kpyers32!

I work in Tele in an acute care hospital. I have a year and a half of experience. I'm interested in staying in Tele for now, but would like to have the option to work in other areas in the future. I'm interested in hearing anything anyone knows about hospitals in MD. I know there are a lot of hospitals. I would like to hear any first hand info from nurses who have worked at any of them, or any info on comparing the areas.

Hi, Thanks for your response. I am not sure exactly where I'm going to live yet, though it looks like Columbia or Baltimore area. Not sure though, so I would love to hear about any part of MD that you know about! Thanks so much. I'm interested in knowing how pay compares by area, and/or hospital, and what the working conditions are like, how scheduling is done, weekends required and any other information that you may know.

Hi, Thanks for your response. I am not sure exactly where I'm going to live yet, though it looks like Columbia or Baltimore area. Not sure though, so I would love to hear about any part of MD that you know about! Thanks so much. I'm interested in knowing how pay compares by area, and/or hospital, and what the working conditions are like, how scheduling is done, weekends required and any other information that you may know.

Hello everyone! I'm planning to move to MD. I am hoping someone here could give me some insight about the hospitals in MD. I'm open to learning anything you have to offer about your experiences in MD. I've been a nurse working on a Tele floor for the past year and a half. Does it look bad to leave my first job after a year and a half? The only thing I've picked up is that University of MD doesn't pay the best. Anyone know if it's a good place to work otherwise? Thank you so much for helping out. kathryn

I need help understanding the differences between dysarthria, and aphagia in stroke patients. How are you all testing for these in your stroke patient assessments. The procedure in our facility is very vague, and it has many nurses confused. Thank you so much!

The research job sounds good to me as far as the hours. What type of organization are you working for? I'm not too familiar with research type nursing jobs just curious. Also do you have a BSN?

Hi Ryan, I know the feeling. I just started my first nursing job and I'm 39. I had a 10 yr. plus career in another field and paid my dues there, so I feel you. I think you do have to pay your dues in Nursing and you will at times feel under the microscope but unlike in other fields it's being done for a good reason -patient safety. Every nurse has been there, and most will support you through it. It's an amazing job! If you think it's right for you go for it. I couldn't imagine starting at the bottom again.. and it took me a long time to just go for it. Now I'm so glad I did. good luck!

Thank you guys so much the light bulb went off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got it, don't know why my brain is doing this to me, THANKS again, you're the BEST!!!!!!

Thanks!! I am now understanding #2 it's like a lightbulb went off! I think if it like 50ml/20min is = to xml/60min, then I cross multiply to get 20x = 3000, x=150 but i the first one yet...thanks again

Thanks!! I am now understanding #2 it's like a lightbulb went off! I think if it like 50ml/20min is = to xml/60min, then I cross multiply to get 20x = 3000, x=150 but i the first one yet...thanks again

Thanks for helping too. I should of said I have the answers I just don't know how to get them CAMETOITLATE is correct: 1) is 130 mL/hr and 2) is 150 mL/hr. Any additional pointers are very appreciated!!

Thank you very much CAMETOITLATE for your help. I'm feeling like a ding bat. Maybe I'm tired but I am not getting how you worked out the first problem from begining to end....also, are you plugging into a formula that you memorized? Thank you so much if you could possibly attempt to explain any more I would be very appreciative!! Thanks again! I'm just waiting for a lightening bolt to hit me!!! Thanks for your time!!

Hi there all you smart nurses! I need your help please I have to take a quiz tomorrow! Wow - It feels like i've been out of school forever (it's been 7mos), I have these a quiz for a new job....Can someone pretty please help me with these? Thanks soo much!! Your pt. (weight 72.4kg) has been ordered to have an infusion of Lasix (50 mg/250 ml) titrated btwn. 3-6 mcg/kg/mn. What is the max. mcg/min the pt. would would receive? ***this part I understand**** prt. 2 of this question. Calculate the flow rate for the above infusion. Next question: A pt. is being admitted to your unit wiht a diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity cellulitis. The physician orders Ancef 1 GM IV every 6 hours. The pharmacy dispenses a piggyback with the medication in 50 ml labeled for the drug to infuse in over 20 min. What rate would you set the IV pump.

