rn4lyfe08

Thanks, I was aware of those. I was looking for facilities outside the HCA system... especially ones with peds.. Sometimes it's difficult to ascertain if a facility is HCA, as it's not always easy to find on their site. Thanks again.

Hi, May I ask what system you're in? I only know of HCA in the Myrtle Beach area. I am relocating there soon and am trying to narrow down where I'd like to apply. My specialty is peds. I've done PICU (rotating through NICU/TICU). Ideally, I'd like to work in NICU. Do you have any suggestions on the best places to work? I'm willing to go outside the MLB area to places like Charleston, etc. Thanks.

I wouldn't assume it's an error. Their start dates can change. When I did their residency, it was a September start date.

Yes, I worked at the Dallas location. It was a level 1 PICU, not sure about Plano. During nurse residency, you have a boat load of classes mixed with floor work. Some weeks were 40-44 hrs. Be prepared for intense sim-labs, EEG classes, and a bunch of mandatory online modules. There was also a progress book that we each had that stayed on the unit to track our progress. Most orientation is done on your home unit. We floated to the other units for orientation as well. And sometimes you'd come in thinking you were precepting on your home unit, and your preceptor got floated...gotta learn to roll with it. There was lots of ECMO and CVVH when I was there. There are mandatory day and night shifts at least during the residency so you can see what happens on both shifts. And not everyone got out of orientation at the same time (as to be expected). The educators and preceptors were awesome. I hope you enjoy it.

I worked there in the PICU a few years ago (CMCD). I loved it. I started in an internship that lasted about 6mos. You learn soooo much. At that campus, you float between all 4 ICU's, while you have a home base (mine was PICU). At that time to work at Plano, you needed 2 years PICU experience. More tenured nurses who would PRN in Plano said it wasn't the same acuity; the kinda did it cuz it was a brake. A lot has changed since then, so I can't tell you how it is now, but it was a great experience for sure.

I have worked as a tech in a pedi rehab (lots of tube feedings),and as a nurse in gen peds, pedi rehab, and PICU, as well as pedi home health. Across multiple facilities/states, the policy has always been the same..hang time no longer than 4hrs, rinse bag, flush extension tubing, change bag Q24hrs. Continuous feeds are added to the bag approx 4hrs at a time. If you have a large flush ordered (one u can't quickly push or bolus), you can give it via pump before rinsing the bag so you can attend to another task. But even after that flush, you'll notice a little of the cloudy liquid left at the base of the bag (especially depending on any additives). This needs to be rinsed out of the bag to reduce the amt of bacteria that can grow in it. On older pump models, priming was fast, but newer models require priming over the pump which adds time. However, this process shouldn't take more than a few minutes to complete. As for the other nurse pausing the pump every time she walks away, I have no answer. But lots of places have different policies/procedures. I would check that if possible.

From what I read in an article a few months go, MLH, only hires BSNs. I applied there as a new grad several times. Never got a call back, and the recruiter doesn't respond to calls/e-mail. This may have change since last year. The article regarding BSN only hiring was only a few months ago. Good Luck.

I grad May. Really studied Oct. Took NCLEX Nov and passed w/ 75 questions. I had a 6mos gap. Was told by instructors my chances of passing 1st try were better w/in 3 mos of graduation. Go figure. :)

At the last hospital I worked for, there was an MD who wore her hijab and also dressed modern/traditional. There were never any issues and I was in the south. Prejudice can exist anywhere. I however, do not wear the hijab by personal choice, not because of what others think. The medical staff I see in my home city (philly) wear the hijab w/o problems. I think the only issue was the bottom falling during pt care, same as long hair would. In that instance, either tuck it into your shirt, or twist the rest up into a bun. Problem solved. :)

