Carrie_MTC

Had a patient come in by EMS tonight fully immobilized, post MVC. C/O severe pain R chest with deep breaths, and neck pain, 10/10 on pain scale. He asked the rad tech on the way back to ER from CT if meal tray could be ordered. I about died, how exactly are you planning on eating while restrained to backboard with C-collar???

I agree, look into some different types of nursing before you give up completely. One of my close friends who worked the floor with me in the hospital felt the same way, and thought she didn't want to be a nurse anymore. She found a job as a breast cancer specialist, and is there to assist patients going through treatment on what to expect. Maybe bedside care isn't for you, there are many things you can do with a your license, consider your options.

Notorious Went to school with a "Money", who robbed a McDonalds. The worst is when I'm in triage, and butcher the names when calling them out, and the parents look at me like I'm the stupid one.

1. Ohio 2. 3 years 3. ER 4. $23.59/hr 5. 6% 6. Not union

I understand your frustration, this is probably my biggest struggle working in the ER. It's very difficult to accept that patients other than those with drug-seeking behaviors, suffers as a result of patients such as this. However, documenting things such as quotes and behaviors are what save you if the pt. makes a complaint or files a lawsuit. Also, documenting things like pt. smells of ETOH, track marks, appears unkempt, etc. all support the story. When it comes down to it, I would rather chart to much than too little, because you never know what they will do as soon as they leave the ER.

Yesterday had a pt. come in with a chief complaint of hiccups...which stopped 1 hour PTA, denies all other complaints. What are we supposed to do exactly???

When pts come in and they have no clue about their medical history or medications (when they are highly capable). I understand when you come in via EMS for a true emergency the last thing on your mind would be to grab a med list. But it drives me CRAZY when people say things, such as, "I take a little white pill, I think it's for my blood pressure"...do they actually think we are supposed to know??? Or...when they no longer have a heart condition, HTN, or high cholesterol because they are on medication for it, therefore they no longer have xyz. Or when asking surgical hx and I get a response like "stomach surgery", or "nothing important" can you please elaborate on that please!!! Too many pet peeves to list them all lol, I could go on for hours.

Hi everyone! Next week will be my first week working in the ED! I previously worked 2 years on a Med-Surg/Tele unit. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions of books to help me prepare? I've been reading through Critical Care Nursing Made Incredibly Easy.

Just remember there is probably a wait list for a reason. I've honestly never heard anything good about Hondros, and I've never heard of Fortis. If the school does not already had accredidation, I wouldn't even consider it. There are many good ADN programs in central ohio, I don't really know much about LPN programs. I would suggest looking at the Ohio Board of Nursing website and basing your decision on NCLEX pass rates.

I was hired by physicians regional as a new grad in 2010, and they still hire new grads. There are just not many open positions because it is a small hospital. They will also be hiring seasonal nurses soon, and usually at the end of the contract they will offer you a full time position. Keep applying for jobs, and you may even want to contact Angela, the nursing recruiter. I don't really know much about NCH, and Fort Myers is going to be probably about an hour drive or more from Marco.

I'm just wondering how much of a difference it makes to work as a nurse at a "Magnet" institution versus one that's not. I currently work in a "for profit" hospital where I feel the nurses are not appreciated and often have what I consider to be an un-safe number of patients.

I work on a med/surg/tele floor, and I'm not tele certified or ACLS. But it would be very beneficial, and the safe thing. My employer actually won't pay to certify me in either, because I was hired for M/S, even though 75% of my patients are tele. You learn to place a lot of trust in your monitor techs and tele/ACLS certified co-workers.

I'm currently working as a contact nurse on a med/surg/tele unit. At the end of my contract in May 2012, I will have almost a year and a half of acute care experience. I'm just wondering what is the best way to transition into critical care nursing? The hospital I currently work for is not very supportive in transferring med/surg/tele nurses out to other units. Around the same time my contract finishes, I will be earning my BSN. Also what sort of certifications should I have? I do not hold any certifications at the moment, aside from BLS. The hospital I have been looking into applying to has 5 specialized ICUs (neuro, vascular, trauma, (etc.)). At this point, I feel I don't have the experience to make a decision where I want to specialize and what would be the best match for me. Are most hospitals flexible in floating new hires, to various departments to find the best fit, or is there typically no flexibility? I have nearly 6 months before I will be looking to make the transition, so I'm just wondering what I need to do to prepare myself. Any advice would be appreciated :) Thanks!

