MovingRN

I just switched to a different hospital that does a LOT of double charting. As in, your assessment, vitals, I&O, weights, etc goes in the computer, then everything but the assessment is written down on clipboards. Some nurses have been trying to change this system and have everything in one place but it has been a slow process. Some nurses are resistant to the change because they do not like navigating our computer charting system. Not only does this take up more time charting in two different places, it seems as though it can open you up to more legal issues (what if I chart the vitals in once place but forget to in the other, or transcribe incorrectly, etc). Just wondering if anyone knows of any articles or research on the hazards of double charting to bring to our Unit Committee?

I was just wondering how many of you work as an RN in the Mom/Baby or OB/GYN area. I'm sure there are jobs out there for RNs besides the hospital, but haven't heard of them very often. It seems most often LPNs work in doctor's offices from what I've heard. Just getting an idea of what else is out there besides floor nursing. I do love the mom/baby, NICU, OB/GYN, Antepartum areas in the hospital but know someday I will get burnt out doing floor nursing. Wondering what other options there are besides MSN/DNP. Thanks!

I have been a Mom/Baby nurse for four years. I feel at a point in my career where I am ready to go back to school but have a few concerns. My ideal job would be working in an OB's office following low-risk pregnancies. I would be open to a OB/GYN or GYN office or possibly hospitalist in those areas. My first concern is the NP/DNP debate, which I only recently heard about. I've read a bit about it on this board but not a whole lot. I'd hate for my degree to get phased out or undervalued. My second concern is how "political" the job could possibly get. I see a few NPs/PAs in my area who always seem incredibly overworked. I hear malpractice insurance is a requirement and can be very expensive. I worry that I'll spend more time worrying about billing or dealing with insurance than spending time with patients. So I guess I'm wondering if these are concerns that you find to be problematic with your job? What do you like or dislike about your job? I'd love to hear from WHNPs but am interested in other specialitie's opinions as well. I know state to state it sometimes varies, and for what it's worth I live and would likely practice in Denver, Colorado area. Thanks so much for your input!

I am looking at getting a job at either Exempla St. Joseph's or a Centura hospital (St. Anthony's North, St. Anthony's Central). I plan to stay in the Mom/Baby area. Both hospitals seem to be interested in hiring me so far, so I was interested in getting some input from you guys to help me decide which I'd prefer. Any thoughts on either system or hospital? Thanks!

My fiance just got a job in Golden and now I am looking for jobs in the Denver area. I figure the first thing I should do is transfer my license, but honestly I'm not sure where to start! Do I just go to the Colorado Board of Nursing or do I need to do something through my home state of Missouri? About how long should it take before I get my license and can practice? Thank you! Sorry if this is a stupid question. It just suddenly occurred to me that I better get the ball rolling on that one... :)

My fiance has a couple of job interviews in Denver. I am always the eager beaver and have already started looking at hospitals/job openings. I noticed at Denver Health they put "Rotates" for all of their nursing job openings--they never say if it's days or nights, 12's or 8's. Does anyone know why they put that? Does Denver Health have rotating shifts (as in, one month on nights, one month on days, etc). I've heard so many bad things about rotating shifts. I'm also thinking about doing PRN at one or more hospitals. Do many of you guys do PRN or all full-time jobs? Just wondering if it's a problem getting hours or not. My experience is primarily Mom/Baby and NICU, if it matters. Thanks! Vanessa

Thanks to everyone who responded--it helped a lot. Right now with the way gas prices are headed we're not sure what to buy! Rav4's and CRV's get better gas mileage compared to most SUVs and some cars. But I have a Corolla that gets 30mpg which is SO nice... We might just wait a bit. Not that gas prices are going to go down anytime soon--just trying to decide if we want something with even better mpg or not.

Sorry, this is a little off topic but I figure nurse's are the best to ask--because no matter what the weather we still have to make it to work somehow. My fiance and I are planning on trading in his car for a bigger vehicle. We would like to get a compact SUV and we both really like the RAV4 and CRV. We would likely get 4WD. We've heard comments that the CRV doesn't handle well in snowy/icy conditions, even with 4WD. Does anyone own either car or have an opinion? Thanks!

