Chrislynn2003

You are in my thoughts and prayers Christine

I started in the OR at 22.23/hr in Delaware and am making 26.21/hr after 2 years. Evenings and nights and weekends are a different rate. And call pay is time and a half with making 25% of your hourly rate for being on call. Christine

On Sundays we don't have staffing, so 2 people must be on call for 24 hours. 12 or 15 hours have been worked consecutively on a Sunday with no breaks/lunch, but it's rare. During the week, we are required to take call 11p-7a cause we don't staff those hours. And if you have to come into work during the night, you are still required to work the next day. Christine

I stumbled upon this site while doing research for a nursing class. Christine

I admire the scrub techs where I work. We do alot of orthopedics and they are great at what they do. I only scrub when there aren't enough techs working that day, so as an RN I look up to the scrub techs to help and teach me. There is so much more they know about scrubbing than I do, so I will never make them feel inferior to me, just because I am an RN. Christine

I too feel bad when I call out sick. I have been at this particular job for 1.5 years and in the past 2 months I have called out twice for being really sick (once for one day and a whole week the second time I called out) I literally couldn't even stand up i was so dehydrated. Calling out sick is seen as "bad". I hear things like you can only call out 3 times a year or you will be reprimanded and it looks bad on your evaluation. I work in the OR and I have been called in during the night(we have no night staff from 11-7), not gotten any sleep or maybe an hour, and had to be back that morning. I have to stay at least half the day before asking if I can go home and that's if there is enough staff so that I can go home. And it's a wonder why we can't retain staff at our facility. I'm at the point now where I am going to be thinking of myself and my health or I too will be burnt out real quick. Christine

I live in Delaware. I have a little over a year experience as an RN and started in the OR at 22.23/hr. and am up to 24.05/hr day shift. But then again it all depends on the cost of living; I am actually making more than I ever expected to start out at. Christine

I am so happy for him and his family. I cried as a I read this. When I was 11, I was put on the list for a liver transplant for PSC ( B+); a miracle happened on my 13th birthday when I received my new liver. My thoughts and prayers are with this young boy and his family and friends. Christine

Time and a half when called in. 1/4% of hourly rate for holding beeper. We automatically get paid 4 hours if called in.

As a new grad a year ago, I started in the OR with a 6 month orientation. Christine

I signed a contract to stay in the OR for 2 years, or else owe $5,000 and I did not get a sign on bonus. Christine

Chrislynn= Christine Lynn and 2003 the year I signed up on this board. Christine

I live in Delaware, have been in the OR a year, and make $24.77/hr for day shift. $2.00 shift differential for 3-11 and 1.5 time for being on call. My starting rate was $22.23/hr. Christine

Please stick with it. I felt the same way when I started; I thought about what I'd gotten myself into and that i'm never going to learn everything. And the truth is that not everybody knows everything and never will. I learn something new all the time. I have only been a nurse for a year, but I will tell you that with time you will feel more comfortable and confident. I still have days that can be stressful and I feel like I'm overwhelmed, but nursing has so many rewards that I stick with it. Hang in there. What you are feeling is normal. Good luck! Christine

We just got Pyxis a few months ago. At first everyone started complaining, saying that it would take too long to get all the meds they wanted, waiting in line, that it's too far away,etc. But it's actually not that badl it's much safer than having the drugs exposed to just anyone. It may take a little longer; I normally know what I need for the case before the case. I am used to it now and hardly ever have to wait in line to get the meds. In my mind, it's patient safety first. Christine