 86toronado

    someone tell me it gets better after RN school???

    86toronado replied to rnintwo's topic in General Nursing

    Actually, I was thinking more like Physical therapy assistant, or Occupational therapy assistant. The schooling is two years, and the pay is pretty close to what RN's make. The prerequisites are...
  25. 86toronado

    Information about traveling nurses

    86toronado replied to Robyntip's topic in General Nursing

    There's a whole Traveler's area on the Nursing Specialties part of this website. It's got loads of great information on it. Beware though, lots of places have cut back on using traveler's in the...