dass4

Just wondering for those working in hospital the policy your establishment requires for call off? We are given 2 hr window before our shift begins to call in to management and let them know we will not be in attendance and this will count as 1 single absence. IF you do not make the 2 hr window — your call off is counted as TWO absences rather than one. Do other hospitals do this as well????

I came from a Med/Surge unit (3 yrs) night-shift and loved it most of the time, yet looking for something different to broaden my knowledge. Now at new facility in Oncology Outpatient Med-ONC center. I am having a REALLY hard time loving my new position. I hate to say it, but I don't feel like a nurse at all. I don't even have to carry a stethoscope! We rotate weekly from treatment area, phlebotomy, and nurse desk to field a plethora of telephone and paperwork issues from patients, insurance, pharmacy, etc... I have been there approx 8 weeks now and it is improving in the treatment area at times but otherwise I dread the secondary spots. I know all things take time but I wonder if this is truly my calling! Patient interaction isn't that interesting so far and I question is it because I don't really have a connection with them yet? I am a pretty outgoing person and teamwork is a very important standard for me, yet I feel very out of place. You can imagine the difference between day shift and night shift humor as well that has me totally out of sorts with forming a connection with any of my teammates. I am just wondering if any others felt these types of issues when switching to an oncology outpatient unit? Or am I just crazy!!!

Can someone help me with a question? I am a CMSRN but I recently left the hospital where I obtained my certification in. I just got in the mail a letter stating that my membership is about to run out for AMSN (Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses). To reapply for membership is $84.00/yr. My question is .... Is it required to be a member of the AMSN to be a CMSRN? My previous employer took care of all this stuff and now I am unsure if this is something I must continue to keep my certification. I really don't want to spend the money on this membership because I have taken a new position in oncology. --- although I want do the CE to keep my credentials.

Ok-- so I'm not really ancient but I'm not 20 either.. more like 42 & a new nursing grad. I finally got the only job offered to me in LTC part-time. All the other people from my nursing class (who wanted) are working in hospital med-surge atmospheres, except me!! It seems as if I can't nab a hospital position to save my butt! I have put in probably 100 apps online & done all the follow-ups possible...still with no avail. I am enjoying my LTC job but just don't feel I am learning what I wanted that can happen on a med-surge unit. I am very discouraged. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong & feel I'm losing time not getting into a hospital. I had no experience except nursing school & was a stay at home mom for 13 yrs before that & my age could be working against me. Am I destined to stay in LTC? I have been reading that LTC nurses are kinda blackballed from hospitals due to their lack of knowledge....now I'm freaking out & am even more desperate to get out. What am I doing wrong!!! (I am a hard worker & have had nothing but great reviews from my superiors in the LTC facility for the short time I have been there -- 5 wks.) Not sure how to keep my chin up & drive going to get what I need out of career.

I have been on several of the threads looking for advise. I am a new grad in LTC facility. I see a lot of people put on here about a "routine" will help in the smooth transition of learning how to handle the load of LTC. I can agree to only a certain level...I see the point and do believe it can assist, however, I am soooo overwhelmed with everything else going on that things get put aside & I feel compromise the health of the residents. One of the biggest is "short staffing" & yet they demand "NO OVERTIME"!! More than one staff (including myself) have clocked out & stayed over and hour or more to try and catch up & still not getting everything complete. They say -- Pass it to the next shift!! ---Wow, really how fair is that - They have just as much as you & why put your responsibilities on them. Then the management says "We'll find you, believe us, if things aren't done correctly." --You have to put in a sheet explaining why you were over, if they think its good enough reason they will o.k. it. As a RN I certainly do not feel I am too good or ever too busy to get a call light when my CNA's are busy, however it's like a double edged sword....If I stop to get it, typically it takes me off track (time wise) and then I am trying to play catch-up the whole time -- which never seems to get complete!! The paperwork is UNREALISTIC to handle beyond all the care and med's you must give. (All done by hand-- no computer) Fax this - Chart that - Readjust this & then fax it to the pharmacy & MD & file...My head is spinning. I look at some of these posts and see 25-35 residents on a hall =

I have been on several of the threads looking for advise. I am a new grad in LTC facility. I see a lot of people put on here about a "routine" will help in the smooth transition of learning how to handle the load of LTC. I can agree to only a certain level...I see the point and do believe it can assist, however, I am soooo overwhelmed with everything else going on that things get put aside & I feel compromise the health of the residents. One of the biggest is "short staffing" & yet they demand "NO OVERTIME"!! More than one staff (including myself) have clocked out & stayed over and hour or more to try and catch up & still not getting everything complete. They say -- Pass it to the next shift!! ---Wow, really how fair is that - They have just as much as you & why put your responsibilities on them. Then the management says "We'll find you, believe us, if things aren't done correctly." --You have to put in a sheet explaining why you were over, if they think its good enough reason they will o.k. it. As a RN I certainly do not feel I am too good or ever too busy to get a call light when my CNA's are busy, however it's like a double edged sword....If I stop to get it, typically it takes me off track (time wise) and then I am trying to play catch-up the whole time -- which never seems to get complete!! The paperwork is UNREALISTIC to handle beyond all the care and med's you must give. (All done by hand-- no computer) Fax this - Chart that - Readjust this & then fax it to the pharmacy & MD & file...My head is spinning. I look at some of these posts and see 25-35 residents on a hall =

