lil'redRN

We do art sticks all the time in the ER, or if respiratory is already at bedside, we can ask them to do it. I'm curious, are the floors are able to do them too (of course with orders)? With an inservice or training, I don't see why not.

Just had to add my input... I've been a RN for nearly a year now and started as a new grad in the ER. I had my last semester high acuity rotation in the ER, so I was familiar with the atmosphere and protocols,etc. I think it's why they hired me on in the first place. I came in with an open mind and a very humble (but not timid) attitude. I got a 12 week clinical/didactic orientation and finally started to feel comfortable after the 12th week. By no means did I feel competent, but I knew I had tons of support and everyone (especially my mentor) was watching my back! THAT is the key to the success of a new grad. You don't feel that you have to exude a false confidence if everyone around you is supportive and not out to watch you screw up. Even after a full year of being molded into an ER nurse, Lord knows I have soooo much more to learn. Hell, sometimes I say "I don't know" just to hear someone else explain their thought process. Never hurts to listen. However, I know that I'm a good nurse and if I can find the patience to allow myself more time and experience, I'll be an even better nurse! Don't underestimate your new grads! For the most part, if you give us a chance, we'll work our a**es off and you'll see the benefits! lil'redRN ~celebrating 1 year as a RN on June 4th!!!

Hey everyone! I'm a fairly new RN born and raised in good ol' Amarillo, Tx. My hubby dragged me down here to Houston in 2002 where I caught the nursing bug! I graduated with my BSN from UT-Houston in May 07 and now work as a ER nurse in the med center. Woo-hoo! I've got a great (and very supportive) hubby, a 5 year old daughter and a brand new 1 month old baby girl!! Good to meet everyone!!! :wink2: lil'redRN

Congrats to all of you who got accepted! I graduated from the UTHSC-Houston BSN-Gen in May 07 and now work in the Med Center. You guys hold a sweet-spot in my heart being from my old alma-mater! Get ready for the ride of your lives! Nursing school was scary, stressful and frustrating, but amazing and absolutely worth every minute! During your first semester, you'll eat, sleep, and breath nursing stuff. Try to always stay ahead of the game (do your best not to procrastinate, even though you're bound to fall prey to it!), and get on the good side of your professors and clinical instructors. You'll hear this one constantly... "BE FLEXIBLE!" However, remember to take time out for your families too because they will feel the stress almost as much as you will. It CAN be done and you guys will all do great! Best of luck, enjoy it because the next two years will fly by so fast your head will spin! lil'redRN Proud UT grad, even prouder RN! May 2007

First of all, CONGRATS on passing NCLEX!!! I graduated may 07 and began applying for positions during that last semester. All I can say is be EXTREMELY persistent. If you did any rotations in the med center hospitals, use it to your advantage and contact the unit managers/nurses you worked with and ask them to give a good word for you. If you're applying for a totally unfamiliar unit, try calling the unit directly and ask for the manager or clinical educator and have a list of questions ready (don't call during shift change). Start off with "I'm interested in applying for a staff nurse position on your unit and would like to know..." Ask about shadowing for a couple hours. Doing this gives you an "in" with the manager/educator and lets them put a "face to a name". It sets you apart from the rest of the general applicants and you can then tell the recruiter that you spoke with "so and so" from whatever unit regarding a position and need to know what to do to expedite the application process. Stay in touch with both recruiter and the unit managers that you speak to. Alot of times, the unit managers will speed up the process if they want to hire you. Remember, you are one of hundreds of applicants. Anything you can do to set yourself apart from the rest will increase your chances, start with the units. Good luck and I hope you get the job you want!

Oh my gosh, I love that... We also see alot of non-emergent "trolls". In fact, our number one chief complaint is a bad case of "acute trollitis". Oh and what about that Harry Potter saying... "It's easy to speak troll, all you have to do is point and grunt." On many occasion, I've wondered what kind of reaction this would get in triage... Cheers to the many overworked, underpaid "drug-dealers" that we've all started to become. However, dispite it all, I wouldn't rather do anything else in the world! We've just got to stick together and stick it out...

Haha, these are cracking me up!!! I don't think this one has been added yet, but one of our docs refers to our "ladies of the night" as needing their "monthly VTU" (lady partsl tune-up). Keep em coming!!! lil'redRN