editor2rn

St. David's system uses Meditech. From what I recall, Seton uses Compass.

Thanks for the feedback. I had the phone interview and now I wait. I worked from home in a previous job for 15 years, and all of my work was done on the computer and via email and Internet, so I'm not intimidated by the technology component. I'm more concerned that the caseload is doable. I'm used to working a full-time job and several PRN jobs, so I typically work 60 hours per week, occasionally more, sometimes less. What I don't want is to work 60 hours a week and not be performing well. I may PM you as I continue to apply and interview for CM jobs. Hearing from folks in the field is most helpful!

Hello, I have a telephone interview for a Field Service Coordinator position with UnitedHealth. I've been a nurse for a little over 4 years, working in intermediate care (ICU stepdown) and ED. I've been reading through the postings here and had a few questions. I have a few friends who work in case management, and I've lived in the area for about 30 years, so I have a few leads for resources. When changing from bedside to CM, what was your biggest challenge? What helped you the most in succeeding at CM? Also, I've researched UnitedHealth, and had a few concerns. How frequently do they have layoffs (seems this is a common topic on the Internet)? For those of you in the field, how do you handle going to dangerous/violent neighborhoods? The position is with United Health Community & State, so I'm guessing I'll be visiting folks in some neighborhoods that have gang violence, shootings, car jackings, etc. Thanks for any input!

**bump**

I graudated last year and got a job with the unit for which I was a CNA. I live in Austin, and our hospital system had 1200 new grads apply for 100 available spots. Here's the main problem with new grads: hospitals in big cities have tons of new grads applying for a few positions, and some small-town hospitals won't hire new grads and why should they when lots of experienced nurses are moving to Texas and need jobs. It's very discouraging for sure. Just apply, apply, apply and go wherever you can get hired. If you're still in school, get a job as a CNA. It helps.

I taught elementary school for seven years, and I just finished my first year of nursing. I wouldn't go back to teaching. As much as I love teaching, I don't like the behavior management aspect, and the parents can be more of a pain than the kids. Also, career options are limited for teachers. The kids change each year, but the job is the same. With nursing, there are so many things you can do. I'm finding lots of various job opportunities out there for experienced nurses. I'm not one who likes to feel trapped in a job, and I definitely don't with nursing. It's also great to go in only three days a week. I worked plenty of 12-hour days as a teacher, so the long shifts aren't bad; however, they are physically more demanding than when I was teaching (plus I'm older, so double whammy to the body). One last little bonus: I get much more respect from the general public as a nurse. Even the patients treat me better than the students or their parents. Everyone thinks they can teach, and they just don't respect that profession. Teachers are seen as babysitters. A few people think they can be nurses, but I find most people seem to respect our profession as something they couldn't do themselves, and they value nurses. Sure, there are always those few ungrateful patients who can drive a nurse crazy, but all in all, I find my interactions with patients and their families to be quite positive. Good luck with your endeavor!

Thanks everyone! Y'all are great. KelRN, I think I'll use your exact quote in my presentation.

Also, it's interesting to me that the first three comments involve "who": who can I go to for help, who is responsible if problems arise, who can I depend on. Good stuff! This will certainly help with the content of my presentation.

I understand the issues with floating, which my best practice addresses. As part of my presentation, I'd like to provide our administrators with some comments from "real" nurses that relay their emotions/attitude toward floating, positive or negative.

Hello, all, I'm putting together a best practice presentation for my hospital staff, and I'm collecting nurses's thoughts about floating. If you could, please respond with a one- or two-sentence answer to the following scenario: "You come in for your usual shift, and you've been asked to float to another unit. Although this unit has patients of similar acuity level, it's been quite some time since you've cared for the types of patients assigned to this unit (e.g., you work on the neuro floor and you're floated to tele or you work in med-surg and are assigned to ortho). What are your immediate thoughts and concerns about this assignment?" Thank you!

Got the good sign after taking the test on Friday; this morning Quick Results says I passed!

I'm graduating next month from an RN program. I worked full-time (two jobs) while in school, and I'm married with one daughter. I did an online program, which didn't require lectures but I did attend all the same labs and clinicals as on-land students. It's possible to work and go to school. It's not easy. You'll need a partner who understands that for 12 months you're not going to be as available as you were before. Personally, I wouldn't give up the job. I know LVNs who went through an RN program and who now are in the same boat as other new grads and can't find a job. One year from now isn't that long, and the job market may not be as good as we'd like it. Good luck in whatever decision you make!

I'm imagining why.

New grad positions in larger metro areas aren't impossible to get, but there's a lot of competition. In Austin, hiring managers are saying they get 150 applications for every new grad position, and the two major hospitals will hire about 75-100 new grads for their entire system, according to HR reps. It makes sense that Abilene and some of those other "out there" cities would be willing to take more new grads. They probably have a tougher time attracting nurses anyway, simply because of geography. Good luck!

Hello, everyone, I was wondering what your thoughts were about sending an email follow-up/thank-you letter for an interview I had today. The managers are going to make their decision early next week, and I'd like to get my letter in before they do. However, I'm not sure how appropriate it is to email the letter. Will I look like a lazy butt if I email it? Thanks!

wooohooooo! awesome! :) :)

Wahoooooo! Congratulations! :beer::beer::balloons:

Sounds good to me!

I'm taking it in June and already freaking out! Good luck to all the April testers!

Ah, gotcha. Yes, that makes sense.

I got my tech job in my second semester of school. I work PRN, four to six times per month. Our PRN techs are required to work two shifts per month at least, and one of those days has to be a weekend. All hospitals vary in their policies, but it is doable to work while in school. And it's great experience.

As my professor told me a few weeks ago, "Sometimes it's not what you know but who you know." My unit where I work as a tech will hire techs who are either in prereqs or in nursing school because they like to grow their own nurses. They even hired a tech a few weeks ago who will graduate in May. So it's not always the case that they don't want nursing students. I believe it's more about who you know. I would advise calling HR to check on your application status and express your interest. If you know anyone already working, try to get a name of a manager whom you can contact directly. One of my friends got her first tech job by walking into the manager's office and asking for it. (That might not work for everyone, however; I could see some managers really being peeved by that.) I would not take a CNA course. Just get a little more assertive in your search. Good luck!

Sending you positive job vibes!

Reminds me of the saying, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

Day care would probably eat up the $2/hour diff you get for nights. I say take the days and spend time with your kiddo. Make some changes in your budget. Buy generic for a while. Try not to drive and waste money on gas. I feel for you. I'm not a single parent, but plenty of my friends are, and honest to God I don't know how they do it.