MtGypsy

Integrity and honesty are what makes a great nurse. If your friend doesn’t treat all as equals, as it seems you do, why would you want her for a friend? It is always important to be friends with those that bring you up, not possibly take you down with them. I believe in being blunt with people, I never say anything to anyone I haven’t said to them first. Be blunt, take her aside and tell her you find her racism inappropriate and her cheating repulsive. You can report her with your name withheld, if she has said things to you and posted on line you are not the only one who knows how she is and what she does. If she then has issues with you that impact you in class or clinicals you need to alert your instructor and let them deal with it. Your integrity and morals are your most important assets, always do what you feel is the right thing.

I don't think your being a baby. I've worked rehab for the majority of my 15+ nursing career and have the back injuries to prove it!! Thru the years I have done traveling in Med/Surg to keep my acute skills. It is actually harder to go to other areas after being in Rehab. As a new grad I would consider transfering to an area where you will learn acute care skills. You can always work in a less skilled area after you learn acute skills, but its really hard to get into a more acute area when you've worked in a less skilled unit. From a job security point of view: Thru the years I've seen Skilled/Rehab units close because of payment issues (it's rare that the other units close!!). If you ever want to do travel nursing you need one year med/surg, and most the jobs are critical care. As a new grad you need to keep your options available. I've seen many new grads over the years get "stuck" in rehab because they lack the experience to move into other areas. Don't get me wrong..I love rehab nursing, but it's a hard area. It kills your body after years. You can't always use text book transfers/body mechanics and I have had disc problems, rotator cuff issues etc.

I'm from Dunlap, worked in Chattanooga at Parkridge Rehab. Now do travel nursing (am in San Antonio doing a rehab contract). :wink2:

Its a scarey world out there now. Since when does a contract not stand for anything? I know alot of the hospitals are in serious financial shape, but one would think a contract is a legally binding document. Is there some kinda unwritten law that says it doesn't start until the start date?

I'm guessing a business lawyer could look at your contract and give you advise. I'm stumped. Maybey you could contact a different agency, get a new contract someone around where you are?

It's amazing what us nurses will do during the rare time when we aren't running. I'm willing to bet you have at least once in your life time saran wrapped a toilet. (My brother did practical jokes. That was one of his favorites, actually got my Dad once. He didn't find in humorous)

I can understand working at position where you can make more money for school, but it is a good idea to get experience doing direct, hands on care. I've been a nurse for 15+ years and alot of my job is working side by side with techs doing the same they do (yes, I do wipe bottoms, change soiled beds, bathe them, get vitals etc.) I have worked on units where there aren't any techs as you do primary nursing. I can't say I love getting poop on my gloves, urine on my shoes..but it's part of the job. The new nurses I've worked with that worked as CNAs seemed to ease into thier new roles easier. They were already familiar with patient care, and had seen a lot of procedures that they could now do. Providing care in a nursing home is different than in a hopital. Have worked both, I don't know if I would want to be CNA in nursing home either, check out working in the hospital instead. You would get more exposure to acute care type patients/procedures.

Lay patient flat (if not contraindicated), Log roll patient to their side. Place pan on bottom and roll them back onto back. When done, hold pan to keep flat on bed and log roll patient back to side. Remove pan. It still spills sometimes, and may require two caregivers. If patient has hip issues (or fat thighs) put a pillow between their knees to keep hip alignment (and keep thighs from squeezing together). Can still have spills at times..... You can also try a fracture pan, especially if patient smaller. Hope this helps.

md911nurse. I'm not able to pm you. I guess I answer posts alot, but don't have enough posts to pm. You can email me.

I don't think they can force you to do volunteer work, just encourage you into that direction. Some hospitals are big on community service (and marketing) and request volunteers. I use to do BP checks at a facility heath fair which would be volunteer work.

