stepaukob

You could leave your current facility and/or change the area of nursing your working in which isn't so stressful. My current position I get to shoot pool, watch tv, hang out and eat dinner with the guys (patients). There's a free rec a trip going out to breakfast this morning. I don't think Costco can beat that. ?

I was always told that I would find my "niche". Each new job I've taken has turned out better than the previous one. I have found one of the best jobs I think I'll ever find. I only work with one other person who is a good worker (excluding patients). We spend with the patients playing cards, watching tv, eating dinners with them, pass a few meds.............and as long as I'm doing my job no one bothers me.

Have you tried the VA? Not a bad place to work once you get in.

The great thing about nursing is that there are so many opportunities and specialties that you should be able to find something that fits you well. The biggest negative I have in nursing is that "nursing" always gets blamed when something goes wrong. You should be able to get used to it though. Where I work everyone charts the least needed to decrease any chances of getting blamed for something.

Great information. I had to go for an interview to figure out VA pay as nurses do not use the GS pay scale. When I interviewed I was three months away from my BS. After interviewing with the unit manager I spoke with someone from HR. He basically told me to finish my degree which would bring me up to the Nurse II as the pay difference is appr 7K/yr. With exp and/or a degree the VA in Massachusetts pays RNs as well, if not better, than the area hospitals. Now with my BS and a couple years exp my base pay would be over $60,000 (and it looks like the pay went up since my interview). If you look for a position on http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsearch.asp?q=rn&lid=17765&jbf571=7&salmin=&salmax=&paygrademin=&paygrademax=&FedEmp=N&tm=&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=88&SUBMIT1.y=13&SUBMIT1=Search+for+Jobs you can do a search within your zip code to see a pay range for your location. Figure around $5,000/yr for a degree and appr. $2,000/yr for every two years exp and you can get a better idea of the pay for your area. These are only appr. figures, you need to talk with HR to see the scale for your area (unless someone knows where these scales are online). The pay in the northeast is much higher than much of the country (along with COL) so $60K may be on the high side to start.

I worked with someone who was doing agency. He would get more per hour ($40.00), would pick up as many shifts as possible (many times working doubles) to get as much overtime as he could. He would also take a good part of the summer off without pay and has grossed over 100K 5 out of the last 8 years. I'm not disciplined enough to work agency, I would take too much time off. BTW, I'm in the Northeast and the pay is here is higher than most of the country.

Does anyone rent their home while traveling? I'm thinking about renting my place next spring and getting a small apartment for my daughter in another state. My question is would the state with my house declare me a resident even though I am renting it to someone else? I don't want to pay taxes to this state if I'm not living there. I have no intention of working here either, but again, I don't want to pay taxes here if I'm not a resident.

The various GSA rates are $39 $44 $49 $54 $59 + $64. I'm guessing you're company looked the state and county and used the rate found on the GSA site. Does your county and state correspond with the GSA rate?

Not sure if this has been answered and I apologize if it has. According to the GSA (U.S. General Services Administration) federal/military travelers are given a per diem for meals and expenditures. http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?programId=9704&channelId=-15943&ooid=16365&contentId=16177&pageTypeId=8203&contentType=GSA_BASIC&programPage=%2Fep%2Fprogram%2FgsaBasic.jsp&P=MTT This is showing that these employees can claim from $39 to $64 daily for meals and incidental expenses. I'm assuming this table is for any traveler, and if so, do travel companies figure this in when deciding your contract? I've heard from travelers who say they get a certain amount for food weekly and it's tax free.

Thanks for all of the input. I currently started at a different facility partly to see how I could function in a new facility. The tasks, meds, and general care were easy to pick up but the computer charting was difficult. The facility uses CIS and it took me a number of weeks to figure out all of the charting and I'm pretty good with computers. There is a traveler there and she did mention that this computer system was one of the more difficult she's come across. Thanks for all of the input, I guess it's a matter of just figuring out the charting as quick as you can.

This question is in regards to charting things that are essential. For instance, in one facility I worked we had places to chart in the computer for anyone on anticoagulants as to whether or not there was bleeding of the gums, etc. How much of charting is hospital policy vs JACHO requirements? Could someone put up a list as the essentials of charting when traveling? I'm also wondering if you don't find a place in the computer, do most people try to incorporate this info into a written note to cover your a**? Thanks for any info.

My 2 cents: I wanted to go straight into psych but was discouraged by enough employers that I went into med-surg first. As much as I disliked med-surg I'm glad I did. I am currently working in a hospital and will be floating between the psych and med-surg units. Each position requires two totally different approaches and I continue to have a greater appreciation for both. This keeps things interesting for me as I tend to become complacent easily.

Sounds normal to me. The worst part I remember is the interrogation performed by the oncoming 3rd shift. Stuck it out if you can, as time goes on newer nurses will be hired and you won't feel so overwhelmed.

Two people I graduated with were in the 200's, one passed and one didn't. I don't think the amount of questions taken correlates with a passing percentage. When I took mine, I thought I was doing really well and went past the 75 mark, I got nervous and it felt like I was totally guessing for the next 15 questions. The machine then shut off. I wasn't sure if I passed or not but I did.

Can you tell us what state you work in? I plan to travel next year and would like to make a note of this now. It would be greatly appreciated, thanks.