kimmersRN

Are there any independent EMR (electronic medical record) Nurse consultants out there? It looks as if it's been awhile since anyone has been active in this board under new convos and I wanted to start one. It seems as if there are many nurses working independently from contract to contract on golives, activations for different EMRs. If so, how is the pay? I understand the travel demands. Any problems finding assignments? Anyone working full-time, salary with benefits but traveling all over? What are your typical hours?

Hi, I see this post is a bit old. I'm wondering if you ended up moving, if you are working at Dartmouth? How have things worked out for you? I am in NC and looking to move NORTH! I am undecided on Maine, NY, NH or Vermont. HA! The places are all so different and have different pros/cons. I want to go somewhere that I can make a decent living as an RN. I have my BSN and would LOVE to step up my career from a staff RN to an educator or clinical resource manager, etc. Any advice? More importantly, HOW ARE YOU!?? Kimmie

I just wanted to follow up. I don't see a lot of responses. Not sure if that's good or bad. I am also interested in moving to Vermont and am wondering about wages, working conditions, etc. I know a few people say that they work in VT and commute to New Hampshire to work @ Dartmouth. I'm kindof just starting to research the area and wish I knew EXACTLY where I wanted to live. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Acourser, did you ever start working there? Wondering how things went.

To clarify :) The director interviewed me for the position. HR is the one who offers the job and discusses salary. I've been told that it's unprofessional to discuss salary during the interview. The director told me that my salary would be based on years of experience and that I would hear from someone from HR within the next week or so. I haven't accepted the position yet because it hasn't been OFFERED by HR. Hope that helps :) Kimmers

Well I got the job! She said it may not be until next week to hear from HR so she wanted me to know that I got the job. Now I'm just hoping that the pay will be decent. I'm expecting it to be less. Sure would be a nice surprise for it to be better. But, my husband is more than willing to get a part time job so I'll be working somewhere I"m happy. What a relief. There are 2 med passes that are big...she said I would get it down in no time and she said that the CNAs and other RNs are awesome, that they hold each other accountable and don't need to be reminded of their jobs. That's AWESOME. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for all the support. Kimmers

How so Sneakysnake?

Wow you guys, thanks for all the input. Just a few things. I will be still working weekend nights. I'll be doing 2 16 hour shifts plus 1 8hour shift every other week. Also, the LTC/Rehab is owned by a reputable hospital so benefits/ time off are the same as if I worked for the hospital. I'm not thinking it's going to be "less work" but I'm thinking it's going to be less "acute" and more longterm. I'm not thinking that it's going to be EASY. I didn't mean to imply that. However, I do think it will be different. And, the ICU that I work in right now doesn't have an intensivist on call weekend nights. We have a pulmonologist that hates being called at night and usually we all have to work together to keep a few people alive every shift until morning. So, I'm used to not having a physician. I'm also used to taking care of psychotic pts, pts withdrawing from meds and wanting to beat me. I'm used to them being hooked up to monitors and IVs. It would be a little easier if they weren't. You're right. I'm not used to 15 patients, 30 patients, or 50 patients as one person said. I'm not. But, I'm ready to care for RELATIVELY stable patients. I'm ready to chart and reassess plans and paperchart. Are you kidding me? I'd rather document on paper. It's easier. It's nicer and easier to figure out what the heck is going on! I'm sure there are caveats with all fields of nursing. I really kindof hoped everyone would sugarcoat things a little more. But, that's okay. I appreciate the honesty. I have the interview Tuesday and will find out more about the facility and my responsibilities as a staff nurse there. I will have to let you guys know how it goes. Take care and thanks for the blessings. I do intend to pray about it. Much love, Kimmers

Yeah, thanks guys! I really was hoping for more specialized care, etc do more for each patient. But, really, it's so much more charting that I have LESS time with the patients and their families and I come across looking like a mean person because I don't have time to take care of the patients or the family members. It's really hard. And, our unit doesn't have visiting hours so you have to do everything in front of the families and they complain about mouth care and suctioning...chest PT keeping them up all night. It's just ...ridiculous. SOOO...thanks for the kind words. I'm hoping it'll work out for me. I'm sure the grass is always greener. Hugs to you all!!

You go for it. You can have that ED. I have to say, the best thing about ED is always having a MD right there. Thanks for the reply. And, best of luck to you!

