northwestwind

It sounds as if you want to either be an NP or PA. If you like people alot, being a CRNA is not for you, because the patient is asleep. 6 figure income - but you will be on call all sorts of hours, and again, little patient contact. You'd have to ...

I would encourage you to find a program that bridges you to MSN without first getting an ADN. You have a 4 year degree already, you do not need a 2 year degree in nursing. Find a program that takes you straight to the MSN now, through bridging. Wh...

I have serious issues with your judgment. Yes, it is abandonment to be scheduled for a shift, and leave without permission. That you didn't get report is not the issue. Who's to say you wouldn't leave in the middle of a shift, because you didn't l...

I have not read the book, but judging from the title, yes, it is an accurate portrayal of nursing. Nursing is EXTREMELY difficult these days. The shortages make the work environment brutal. The focus on financial resource management in nursing is ...

I think nurses get burned out because of a lack of nursing leadership. While the patient load, lack of enough registered nurses, lack of support services, and dwindling reimbursements (hospitals actually lose money on med/surg floors) have negativel...

I hear you, and hopefully I can explain a few options to you. I think money is, or more aptly put, future earnings are something you need to look into, to decide if certain healthcare jobs will support the kind of lifestyle you want to live as you l...

Culture, culture, culture! Sounds like a power struggle between the resident, you, and the attending. Hospitals often put out an ethics policy, but many residents are not fully aware of their role implementing the policy. Attendings may also not b...

Welcome to nursing. This kind of job related behavior is all too common, and at some point we as nurses have to stop this, rather than accept it. Stand up for yourself, and go to your manager and tell her/him that you are going to HR with all your ...

This is something that needs to rise up through the chain of command by your nurse manager. This resident should be reported to the Medical Affairs office, and ultimately to the Chief of Medical Affairs. This is an HR issue and this behavior by the...

May I ask, what is your field of specialty - in other words, what type of nurse are you, and what floor are you on? From there can give you some advice!

Oh, this is tough. I hear you, empathasize with you, and at the same time have to agree with Jolie's reply. Let me give you a bit of history to help you out. None of this is your fault. It is what happens now with putting new grads, and early nurse...

Are you an IMG? I have to ask. And if you are, you need to say so here. Foreign doctors and nurses are coming into our country. My concern is that their initial training is not as good as here in the US. Patients also have concerns about someone ...

Absolutely, positively, do not give up on your goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. You have wonderful healthcare experience, and you will be a terrific nurse. While you may feel being an RT goes unrecognized by schools, there is no denying your 8 ...

I know you can't disclose the details, but without the details, it is a bit difficult to comment. Except to say that you ran straight into the culture of silence in hospitals these days. This will pull at your heartstrings, and give you good reason...

I love that you are choosing between the very best. Both are excellent. I did not attend either, but I would encourage you to ask the schools if you can talk to some of their graduates to learn more about their actual experiences. If one of them s...

Great question! Absolutely go for a Master's degree. The work on the floors will burn you out full time after a few years. As a master's prepared nurse, you will likely work Mon-Fri, with the possibility of a required on call rotation if you are a ...

LABCAT01, thank God you posted what you did. If he is elected, wait for huge tax increases. We think it is bad now -just you wait. But the truth of the matter is this: nurses are at the bottom of the ladder no matter what healthcare reforms take ...

With falls ending in injury on the "never list" from Medicare, with implementation Oct. 1, your organization has quite a bit to worry about.... Start looking at industrial best practice for safety issues, such as Toyota's Lean or Six Sigma for health...

8 or 9 times out of ten, there are patient or staff issues that are best left alone or resolved without any write ups (write ups are unfortunately becoming more common - punitive without process improvement/individualized learning plans is usually un...

You have identified the issues - the biggest of which is that you are too valuable on your floor to let go. You fill in the holes on weekends, the toughest time to find staffing, and are extremely reliable and dependable. If you want to work ICU, s...

A very good question. The Massachusetts Nursing Association and the California Nursing Association are two groups that are heavily involved. Go both of their Nursing Association websites for more information. Unions are big in negotiating the follow...

Your best avenue is to resign. You are still in your "probationary" period which means you do not have to put this job on your resume. It never happened legally. I woudn't ever talk it about again to any future employer, either. I wouldn't report...

I doubt a new grad would be hired into ICU. You need experience before you take on that level of illness/knowledge. Your clinicals/classwork will give you the basics of what you need to know. I would ask around - what experience do you need to be ...

To consolidate the HOSPITAL NEVER EVENT LIST SO FAR, WHICH TAKES EFFECT ON OCT. 1 2008, IN WHICH MEDICARE/MEDICAID WILL NOT PAY, TAKE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING LIST: Object inadvertently left in after surgery Air embolism Blood incompatibility Cathe...

The Primary Nurse Model was effective back in the 1980's when length of stays were 1-2 weeks, AND there were plenty of nurses around. Believing that continuity of care is important, ONE nurse on day shift followed the patient through the entire stay...