bunnie004

Hi, I need some advice. I currently work in a crazy/busy oncology unit. I graduated last july of 09. I have been there about 9 months. I dont' really feel that it's a safe place to practice nursing. I see a lot of unsafe practices done. In addition commuting there can take me about 45 minutes or more depending on traffic. That unit is so busy that I rarely have time for a break let alone a lunch break. Most of the time I don't eat so I have lost 20 lbs since I started working there. I have been trying to get out of there. So I recently got 2 job offers. First one a hosptial that is 15 minutes away from my house and it's offering me a postion in a acute rehab unit. Second one is in the hospital where I am currently working but as an IV therapist. I dont' know which to choose??? Any suggestions I would really appreciate the input.

Hello, For those who got hired at WHC in July 2008 is there such a thing as an 18 month commitment? I don't recall ever hearing about this in orientation or from my nurse recruiter. In addition I checked my acceptance letter and it does not mention any of this. If there is an 18 month commitment can anyone let me know were it states it. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Ok so I am a new grad. I have been working for 4 months. During those four months I only late lunch during my training period which was like 2 months. The rest of the 2 months work has been so hectic that I don't even have time to eat lunch. I am getting a bit worried because I also lost about 10-15 pounds like in 2 months. I am scared that this might be too much for me and that it might take a toll on my health. What should I do everyone?? Should I find a less hectic place to work??? Any advice would be appreciated.

I have question for everyone. When I get I cold I had never before had a fever but last night I ended up getting one. My temp went as high as 102.9. I have a sore throat, I am coughing up brownish/yellowish stuff. I also have body aches. And to make things worse my voice was almost gone. So I had a really hard time calling out because I just started like 3 months ago. I don't want them to think I am not reliable. But I work in an oncology floor so patients are already immuniocomprimized. So if i still have a temp and the same symptoms tonight should I call out or go to work and wear a mask when I go into patients room. I am scared they might fire me for calling out 2 days is a row. what do you think???

Hi everyone I have been off orientation for about 3 weeks. I feel very frustrated. I always end up getting out of there at 10 pm. For some reason I feel like I get the most complicated patients. For example last time I had 3 discharges and basically 2 admissions that really made a total of 7 patients. The second day of me being off orientation I had three patients and at 3 pm a nurse left so my nursing director told me I have to pick up 3 patients! I was not very happy. I did not feel comfortable but what could I do. That day I ended up getting out of there like at midnight. Then yesterday the doctor came at 1030 to see one of my patients and told me he needed to get transfused. In addition another doctor came in and Changed PCA orders on another patient like around 12 pm. Of course I was busy, but can you believe the secretary did not transcribe the orders till about 5 or 6 pm. Of course all hell broke loose. I started the trasnfusion like around 530 pm and my patient spiked a temp so I had to send the blood to the blood bank and of course it was right around change of shift. So I also had to give report. In addition my patients PCA bag was about to finish so thank god a nice nurse helped me change it and set it up since I am not too conficent with that yet. To finalize I just feel so overwhelmed. Is it that hospital that I feel is disorganized or me?? THey dont' assign pt according to acuity they assign patients if they are partial or complete. Can you guys give me advice on what I should do?? I would really appreciate it.

Hi everyone. I am panicking! Tomorrrow Monday will be my first day working as an RN. After 2 months on orientation I am on my own. I am so scared and worried! The hospital that I work for has a high acuity for all patients. It seems that everyone is just so sick. I am scared out of my mind, I don't want to kill anyone. Can someone give me some tips. I know everyone has been through this but any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks:no:

Hi everyone I need advice. I recently found an RN job after looking for so long. However, I observed situations that were not safe. The nurse that I followed did not use 2 id for medication identification. Also a pt was NPO, yet she gave a PO medication with water. In addition when the pyxis prompts you to count how many tablets are left she did not. She had to give 2 blood pressure medications, so she checked the BP and it was 114/80. I said so we should hold them right?? and she said no b/c her BP before was 140/90. I was confused but did not say anything. I am worried that this might just not be the best place for me to work. Don't get me wrong the nurses are nice and willing to help but I just don't know why there were so many inconsitencies. Am I being paranoid? I really wanted to begin my career but I am not sure if I should cotinue. Should I just give it more time or should I just let it go?? What do you guys think?? Your advice will be appreicated Thanks!!!!

Hey, Well I am not sure how many grads they accepted, but I know they were hiring new grads in every floor, oncology which is where I will be working, ICU, labor and delivery, psych, and so forth. I would recommend you to get in contact with a nurse recruiter before you graduate. I went personally to the HR office and I think that was better. Well good luck to you next year!!

Hey everyone I graduated in december of 08 and just passed my NCLEX in may. After applying for hundreds of jobs in VA I finally decided to apply in D.C and was accepted to Washington Hospital Center. I will be starting July 20th. Just wanted to ask what are you doing to get prepared?? I know we have to pass several exams!! Any input will be appreciated!

HI, just wanted to ask you guys what are the disadvantages/advantages of working in a union hospital? Can someone please explain it to me. THANKS I would really appreciate it!

Please don't loose hope, I felt exactly like you did, but thank god I passed. Just keep your faith up. No matter what happens never lose faith, that's what I learned!

H3Y 3V3RYON3 GU3SS WHAT? I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!:yeah::yeah::heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:bugeyes::bugeyes:. I AM SO HAPPY!!!!! THANKS TO 3V3RYON3 FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. FOR 3V3RYON3 OUT TH3R3 PL3AS3 DON'T GIV3 UP! IT IS N3V3R 3ASY BUT GOD IS 3V3RYWH3R3 AND H3 WILL H3LP US!

Ok, so I took my NCLEX this past wednesday and as soon as it hit 75 it shut down!!!!!!!!! I felt like I did not know very much. I was depressed and cried the whole day!! I was positive I did not pass. So the next day I called the VA department of health professions to find out if I passed and guess what happened? They told me the computers were down and they were unable to give me any information. I was so sad one more day to wait. So today I called at 8:30 am finally ready to hear that I failed and they told me the computers were still down today!!!!! I called like 3 times and the same story:angryfire. I just cannot believe my bad luck. Am I being punished?? Not knowing if I passed is such a torture. Did anyone ever have these issues??

I feel so depressed and I have been crying since I got out of the testing center. I have the feeling that I failed because I got 75 questions and I did not know some of them. In addition I think I got like 10 or 12 select all that apply!!!!!!! I thought I was going to die! I don't know but I am very depressed. It was harder than what I thought and I feel like I was not prepared.