I definitely don't think 8wks is enough time. Most med/surg floors are 8-16 wks. ER can be considered up there with the critical care areas, and in my exp/research, ICU settings are grouped w/ ER, & their orientation is a minimum of 16wks to 6mos. And I've heard of some being 1 year. I think its great that you want this area, and I don't agree that new grads should be banned, but it will be difficult in 16wks, and probably unsafe in 8wks. That being said, I agree with other posters that it depends on the facility, patient population, and education dept. Also depends on how quick you catch on, your current set of skills, etc. Be sure and ask about what happens if at week 7 or 8, you're still not ready... Do they allow more time?, if so, how much more time? If you're still not ready, then what happens, do they fire you? If in the end 8 wks isn't enough time & the only option is termination, it will be detrimental to you as far as your confidence is concerned. Personally, I don't know if it'd be worth risking my sanity and license even in this economy. Sorry to be so dismal, but I'd rather be truthful than to sugar coat things and then have it go sour. But to each his own. Hope this helps in some sort of way. :)

OMG, IDK what I'd do if my orientation was only 5 days for a new area of nursing and I've been a nurse for a year! Even as a Health Care Worker (btwn CNA & LVN type duties), I had about a month of orientation. Scary to me that they'd put you and your license in jeopardy like that. Are they short-staffed of RNs? I would definitely be chatting about my concerns with the DON. Lizerbith, don't feel bad. Many of us who weren't in critical care areas have felt the same, like every tiny thing is a huge error. I remember when I first started in Pedi, I thought everyone thought I was incompetent b/c I didn't know how to use a buretrol. (My pedi rotation in school was like 4 wks, w/ rarely any pedi pts, and no IVs at work) Then I felt dumb b/c I didn't know how to clear air outta line w/o disconnecting it. Boy did it feel great when I got some skills down, and even better when I was called upon to show others how to do things. It gets better. I do have to admit though, that soon, I will be in your shoes when I start my PICU Internship. I am soooooo excited, but also sooooo anxious. I feel it'll be like starting over again with the not knowing anything, etc, but I am eager to learn. Hope everyone can find some peace of mind in knowing that you are never alone, and even the most seasoned nurses were in your same shoes once upon a time.

Do you really want to relocate?? I mean, I did and will again, but most ppl who can't find jobs in the northern states are relocating to the southern states, namely TX, GA, NV, AZ, etc... You said you graduate in Dec., I would begin applying to jobs in your area NOW to stand a better chance of finding employment. If you want to relocate, I know there are some places in southern TX that have a relatively low cost of living, but I don't know how it is where you are in GA. You'll just have to do some more research on what you want and where you want to be both unit-wise and location-wise.

Confidence is something that I've found just grows on you. You see the same/similar situation a few times, you learn how to manage it through coaching/help of others. Then one day you walk in and you see the same thing, you automatically take charge, do what needs to be done. Tell others how to assist you or my favorite, teach someone else how/what to do! That's when you know you're becoming more confident. Its a slow, silent process.

Next time try not to be so nervous. I used to be the same way. I found a thread on here pertaining to interviews and one poster said "remember, they're already interested in you, or you wouldn't have gotten the interview". I have tried to make this my mantra. In fact. I repeated it to myself a few times before my last two interviews and thought it in my head during those interviews. It actually helped to calm me down. I then had a manageable level of anxiety. I landed both of the jobs. If you get a phone interview, smile as you speak. It really helps and conveys a nice, upbeat tone. Keep your head up. I know its hard and it can take forever to land a gig. My advice for now is to apply to other hospitals in the area. Hopefully you can start working and begin to build a foundation towards your dream job. Kust b/c u bombed this interview doesn't make you unhireable elsewhere or even at the same facility down the road. Take a few deep breaths and regroup.

Sorry this happened to you. I have caught a few errors when I've checked orders from up to 5 or more days from admission. I always try and go back as far as I can through the chart; I know this can be very difficult. I've found some errors that had occurred on day 1. I always try and find the actual order for any meds I must give for this reason. That being said, everyone who's had that pt since the order was written also should recieve the same disciplinary action as you; they also missed the order.

