salwalwol

I have worked for the VA. When I was hired, you had to be a citizen. But I recently worked with a RN from Canada. She was married to a U.S soldier and had her citizenship papers pending. Look on the VA web site for information on hiring requirements. http://www.va.gov

We have a mother and son working in our unit. It was quite a discussion concerning them working together when the son was hired. Policy states they can not supervise each other. They work 12hr shifts and are on opposite tracks. So they hardly ever work together. On the rare occasion that they do, they try and keep in professional.

Well, I'm 53. Been in Nursing for 32yrs. The last 20 in ICU. Working nights 12h shifts. and I'm starting to feel my age. The plan was to retire @ 55, (I work for the VA so I can retire @ 55 with 33yrs.) But we're doing some major remodeling of the house so I might stay for a few more yrs.

Thanks, I'll look into thise sites. I really appreciate this. These Aunts were my idols growing up. I credit them with my career choice. They were strong independent women. I hope I can live up to their standards.

This is an unusual request. I am looking for a picture of the Nursing School pin for Lankenau in Phila. 2 of my aunts graduated from there in the early 20's. I do the family genealogy and thought it would be nice to place a picture of the pin next to their pictures and family history. I live in NC so I can't get any information. Thanks in advance for any help.

Each VA has it's own base pay scale. Base pay is different in every area of the country. For example Fayetteville, NC the base pay, is different than the base pay in Durham, NC. It's called locality pay and it sucks.... Worked the the VA for 30yrs.

What an excellant topic... We did co-sleeping with our 2 sons 25yrs ago. I would breastfeed and my hubby would cuddle with them and they would sleep on his chest. We are both light sleepers. My hubby being a firefighter. Our eldest up until he was 5if he wasn't feeling good would climb into bed with us and lay with his head on his daddy's chest. It's up to each parent to make that decision and be responsible.

#4 of 6, 3rd daughter. Niether parents drink or smoke. Mom and her sister both flunked out of nursing school. Had 2 great aunts one on each side of the family that were RN's. They were my inspirations. Neither of them were 1st born and we come from a long line of tee- totalers

This is soooo wrong on so many levels. Starting with privacy and HIPPA and Ending with already overworked and understaffed floor nurses.

I also went to school in the 70's, we did practice practically everything on each other. Everyone had the option of refusing to be the "patient". It was a great learning experience! We got to practice with fellow classmates (people we trusted) and learned how it felt being poked and prodded. So when I tell my patients, I know exactly how this feels I am not lying.

I do the scheduling on our unit and everyone is on a track. So everyone can tell when they will be working. Every other weekend is 3 days off. I tried to change it and got Major complaints from 90% of the staff. Talk to you manager, see if they can work something out..

I don't believe JACHO require this @ all. Our union contract forbids any supervisor from asking why you are caling in sick. And as it has been said this is America...... Personal choice.

As an RRT he definitely was within his scope of practice.

Hi, Can't help you in looking for a job in Reading. But wanted to let you know somebody from Schuylkill Co. does read the posts. Actually I'm not from there anymore but grew up in Pottsville. I'm living in N.C for right now. You will love the area. Wish I could move back. Haven't seen any decent amount of snow in years here. The people there are great! When Uncle Sam gets thru with me I hope to get back there. And never leave again! Alice

What would you like to know? I work nights in ICU. Can't tell you what happens on the medical units on the day shift. I do know we are very short staffed everywhere in the hospital. Most of the staff is overworked, and under appreciated by the powers that be. Middle management is ok. for the most part. I like the Vets and I'm 4yrs short of retirement.

Boy, does that bring back memories! I graduated from a diploma program in the early 70's. Right before everything became disposable. We had to do a sint in central supply and learned how to wrap and sterlize all the equipment. Everything was "recycled." We had to work in all the different depts (kitchen, lab, xray, pharm etc.) in the hospital. My senior year a severe snow storm kept the reg staff from coming in. So the senior class basically staffed the hosp. We lived on the hosp grounds. A real learning experience! We were unpaid labor. If you worked the night shift you were still expected to be in class that morning! Being woke up in the middle of the night when you were on OB rotation and were on call for deliveries. Things have changed so much.

Being a nurse for 30yrs, 15 in ICU. Other than wearing my watch on the "wrong wrist". I can say being a lefty has never been a problem. Even the "righty" nurses I work with have a preferred side to work on. I'm the one the ward nurses call when they need an IV restarted. Practice is the key..

We also do our own baths, I work nights ICU and we don't have any CNA's. We routinely assist each other in the baths. It"s a small unit only 6 beds. and there's only 3 RN's on nights. We are responsible for EVERYTHING. Plus we have to cover the rest of the Hosp for staring IV's, Lab draws if the lab tech is not available. and anything else the Super can think of. (so she doesn't have to do it.)

It depend on the area. But the VA is hiring here in NC for all of the facilities,( there sre several). I have worked for the VA for almost 30yrs. The benefits are what keeps me. The salary could be better, the local Hosp makes more but the fringe benefits I love. Most of our MD's talk to us like we're intelligent and we are a team. I coulld go on. The best part of working for the VA is the Vets themselves.