chriscolin

I can't' believe the differences in salary across the country. Here in Massashcusetts starting salary for a reg. med/surg new grad position varies from 25/hr to about 30/hr not including shift differentials and you still get benefits. Time to move!

We have a secretary but she is not there on the evening shift. I did take the EKG course and I passed the ACLS certification course as well. I can read a strip but I still have issues with the more advanced blocks. I had a great preceptor but she doesn't work on my shift now. The people I work with are very good, but they have their case load to handle too! The admits are a nightmare, we all cringe when we see ER on th phone! I am still learning to do IV's and I live in fear of my first code! Don't get me wrong, the cases are interesting and I feel like I am learning more than most of the classmates I graduated with. Hopefully I will make it through the early years here and relax!

Thanks I wish it were so basic. They are alive but sometimes that's not good enough. I can't miss meds, I can't forget to schedule neruo checks or cardiology consults, post telemetry strips. If I miss these things other nurses get stuck with the work and I get stuck with the fact that I didn't do my "job." If I miss an arrythmia spell and something happens later it was my job to catch it and notify someone. There is an enormous amount of stress. Don't get me wrong I find the work very interesting but I just don't know enough at this time and I don't have time to learn it! So I learn as I go, and yes I hope their all alive when I leave........

Thanks, I was referring to L&D, in our area L&D gets only 1 pt. 2 at most and are trained for the postpartum floor. Also even on postpartum we are only given 2 pt's because technically you have 4 or more if you include the newborns. L&D here is pretty good. But again hard to break into. Thanks

Thanks for the reply, I knew this shift wasn't going to be easy. There was another new grad who started on thisi shift too, and immediately requested a shift to nights! But we can't all switch, I'm trying very hard to learn to manage time. But you can't manage time when the time doesn't exist! I take the care of my pt's seriously, I want to be known as a smart, caring nurse. The smart part isn't being met because I don't have time to think! I can't think of any nursing other than critical care where the ratio is 2/1 or maternity,where I won't have so many pt's. But it seems clear to me that when I have 2/3 pt's my care is excellent my charting is better and my pt's are happier as a result I am more content and secure in my skills. I was told it would be this way, but I am not willing to risk injury or error to a pt because of staffing, it's not worth my license or peace of mind. When I graduated I wanted to do maternity, but that's hard to break into so I am trying to get experience then make the swap. Until then I just do the best I can and go bed with a massive headache worrying about what I may have missed (meds etc..) not a great way to start a career!

I am a new nurse on a small tele floor. I love the people I work with and the small setting makes learning a lot easier. However, I do end up with 4/5 pt. a night. I work the 3-11 which gets very busy with admits/discharges. Well, right now I feel like I do my initial assessment as quick as possible, give out meds and do paperwork. I dont' feel like I have time to talk to my pt's research what's going on with them, and think about their diagnosis and try to really assess their conditions to help with whatever the best care I could give would be.... It's frustrating because I am sure I am not managing them as well as I could if I didn't have as many pt's and really had time to do a better assessment. I think my paperwork is rushed and not as accurate or thorough as it should be, I feel like I am just running around without really "nursing". Admissions take at least an hour and I end up with 2 most nights. That leaves other pt's with little contact from me other than giving meds. I feel like a babysitter who gives out medications and just passes them off to the next shift. I know I could give better care with less pt's. But let's face it that isn't going to happen. I also know with this pace I will make a mistake or miss a symptom or sign I should have caught with a pt. Critical thinking is so emphasized in nursing school but I know I don't have the time to even properly assess my pt's never mind really think about what's going on with them! I feel I can't give the best care without really knowing my pt's that is impossible with 5 pt's and no time to really assess them. Maybe it's time for school nursing! No rush there! Except for flu season..... Anyone with any thoughts.:bowingpur

Our hospital had a barbeque for day/afternoon shift. Overnight shift got pizza and a dessert buffet. There were raffles and prizes. Not bad.

I had an 8 week orientation on a small tele unit which I love. Well I've been off orientation for 3 shifts and last night I barely held it together! The 2 nurses that came on the next shift just laughed and tried to make me feel better! Every nurse it seems has cried or made a mistake they thought was awful! Hopefully there won't be too many more crying nights!

I only have heard chatter, but I think their base pay is low compared with other community hospitals in the area.

I could be wrong but I think that's another way of stating what a diff. would be.

I applied online then followed up with a phone call to confirm they received it. Then I waited about a week and followed up with a phone call to check the status of my application. At that point I ususally got put through to the nurse recruiter. Persistence really is the key. Good Luck

I just interviewed today at Beverly. Nice hospital. Union so base salary for new grad is 26.00 with 6.00 shift diff for weekend/nights, but they are hiring. Winchester will hire in the spring, great hospital. Holy Family will hire in spring, Melrose/Wakefield doesn't have many openings right now. Lawrence General is a big hospital you might find openings there. Good Luck.

My classmate worked at the Brigham as an aid, only an ASN she was hired. So I guess there are exceptions to every rule, depends on who you know I think.

I just graduated in December with my ASN. I've had 2 interviews on at NECM in Boston and the other at Beverly. Both have openings and are expected to make offers. About 1/2 my class has jobs, I think it depends on how flexible you are. Most are starting in community hospitals, not the big Boston hospitals. Persistance is definately the key, follow up applications with phone calls, and follow up interviews with thank you's and phone calls. Just putting in the app isn't enough. GOOD LUCK!

Beverly Hospital-26 base, 6.00 wknd/night diff! But only 1.85 for weeknight and weekend day diff. Not so great, but very nice staff and location if you live on the Northshore.