rwright15

I work at BRH and absolutely love it. That pay is average around here. One thing about Brandon, for as long as I've been there, you can work 5 days/week. That really adds up. There are many places that will not let you have ot at all.

I work with nurses who think a 20 is sufficient for everything and state they just don't understand nurses who put 16 or 18's everyone. I never put less than an 18 unless it's physically impossible, and I only come to that conclusion after I've tried with an 18 at least twice. Whether they're sick or not. I think if anyone is "sick" enough to come to the ER, they should be stuck big. If not to save their life, then to get them out of my room quicker!

WBC would be high after a trauma without the presence of infection (FYI). Most md's do not want a pt with a head injury to receive narcotics. It's just simply unsafe to give right away. I would think the initial dose of Toradol would be fine. It's the multi doses that I would question.

Something else... If you find yourself with some downtime and it's not your lunch, look for another nurse who looks overwhelmed and offer to help them in some way. You will gain the respect of your coworkers as a team player and not one who is just out for yourself or worse, lazy. It will go a long way when you need help...

These feelings will pass. It might take 6+ months, but they will if you just stick to it. One thing's for sure, you either love or hate the ED, but you don't need to make that decision until you've worked it (as a nurse) for at least a year. Every new grad finds themself in this situation. Just prioritize and when a dr gives you that look, don't be afraid to tell him you have other pts, or in graphic detail what you've been doing for the last hour. Just don't tell him that if you're sitting on your rump and your stuff isn't done. Most ED's you'll find that you can go ahead and start your line once your pt gets to the room and keep that NS close by so that you can hang in in a flash. Put 95% of your pts on the monitor so you have a record of their vs you can go back and record if you have too do it late. You will learn these and many more little tricks that will help you along the way. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I never mind helping someone, especially if they are new either to the dept or nursing altogether. I was told to "be a sponge" and learn from everyone around me. Most nurses don't mind sharing their knowledge with someone who is eager to learn. It's the ones who think they've got it down and know more than the seasoned nurses that become irritating. Oh, and being a new grad to the ED is not as uncommon as you would think. I did it and don't regret one second of it. I had an ICU nurse that had to float to our dept and take pts b/c of a lack of beds the other night, after being next to him for 12 hours, I was so proud to be an ER Nurse! Good luck!

The hospital I worked in when I lived in TN would not let us. It may be a facility policy, but I was always under the impression it was not in our scope. It had to be done by MD, NP, or PA. Same thing at my hospital now in Florida.

You could try school nursing though you would still have patients... You could do a Dr office, surgery center, forensic nursing, legal nursing where you review charts and testify in lawsuit cases. You could also be a nurse manager somewhere that you wouldn't take pts just manage the nursing staff. You can do that with a BSN.

When you do become a nurse, you will learn that we need a way to vent.... Usually this is talking about the cases that we deal with. I talk about my experiences all of the time. However, I don't approve of her divulging the pt name. That's ludicrous with all of the HIPAA laws in place and the way kids talk. Most facilities have compliance hotline that anyone can call in anonymously and report someone.

I am wondering with all the millions of ambulatory care clinics and walk in clinics, why she can't get an appt. Most of them are "no appt necessary"....

I have to remind dr's and pa's all the time of tests they should order, allergies that the pt has they forgot and wrote a script for, and so forth. Their ego's get in the way of them a lot of the time. When asked who my pcp is, it is always a NP. NP's rock in my book. They are more caring, usually don't mind getting in there and getting dirty. I've had more than one NP start an IV for me when I was slammed, splint an arm, bandage a lac, so on and so on... Like I said, NP's ROCK :)

I just went through this exact same thing. My husband transferred From TN to FL less than 3 weeks ago. Being a graduate in May 2009, I have 9 months ER experience. I looked at all the hospitals around here, and found a position that required 6 mo experience, applied, followed up and I start April 5. Everyone told me the same thing about not being marketable. The definition of a clinical nurse II is someone with at least 6 mo experience. You just have to be proactive and sell yourself. You may have to work somewhere you don't want to first, but if you really try you will be okay. I have read on here in the FL forum where ppl have tried for months and not gotten a job. I don't understand that. There are so many places looking for RNs. You just have to be assertive without being desperate. Good luck to you!

I was a hairstylist and needed a dependable form of income... No glamour there. I did however, fall in love with it once I started. I feel now that it is my true calling. My love for it is what drives me to excel at it!

I wear my band, but not my ring with the stand up diamonds. I am always afraid that a glove will catch it, rip out the diamond, and it will be hours before I noticed.....

I would say yes... I had an interview last week. I wore some black slacks and shoes that I had, and bought a new neutral khaki colored button down shirt. I only spent $15. I ironed it crisply and went for the interview. I got the job! Good luck to you.

I'm going to say KOI again.... They have some of the longest shirts I've wore. My friend that I mentioned earlier is 6'2" and they are long enough for her. Try them sometime... I am an apple shape, and my favorite pant is the cherokee work wear flare pants. They are short waisted, have elastic in the back and a drawstring in the front. The tops are okay, but I usually have to buy different sizes in top and bottom. I like Koi tops and I have finally lost enough nursing school weight that I can wear them . I want to try iguana scrubs, but haven't tried any on since the weight loss. I am starting a new job where all the RNs have to wear a solid royal/galaxy blue color all the time, which means I have to go buy at least 3 new sets.....

