rc11201

Do not pretend you know something if you dont!! Speak up and ask questions. Find someone on your unit you can count on to help you. Someone who likes to mentor new grads. Not all nurses do. Do not take things too personally. Remember the best part about starting a nursing career is you can always move/transfer to another specialty/unit until you find a good fit. You are going to make mistakes! It takes time to develope critical thinking skills. Prioritize and delegate,delegate,delegate. If you are working with a nurse assistant use them! If you are getting frustrated with your assignment or generally feel like you are in over your head, tell the charge nurse! Get help! You are not alone. Dont assume other nurses know what you are going through. We are not mind readers. You must speak up and stand up for yourself. It will get easier, in about 2 more years, your babies! Good Luck! LOL! Come to LA>:chuckle

Move to California or do some travel nursing here. We are union which means we have ratio laws. No more than 5:1 for non tele patients. The salary is much higher here than in the most of the country and the weather is great! There are so many hospitals in such a small area you can move around alot until you find your ideal unit. Good Luck. I Love my Union.

I recently worked with plastic surgeons in beverly hills. the pros: easy,fun,low stress. cons: plastic surgery is unpredictable somedays there are cases and some days there are none. this could go on for a week. it is nice to pick up extra shifts there but as far as a career with benefits they do not exist. most plastics centers here only use nurses as per diem. you get no benefits and like i said somedays there are no cases. no cases no money. if you find the right office and the right doctor they may take you on salary basis,but keep in mind you are working with only a few individuals in a very small environment there can be major personality clashes. so bottom line if you want per diem work thats not too stressful its great, but it has no future not long term. just my opinion based here in beverly hills. i have not worked in any other city.