Dear Rehab Nurse I am very sorry! Prayers, Thoughts and Hugs out to you! Take care of yourself, Kat

Pyxis is like a computerized receptical for meds on the floor/unit. The nurse logs in, and selects her pt. & then selects the meds due for that pt. Making the process systematic. It has various drawers & slots & won't let you move on till the drawers are closed etc. It's a computerized way to dispense medication. 'Pulling meds' is just lingo for getting medications from the pyxis for your patient. To my knowledge there is no other reference. I think it's b/c it's a bit more involved then say grabbing meds off a shelf. You know? Am I wrong?

I'm a new grad with no experience but in school we did learn to never pull meds for more than one pt. at a time, because of the possibility of mixing them up. Your system seems mix up proof to me. I did see nurses during clinicals pulling meds for multiple pts. at a time.

Yikes. I interviewed for an ED position and now I'm wondering if I know enough about the reality of ED. Just to clarify, are you saying you had 15 patients at the same time? YIKES, or did you have 15 pts. in and out by 2pm....I guess that sounds a little less scary. thanks!

Dear Mommy and RN, I'm a new grad so I am just a bit confused. When you say nurses who specialize without paying their dues first... I'm a bit confused. Are you saying that a new grad that goes into ICU out of school isn't a real nurse or one that goes straight into Telemetry. What areas of nursing qualify for 'paying ones dues'? I just want to make sure I understand this point of view. Thanks!!

Hi Caringkat, I just want to suggest acupuncture if you haven't already tried it. I have a freind who suffered from severe back pain after a car accident and got releif from acupuncture after trying just about everything else. Take care and good luck.

Thank you all so much for the encouraging words and suggestions. I’m going to keep on pounding the pavement. I did attend St. Mary’s open house, however I’m not too optimistic b/c there were about… oh I don’t know maybe 40 people there for 2 positions and one candidate was an experienced nurse. I had to leave early, to get to my flu shot job, while others were still arriving. I also went Oakland & Richmond Kaiser over the past couple weeks. There were approximately 200 people in Oakland but less in Richmond, and I think they’re planning to accept 50 total for Oakland and Richmond. I think I did well enough for them to call back for an interview. I haven’t left a resume at my school, although I can’t imagine that being very helpful. Many instructors at my former school CCSF are near retirement and seem very focused on their own lives and don’t seem in touch with hiring managers/or job market although it can’t hurt. I’m also reconnecting with as many former classmates as possible & trying to get any help that’s available. I did track down a recruiter at the VA in SF & she more or less was beginning to blow me off after I told her I graduated in May stating, “this is a very competitive program, & we look at how long a person has been looking for a job & if he/she is working and not really a new grad”. She said that I should email her my resume & she would review it. I emailed her back & stated that I think the current job market for new grads should be considered when reviewing the length of time new grads are taking to secure jobs & she replied & sent me an application. I guess I answered that question well, but I was so uncomfortable when she confronted me with that question. Does anyone have any better ideas for a response. I don’t want to sound like a sore loser, but I’m guessing that a recruiter should know that there isn’t a shortage of new grads. I guess I will consider relocating. Does anyone know what parts of CA have good prospects for new grads. I heard it’s not bad in LA & San Diego & NO I’m not concerned about the pay being less. I just want to be a nurse already! And I want people to stop holding it against me that I haven’t gotten a job yet. I'm wondering if I'll ever be a nurse.

Wow! I guess I just was not expecting it to be this tough! So many of the Hospitals have cut their new grad programs. I live in San Francisco, anyone feel my pain? Any suggestions? I'm just going for your basic Med Surg, Med Tele, & I would be open to ICU. I graduated in May passed the NCLEX in June and 1 interview, which I didn't prepare well enough for. I guess I didn't expect to be asked how to admit a patient w/ chest pain. I more or less got most of the correct answers but forgot to say "get a chest x-ray" I just didn't expect that question so I didn't review it. People keep telling me I need to network & get to know more nurses/nurse mangers. How do I do that if I'm not working in a hospital? Any ideas? I'm bummed. I'm working as a flu shot nurse & a homecare nurse, but I want to get into an acute hospital. One manager said to me that it's started to look bad that I haven't gotten a job yet. I was like ....I've been applying to everything/anything that's available, that was upsetting. Any advice? I've heard it's tough for new grads in the San Francisco Bay area. I'm ready to consider relocating - anyone know which states might have openings for new grads!? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!