cmc4n6

You are absolutely right. I believe that any public display of immature bad temper on the part of a fellow worker - whether it's a nurse or a doc - is unacceptable. Public humiliation due to fatigue, bad manners, etc... is what made me quit my job in trauma. Of course, it's everywhere - but it does make a difference, and I don't believe that we SHOULD develop a "thick skin" and "learn a lesson". My motto is: Any negative energy directed at a fellow worker is better directed at patient care. Resolve your differences later. Take care of your patient NOW...have a hissy fit LATER!

Hi! I sent you a PM for support, but your mailbox is full. That must mean you have a lot of people supporting you. I'll re-send when you've got some space.

Hi - When I worked in San Diego in ER, I worked with a couple of nurses who went to Maric. Believe me, they were top notch nurses who didn't miss a beat. I was so impressed! They were a couple of the brightest ER nurses I've ever worked with.

I have been asked to travel there, and I would appreciate any info on the place. I don't want to end up in a bad place, especially around Christmas! Thanks!

Hi! I have never worked at Harborview, but since I am in the process of relocating to the Seattle area, I thought I would give you at least some feedback. My personal experience is that my daughter was in a life-threatening car accident a couple of months ago, and she said the care she got there was excellent....everyone did a great job and were patient-friendly. I actually spoke to a manager there about 6 months ago re. a job, and she was very anxious that if I were to return to the ER after a year or so absence that I should start in an area where I would not be overwhelmed. Then, of course, I hadn't been interviewed yet. But they are reasonable folks and don't want to lose employees, so I thought I'd share that. I'm new to the area and have been a little taken aback about how cautious employers are about hiring people out of the area. THey are invested in keeping employees long term and really want to investigate your background. That's not entirely a bad thing, but I was very dejected after going on 4 job interviews and feeling like the new kid in school around the panel. So, don't be discouraged, it's not you - it's just a different environment. Now, re. the convertible....hmmm, there is so much rain and moisture here and a high potential for mold to grow....so be careful. Also, from years in trauma, I just think about a rollover accident and more protection....but do what you've gotta do to make yourself feel good. We're on a short ride on this planet!

Guys...I am here with you. I am embarrassed for the woman who told you it is up to you to get yourself back on track...and like it's somehow your fault. Believe me, from the depths of depression and horror....that is the last thing you should tell someone. The nursing world (particularly in the hospital) is full of cynical people who think they know it all and are self righteous. When you do one little thing wrong, they're all over you. I say, you guys in clinical, who think it's your job to label someone who has been off for whatever reason = you should be ashamed of yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You don't have all the answers.

Thank you so much for your email. The reason we are nurses is because of patients. Patients like you, who appreciate nursing. I'm old....I have friends who are old patients. It's tough to approach someone on that level, but I have heard success stories. I just appreciate the thanks.

Please don't take the whole thing too seriously. I've been on the panel in those interviews....and there are several points of view there. A lot of times, the best candidate doesn't get the job. A lot of facilities don't want to "ruffle the feathers" of longtime staff, and so they look for someone who will mix with the staff - and the staff can be quite dysfunctional! You might find yourself in the midst of a group that "eats their young"....and you need to have your wits about you to work among career criminals. Remember, it has little to do with your ability. You will find something else and then you can try again later. A few months down the line, you might wonder why you ever applied at all. You may have saved yourself a big headache.

Could you tell me a little more about Bellingham jobs? Thanks!

Hi! I've been there a few times. I'm an old fogey....but could have spent 2 entire days at the EMP looking at Jimi Hendrix and Janis' old costumes and music. Very well put together. Hey, if you go to Alki Beach, try the Cucumber Mojitos at Duke's bar on the beach. I loved Pike's Place Market...and want to recommend a place called The Big Picture....they show first run movies there, small place....they have a full bar with wonderful cocktails...try the Bogart...and you can get cheddar cheese popcorn in champagne buckets! Drink refills are easy - they either come around and take your order in the theatre, or you can zip out at any time. They rent the place out on the side. I saw "Hairspray" there, and I had a blast! And the ferries are a must - I went to Bremerton - and we drove around....went to some small wineries that look like store fronts, for tasting, and had a great bargain dinner at an Indian Casino....found a local dive where the older crowd meets regularly to drink beer and shoot pool....even the ladies in their 70's, all dressed up with dangling earrings shooting pool. Really enjoyable....and I felt relaxed! Lots of beautiful country, lots to enjoy. Great bookstores.

Hi guys - I would check with the CA BON....they would know. I would be worried too....but likely it's only a snag. I think you can check on the verification procedure in CA. Give it a try, or call their toll free number. Be prepared for a wait, though, as they have high call volume. I'll bet that if it's now Pending, that you will receive it soon.

