mich321

It sounds like hospital B is very supportive of new graduates since there is a one year residency. A supportive environment is worth SO much more than being able to say "I work for a very prestigious hospital."

I've done a lot of embarrassing things. Last time I worked, I was starting to ask a pt to tell me his name and birthdate when my phone started ringing. I ignored the phone, but asked the pt to tell me his "name and phone number". His wife and daughter were in the room, and you should have heard the comments that I inspired. My face was BRIGHT red!

Yes, I would try to stay on PRN or part-time at my current job if at all possible in order to avoid "burning bridges". Thanks for the advice!

There was no sign-on bonus, so I wouldn't need to pay back any money. The consequence of breaking the commitment is that I would not be eligible for re-hire. (And of course, having the guilt of it on my conscience!) I'm not sure what I could change at work. I work night shift (which I don't like), but I also worked day shift for 6 months and REALLY didn't like that shift on my particular unit. I like my co-workers and the hospital organization. I just don't like the type of nursing unit. I can't switch units within the hospital for another 1.5 years.

I have been working as an RN for one year on a med-surg/stepdown floor. I didn't really want to work in this area of nursing, but that is what was available after graduation and I knew it would be good experience.....and it has been good experience. I'm just miserable there even though it is a great organization. I'm depressed, gaining weight, and generally not myself. I now have the opportunity to take the job I REALLY wanted right after graduation, but it is at a different hospital. My only problem is that I have a 28 month commitment (not a contract) with the hospital I work for now. I am really torn between (a) not wanting to break my commitment to a great organization and (b) not wanting to be miserable for the next year and a half. I feel really guilty for even thinking about breaking my commitment, and I'm fully aware that this decision could come back to haunt me someday. My thought was that maybe I could still work at my current hospital on a PRN basis if I took the new job. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry if this was already posted by someone, but I saw this video today and found it inspiring. The hospital employees in this video all wore pink gloves to promote breast cancer awareness and choreographed a dance to go along with the gloves. It was nice to see people having fun at work, especially for a good cause. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpo-7bHeJyk Hopefully the link works. If not, go to www.youtube.com and search "pink gloves dance".

If you have a chance to be part of a new grad program/internship, take it! The first year of nursing is SO overwhelming. You will need the support! If you start in the casual pool, you will likely be on your own after a very short period of time. Good luck to you!

There were some nurses laid off in the summer from the hospital where I work. They were nurses who helped with admits/discharges and transported pts to procedures on monitors. It was sad!

I had never heard the term "para-nursing", so I did a quick google search just to see what I could find. It appears that some countries use the term para-nursing to describe the role of a CNA or Patient Care Assistant/Tech. I don't believe that a Respiratory Therapist would fall into this category (at least not in the United States).

You are not alone! I cried twice during orientation, and I didn't even wait until the end of the shift! It's ok, it happens. Nursing is stressful and overwhelming, and you need an outlet for that. It is NOT your fault the test didn't get done the day before.....you weren't even there! Take pride in the fact that you noticed the scheduling error and got everything in order for the next day. You saw a problem, and you took action to correct it. That's what we do!

Finally made up my mind to get the IM vaccination yesterday. My arm is a little sore today. No other problems!

I believe each hospital/facility has its own clinical ladder for advancement from novice to expert nurse (level I-V). You would probably have to check with your hospital for specifics.

I felt the same way when I was off orientation and probably for the first 3 months on my own until I switched to night shift. Night shift has been much better for me!

It's been about 9 months for me. I have some days where I feel somewhat confident and some days where I feel like I really don't know anything yet. I know I'll never know it all though, so I just keep asking questions and looking things up!

ABC news tonight stated that one of the companies donated 100 doses of the vaccine to a children's hospital in new york.