jo1010

Here is my share of something I have experienced. I just changed my job from a job that I really loved, manager was wonderful and I really miss her, but (I work in ICU) the unit was not challenging enough for me. I am planning to apply next year to CRNA program and I need a solid ICU experience. I went to one of the best (if not the best) hospitals in my state and got shocked. I never expected bullying from a management. Well the immediate manager was on vacation when I got off the orientation, but the unit coordinator and nurse educator (people that should support me at that difficult time for me) started their bullying. Not even one time any of them asked how I am doing. It is a big trauma unit, I was given only 3 weeks (9 days) orientation (I came from not very acute community ICU) so basically many things were new to me. They tested me by giving me each day heavy assignment. If i was able to handle it, I got even heavier assignment the next day. I was told by a nurse assistant they do it to every new nurse. The nurse assistant told me, if someone is not able to handle the assignment, the nurse will be labeled incompetent. So far I had no problem with the assignments, although I have to admit I was sweating my ass many times. Never heard even a "good job" kind of thing. I am waiting for the main manager to come back from vacation, I need to evaluate what she will tell me and how she really is. I will be out without blinking if the manager is also that way. I also noticed a high turnover in that ICU. I have to say I asked during the interview what's the turnover rate in the ICU, and I was lied. I have 1 full time job (this one) and 2 per diems and I have never seen anything like this. I DID see bullying from other coworkers, but I approach them individully if needed and the case is solved. With the management you can't win. Life is too short to deal with such a crap. I will give myself some more time and I am most likely out. Also, the manager during the interview told me she is affraid to hire me because I have so many jobs that she is concerned I will leave after I get training in that ICU. Since the hospital as a facility and Trauma Center has a great reputation I told her I am looking forward to consider this place as my final destination, but at this point I am really confused. Why people that are responsible for recruiting, orienting newly hired nurses don't try to retain these employees? What is the sense of even hiring them if most likely they will leave? I have to add that I was hired for a night shift, but I was asked (if I could, and I agreed) to work first 3 weeks on days as they are very understaffed. I agreed, unfortunately. No support from other nurses. One day I was hanging 6 units of blood transfusion to my 2 pts and nobody even asked how I am doing or if I need any help. As soon as they see my blood approaching, they spread like cockroaches, because they didn't even want to hang it with me. I am the kind of person that doesn't ask for help, I am assuming you see me running around and sometimes there is NO reason to ask me if I need help, because it is obvious. Nurses just sit and keep on texting at the nursing station. I never ask to help anyone either, I just go and help if I see someone is busy. I just don't understand some individuals' way of thinking. I caught few nurses rolling eyes on me.

First of all I needed advise regarding my career path, not your opinion about my personality. If you dont feel like sticking to the subject, don't respond. Thanks for your effort though.

"Effort on the part of others"??? You are kidding me, right? My current employer knows ALL these places, therefore I didnt have a problem to be accepted. Plus ALL of the orientees left that particular place in within the 1st year. That place in fact is looking for RNs every week, they orient 20 RNs at a time but arent able to keep them there. 3 of these jobs were in the nursing homes where LPNs were my preceptors- LPNs who knew they will be replaced by me and other newly hired RNs (that was officially announced by a DON). Now, imagine what kind of orientation they gave me... Need I say more? In other nursing home during a code I saw a supervisor doing CPR mouth to trach! Unbelievable, no equipment whatsoever. Another job was great, I loved it but it was not a hospital job which i wanted. I would have stayed there but my current hospital called me for an interview and I got accepted. If you dont know the facts, don't judge me. AMEN.

You can describe me that I feel "superior", it doesn't bother me at all. Of course I am confident in what i am doing, but I realize there is still a lot to learn. Anyway I was job hopping and apparently it worked out pretty good so far. Why would I stay in 1 place if there is possibility to have a better job and learn a lot more? There is nothing worse for me than having a boring job. I know a lot of nurses that have been on 1 floor forever and they just stagnate there till retirement, that's not me though.