Oh, BTW, the license has to be renewed in a year....I find that odd!

Hi! Sorry for the delay....I got my license by endorsement in about 3-4 weeks. They take their time mailing it to you, though....the paper copy didn't come for 6 weeks, but I saw that it was granted on the website. If you go onto the website for WA BON, and go to "check license", you will probably see that yours is there....either granted or pending. It took only 3 weeks to be on the list as pending. Hope that helps. ...Hi there! I just wanna ask if you already received your license from WA? When did you apply for endorsement? I did mine too and it's been almost 6 weeks now and I never heard anything from WA BON. Do I need to call them to verify my application? Please let me know if you got your license already.BTW, I'm applying endorsement from CA to WA too.Thanks in advance.

I used to work at Sharp. They love new grads there. They are also going to open their own nursing school in a couple of years, so they would be a good place to contact. I know at least 3 new grads who started in the NICU two years ago, and are now shift supervisors.

I work in CA....just applied for endorsement in WA. They don't let you check your status for 3 weeks...they tell you approx. 6 weeks. I'll let you know in a week!

Hi - thanks for the input. I would be working in ER. I'm just not sure because I don't know anyone in Tucson, but have a good friend in Glendale.

Just wanted to let you guys know.....I just got offered $29/hr (with pressure, maybe $30) to work in the ER at TMC. I have 4 years on trauma team at a major California hospital plus worked on the EMS radio with the medics)...I have 15 years recent experience.....and a couple of years exp. in Canada some years back before having my kids. They said that they "just simply could not" go up any higher than $30/hr....which is why it's good to have this communication.

Pathetic??????? I graduated from UCLA (I live in Los Angeles, to make it crystal clear.....) in 1995 with 3 kids and the highest going rate was $18/hr to work in the ICU.......let's get in the real world!!!!! You guys are just plain lucky and spoiled to be thinking you're entitled to the big bucks. Count your lucky stars and get a grip. I just got offered $26/hr to be a traveler with 15 years experience...a lot of it in acute care and forensics.

Ugh? Any specifics? And living in Tucson, do I have to worry about these bark scorpions attacking my dogs? You know how dog lovers worry about their pets....

Nursing schools, particularly the degree programs, like to hear and know about the applicant's ability to survive Life's Stressful Situations. Being older helps. Knowing what you're getting into helps. Nursing schools have had a lot of drop-outs recently, so the programs want people who can "wade through the trenches" and graduate. As if the average person doesn't know what stress is.... but seriously, because of the lack of instructors, cost, and high drop-out rates, your ability to work under pressure and familiarity with the hospital situation is a big plus. Just keep going.....keep working, keep applying and don't worry about what the Administration is thinking. The more medical/hospital work you do, and the more prerequisites you take, the less time you'll have to worry and the more you'll know "up front". When I was in my senior year of the BSN, my biggest fantasy was a bed with clean linens in a quiet room.

There is a lot of VF in the flat areas of California too....in the state prison system in Soledad, CA...lots of cases. I'm contemplating relocating to AZ soon and have two dogs. Do I have to worry about them getting the deadly bite of the bark scorpion? I've seen more bad reactions to rattle snake anti-venin in the ER in San Diego than I thought I would. Do dogs do well in Arizona?

Just a word to the lady in Michigan, struggling through nursing school....best of luck and it's worth the struggles. I went back to school and graduated from UCLA at 45 years old with 3 kids and a rotten divorce. I grew up in Toronto, so I know Michigan and the winters up there. Yuck. San Diego is a beautiful place to live, weather-wise, but competitive and expensive. Lots of "perfect people" there. Or at least they look that way! Don't give up, my respect for your struggles, and any help you need, just drop an email. Since I graduated, I've been in forensics, psych, home health, ER, corrections, private ambulatory surgery facility, etc., etc....lots of fun! I just wanted to make up for lost time....went to school originally in Canada way back when ..... we were making linseed poultices for abd. gas then and had glass syringes.

I have a friend who lives in Sedona....and she's been driven out of her house a few times in the last couple of years by flooding in the winter. She also has her phone service wiped out too. But I LOVE Sedona (to visit). I live in California....am going to relocate to the Tucson area....I need some space, a reasonably priced place to live, and I'm just plain sick of California. Never thought I'd say that, having grown up in Canada....but I've been living in the LA/San Diego/Santa Cruz areas for the last 30 years....and feel like I need some peace in my life. Plus some relief from my mold allergies. I've been to Phoenix for a lot of swim meets with my kids and don't like it there at all. I do know that Yuma is hellish, though, or at least been told that by a close friend. Does anyone have any input on Tucson Medical Center? Thanks guys!