I'm looking for input on Colorado. My boyfriend is graduating from grad school soon and we are looking to move almost anywhere, but have our eye on San Francisco, Kansas City, MO (where I'm from) and Denver/Boulder/Colorado Springs areas. I'm wondering what the weather is like in CO. We have both lived in MO our entire lives, so we're used to icy, snowy winters and humid, hot summers. We're not so opposed to the snow (and the sports that come with it, such as skiing!) but are growing tired of humid, "sweat as soon as you step outside" summers. We're also looking for places with lots of beauty outside and stuff to do. We love walking on trails, taking our dog to the park and biking. We're also very interested in buying a house in the next year or so. I've been to CO every year as a kid/teenager to go skiing with my family. Never been in the summer but have heard it's gorgeous. Any input would be great--best places to live, what the cities are like, weather, nursing/hospitals. Thank you!

What is it like as a nurse? I've heard that Washington as a state does not treat it's nurses well. Is Oregon any better? Are there good hospitals with good nurse-patient ratios? Unions? We're also interested in buying a house in the next few years. What's an average house like in Portland? The best areas to live? Thanks again! Vanessa

My boyfriend is graduating from grad school in May is looking at a few companies in Portland. We've never been there but have heard good things, so I'm looking for a few honest, insider opinions. We've been to San Francisco numerous times and that is another option we're looking into. We love the more temperate weather (we're from the midwest--sweltering summers and freezing winters). We also love all the outdoor activities, the beautiful views of the bay/ocean, accessibility of public transportation to name a few things. I've heard Portland has a number of these things as well. Our biggest concern with San Francisco is the cost of living and housing. Any input I get would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Vanessa

I'm thinking of applying for the HRSA Nursing Education Loan Repayment program. I'm kicking myself for not applying two years earlier!! http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm Just wondering if anyone has received this award. How do I know if my current hospital qualifies as a critical shortage facility? I'm planning on switching jobs in the future--do most hospitals qualify as critical shortage facilities? Just looking for any insider information I can get about this program.

Hey there! I am a RN currently living in Columbia, MO but my boyfriend and I are looking to move elsewhere once he graduates from grad school in May 2008. We are looking to live somewhere more exciting--close to a bigger city, more things to do, etc. We don't care much for nightlife, but other things that a bigger city can offer--new restaurants, areas to explore, people watching, etc. We are looking at California (mostly because of the nicer weather) but also the Boston area. Just wondering what anyone can tell me they like about Boston, since I've never been (we are thinking of making a trip there soon). We're most worried about where we would live, as living in a city is obviously more expensive than the midwest. We are okay with commuting up to 45minutes for work, but not more than that. We're used to living in houses or duplexes and we're not sure we could adjust to apartments and high rises. Any suburban areas that are decent to live in? Anything you could tell me about Boston would be great--guidebooks usually just give reviews of restaurants and hotels, not what it would be like to actually live there! Thanks, Vanessa

Hey there! I am looking for some more information on OR nursing. I am currently a Postpartum/Well Baby Nurse. In May 2008 my boyfriend graduates from grad school and we will be moving. I still enjoy PP/WBN nursing however I am also interested in OR nursing. The only experience I have in OR nursing is the handful of times I have circulated during a c-section, and I did enjoy it. I would like to hear anyone's opinions of OR nursing--the things they love and hate--to get a better understanding. I LOVE watching surgeries, especially cosmetic procedures. I'm interested to know the various settings that RN's are used--hospitals, surgery suites, plastic/cosmetic surgery. How long is the training? I know someone I graduated with did OR which was a six-month orientation program. Not sure if that is standard for anyone new to OR nursing, or if that was only because she was a new grad.

Hello! I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me their opinions of California/US cities. My boyfriend graduates May 2008 from grad school and we will be moving. We currently live in Columbia, MO and are looking for something different. I currently work as a postpartum/well baby nurse here. I have been to San Francisco, CA numerous times (my sister lives in Alameda) and really love it. We are thinking of California more than anywhere else, mostly because of the weather (Missouri is home of the humid, 90-100+ summers and below freezing snowy winters--and I hate the cold, he hates the heat). Ideally we would like to live within an hour of a big city so that we can at least have somewhere interesting to spend a weekend. We also feel fairly strongly about not living in an apartment. We are okay with renting, but need a house, duplex, townhome situation. Just wondering what things you like and don't like about California (or if you can recommend anywhere else in the US I'm all ears). He is seeing many jobs in the LA area that interest him. I've never been to LA, however my impression of LA has always been that there is boatloads of traffic and an extreme emphasis on appearances/wealth etc. I'd love to hear positive opinions of LA as well. Thanks! P.S. I am also wondering what the pay is like in California. I'm sure it varies greatly depending upon setting, shift, etc. Just looking for some ballpark figures, either yearly, hourly, monthly.