soozabel

I have a question regarding using multi-use vials. Is it okay to take medication from a vial that is almost empty and transfer it to a new vial? Example: You need .05 ml of med. but there is only enough for .03, so you pull that out and open a new vial and squirt it in, then get a new needle/syringe pull the needed med from the new vial. Since a new needle/syringe is being used is this okay? The reason for this is to avoid sticking a pt twice, which is what you would have to do if this process is not allowed.

I worked as an NA during nursing school (with two small kids, a husband, poor self-esteem and going back to school 20 yrs later) because the local hospital came to our school and told us about the program where you work for them and you'd have preference for jobs when you graduated. Well, that didn't come true, the hospital I worked at as an NA wouldn't hire me because I didn't have RN experience - even though I worked for them for 1 1/2 yrs! I even had a personal contact with the hiring nurse of a particular unit and recommendation from nurses I had worked with, but they wanted only experienced RNs. So, I did the usual searching online, sending resumes with no call backs. Then I got business cards made - inexpensive but professional - got nice paper with matching envelopes for my resumes and kept the resume to one page by taking off some of what I thought was "irrelevant" past work experience and focused on "managerial" type of tasks I had with past jobs. I'd send the business card with the resume and I CALLED back within a week or two after sending my resume and I left messages and I'd keep calling until I actually got to talk to someone. I sent thank you notes after my interviews and even after speaking with someone on the phone. I bought a nice suit - navy, simple lines with a skirt and slacks so I could change it up for the second interview, crisp white ironed blouse. Appearance does matter. You need to look and act professional, not stuffy, but professional and personable. Like others have said, you have to practice being interviewed, you have to know what to say when they ask "tell me a time when you and an employee didn't agree on something" - all those darned "negative" questions. Be prepared and follow through with any leads you get. Next, you will probably need to find somewhere nontraditional, since the hospitals aren't hiring GNs. Go to job fairs if they have them, if you know friends of friends that could possibly get your resume in, do it and send them thank you notes to people who help you. Where I live, experience was necessary to work in LTC, though I did know several of my classmates that got jobs in that field. I didn't want to work in LTC, but was just about to send a resume because I hadn't had any luck, then I got two interviews, with both offering me jobs. I chose a dialysis clinic over the hospital because of the location and hours. Luckily, I had some leverage (the other job offer) and was even able to get them to up the initial salary offer. That was liberating! I really like working there - almost 3 yrs later. It wasn't a place I would have thought of but I knew someone who had a friend that worked there and I contacted the person I knew and she contacted her friend (who I didn't know) and it got my foot in the door. You just have to keep with it and be positive. Keep trying, it takes time and lot's of effort, and when you feel like giving up, you just have to keep going. Eventually, all your hard work will develop into something, maybe not what you expected, but somewhere to start. You may end up liking it, if not leave, at least you now have some experience. Good luck, girlfriend!

Sometimes your foot comes out of the open backed ones. I find I was always "gripping" the sole of the shoe and my feet hurt at the end of the day, as well as there not being enough toe room. They are wide for the toes, but too low, shoe pressed on my big toenail causing so much pain I couldn't wear them any more. I don't think rolling ankles would be a problem, they have a wide enough base.

After wearing Allegria's for a few months I noticed my big toe starting to hurt. Turned out the shoe pressed on my big toenail and was causing pain, had to stop wearing them. They have plenty of space to spread your toes, but not much space above the toes. I recently purchased a cross trainer shoe made by Dr. Scholl's that is very comfy and supportive with the gel insole, and less than $50!

Wow, I feel lucky! I work in an 18 chair clinic, full on Mon, Wed, Fri and not so full on the other days. We usually have at least 2 RNs on any day, in addition to the CN, and techs fill in. Our schedule is pretty diverse, some days we have 3-4 RNs and 1 or 2 techs, depends on who has time off, etc. We ALWAYS get a 30 min break AND a lunch, and we never work overtime, unless it's waiting with a patient for a ride to show up. We all work well with each other, helping tear down machines, bringing set ups for each other, etc. It's a real team effort. I feel bad for those of you working so terribly hard! However, it doesn't mean we don't work hard, there are many days a week when I go home and have to shower because I've sweat so much during the day - it can definitely be physically demanding!