Potential contract at Cristus San Rosa in San Antonio Tx. Can anyone answer some questions? 1. PDBS test required for travelers? (interviewer says regular staff takes, but doesn't think travelers do). Anyone know for sure? 2. Anyone work there, or nearby on nocs? Would love to have someone to go to zoo, aquarium, sight seeing, shopping, trip to beach with. (I tend to be unmotivated if I have to go alone!) 3. Any apartments/areas I need to make sure the agency doesn't put me? I'm jazzed about this assignment. I've been working in out of the way rural areas, with little to do on days off and it looks like San Antonio will be fun! I'm hoping this is like a paid vacation; it's been a cold winter here in TN.:nurse-beer:

I was beginning to think I was the only one who doesn't have a contract... Since my primary recruiter is a smaller company, I signed up with 3 others. Two of the companies had lots listed, but guess what...they had none that were actually open! I have been put in for 8 jobs, haven't heard zip from any facilities. I do med/surg which limits me. I'v.e told all the recruiters to put me in for any med/surg in a compact state. One of recruiters told me that for one of the positions she applied me to there were 100 applicants (states this was reported by the interviewing facilities). My recruiters have told me that business is picking up this week, but they anticipate it to remain slower than normal for this time of year. It's scarey out there.

What do you mean by "blackballed"? By whom? When references are checked at most hospitals all they will give out is dates of employment, and if your eligible for rehire. You can call the hospital and they need to tell you if they are saying not eligible for rehire. You can request in writing what the information they are giving is. If they provide other information, it can related only to your nursing practice, not your personality. I use to be a Director of Nursing at a nursing home, and a nurse manager at a hospital, we were told to be very careful, as it could cost the facilities if we weren't. Same goes for interviews; lots of stuff you cannot ask applicants. Can you give any more information....

I do believe this is not legal. They made them take prego tests each semester? This obviously isn't a school recieving federal or state funds...

I'm sorry that happened to you. I would be furious. I've heard some horror stories, so I don't even pack unless I have a signed contract. I try to always make sure that the contract specifies details (such as washer/dryer in apartment). Contracts are the same as nursing documentation "If it ain't documented it ain't done". Hope something else comes up quick for you.

My number one reason would be to get insurance for those of us who can't get insurance or afford what we can get. Insurance for me and spouse would be $900.00 a month r/t "pre-existing conditions". When I had hospital based insurance (I'm a traveler now), the insurance company found a way to make mostly anything not covered. Did you realized hypertension is preexisting and precludes any cardiac workups. Try to get insurance with something like Multiple Sclerosis (they classed almost everything preexisting!) Maybe we don't need socialized medicine, just major changes in insurance companies. I know it sounds selfish, but I don't care what they do. JUST GET ME HEALTH INSURANCE!! My neighbor has Medicaid, and whenever she's sick, or needed surgery, she went to doc, had surgery, had therapy, has meds. My husband and I self medicate, and hope we don't get sick. As a nurse it sucks; I would love to have yearly Mammograms, physicals and the care she recieves. (note: her surgeon was one of the best orthopods in the area!!).

Have worked with Travel Nurse Solutions and would highly recommend them. My recruiter is great, and they were great when problems developed. (the unit mgr insisted she sign and fax all time sheets, one week she didn't.) TNS called me, paid me my contracted hours, and the OT on next check. I rec'd every weeks check on time, and they were correct. One week I made a mistake (shorted my self my OT hours for one day and they had me submit a corrected time sheet and paid me the hours). I was impressed because the mistake was mine. My hourly rate for a Med/Surg position is higher than other companies were offering. TNS even paid my pet deposit and then took it ou t of my checks over a few weeks. When the facility required Blue Uniforms (which I didn't have) TNS gave me a stipend to buy some. My housing was perfect for me, and when I informed TNS that the washer/dryer wasn't delivered they took care of it quickly. They are a small office, and like all small ones don't always have contracts where you want/need them. I know my recruiter is working really hard to find me a contract. I'm just waiting for the phone interviews. I agree that the insurance (Blue cross) is expensive, but Blue Cross is expensive anyway. TNS is a great company, my recruiter is always honest and friendly, and doesn't put me in for jobs that I don't want/or am qualified for. Compared to the other ones I'm with I much prefer dealing with TNS. I think it's cause they are small and I feel like I have a closer relationship with my recruiter.

