nurseeB

I passed NCLEX before I started working and had the same amount of orientation as the GNs. The only difference...the hospital didn't offer me the sign on bonus that they were offering the GNs. I had to go to HR and explain that although I had passed boards I was just as "new" as the GNs. I got the bonus and a great orientation. Good luck!

You could call some local hospitals and explain that you are thinking of majoring in nursing, but would like to shadow a nurse for a few shifts. Most places are willing to have you come in. This won't give you the total picture of nursing, but it would give you a little taste. Good luck with you decision.

I would have fixed it on the MAR and mentioned something to the nurses, but that is as far as I would have taken it. The whole point of chart checks is to catch anything that may have been missed. If missed orders/meds are a big problem on the floor then maybe they should go to q8h chart checks.

Thank you Nurse Elizabeth for your input. I have a better understanding of all that is involved in signing on as staff.

CABG patch kid, I hope your new preceptor is working out better for you. As for being asked to precept, I've never been asked. It's always been assumed that I would agree to precept. To tell you the truth, I loved every minute of it. I've heard it said that if you want to learn something, teach it. I've learned something every time I've precepted either because the preceptee asked a question I didn't already know the answer to and therefore had to look it up or they learned a different way to do something in school or at another facility. It was also refreshing to be around someone who wasn't bitter or burned out. :flowersfo

I agree with muffin!! Don't quit your job right now!! I love working agency, but I am kicking myself for not signing on fulltime somewhere when things started to go downhill. Hang in there a little while longer...this economy has to turn around eventually

It never ceases to amaze me-the power of prayer!! May God bless her with continued recovery. Thank you, flightnurse2b for updating us on this miracle.

Any updates? I know it's been a few weeks, but I am still thinking about this nurse and praying for her too. Just wondering.

I would wait until Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. They may have just gotten your paperwork from the nurse manager and will call tomorrow morning. Good luck!

I am fit to be tied! I have worked per diem for an agency on and off for approx. 2 years. One of the facilities I've gone to through this agency is hiring right now and I would LOVE to work for them. It's an awesome unit and I actually enjoy going to work there. I asked my agency what the procedure would be if I wanted to sign on as staff at this facility as I am aware of non compete clauses and the such. I found out today that not only would the facility have to buy out my "contract", but I would not be able to work there as staff or agency for 90 days. The recruiter informs me that I can work somewhere else through them for the 90 days. Here are just a few of the problems with this scenario: 1. I'm per diem and could choose not to work for this agency at any time. Why am I considered a 'contract'? 2. What if at the end of the 90 days they are no longer hiring? If that were to occur I would be out of a permanent position AND it's possible they would be fully staffed and no longer need to use agency nurses. 3. This agency has not been able to book a shift for me anywhere else with the economy the way it is. So I would basically be forced out of work for 90 days. Is there anything I can do to help the situation? Has anyone else experieced this? Any input would be appreciated.

GotoGirl I am so sorry you are going through this. It's just so sad that as nurses we take care of everyone else, but when it comes to our coworkers they just as soon stab you in the back as smile at you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that everything works out for you. Keep your head up and take care of yourself.:hgu:

We use Dispatch wipes in our facility that have a strong odor of bleach. If I know I'm going into a bad stink situation I wet a mask with a tiny bit of the Dispatch liquid. It works everytime!

Thank you for the update. I will continue to pray for her and her family.

Any more improvement? Any updates?

It's wonderful news that she is improving! Thank you for the update and I will continue to pray for her and those around her. Our God is an awesome God!

She has been lifted in prayer.

I had a patient while working as a traveling nurse that needed abdominal surgery. The patient had dementia so the spouse was to sign the consent. The doctor had spoken to the family and had them sign the consent, but when I went in to confirm their signature and sign the form myself they still had questions. I called down to preop and explained that I didn't feel comfortable signing the consent and I told them exactly why. Well the surgeon (who had a particularly bad reputation) called up to the floor and demanded that I come down in person to sign the consent. I went and told the nurse manager what was happening and asked her to come down with me. I wasn't walking into the warzone alone. We walked through the doors and with the surgeon standing within ear shot I went to the family and asked if he had answered all their questions. I'm sorry, but I'm not losing my license for a doctor that can no longer fit his head through the door.

I am sorry you are having a bad first experience with travel nursing. Keep your head up and count down the days left in your contract. :) Sometimes staff just takes some time to warm up to the "agency" nurses. Also, this is where a good recruiter comes in handy. There were assignments that my recruiter knew wouldn't be a good experience for me when I was just starting out and she would suggest I go elsewhere. Sometimes they have some information about facilities/floors because they have placed other travelers there. Anyway, keep in mind it's only 13 weeks and it will fly right by and you will be on to your next big adventure.

This shouldn't ever be an issue. Smokers take AT LEAST 15 minute breaks probably more often than every 4 hours. Maybe breastpumping mom's should just say they are going to smoke and it will be more accepted.

Wow I am really sorry this is happening to you. I have worked at quite a few facilities as a travel nurse and it was just an understanding that pregnant nurses weren't assigned to potentially harmful patients. I would speak with the director again and ask her to please address it with the charge nurses so there is not such a big deal at the beginning of a shift to change assignments. It's just common courtesy. Good luck to you and your growing little one.

Thank you all for your input. I'm so stressed about finding a job I am losing my mind and getting an ulcer.

I dropped the application off in person. I wish I had the "just calling to see route" but I blew that already.

Oh how I wish the phone number would have come up...it just says "Unknown" with no number listed. My cell is my primary number.

Hello all! I need some advice. I recently filled out some applications for RN jobs in my area. One of which was for a VA position in my area that I really want (and need). I turned my application in on Monday....here's my problem....I worked night shift last night so I put my phone on silent this morning so that I could get a few good hours of sleep without the phone ringing and waking me up. While I was sleeping I got two "Unknown" calls and whoever it was didn't leave a message. My question is, should I call the VA to see if it was them or will I just sound like an idiot or overly eager? I don't want to do anything that would cause me not to get this job, but I don't want to wait while they hire someone else. I just don't know what to do. Any input is appreciated.

Nursing student 19-she says that LPN does the patient care "besides" meaning-the LPN does patient care "except for" assessments and IV pushes. As for being pregnant and trying to get through the first year of nursing....I can't even imagine. My only advice would be to try to take the best care of yourself ie. resting when you can, eating a good diet and staying hydrated. Maybe keep an eye on the job board to see if a daylight or evening position comes open that you can try to get without having to leave that facility. Also, give yourself a chance. You may find that once the baby is here, your hormones level out and you have a little more experience under your belt...you may actually love nursing. There is a reason you worked so hard to graduate nursing school, right? Good Luck to you.