Hey guys. It's been awhile since I've been on this forum. I wanted to just stop by. I live in NC. I've done all aspects and realms of acute care nursing that I can bare anymore. I've worked peds hem/onc, general peds, labor and delivery, newborn nursery, postpartum, observation med/surg, I've cared for psych pts, drunk patients, and my last stent has been in an ICU. And, I think....it's me. I'm burnt out. I've been a nurse for 6 years and I'm so tired of charting every poop and burp and itch and scratch I just don't know what to do. I need to continue to work weekend nights because I have 2 small children at home and my husband is a stay at home dad. He makes sure I get to sleep ALLLLLL weekend. And, we are both with the kids Mon-Fri. It's awesome. But, I'm at the point where I hate going to work, I loathe extra stuff and I'm just so tired of caring for people who don't want to be cared for. I'd much rather be involved in QUALITY of care and that's why I'm excited about my interview on Tuesday. I'm hoping that I'll be able to find that eustress. And, I'm looking forward to having the same patients. I'm excited about activities and not stressing so much. Don't get me wrong, I DEFINITELY think it's going to be stressful...and that I'll be trading one stress for another. But, I just feel like I would rather spend more time doing patient care things instead of all my time behind a computer charting normal findings all the time. And, if something happens and the patients get sick, etc, they go to the hospital. I just feel so much of a load on my shoulders to "SAVE" everybody and that responsibility is exhausting. I thought I was an adrenaline junkie and I would love this ICU stuff. But, I think I'm too much of a routine-type person. Has anyone else gone from ICU and acute care to Longterm care/Rehab lately? How has it worked for you? Any advice? Thanks a ton! Kim PS--I wonder how much of a paycut I should expect? I'm not making all that great now! I'm in NC. Any fellow North Carolinians?

Hey you guys, I've been a nurse 6 years and just recently started in the ICU. I'm doing well with all the assessments, skills,etc. It's hard for me to find words for my family members dealing with the death of their loved one and after their loved one has died. Any advice or good articles/references you can recommend? I totally am giving tissues, offering drinks and saying I'm sorry, as well as allowing the family members as much time as they need with their loved one. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Kimmie

I used to work for Rex PRN on their mother/baby unit and I really really liked working for them. As far as shadowing goes, they cannot and will not ask you to do anything to or for the patients. While shadowing, that's only what you are doing, you are only observing the environment. You are there to see how the staff works together, how the RNs communicate with the MDs, how the charting is, how the scheduling is, and just get a feel for the culture. You should know after shadowing if working there is something that you want to do or not. Managers offer a shadowing experience oftentimes so that you don't have any false expectations of how things are. Also, they get feedback from the staff on how your personality was. It's really a great idea if you are unsure or on the fence about whether or not you want to accept a position. It is by NO means a performance evaluation or anything like that. You are just a follower while you are shadowing. It's a chance for you to ask ?s of the staff and see how they honestly feel about working there without the manager being there. I would HIGHLY recommend it! Best of luck. I think that Rex is probably the best hospital in the triangle to work for. I've worked at Rex, Duke, and now UNC.

This actually sounds like fun to me...but I'm OCD so, I can see myself going nuts with post-its and highlighters :) Ahhhh to think of an actual office and desk for these things!!!!

Dang, an entire year? That's wild and unheard of. Wow, I just started back to work after taking 2 weeks off ---I couldn't afford to take time without pay. Luckily my dear husband is wonderful with the kids while I'm at work!!! Otherwise, I'd be up crap creek in a chicken wire canoe and no paddle. !

Hi all!! I'm kindof stuck and was wondering if anyone had a few words of wisdom for me :0) I'm working at Wakemed, LOVE my job but I'm not making enough $$. We never get to really get away and when we do, it's for the weekend to Wilmington. We LOOOOVE it there and the sight of the ocean just makes all my stress melt away. I've applied at New Hanover Regional Medical Center just to see where the road takes me. I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to get the job. I'm just needing a pep talk about living in Wilmington. I guess I just want someone to say GO! I just feel like it's a HUGE decision, and I wish it was an easier decision. Everytime we go to Wilmington, I just feel so rested and have dreamt of living there and living the lifestyle of someone who lives at the beach. Does anyone work for New Hanover and LOOOVE their job? Hope you all are well. Times are hard and I find myself just wanting to run to the beach everytime I get. Clarification: I'm not running to Wilmington to "go-out" on the weekends or anything like that. I literally mean sitting on the beach, walking downtown and smelling the salty air. Thanks!! ~Kimmie

Brier Creek alll the wayy....that place is growing so fast and is smack dab in the middle of everything. You'll love it!! ~Kimmie

LPN4U-- If for some reason, you don't get a call, you should call and follow-up.The children's ED manager told me that she was sorry it took her so long to get back in touch with me...that, sometimes applications "slip through the cracks." Just some advice. Best of luck to you. I think Wake Med is going to be an AWESOME place to work!!! PM me if you have any other ?s!! And, that goes for anyone else too!! ~Kimmie:up:

I agree with Cay and 99nurse....Duke is ALL politics and how much butt you can kiss. I'm getting OUT!! If we wanted to kiss butt all day, we'd do something else. Why isn't it all about the patients? Why isn't it all about WORKING TOGETHER??? HUGS to my Dukeys!~Kimmie:spam:

