lovethepeople

lovethepeople's Latest Activity

1. 

   Being put Oncall too often

   lovethepeople replied to AnnieLau's topic in California

   I work in California and we get canceled on my unit when the census is low too...I remember a couple of months ago somebody did post a message from EDD (that's who handles unemployment, as you may know) about filing claims because your employer calls you off for 'slow business'. I wish I copied it because, of course, now it's gone. I tried scouring the EDD website but couldn't find the specifics. I would contact your union rep about this for sure. I am planning on it! Good luck!
2. 

   Prep for ACLS certification

   lovethepeople replied to EDRN-2010's topic in Nursing

   I agree that you do not need an EKG class to take ACLS. As previous poster said, you need to know some basic rhythms and those you can learn on-line or in a book. If you want to take an EKG class to stand out, it may help. I am not sure how much it helped me but I took one while in school and graduated in March 2009. Things were tight for new grads then also and I finally got hired in med-surg in September. I don't know that I retained too much of the class but the book was good! Many hospitals have EKG classes for you to take once you are hired so if you take one before and need a refresher you may get one when you get hired. But honestly, it didn't help with ACLS all that much. You would have to review for that anyhow. You mentioned CEUs. You don't need to do CEUs for the first two years of licensure in California so check your Board of Registered Nursing for that information. Good luck!
3. 

   Anyone going to Haiti?

   lovethepeople replied to piscesguy's topic in Volunteer

   I am in California and belong to the California Nurses Association. They sent out an email with this information and are recruiting for the RN Response Network nationally: http://www.calnurses.org/rnrn/ http://www.calnurses.org/rnrn/rnrn-volunteer-form.html Of course there is always Doctors Without Borders (not just for doctors) http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/volunteer/ I wish I could go but circumstances won't allow it. Good luck finding a way to help--- and thank you for helping!
4. 

   computer charting and having a brain

   lovethepeople replied to mzjennx's topic in First Year

   Lucky you-- I love Kaiser's computer charting (and lucky you in Hawaii!)! I did a 9 month gig there and thought it was great. I worked in a step-down unit so I ended up using the attached sheet (Brain-1); I guess you can photocopy it to the other side for more patients. I never printed anything from their chart; I just wrote down what I needed. But I realize you may have less time to do that with more patients. In the end, I just used a blank sheet, made a grid for the systems, a section to write down the med times from the MAR and that worked just fine. I am now on a med-surg floor with NO computer charting and use the other sheet I attached. The horizontal side (which has a big space on it bc that's where I put the patient's sticker) I take report on and the vertical I use for my work. I am still on just 4 patients (orienting) so this one works for me. When I get to 5 and I have admissions and discharges I'll have to use 2 sheets I guess. Hope this helps at all and good luck! Brain-1.doc PT VERTICAL SHT.doc PT SHEET.doc
5. 

   Support Stickie for New nurses who are not coping

   lovethepeople replied to madwife2002's topic in First Year

   I can completely relate! Even though I know it doesn't help to worry, the med surg floor I'm on is so disorganized and overwhelming (even the nurses who have been there for years say so) that I am just always stressed out. I have a couple of days off and try to think positive again for a new day...but there I am again falling behind on charting and everything is tugging every which way. I can only offer that I am sure it must get easier and as a new nurse most people experience this to some degree. I am trying to meditate, exercise, eat well and do all I can to make it easier on my nervous system! It's important to have those effective coping mechanisms in place, even when they fall apart so easily once you hit the floor. Good luck to you and all of us...
6. 

   Low Census??

   lovethepeople replied to 2bTraumaRN2008's topic in Nursing

   I'm at a small private hospital in Northern California on a med-surg and nurses have been called off left and right because of the low census. People are definitely nervous and I feel bad for the new grads because the situation isn't getting better at all.
7. 

   CA governor fires RN board

   lovethepeople replied to hummingbird11's topic in Headlines

   Let's not forget this is the governor that called nurses a special interest group and said, "I kick their butt" (which he said, by the way, at the California Governor Conference on Women and Children!) because we protested his health care policies. I don't trust him, and not just based on that comment. He has proposed health care cuts that would affect the most vulnerable of our population and when nurses speak up, we get demonized. Pro-union or not, it's about our patients and our practice! (okay, got a little off track there :) )
8. 

   Cottage Community in Santa Barbara

   lovethepeople replied to nurseme3's topic in California

   No call back but I did receive a rejection email last week saying they had the applicants they were interested in...blahblahblah. Good luck!
9. 

   What is the average salary for a RN graduate in N. California the bay area???

   lovethepeople replied to igorotsp's topic in California

   Not to mention the competition here for jobs- experienced or not- is very tough
10. 

    California's 2009 New Grad RN Program- Who's hiring right now?

    lovethepeople replied to piscesmama's topic in California
11. 

    New Grads- What floor where you hired for?

    lovethepeople replied to ibme's topic in First Year

    I am staring on a med-surg floor which was not my first, second or third choice (lol) but in this tough economy, I cannot complain! Good luck new grads-- I applied to this job in April and the offer came in July. I know it's so frustrating and I am praying things get better soon because our patients need us!
12. 

    UCSF - Critical Care/Trauma program staring Fall 09

    lovethepeople replied to natalyk's topic in First Year

    Is this internal? I have been looking like crazy and leave no stone unturned but haven't heard of this...
13. 

    Obama's Health Care plan. Is it a stepping stone to H.R 676, or a road to nowhere?

    lovethepeople replied to GCTMT's topic in Activism

    I am with you! I will not be satisfied, and we will not see a truly healthy society, until we all have coverage (and coverage that is patient-focused!). I am not confident the government will do anything significant enough to provide care for all but I will certainly continue to raise my voice about it. . . Medicare is certainly the model. If nothing can convince people this is true, what about the overhead numbers? Currently, administrative costs are at about 31%!!! We can do so much better with single payer
14. 

    April 2009 Nclex takers...come on in...share ur thoughts

    lovethepeople replied to luv2laf's topic in NCLEX

    I passed! I passed! I can't believe it Thanks to everyone for encouragement! :redbeathe
15. 

    I did it- I passed! Wow!

    lovethepeople posted a topic in NCLEX

    I landed on the 1st leg of my vacation to a text from preceptor, "Congrats girl!" What? Luckily I have internet on my phone and there it was- my name followed by the cherished RN! I jumped out of my seat screaming 'Oh my God!' over and over. When everyone around me found out there was no emergency, just an overexcited new nurse (!), they all gave congrats and I couldn't wait to call my mama. I am so thrilled and want to thank you all on this site for your encouragement and advice. To all those waiting to take or retake: do all you can to fight the doubt in your minds because you can do it! Btw, I got 75 questions, took it in CA April 20th and it was on BRN early 23rd... Delirious with joy!
16. 

    TEAS Testing

    lovethepeople replied to culpepper1's topic in NCLEX

    There is a TEAS prep book you can buy, here's a link but my school sold it too: http://www.atitesting.com/OnlineStore/BrowseStore.aspx?RootID=84&CatID=84&gclid=CKWt9-eVhZoCFRk_awodynVSLA That's pretty much all I used and I got a great score and got into the program right away. Good luck!