NefforamaRN

Can you share or give any updates so far? I'm thinking of applying for a PRN position at a hospital occupational health clinic and would love to hear about your job! Hope it's going well

This was not just a medication error. She was reckless, she was arrogant, she completely ignored the ethical standard of do no harm. I defintely believe Vanderbilt should be held accountable for their lack of appropriate policies. And I definitely do NOT think RV should be allowed to put the letters RN after her name. Especially since she has played to victimhood rather than showing any shred of morality, reflection, or sincere remorse. On another note, it would be interesting to hear the orientee's perspective (maybe they spoke during the trial).

I was fired almost a year after being placed on disciplinary action for too many absences for my FTE. The disciplinary action came after being sick with covid like symptoms, but a negative test. The parameters were any 2 further absences in any 6 mos over the next year were grounds for termination. I missed a day in July, had a family emergency in December. That was a Friday. They allowed me to work the remainder of the weekend, and 2 extra shifts, and then BOOM. Fired at the end of the 2nd extra shift. I had been a well performing, daisy nominated employee of that hospital for 15 years. Covid wreaked havoc on the world, but nurses were expected to keep on going...overperforming.... And bucking up with our big girl panties on. Recently, I found out that the nurse manager that fired me, lied on an application for a license in OK (before compact we had to obtain multiple licenses for surrounding states). She had been convicted of a misdemeanor in her resident state, lied and checked the box "no" when asked if she had……. Yet…… she's still at same hospital and I guess was hired anyway (at the time). I'm considering reporting her to our state BON but not sure. Feel like I'm in an ethical/vulnerable pickle. And for sure am disillusioned at the expectations placed on nurses without any extra support or compassion.

Sounds like you were proactive, and acting responsibly after going through hard situations. I think your transparency and honesty reflect more why your license was not encumbered more than luck. I had a former colleague that was convicted of a misdemeanor DUI in her resident state, applied for an OK license (requirement for a place of employment that served multistates before compact), lied about the misdemeanor, and STILL practices as a nurse manager in her home state and was obviously hired by a well respected children's hospital.... So..... sounds like you just need to continue to be up front with the BON's of interest and maybe reach out to them individually to get more info (which it seems like you've already done).

Registered Nursing covers a lot of your interests but the nature of the healthcare environment it can make it hard to do all of those areas well. My suggestion would be to prioritize your interests and rank them from most interested to least interested. Take a reliable personality assessment. These things might help you narrow down your decision making and help you understand what you really want to do and what kind of role can come as close to what you want as possible. . Read professional nursing association websites to familiarize yourself with the different specialties. Good luck!

What does bedside/clinical nursing mean to you? I felt similarly in nursing school, and wondered what I had gotten myself into and that I was going to end up a terrible nurse.... but then I had a rotation in a population I fell in love with (peds) and have been able to try so many different things. It takes a very special nurse to work inpatient and it is not the only area you can start in. There’s the OR, ambulatory clinics, ER, urgent care, and insurance companies (doing pre-authorizations) that might work well with your education but also provide the opportunity to fine tune the skills you need (psycho socially and clinically) to be a great nurse. Good luck

I agree with the other nurse who replied.... But you could consider ACLS or PALS certification if you wanted to beef up your learning and/or experience. Those are certifications that RNs in critical care areas have to hold so it might give you a taste of what you’re looking for and a challenge. I will say, they are pretty challenging but an accomplishment once you get through them. Good luck, and thank you for doing what you do

How did it go? I’ve been interested in the NFP program in my area for a few years but haven’t had many opportunities to apply. It seems like a nursing dream to me too.... Education, care, empowering moms.... autonomy... when you have a chance, share where what happened

I'm really sorry to hear that you lost your job and made a mistake that I'm sure you feel horrible about. There are definitely some areas for growth that I can see from this experience, but I'm also thinking you may have dodged a bullet by being let go from an organization that only gave you 10 weeks of orientation on a neuro unit, fired you for one mistake without giving you feedback on 2 others, and for rushing you when you are learning to care for very sick patients. As you prep for interviews for your next position, ask to shadow and ask questions about the orientation process. How long is it? Do you get regular check ins with the nurse manager or educator? Can it be extended? How are preceptors trained? If they are uncomfortable by these questions or they brush you off, then don't give them a second thought. A good, solid, safe organization worth YOUR time will invest in you and ensure that you grow, with timely, insightful, and meaningful feedback. Remember, you also get to choose THEM. YOU are also interviewing them. The organization and the unit will need to meet your standards as well. I think it's a great that you are seeking to learn from this experience. "Critical Thinking" happens when you allow yourself to think. I would suggest meditation or some increased self care so that you get to know yourself when you're feeling stressed or rushed. Don't worry, you'll get to where you need to be. I have faith in you! P.S Most nurses have made mistakes, even really big ones, and are still nurses..... you are growing.... and you WILL get there.

I once subbed at a school where the nurse had created a notebook outlining when to expect certain children for scheduled meds (insulin, BG checks, scheduled snacks, tube feedings). In the same school, it would have been helpful to have notes about how to send a student back to class (pass?) and how to document injuries/falls (child came in bloody from falling off jungle gym). I had NO clue. And what she expected as far as documenting each little ill walk-in. She had a makeshift log book, but it was so busy I couldn't keep up with handwriting notes--I felt like I was back in triage in the ER... lol

Thank you everyone, this is really really helpful. I do have some sub school nurse experience through a temp agency, which is how my interest was peaked in the first place. At my favorite location, all I had to do was take care of the kiddos--no paperwork or monitoring or screening--so I got to see the fun side! I love teens and adolescents so I'm thinking I might concentrate in that area..... I'm thinking of asking to shadow with my son's school nurse--we have a good relationship so it won't seem out of the blue. Another question is how do you navigate the principal's authority vs. your lead school/district nurse? Who's your boss? I've heard some of you mention in this forum that it's sometimes odd to be in an educational setting with individuals who don't understand the nursing process or our practice acts...........

Good Evening All, Could any of you share how you landed your specific positions in schools? I am currently contemplating starting a job search in school nursing and am looking for tips. Did you just use job sites? Scope out the schools and district openings? Go in person? I have approx 12 years experience as a pediatric nurse (all settings ranging from pediatric telephone triage, to ER to teen and adolescent specialty medicine) and am ready to leave the hospital setting. Would love any insight you'd like to share about your experience and advice! Thanks for everything you do! Lisa

I have 10.5 years pediatric experience ranging from ambulatory, ER, Urgent Care, Child-maltreatment, and neurology (mainly epilepsy). I am interested in trying school nursing but am wondering what the balance is between actual nursing care and documentation and paperwork. I got a heavy dose of medical writing, phone calls, paperwork, forms, etc while in a pediatric epilepsy clinic. I've recently done some sub nurse shifts at an elementary school and loved it. But I know that the role goes way beyond just tending the the steady stream of various ailments (I smell like poop, lost a tooth, bloody nose, falls, fights, headaches, stomach aches, headaches, asthma, "I feel tired" and scheduled medications). Would anyone be willing to share the pros and cons? Do the pros outweigh the cons? Any specific tips you could share or things to watch for? Happy Nurses Week Everyone, Lisa

Do you have an update on this issue?

Hi ElimayRN, I was just hired as a new RN Case manager. I live in Kansas City, but the company where I was hired is in Kansas.... Have things gotten better for you? Are you still in Hospice?