If you take the the tax advantage and decide to apply for a loan (car, house) the loan company will use your taxed hourly rate as your salary. Also, if audited by the IRS, you need to be able to account for the "tax free" portion via IRS appropriate deductions.

I too am getting nervous about contracts. According to my recruiter "contracts should start coming in January". Well...it's January and I still don't have a contract. I do Med/Surg, which always has less jobs posted. I love my agency and hope they can come through soon but I have also put in applications at some larger companies..it's just such a hassle to fill out all the paperwork. I've thought about applying to local hospitals, but they aren't hiring. (one hospital has 27 open nursing positions!) I thought I would take the Holidays off this year, so haven't worked since October!! I hate to admit that I'm bored, and that money is slim. MMMmmmmm doesn't the kitty food smell good :) Just kidding, thank heaven for ramen noodles!!! It's tough when both spouses do contract work in a weird world. Well, thanks for listening to my venting..... Things have to pick up, otherwise who will provide patient care?

Inquired about posted position at Siskin Rehab, and was informed they are under hiring freeze to be re-evaluated in January. Does anyone know if any other hospitals in Chattanooga are also under hiring freeze?

Hi ! I'm also from Chattanooga area. Worked at Parkridge Medical Center (Great place!). Now do travel nursing.

I just finished my contract at JC Med Center. It's an interesting place, some units run smoothly with good staffing, and others don't. I never really figured it out. As the unit I was hired to work didn't open until aprox 30 days before contract ended I was floated to different units. I enjoyed the med surg units, averaged 7 patients nocs, but had two techs who drew labs, did blood sugars, EKGs, and also patient care. The unit clerk was there until 11pm. The other units didn't have unit clerks after 7pm, and there are always admissions. I averaged 4 - 6 patients, sometimes with a CNA, sometimes not. The pulmonary unit 5400 was nice to work on also. 3300 and ortho were great to work on. Nurses draw their own labs 7a-7p, and on weekends in all the hospital. Most of the nurses were great to work with, helpful. The few that weren't were actually travel nurses, which was shocking. Charting is still paper. Orders were computer (an old archaic version, but at least computerized). Turn around time for pharmacy could run hours. I have my agency furnish housing (I like to get there, work, and leave without much fuss). I stayed at Claude Simmons Apartments, which are small and simple but quiet and in the country. I did enjoy the contract, but wouldn't work on the Bariatric/Med Surg 5300 unit again. Nocs was staffed with travelers, and no techs. We had a CNA occasionally, but they were pulled. The shift leader from 5400 would come and help whenever we called, and we needed to frequently! He was great and made the unit function. Hope I haven't overwhelmed you with data. I would grade it as a tolerable place to work. I have worked worse, and better.

I started July 15. I'm with TNS. (not sure how much recruiter info I'm allowed to give in open form, so pm me and I will give you info!)

Just wondering if there are any nurses that are in Johnson City, TN working at the Johnson City Medical Center? I'm starting a contract there for 13 weeks on nocs and wondering if any fellow travelers are there, or have been there in the past. I'll be on the Bariatric Unit/Med Surg on "5300". It would be great to have some info, or just know someone in the building!!

I wored on Stroke Unit, Frazier Rehab, Ky. Remember giving water by teaspoons to total ordered amount of water. Took ALOT of teaspoons. Never saw any patient's get aspiration related pneumonia, and it sure kept patient's from obtaining water from toilets, flower pitchers, etc!! I think it actually made them feel better in psychological way, water is one of our basic needs/wants. I really wish all facilities used this program!!