So I've made it through my first year of nursing, and at this point I feel more confused than ever as to what I'm doing with my nursing career. I'm currently working on a med/surg/tele floor, and my contract is up 5/1/2012. While I enjoy where I work, and the people I work with I feel there is not a lot of room for growth. It's a small hospital, and I feel I'm not reaching my full potential, and will never have an opportunity to advance within the facility. I've came to the realization that although I have learned a lot from med/surg/tele it is something I no longer wish to do. The majority of the patients I see are pneumonia, lap choles/appys, and IV drug abusers with cellulitis. I feel like I've learned what there is to learn at the hospital where I work, and it's time to move on. My dilemma is I have no idea what I want to do. My aunt who has been a nurse for nearly 40 years tells me, I need to be in a teaching hospital or traveling. Around the time my contract is up, I will be earning my BSN. I know other people have felt the same, so I'm wondering what choices or advice experienced nurses may have for me. I would feel bad if I accepted a position and then ending up hating the department and quitting, and then burning the bridge with that employer.

I work nights on a med/surg/telemetry unit. I normally have 6 patients, occasionally 7. I've been working med/surg/telemetry for a year now, and have never had more than 7 patients. Even when I have 6 patients, I often don't get a break or time to go to the bathroom more than once a shift. To me 8 patients is just not safe. How could you possibly have time to accurately assess patients, and do quality charting? I would also ask if there is a charge nurse available to help with IV starts, passing meds, doing admissions, etc.

I'm just getting ready to start my second seasonal contract with Physician's Regional in Naples. I was hired by them last year as a new grad. I don't know much about NCH, but if you are going to live on Marco Island, Physician's Regional is closer. Also seasonal employees are paid considerably better, however, no benefits. Physicians Regional pays seasonals RNs $35/hour plus differential. If you took a full-time position, you would probably be in the low to mid 20s. Hope that helps!

I agree, try Southwest Florida. I was hired, in naples, on a med/surg/tele unit and I had no acute care experience. Also HHA in the area are pretty desperate for nurses.

When I applied last year, it took just a little under 2 months. Florida is kinda slowed compared to some other states.

I always do a head to toe assessment, with auscultation. Total assessment takes about 5 min. I do notice there are some nurses who NEVER carry a stethoscope, kinda scary!!

I've been in Naples for about a month now working as a traveling nurse at Physician's Regional. There is a lot of seasonal nurses down here, I think my hospital hired around 185. What hospital are you at? So far everything has been going good. There is a lot of money to be made down here, but the cost of living is high. Weather is wonderful. Let me know if you have any questions about the area and I can try to help. Still learning my way around!

That is very low. The lowest I would personally take would be $22.00/hr. A lot of home health agencies and LTC facilities are offering higher wages than hospitals. Plus, you probably wouldn't be learning any skills with this job, I would continue to look.

I think a Thank You card is a nice gesture, I would wait until clinicals are over and give it to them privately.

I'm sorry that happened to you, but at least you did get some experience out of the situation. What part of Florida do you live in? A lot of hospitals in Florida are hiring seasonal nurses for 6 month contracts.

I'm also a new grad relocating 1300 miles for Med/Surg position. I signed a 6 month contract, so if I don't like it after 6 months I can go back home and hopefully get a job!

I would just apply for med/surg positions. Most areas like ICU, ER, OR, etc. wanted a minimum of 2 years experience. I only have 3 months home health experience and they called me the next day for an interview, didn't seem concerned that I didn't have much experience. They asked about my experiences in nursing school as well, and the types of floors and patients I cared for. It doesn't hurt to apply, remember the most they can say is no, but at least you are getting your name out there.