Someone please help me to make a decision. I have been a nurse for 2 years, currently enrolled in RN-BSN program, 2 weeks more to go and I am done. Anyway, I have been thinking about Masters in Nursing however I am clueless about the specialty. Initially I knew what I wanted to do, closer to graduation, more confused I am. First I wanted to be a CRNA, but I am being realistic and I always knew I needed ICU experience and lots of luck to be accepted to the program. After finishing nursing school in 2009 I had a problem finding ANY hospital job whatsoever so after finally getting a Med Surg/Onco/Ortho job i was excited. I somehow placed the dream of becoming a CRNA on the side and started considering other options but never forgot about wanting to become CRNA (I love independence that this type of job requires and high responsibility). As soon as I could I applied to ICU/CCU and got accepted. That somehow gives me more chance of getting into a CRNA program but again, I am being realistic. Then I was considering to go to FNP program, but after I heard of DNP requirements from 2015 (I am sure you guys heard of it as well) I got discouraged. I understand I will be grandfathered in if I finish before 2015 however there will always be a competition for me in the future. People will be having DNP degree as opposed to MSN. Also I dont want to HAVE to go to school later for DNP (especially in my age, I wanna start a family, clock is ticking ). I like being a bedside nurse, but for example being a Nurse Practitioner doesnt give u as much respect as you deserve. In my age I really want to have a CHOICE of continuing education, i dont want it to be a requirement. Then I thought of Nursing Education, but... how many nursing instructors are needed out there, seriously? Plus I can recall from my nursing school how much the professors had to kiss the Director of nursing school butt. I am not an ass kisser, never have been and never will be (that somehow caused a problem in the nursing school, the way I talk etc. I mean I am TOO MUCH straightforward). I even received an email right after graduation from one of the instructors that advised me "to be more diplomatic" in the way I talk. I would say i am so much Personality A, I am a perfectionist. I dont like to play a BS, I am straightforward and VERY fair, I will ALWAYS say things the way they are. I don't care what other people say or think about me, it is very hard to make me angry, you really need to pull on my nerve strings hard if you want to annoy me because most of the times I ignore just little bit of annoying people however I hate stupidity in people, I have a very low tolerance to stupid individuals, and I am not being offensive right now, just honest. In addition I am very ambitious (maybe more than i should I guess) but I am focused on my goals. I believe nobody will think about me if I dont do it myself, I started my 19 months RN-BSN program working in a nursing home and now I am ending this program working in Critical Care Unit and having other per diem job in other hospital. I had 5 nursing jobs within 6 months of graduation from my nursing school in 2009, jumping from 1 to the better one each time. I have no problem with changing work environment, I quickly adjust to new things around me. Because of all these traits, I thought of Nursing Administrator program, but...observing the DON in the hospital that I work at I feel bad for her. Again, kissing ass is on a daily basis, but you guys may say it depends on the facility, however I have been in MANY facilities and EVRYWHERE you just have to be kissing asses, otherwise you are out, sooner or later. I dont want to regret later what I chose to study. I am also very observant and I figured a while ago it is not worth to be loyal to your employer, because they will do with you whats convenient FOR THEM. I have to add I am in a very stable financial situation so money is not a problem for me, I am just confused about the specialty. I hate regreting things later on. I always wanted to have a job that I will love, even if the salary is not as good, I really dont care. I believe that if I spend almost a whole day at work I need to AT LEAST tolerate it and somehow like it. I love challenges, I will quit a boring job without blinking rather than the one that pays less but is more challenging. I will appreciate every comment, just dont advise me to sit at home and do nothing due to my financial situation. It is not me, I need to be in motion constantly

I am finishing my RN-BSN in 2 weeks and I think I wouldn't recommend this program to anyone. First of all it SHOULD take 19 months, but it really takes 22 months, to me it was a major point why I picked this program, because of 19! months, supposedly. And 3 months to me DOES make a difference, cuz there are many programs out there (and much cheaper) that offer 23-24 months programs. Anyway, some of the classes are harder than they should have been, hybrid classes are insane. U do a LOT of work online PLUS u go to campus. Very few professional professors who actually can deliver their knowledge to students. Every equipment is broken, the projectors, the opthalmoscope etc. In Rutherford campus (I have my last semester there) the cafeteria has nothing to offer. With time you get to the point where you get ****** off cuz you pay for the inconvenience so much money. Also they harass and threaten you in a rude way if u dont have a health clearance done or even of your health clearance is still OK, not expired yet, they try to tell u rudely what will happen if you dont get a renewal. For example you will receive an email from the Dean as well as your professor will receive the same email not to let you in to the class that day. ***. So childlish. Overall surrounding of the campus is depressing, cemeteries looking at you from every angle.

Well said. I worked in 1 rehab center and it was getting really bad, therefore after finding another place I thought "I need to quit, it can't be any worse than this right now" and guess what? It was a lot worse. So it is really risky to quit and get into something different, from 1 crap getting into a bigger crap. It looks bad on your resume to be job hopping all the time. I dont know what the advice can be at this point.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL Dave

HAHAHAHA, LMAO. This is the funniest comment I have ever seen hahahaha. Short and right to the point. I have to agree though :)

Sorry to hear that. Since you wrote this you probably did what you felt you had to do, however I will say my opinion. I started in a nursing home as well, here in New Jersey. My wage was the same (in 2009) and i had 16 patients, never less than that (on subacute floor). I was oriented by LPN who knew she will be replaced like every other LPN working there by RNs newly hired so obviously she gave me a crappy orientation. Anyway, the fact that this nurse was busy all the time and didnt even take a break doesnt mean anything. Try to see and observe other people, soon you will be a very confident nurse and you will organize your work the way that you WILL in fact find some time to eat. Dont get discouraged by that nurse or any other one. Look at yourself only and think about the future. Obviously many new grad nurses had to start in nursing homes, but you wont be there forever. You just need that experience in order to get to a hospital (if that is your goal). Some nurses just have a tendency to be disorganized and like to keep themselves busy, you dont have to be like that. With some more time and experience you will know what I am talking about. I found a hospital job after 5 months of working in a nursing home and now, after 1,5 years on med surg/onco I am moving to CCU (that was my goal). And the same thing happens in the hospitals. Dont look at other people, they will envy your willingness to grow, your confidence. Look at yourself, have your goals set and be a team player. Do the best job you can so you will feel blessed at the end of the day, that you indeed did a great job.