I just took a job with HCA and am hoping for the best. I've heard many opinions from opposing sides in regards to HCA. As far as them outsourcing dialysis, it is just a fact that not every acute care facility has the resources for inpatient dialysis and it has to be contracted through an outside facility. The agency in question should know that 4 hrs on a stat order can mean life and death for some pts. It's all about common sense and compassion. I don't agree that the MD should be writing formal complaints in a pt chart. It does not belong there. It has just a paved way for another lawsuit for millions of dollars. In turn, that hurts the health care workers in that they have to make up for that somewhere, spikes in our insurance, lower wages, "temporary" freezes on our annual raise, less nurses being hired = increased pt workload.... and on down the line. It gaws me how ppl read a story like this and just run with it. While yes it is tragic that this man died, saying that HCA is responsible b/c they do not offer dialysis in house is absurd. Like I said, I just took the job with them, haven't even started yet but I am hoping for the best.

Urbane have really short tops... That's what I don't like about them. I am not pear shaped, but my friend is. She wears KOI and they tend to be very flattering to her body shape.

Med compliance... This pt needs much teaching. Nursing professors always love to see listed all the things you are going to teach.

Thx! Brandon Regional....

TYTYTY! Proud to say that I did find a job! I accepted a position with HCA. Everyone talks about the horrible pay, but it is $4.10 more/hr than where I just left so I am pretty dang excited ... Haven't spotted the alligator in a while, they are elusive in the day, and I'm too chicken to go out there hunting at night! Guess we'll just keep a safe distance from each other.

I lived just due south of you in Lawrenceburg. I also graduated in May! I have 9 months ER experience. My dream job is to get into Tampa General's ER, but don't know if that will happen right away. I'm willing to do my time and get more experience somewhere else. I am going to a job fair on Thursday for BayCare Health Systems. They have a really good reputation around here. You will love it down here. Especially after this winter in TN. I've only been down here for 10 days and am already in love with the place. So many nay-sayers told me "how it would be", but I am now wondering if any of them have ever been here. It is all about one's outlook and attitude. I was told how everyone down here is rude... So far I've found things to be completely the opposite. I have met so many wonderful interesting people already. It is all in how you approach someone. Most people here are happy and enjoying the sunshine! Good luck on your move.

Well I made the move! My license was in almost 2 wks ago, and I am here! I love it as much, if not more, than everyone said! The weather, people and food are all amazing, and I think I have a baby alligator in the retention pond behind my house! I look for him everyday. I said I would start looking for a job on Monday, but actually filled out 3 online applications on Friday. So far I've been turned down once, heard from 1 recruiter who said she would forward my app on, and then haven't heard anything on the third. I am trying not to get nervous. I know bigger cities have more people and the job market is more competitive. I am wondering though, I am an ER RN with 9 months nursing experience, all in the ER. Will I be considered a new grad? I have most all my accreditations except for TNCC and PALS. Most places will give you so many months to get those. I am hoping I can get into an ER and not have to do Home Health. No offense to anyone, but I just don't think it would be for me. I like to have a quick turnover of pts, not get too attached, and also love the adrenaline I find in the ER. I will do whatever I have to in order to stay here, even if it is HH...

I finally made the move to the Tampa area from TN! I am currently in Riverview and absolutely love it here. The weather is great and the people are amazing. I filled out 3 online applications on Friday, and so far... 1 rejection, 1 nurse recruiter who said she would forward on my resume, and nothing on the other yet. Is this typical for this area? I am an ER - RN with 9 months experience. I have never had to try or even look this hard for a job. I am seeing tons of ads for home health, which is my worst nightmare to have to do, but I will if it means staying in this area. Anyone out there with HH experience in the Tampa area? How is it? Also, are they still considering me a new grad? The rejection I got was from an ad that required only 6 mo ER experience, so I am at a loss for why they turned me down so quickly unless they wanted someone with so many years nursing experience, and then the ER. I am trying not to get discouraged, but starting to get a little concerned after what all I am reading here about the job market. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am moving to Riverview! My husband is already there starting a new job tomorrow morning. I am still in TN working and waiting for my FL license by endorsement. This is the hardest thing I've ever done, being here when he's there. He said it was 83 today. TN has seen tons of snow this winter. I hope the BON hurries up with my license then I am gone! I am wondering how hard it will be to find a job with 8 months ER experience. I am told by many of the locals that I will not have any trouble finding work there. I am excited and can't wait to join the mix. My house and husband are waiting.

I use "C/O" and "reports" interchangeably. I don't think C/O makes the pt sound like a complainer. I'd go with what the facility policy is. If this is just coming from another nurse, then I'd blow it off. LOL at the COWS... Same thing at my facility. We have to call them WOW's now. That's just strange to me. Everything has to be politically correct.