Hey !! Are you working tonight? Looks like you work in the PICU?? I worked on 5100 for a year and then transferred to the birthing center. I just feel like a monkey ...not learning new stuff...feeling blah and I miss the kids SOOOO much. I'm excited to hear from you too!! Please send me a private message (PM) ASAP. Hope you are well and i know you are pumped!!! ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My orientation is set for the week of january 28th. You should try for that week too, that way we could do it together! I must admit, I'm anxious. I mean, we had codes on 5100 all the time, but luckily they were never my kids (whew!!) and I was always the person getting fluids, clearing the halls etc. With your experience, you'll know EXACTLY how to do everything!! Are you interviewing at Big Wake or their freestanding ED out towards Wakefield?? Can't wait to hear from you...glad we're in the same boat!! ~Kimmie

I had an awesome interview experience and the manager said that I should be hearing from HR after they check my background and references and such. I'm pumped. I'm glad that you have found a great place to work too. I feel lucky to be starting at such an awesome place to work. I definitely got the impression that Wakemed cares about their staff. Thanks for the information, I'm so excited. This change couldn't have come at a better time in my life. Take care and I'll let you know how it goes!!! ~Kimmie:w00t:

The interview at Wake Med went awesome! I was so impressed with everything and the nurse manager said that I had the job and to just be patient with HR while they check references and such. I'm thankful and this wonderful change in my life couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks for the positive feedback about Wake Med...it's exciting and I'm happy you have found a + place to work too. I'll let you know how it goes when I start. After I get the offer from HR, I'll be giving my 4 week notice!! Take care and thanks again!!! ~Kimmie

Regional is owned by Duke but still has the community hospital feel. From a labor/delivery/peds standpoint, all the risky cases or unusual cases are sent to Duke. People that work there seem to stay there and I know of some nurses at Duke who are interested in going to Regional. I hate to say this. But, I've worked at Duke for 2 years and it sucks. To be such a well-known hospital,it sucks nursing wise. Awesome for learning but as far as equipment or access to things you need on your unit, they suck. Not too long ago, we had a code and the call system didn't work, there was no manual pressure cuff (the automatic one wasn't registering b/c the pt's BP was so high) and things went wrong that shouldn't have. Now, I know that happpends everywhere. But it shouldn't. Pts have trouble getting trays if they haven't been on the unit the majority of the shift and there is never extra, meds are always late from pharmacy, housekeeping sleeps on the unit. Countless times I've pulled stirrups up for a pt to use when pushing in labor and found blood still there from the previous pt!!!!! It's ridiculous. And, sadly ...all those things come back on NURSING somehow. But, as for experience, the experience I have gotten there has been priceless. As for Wake med, I went for my interview and couldn't believe the floors shine, the lobby is beautiful, the elevators are new, the hallways are clear of STUFF, the monitors on the unit are new, the computers are new. It's nice. Asfar as working there, I don't know yet. So, I can't say anything other than the impression that I got. We all know that when we work somewhere for a long period of time we notice all the wrong things. So, I'm not knocking Duke. If something was wrong with me or my son, that's where I'd want to be. But working there is a different story. Since Duke is med-school affiliated, they are all about physicians. Most other hospitals in the triangle are nurse-oriented. But, I always have been proud to say that I'm a "duke" nurse. People seem to care and right out of nursing school, that's what I wanted. But, it's important to work somewhere that cares about it's employees. It seems that Wake med does. And, everyone that I've talked to says nothing but nice things about the place. As far as affordable living, I'm not sure if you're talking about buying a house, renting, townhome. But, I own a townhome in Raleigh and I didn't have a problem getting it. As for the school system, Raleigh has one of the best in the state |(wake county) Durham county on the other hand, has a bad rep. for education. Crime is also pretty bad in Durham as far as gang activity goes. Personally, I've never had a problem. I hope this helps. It wasn't my intent to bash Duke, if that's what I did.And, the 2 units that I have worked on are probably not a good representation of the entire hospital. There are people who have found their niche at the place and love it I'm sure. It all depends on what you want. And, the management at Regional is different. However, if you're looking to work in a fast-paced, always learning, access to education classes and good pay, I don't think working for Regional is the best. Let me know if you have any other questions. I hope this has been helpful.

They do have a peds unit. I've heard good things about it. My interview was for the children's emergency dept. It's separate. Let me know if you have any more questions. I think you should definitely interview there. Their website is www.wakemed.org. The children's ED is catered just to kids and I was Sooo impressed.

Have you looked at Wake Med? I had an interview there today and was SOOO impressed. It might be worth checking out!!! ~Kimmie

We'd love to have you in RALEIGH! AWESOME schools, competitive hospitals, city-life. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Let me know if you have any ?s about the area!