I started on med surg/onco floor after I graduated in 2009 and that was a night shift. 5 months later my nurse manager started asking everyone who would like to transfer to days, since one of our nurses was not going to come back from maternity. Anyway, the manager had to ask more experienced nurses first (seniority crap) and thank God they refused (due to children and school/babysitter issues) and I accepted it. To me it looked like getting a totally new job with 3 days of transitional orientation. I floated a lot and rarely complained about it (although it wasn't fair to me) but I knew I wanted to end up in ICU so I wanted to float and show other nurse managers I am a pretty good and confident nurse. Although I obviously never floated to ICU, i went many times to Step down unit where ICU is right next to it. I had a chance to talk and see a manager from ICU. Thats how I transfered there (starting next month), in fact the manager asked me if I am interested to work there as one of the positions just opened (of course I accepted). The position is on a second shift, which i dont like but once I get my foot int he door, I know I will make my way to day shift :) I have to say it is not hard to transfer, but you have to be very proactive. It may sound stupid but in todays market and hospital politics, you need to make "friends" everywhere, on every floor you go to (or at least dont show them your worse side). I tend to have for example a "poker face" lol and others wont ever see me being stressed or ****** off (although many times i am boiling inside) and they have been telling me compliments about it. They were telling me I would be good in ER or ICU. People in the hospital know each other and they talk. If you are a good nurse and a great team player, coworkers/managers on the floors will know about it. In fact more you float more advantage you will get out of it. The hospital I work at is not the biggest, it is a community teaching hospital (Magnet). I have to add I have been on med surg/onco for 1 year and 4 months. I have been ACLS certified when I was still a nursing student, but I am not tele certified or anything like that. They will train me there. It doesnt seem like it is a problem for them to train me. To be honest I have to disagree with your friend. To hire a new grad is not cheaper, because they have to train them longer starting with prioritizing, time management etc. ICU definitely prefers to hire someone from inside who has at least some experience with hospital policies, rules, doctors' names etc. It is ALWAYS helpful to start off on med surg floor.

Well, let me tell you something. I work on oncology/Med Surg/Ortho floor. I worked nights for 7 months and I was offered to work days (we have 8 hours shifts). I decided to accept that shift, and i have to say it is a huge difference. They gave me 4 days of transitional orientation but I feel like I need a bit more. Anyway, it has its pluses and minuses. The major reason why I accepted this shift is because i realized I will learn a lot more during a day shift. Starting with simple discharge (which sometimes isn't that simple) to transfering patients to OR, dealing with doctors (nightmare and the worst thing) and families. At night I thought the worst thing is to get an admission, on days that is the best thing that can happen. It is actually a time when I can stand in 1 place for 10-15 minutes (when i ask pts admission questions) because normally it is so busy that I run like crazy. I can't say I regret that transfer, although I feel anxious every evening to go to work next morning, but I am more focused on the advantages. I know i will become more confident each time I work and hopefully I will be as good as other nurses who have been there for years.

[contact member via PM], starting salary for 2nd shift 3-11 was $29 (u can negotiate to $30, my friend did that). I am 100% sure if they are hiring NOW but give them a call [recruiter name deleted]

That absolutely reminds me of LTC I worked for, Genesis Healthcare. Actually each time DON called me to the pffice for some weird reasons, she brought with her the entire team- HR person, 2 ADONs. She hired me full time, she was aware of the fact I have to have every Thursday off (cuz of school) and agreed to that. Then after 2 weeks of my orientation she changed her mind, she put me per diem. She said "we dont hire full time people that cant be totally committed to us". At this point I had no insurance and no benefits. My orientation was supposed to be few weeks long but it was only 3 days, I was on my own but I had paid orientation rate. One time I asked her to pay me per diem rate since I am on my own anyway instead of orientation. Once i started speaking up my mind, she fired me saying "I can see on your face you dont like this job. I guess you have the resignation letter ready?" I left without even blinking.

I used to work at one of the LTC facilities that was a part of a huge corporate. Let me tell you, the crap will always stay crap. In my 1st nursing home (it was a combination of subacute and nursing home) we had no equipment to even start an IV. My patient was in a respiratory distress and we didnt even have any nonrebreather. I decided to leave this place for a better one (thinking that it cant be any worse). I always said I can afford losing a job but I cant afford losing license. The other job however was a lot worse! In the first NH i had 16 patients (subacute) in the other place i had 38 patients (if i was lucky, it could go up to 42+). At night u have 60 patients. My DON told me that i can request to have the preceptor changed if we dont get along well together. My preceptor was nice but i wanted to see the routine of other people as well, therefore i went to DON and requested to have the preceptor change. Here the horror started. The DON wanted to write me up for "causing drama". She didnt give any explanation, nothing, just said that im causing drama and she will write me up. Thank God i got accepted to one of the hospitals, I left that nursing home without blinking. Now I am on the oncology unit, it is busy but i love it. Good luck to you! With your Masters degree you should apply for a management position not a staff nurse.