babs123

California labor law is quite specific regarding breaks and meals. check out: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_restperiods.htm . It has been my experience (34 years in the OR) that if you are required to wear a uniform (read scrubs) and change into that uniform at work, you do so on company time. Management determines how long is reasonable for the staff to change into their uniform and be ready for morning report. One of my previous employers believed five minutes was sufficient to change clothes, my current employer allows ten minutes and then it's time for report. The same is true at the end of the shift. This time period was/is not considered our "break". These were non union hospitals and all in California. Good luck.

My understanding from your comment is that it is acceptable to be rude to your co-workers simply because you are not talking about them. And, as all of our teachers and parents have said, all of our lives -- The more you practice something the easier it becomes.

I've been in the O.R. for over 30 years. I work in a hospital where all of the anesthesiologists leave the room --for whatever reason they choose. This is the first place I've worked this occurs. My previous experience has been in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. In one hospital, one of the anesthesiologists would bring a thermos of coffee and stand in the sub sterile room to have his cup of coffee. Rest room breaks were provided by other anesthesiologists that were between cases. So, needless to say, I was very surprised when I started working at my current hospital. Another issue with anesthesiologists is the practice of bringing their personal lap top to the O.R. and surfing the web or watching a movie during the case. Yikes!

Thanks for the info.

I'm finishing a RNFA program and am looking opportunities to assist. What is ACNP/RNFA and where is your program located?

The written policy at my hospital is to speak English in the clincial/patient care setting. Exceptions to that are when the care giver is speaking in the same language as the non-English speaking patient or, when the employee is taking a break/lunch. I work in the O.R. and the PCA's are hispanic and speak Spanish and generally need someone to translate instructions. And, yes, errors have happened --eg., taking a speciman to one department vs. another department or setting up the operating room incorrectly. The R.N.'s are mainly Philipino -- they speak Tagala and no one challenges (management included) them to behave professionally and follow company policy. To be more international, it would be nice if I spoke Spanish, Tagala, Vietnamese, Chinese or any of Middle Eastern dialects that make up our patient mix, but I don't. Which ones should I choose? How about those "professionals" learning and using the language of the policy of the company.

Granted I know that since I'm out of state, it makes things harder but when I read the posts here, I see that it is doable for many new graduates. Living out of state was always a red flag when I was in the position to hire. If you are truly moving to California, then give your interviewer a date of arrival and a date of readiness to work (they are not the same). Remember anytime you moved, there was always a reason you had to take time to meet the cable guy, the electric guy, the mover, etc. Employers want you there to work and taking a 1/2 day here and there when you are first hired does not bode well. Give a real date. Also, try to find the name of the manager or supvervisor of the department you are interested in working and forward a copy of your resume and application to that person. One copy to HR and one copy to the manager and mention that in your cover letter. Do not bypass anyone that could possibly help you get hired without including them in the loop. That way, no communications will occur that could be perceived as sneaky. Good luck