Lstcats

I can't comment specifically that it is MA BORN law that student's not administer IVP during school but it is the policy at some schools I have worked at. And, in MA new grads have to pass the state boards first before they can obtain any position in nursing. No such thing as GN as in other states. And, that I know is BORN of MA regulations. Very strict here.

I am so surprised at this turn of events. I guess that nurses are staying in their jobs. What happens next year when the baby boomer generation starts to retire or even this year? Will they stay in their jobs @ age 65 just because of the economy? Have you tried Union Hosp. in Lynn? With your Geri experience you could get Geri psych. I believe they have jobs posted. You will probably have to work nights where ever you go if hiring is a problem. You could try a smaller place like Kindred in Peabody. Don't stop. You will get hired. Just be persistant. And, you are in a better position then say someone with over 20 years experience like myself as they don't want nurses with that many years because they get top dollar and new grads or those with less then 5 years don't make as much $$. Still comes down to the almighty dollar.

During my 22 year career, I have done telemetry, ICU, home care, LTC, Rehab nursing, school nursing, public health, HHA supervisor and the most rewarding job I have ever had and what I excel at is nursing education teaching clinical and classroom. I love it. It feels professional. You are much more respected among other nurses, MD's, and patients and families. I can't say the students respect you. Some do and some don't. The multicultural student is a tough one. I have struggled with how to help them. Where I live there is every kind of culture from Asian, Hispanic, Cambodian, Haitain, African (from the country Africa), African American and many more. They try so hard but some just don't make it. Not their fault. Some just don't have the education that we do in the U.S. but are excepted to the program anyway even if their English skills are really horrible and their verbal communication is tough to understand. There is a lot of correcting of care plans, FHP, self assessment and other paperwork such as research papers. So, you have a lot of work to do at home. And, also making the assignment on your on time and also prep work at home. Just depends how detailed you want to be. There is a lot of work but it is fun and there is nothing more rewarding then seeing the "light bulb" go off in a student's head when they grasp critical thinking and the nursing process. I had one student say to me last week. "I was doing critical thinking and I didn't even know it" and was so excited that she accomplished this milestone. Personally, I would never be a NP. I think there is too much liability and you have to know as much as a MD and get paid peanuts. RNs in a hospital make more than both educators and RNP's. Hope this helped.

Students rather in the PN or RN program perform assessments in lab and then carry over to the clinical area. For instance, last eveing I had the PN students start learning about skin assessments as they did their ADL's. It was their 3rd evening of the first semester. We start in nursing process after the first week of clinical. That has been in every college that I have taught at in MA (3 schools). I can't believe that the UK practices such archaeic methods of practice. Sounds like the 1950's 60's and perhaps 70's. What I would suggest is that you do some nursing research into nursing assessments/nursing process and the benefit of interventions & goals have in reporting findings to the MD and present these articles (evidence based practice articles) to your colleagues. Check into the theorists and the guru that writes about theorists who works at UMass Boston Dr. Jackie Faucett. Her research is timeless. Check out Dorothea Orem's theory on Self Care Defecit and the theorist who wrote about novice to expert (can't recall her name). May be of some help. Always back your opinions with actual nursing research. Your colleagues will then take you seriously. :typing

This all surprises me what is practiced around the country. Students are strictly forbidden to give any IV push meds at any time during school. They may watch the nurse give D50 or Lasix or whatever med. There have been a few times that I push the med and show them how and with their hand let them just gentle push with me guiding them but not the entire med. I just want them to get the feel of it. And, at no time whatsoever do my students ever give any meds including po meds without me there. We sit down and go over each med and they have to tell me what the med is for and why the patient is taking it. They have to have med cards for every drug which is school policy in every college I have taught at (3 colleges PN & RN in Massachusetts). Then, we take the MAR and get the medss and sign them off and take the MAR into the room and they have to check name bracelet etc. I stay with them the entire time. It i s unsafe for any instructor to not monitor the student giving meds. Med administration is a big deal and med errors are on the rise. In FL and in other states there are mandated courses for your license in medical error prevention. I know that other states practice differently but this is what is done in 3 colleges that I have taught at. Of course, in the PN program 3rd semester is a little different because students do meds for about 15 pts. I won't teach that semester as I feel it is extremely unsafe for a student to try and do that especially when previosu semesters they have only had one or two or maybe 3 patients. That is my opinion.:prdnrs:

This is great to hear!:yeah:I have a colleague that teaches nursing at Galen. I am hoping to teach there when I move there someday this year or next. I am glad to hear this. I will let my friend know that you all love it so much. I teach nursing now in MA and there is nothing more satisfying that watching nursing students learn. Best of everything to you all.

