Stiffmeister

I just got interviewed for Clinical Liaison postion at a SNF Facility. I was asked for annual salary requirments. What should I have asked for? This postion includes the whole marketing process of census admissions and MD relations. I couldnt find a good answer at any Salary web site. I asked for a salary that is considered the high side of the the U.S. National Average for an LVN in South Texas. (41K) Should Ive asked for more or does this figure sound right? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Any links to Marketing Nursing or Clinical Liaison forum would be great also.

The day after September 11th, and chaos still persist. Hurricane Ike approaches the Texas Costal Bend and Evacuees are sent to my facility. A sense of simple Triage struck the nurses face early this morning. Even the Director of Nursing was untouchable today. Of course my compassion would lead me to volunteer to work this whole weekend. Day one, sixty hurricane evacuees were under my watch. Not to mention, having to watch over fifteen of my regular patients. I had to stop at one point in the day and scratch my head. The resources were limited and the care was acceptable. A code blue didn't even phase the administration today. Nurses responded and even the new nurse orientating got her hands dirty! Not one Administrative Nurse asked me what happen or do you need help. I have learned that Nursing is one thing, but the business of health care can be cut throat and be turned into marketing. The level of care required for some of the people that are admitted to my facility, is inappropriate for what the facility can handle administratively and by nursing staff. My code blue patient was a good example. This patient was found sitting in a wheelchair cold as ice, blue and stiff. No Advance Directive in the chart yet!! CPR wasn't bringing this one back. Pronounced at ten fifteen. A Nurse is in charge of his or her own day. Throughout the day you can either "be there" or not "be there" for people. Two more days to go. Status Post Hernia Repair with Upper and Lower Bowel Resection.

This first entry comes from a day of Nursing. The day made me feel accomplished and confident with my nursing skills. This feeling is something you feel when you've done the right thing or saved someone from injury or death. Today I had a seventy five year old woman that was Status Post Right hip replacement become unresponsive and she turned into a Full Code Blue all at once. CPR and Basic Life Saving Skills were utilized until the EMT/Paramedic could take over. When she left on the stretcher out to the E.R. she was breathing and had a pulse. Good Ole fashion CPR had kept her alive. I remember thinking to myself and going over the "code" in my mind. I had touched all key points of a "Code Blue". I thought to myself "Its all in God's hands now". I have come to the conclusion with these first two years of Nursing that this thought is the only way to approach the feeling and emotion for Human Health or Human Loss. I see Doctors and Nurses work so hard to diagnose, cure, and teach patients, and I see so many variable outcomes for the same treatment at times. This makes me believe that the Medical field can only do so much for people. These first two years, have been an eye opener for sure! Doctors are overworked and overpaid, and Nurses are overworked and underpaid! The Human connection makes a better Doctor or Nurse. If you cannot adjust your energy or personality to your patient you will struggle in the health field. The day is full of emotional shifts, showing empathy, sympathy, and concern. Not to mention staying stressed and organized with administration work. My day ended two hours late as usual, and a reflection of day was on my mind. People do notice when you're a good Nurse. After this horrible day, I felt like a good Nurse. After punching out, cause overtime has to be approved. Stupid for Nurses! I called to check the status of my seventy five year old woman at the E.R. When I called and spoke with the Nurse there at the E.R. she informed me that this patient has expired. In Nursing you learn to care, but you also learn not to care. Rather, coping with a thought "Its all in God's Hands". Pulmonary Embolism.

Im sure that traditional college tuition is cheaper, but you have to have pre reqs done before you even apply to the nursing program. At Galen Health no pre reqs needed other than ged or HS diploma. You do all the basics like A&P, Pharm etc. in the one year FULLTIME program. They also offer night classes P/T now also. Check it out @ http://www.galeded.com

Forget Texas Careers. Go to Galen Health Institute for your LVN! Great school, Small class sizes along with tuition.

Hospital and LTC facility. I heard Home care is good money though...