Everyone makes mistakes, even well-seasoned nurses. I was watching "NICU" the other day.... The MD had to perform a cardiac surgery to connect some vessels to the heart thad had not implanted in-utero. After surgery, over the next 2 days the infant continued to decline. Turns out, the MD had connected the vessels to the wrong location. He admitted the error, repeated the surgery to correct it and apologized for the error. Baby survived...... We are only human. No one-is error proof. You have to evaluate the root cause for the error (not that you're stupid/careless/or completely incompetent), see what could've been done differently, and learn from it. Don't beat yourself up about it too much. IMO, it's definitely not a cause to leave the unit or find other employment. You're still on orientation for crying out loud. This is the time when one is prone to mistakes, even with prior exp in a diff field. This is new for you no matter what other exp youu have. I doubt your co-workers will see you as careless, stupid or dangerous. They should look at it as someone new to their specialty who made a mistake, is remorseful, and judging by your reaction to the error, will probably never repeat it again. Chances are this will make you a better, more conscientious nurse. Keep your head up. You'll get through this. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (lots of hugs)

I'm from PA, so it may be different here... I took the NCLEX and instead of paying the "quick results" fee, or trying the "Pearson Vue Trick", I simply logged on the the PA BON site that day and then the next day to check my status. I had a GN license. If you are taking NCLEX for the 1st time and have a GN license, when you pass, your license status will say "null and void". If you fail your GN status will say "expired" b/c it expires when you get your results. This info was listed the day after and my friends status' also changed w/in 2 days. It still took about 1-2 more days for my RN license to appear on the website. Technically, you can work as soon as your license is verifiable, which is done through the BON website. I also have a TX RN license. You only get 1 in your lifetime, so it has no exp date printed on it. The renewal is verified online and you can print a copy from the web. Anyways, my advice to you is to wait the 2 days nd check the BON site BEFORE shelling out the extra cash for quick results; especially if you have a GN license. I got the same results in the same amt of time but w/o paying the extra fee. :) Just my

Actually, there weren't any questions asked that I would've needed to study for. The interview was more behavioural-bsed. I also interviewed for a NICU position at a diff hospital, and I wasn't asked any clinical questions. The mgr gave a unit tour and was telling me about diff conditions they treat and then would say, "I don't know if you know or heard of what xyz is, but its __________". I wasn't expected to know anything. I can only tell you to research the hospital you're interviewing with. Make sure you know why you want to work there. What do you bring to the table? They know you'll get experience from them, but what will they get from you? Hope this helps.

Well, I got my issue of "Advance for Nurses", and Reading Memorial is having a nursing open house on 9/18. You have to pre-register. They are welcoming all specialties. If you want more info, feel free to PM me.

When I first graduated (Summer 2008), a recruiter actually told me that the newly posted "GN" position was because "we have about 200 GN applications coming in a day, so the GN position was listed to attract new nurses to apply there so we can free up time to lok at experienced RNs for the regular RN positions"! Can you believe that! I haven't really trusted too many GN/new grad positions since, but I keep applying anyway. If you keep throwing spaghetti at a wall, its bound to stick at some point. Just keep trying. I know its hard.

IDK. All I can say is that Texas is recruiting new grads from the northern states, so there are prob still jobs. Who knows what the market anywhere will be in a few years.

Definitely add it to your resume. While it's not RN exp, it is experience in the medical field. AND if you truly want to be an OB nurse, it shows your commitment to the field. It tells them that you're not disillusioned with the OB world. You've tried it, enjoy it, and want to continue in that field. It's a wonderful experience to have!

Ok so I see I'm going to be the odd man out. I began mu nsg career using the blue plasticky ones. The ones that come over your head and have circular vents across the shoulders. Then I changed jobs and had the thin paper-like yellow ones you had to tie at the neckand around the abd. Sooooo. I think they both make you hot. But I prefer the BLUE ones. They're easier to put on and faster for me. They keep out all moisture, which is a must for showering, rolling, etc. I just liked them better and actually missed them at my last job. Sorry, to go against the grain, but I think they are better both from an ease of use and an infection control standpoint.

My advice to you as someone who spent 8 months to find my first job. 1) Take the NCLEX ASAP and get your license. You're more marketable that way. (They don't have to worry about you not passing). & you'll be able to endorse to other states. 2) Search far and wide. You may have to look far outside your immediate area. 3) Be prepared to travel to another state. You may even find that you can be hired into your desired specialty in another state. This is exactly what I've had to do. Not exactly ideal, but it will get you the experience you need.

Oh, and BTW, the ASN prog was only an extra semester longer than the LPN to begin with. Why ann another 1 to 1.5 years??