I am a new nurse in a new LTC facility in my hometown. I am only part-time right now and will be added to full-time when the census #'s increase. I can deal with that, however, the current shifts are complaining of being too busy to contend w/ all the clients they have and need further assistance from the part-timer's. I understand every medical facility is always run a little "tight" on help, but this is getting ridiculous! We had a mtg. yesterday and they will accept NO OVERTIME from anyone. They expect the full-time shift nurse to only have an extra RN/LPN for 4 hrs. then deal w/ all her daily issues by herself w/ 2 CNA's. That may be o.k. in a quote "normal" nursing home, but this is HIGH END facility. I mean where the residents feel like the are at Embassy Suites & you are expected to make every demand! We are a no lift facility as well...some residents need a lift just to help them bathroom or transfer. That can take up to 20 minutes just for a toilet time w/o my CNA!! It is becoming ridiculous. They also have no computer system for charting...still done by hand. REALLY!!! They could have done w/out a few of the paintings or pool table (that no one uses) & been a pilot campus for a computer system for the nursing. NOW the management tells us that if we would just go around and ask everyone if there is anything they might need that would help cut down on call lights....are you freakin' nuts!! Even if you ask them, it doesn't mean they aren't gonna have to move their bowels in 15 minutes while you are trying to pass med's! I wanted to tell them they needed to get their butts on the floor & take a shift to see what REALLY happens. Those answers look really good in your "HOW TO MANAGE" book but true nurses know that nothing EVER goes according to plan! You have to go to extreme lengths for these residents. It's all about what people "think" they see, instead of what real care may look like. I respect the cleanliness and comfort they want us to give -- no problem there--- but management is soooo controlling. They tell us they will "let us know" (with lifted eyebrows) if we are missing paperwork, yet when you tell them you can't get to all your paperwork because there isn't enough time & help on the shift the next breath they say ---"leave it for the next shift"!!! Ummm....isn't that double standard?... I don't feel I can trust any of them to truly go to and put forth a real complaint or statement on how things are really going for me. Do all other places have this type of issues & I am naive to understand the merry-go-round of politics? I don't know if I should just keep things under wraps or stand firm w/ the other nurses who are also feeling this way?

I'm in the Madison RN program as well starting in Jan.! Nervous as the time gets close. Really worried about the work load I've been hearing happens.

arnp2004...Your comment is understood and appreciated...however, one persons (...or more) experiences shouldn't be undervalued! Honesty is always the best policy & I don't believe anyone was being dishonest! We all hope to avoid mistakes that others who have traveled that path before us made. I'm sure ALL the comments were made with the best of intentions. We are here to help each other....not become doubtful of others experiences. I hope you do speak with your superiors... they should be aware of the experiences others are having regarding their school. Just remember...numbers and facts can't lie, regardless of which side of the fence you stand on.

Thanks sooooo much for this quote. I was thinking of this school until I read your post. I appreciate it so very much. It's sad to think that education must be this deceiving at times. Thanks again.

I kinda have this problem as well. I am retaking a class just to get an A so I have all A's before applying to nursing school. I find it hard to understand the process at Ivy Tech because I have heard the exact same issue....if they have approximately 300-400 applicants and only take 50 or so, how are they picking from all the applicants? Surely a large percentage have all A's as well as decent TEAS scores. How are they picking who gets in and who doesn't? Is there an interview process? I guess my problem is that straight A's does not make you a good student all the time....it really just makes you good at taking tests!!

Speaking of salary!! I am just finishing my pre-reqs and will soon move on to the nursing program. However, if I don't get in I thought about doing the SURGICAL TECH. program to work while I improve my scores/wait for an opening (whatever the case may become). Would this program be worth my while --- I hear that LPN's aren't offered many positions because they can attain a RN & get more work from them than investing in a restricted LPN duty nurse. Not sure about the pay scale & work experience that can come from a SURG.TECH. === Anyone got any thoughts?????

I haven't started my nursing program yet....still finishing pre-reqs....but I have heard that nurses feel very overworked and stretched to the limit (patient limit, etc..) Others say that this is one of the primary reasons for nurse shortages. Some get overwhelmed by the years of shortages and switch out of this profession. Just a question from the new up and coming!!! (Hopefully)

I have been worrying about this exact same thing. I know the loans are an option, but who wants more debt when they get out!! I don't mind some costs, but 30-40 thousand is a lot of money to defer. I have had a couple ideas so far. If you are near a town with some waitress jobs, several people I know have done weekend shifts. Some say they can make 100-300 per weekend / per 8 hr. shift. I also thought about babysitting for 2nd shift parents. You can earn money while being at home studying/sleeping. Just some ideas! Hope it helps.

Lennonninja, & others..... I am at Ivy Tech - Columbus .....anyone near here that will be in the Saturday class?? That is what I am doing for ANP! I only took that and a math class this Spring. I have the Marieb textbook as well! I did not buy my books from the bookstore this time. I got them from Amazon. I got the 3rd Ed./Marieb (Blue cover) & the manual that has picture of skin layers on the front. I hope that is all they require. The colleges are making it harder and harder to get your books not through the bookstore. None of the ISB#'s matched up....so it's sort of a guessing game. I'm sooooo afraid to walk in their unprepared!!!