I currently live in Boston thinking about relocating to Tampa bay area. I only have a BSN. Up here in Boston a BSN is nothing much. Most all nurses have BSN's. Major Boston hospitals will no longer hire you unless you have a BSN. If you have a MSN you are more respected but the push now is to get a doctoral degree. Everywhere is different and FL is not a big academic state like where I live. However, look at it this way that you have more schooling than most and can lead you into higher level jobs. You don't have to stay in hospital nsg. if that is what you currently do.

Thanks April. This has changed since I worked therre. You could only get day/night position and were on a waiting list for eve/day rotating or strictly days. If you wanted to work strictly nights you could but that was it. Back in the early 90's that is how it was. Glad to see it has changed to accommodate people who can't do night shifts.

I'm curious. Does MGH still require day/night rotation? That makes a difference compared to other hospitals where you could get a regular nonrotating shift. I think it is great what nurses are making in and around Boston. Too bad that the rest of the country does not follow suit. I feel it is so disrespectful to nursing to hear that they start between $18-20 an hour for new grads and diffs only up to $3 per hour at most. If you make $30-35 per hour you are rich. This seems to be the case in the South particularly Florida.

Currently, I take my students to clinical @ MWMC (Framingham Union). I think it is wonderful. It is a good size hospital but not too big like the Boston hospitals. I understand there is longevity of 20 years or more. My first job 23 years ago was @ Milford Hospital. It also has a good reputation and is a great place. My 2nd job was @ UMass Medical Center. UMMC is "the BEST hospital" that I have ever worked at. The physicians are excellent and nice. They collaborate with nurses and treat the nurses with respect. Very busy place but I made a lot of lasting friendships with nurses @ UMass. So, you should apply at all three. They all have home care divisions and I believe hospice as well. Welcome!

you have some great plans:up:. i would suggest that you get a clinical adjunct job one or two day or eves per week prior to you going ft. it is a good way to know if you will like it. the $$ is much better for clinical vs. faculty. just fyi in ma area: clinical adjunct make anywhere from $50 to 65 per hour but don't forget therre is a lot of correcting papers/care plans etc. on your own time so it isn't really the $50 per hour. in contrast, ft faculty here in ma make from around $40,000 to 60,000 a year compared to ft hospital nursing which is more than double that amount. hence, the faculty shortage. it has a lot to do with low money and the responsibilities. but, it is very rewarding.

again, something i know about as i worked as a traveler @ ucdavis in the early 90's. it was fantastic. back then i worked 12 hr night shift on the tele medical floor and had only 3-4 patients. not the 10 i was used to back here and the acuity level was much less. the easiest nursing job i ever had. i do recall getting floated to the ed one night and felt so unprepared even with icu experience @ mgh in boston. i had 10 patients admit and discharge during the 8 hour shift. but, i thought the place was pretty good. although, different out there from here where the interns and residents in boston collaborate with the nurses. the docs @ uc davis didn't acknowledge us at all or talk with us even the olympic gold speed skater turned medical student (can't recall his name). sounds really exciting for you.

See FL isn't so bad everyone. 10 is pretty good. It even beat out ritzy CT and CA. And, those other pesky NE states of NH, VT, and RI.

Welcome, I am familiar with the Hartford Center/geri nursing initiative. I also wanted to say that you should apply in Boston. As you know, Boston is well reknown for its academic arena with many nursing research guru living in and around here like Jackie Faucett and Sister Calista Roy who I have both heard speak and met. There is Boston College, UMass, Northeastern U, Regis and many other well renown academic institutions that are doing great things here in Boston. I'm sure they could use your expertise. The newest thing up here is the invention of Grad. Nursing Education programs and Grad. Nurse Certificate programs in Nursing Education. They consist of 3-3 credit courses. And, since you have your doctorate you would be fine. As you well know, to teach in any BSN program in MA you must have your doctorate. It is very strict here because of the high level of education required unlike some other states I have read about on the forum (ie. MSN only required for BSN, and BSN okay for LPN program like in FL and TX). :wink2:

I wasn't aware it was so bad in other states. There are no such things as GN in Massachusetts. You must have passed your boards to obtain a job. You can work as a CNA or a tech but not a nurse until you pass. Every state is different. There are not as many hospital jobs around but still many many rehab and LTC positions. You may not want to work in nursing homes but you may have no choice.