NYNurseRN

Learn the crash cart asap, what's in each drawer and the name of the medications (and what they are for ofcourse) and the instuments. Whatever isnt avalible in the cart, know where it is. ALWAYS take a blood pressure before admin a cardiac med, I dont care if the tech took vitals 15 minutes ago, cardiac patients are unpredictable. ALWAYS take and document a daily weight, it is the BEST indicator of Heart Failure. Carry lots of tele stickers in your pocket.:reef:

Actually, a coworker on the job, 300.

vitals start @ 0700. More techs would be great, but isnt going to happen.

Ofcourse they do that, the issue is, not enough techs to answer all those needs, thus we must quit taking report and assist the pt, delaying medications, etc. (Reread the original post)

I work on a 32 Bed Cardiology floor, very high acuity, we are usually full and have 5-7 nurses, and 2 techs (sometimes one or none!) The problem I am having is getting started in the morning, I mean, we come in to take report (Which is written in SBAR form) and check the labs, charts, etc, but the call lights are needing to be answered and pts are needing care, the techs are taking AM vitals (We do vitals Q4H), and arent able to attend to all the lights! Some mornings, I cant even start meds and assessments until 9am (We start shift at 7am). I thought about asking my manager to have the night shift do the AM vitals so the techs can tend to the pts while we take report, but that prob wont happen....... ANY suggestions?

Thank you so much!

I have also been looking to relocate to spokane from upstate New York as all of my family are in Alberta, Canada, and I wanted to be closer. I was offered a job on a Cardiac floor (which is what I am doing now), but the hours were 7p-7a (I do 7a-7p now) I cant imagine working nights, and the wage was less then I am making now working the day/evening shift as a new grad (working 7 months now) then they offered. I really need to move, but am not sure where to look. What are considered the "tri cities"? What hospitals should I be looking at?

Thanks so much!

I am considering taking a 12 hour night (7P-730A) I have 3 children 5,7,9. Anyone else doing this shift with small kids? How do you balance your family (Esp. Husband) and work? How is it on your body on your days off as far as sleep?

I am having to move from New York to the Western States due to family issues, Anyone living in the North Idaho/ spokane area? I am looking at Moscow area, does anyone know anything about the hospital?

Thanks!

I just graduated and passed NCLEX and have my NY licence, but may have to re-locate to Idaho or Washington for family issues. Do I have to write the NCLEX again to get a licence in another state? If not, then what is involved?

Wow, what state are you in? I was practically hounded for 2 months by every hospital and agency in the state, I still get calls, maybe you need to look elsewhere.

You should try not to be so judgemental. It depends on both the nursing instructor and the facility sometimes. I had a nursing instructor who wouldnt LET us do anything, I also had an instructor who wanted our careplans done by lunch time. I went to a few different facilities where the nurses were less than helpful, wouldnt let us near their patients and made our rotations miserable. Now that I am an RN, I try to embrace the students, and I certainly appreciate what they bring to the unit, some students are very shy and need to be brought out of their shell. Being "drilled" and running a nursing school like a military unit is a thing of the past, and should be, nurses are supposed to be kind and nurturing. Why not try and extended some positive energy?

Um, Albany is in NY