I deal with this all the time, since I wear white pants and I have a couple REALLY heavy days. So I prepare by actually wearing an "overnight" thin pad, such as Always, then I also wear the Ultra OB tampon and I carry 2 or three extras in my pocket. Since they don't have an applicator, you can carry them on you. The pad helps out if I can't make it to the bathroom after 2-3 hrs and I have breakthrough. Then I can change in the bathroom and change the pad at my first break if necessary. So far I haven't had any accidents and I've been working for over 6 months now.

I get thanked daily. I work in a dialysis clinic and have gotten to know some the patients really well. I try to give everyone the same amount of respect and courtesy and I do the best I can to show interest in them. I act quickly when they yell "I'm cramping!" or "I don't feel well", as their BP drops to 85/50, I give them a comforting pat or listen to what's bothering them and I don't discount their feelings. When I show them I genuinely care about them, I get the "thank you"s.

It's true, you don't need specialized training, you don't even need to have experience. I work for Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (DCI), this is my first job as an RN, I graduated in May 09, applied to the local hospitals and couldn't find work because of lack of experience. I knew an RN that worked at the local clinic, she got me a contact name, I sent in my resume and cover letter, got the interview and was hired. They have a pretty good training program with an in-house nurse educator. I'm almost done with training and will be on my own soon, however, I still have soooo much to learn. At this point, I can put in needles and hook a pt. up to the machine, monitor and remove the needles and dismantle the machine. However, I still need help with interventions and such, but I'm learning every day! I really like it, it's busy, but it's not crazy and stressful like on a Med-Surg unit. Look around your area for local clinics and apply, you may be pleasantly surprised! Good luck!

It's basically what was said above. You are a GN when you graduate, RN when you pass boards. You would need to find out specifically what your facility states, but it is likely that when hired as a GN, once you pass the boards they will keep you as an RN. However, if you do not pass the NCLEX within a specified timeframe (dependant upon your employer) you either keep your title as GN or you are demoted to NA until you pass. Check it out with your facility.

I took the NCLEX yesterday, not sure what this glitch is about, but I got 75 questions and found out today by accessing the PA BON that ......I passed too!!!!!!!!!!!!:redbeathe:lol2:

What kind of pop-up are you referring to?

I just took the NCLEX today. But I can tell you on the NCLEX they didn't make it easy like, listing diseases with the same pathogen. Tricky. I'm hoping I passed, I got 75 questions.

It also depends on what part of the country you live in. Here in Pittsburgh, there are numerous nursing schools and hospitals, but there is one reigning medical facility - UPMC - that has the market cornered. Quite a few of their hospitals are having hiring freezes right now. The economy also has put otherwise "retired" nurses back to work to support their families, therefore, the experienced nurses are getting the jobs over the GNs. I've already come to the conclusion that I will not be so choosey when I graduate in May - I'll take that job on the Med Surg unit that nobody else wants just to have a job and get the experience. This won't last forever and when it gets better, I'll be that experienced nurse that will qualify for that job that I really want.

I was in the Air Force, so my opinion is a bit biased, but I'd pick Air Force over Navy. However, you should probably consider why you want to join the military and what you want to get out of it, to decide which branch whould be best for you. If you plan to go in as a nurse, you probably want to see which branch will offer you the best enlistment bonus and opportunities for travel. There's the possibility of being stuck on a ship for weeks at a time with the Navy, not so with the AF. You could possibly be a flight nurse with the AF, I remember having to service the med flights that came to bases I was on. I was stationed at Ramstein AB in Germany for two years and we used to get a C9 medical flight that would come in a few times a month. One of my jobs was to clean the plane up and get it ready to fly out. But I got to do and see a lot while in Germany. Whatever you decide, take advantage of the traveling. I don't know if it's the same now, but back when I was in, you used to be able to take flights to any base the plane was going to for free, $10 to go overseas - but that was over 20 years ago so things may be different now. But I think the experience was great and I highly recommend it! Good luck!

I can understand your frustration. Just keep reviewing and practicing questions so your brain doesn't go soft:). Then you'll be even more confident and sure of yourself.