nerdicus

I'd be curious to hear what Nightingale reputation is like as well... I keep getting email from them about options in Nevada and Nebraska - two places I'd hate to go, unless the pay was right.

Forgot to add one thing: I'm not sure on Computer Science, or Information Technology; I know the difference academically, but am not sure how it would play out in the real world. I know I don't want to be coding, but I do want to be designing/implementing. If that means I should no how to code, fine. Just curious your opinions on the above.

Lost out on a 150k job? What is the pay range for these RN/IT jobs? While money is not the biggest factor in my career choice, it is a large one. I'm currently an RN, who was on the CRNA path, and am still considering it. I'm a new grad, coming up on my first year of experience. I started college as a CIS major, ended up an RN. Won't get into how that happened. But, now that I'm out in the field, I realize I have a passion for improving healthcare through assisting with this EMR transition we're coming up on. But I'll be honest, I have a delusion of grandeur too. I have always dreamed of being part of a health tech startup team that changed the world. Don't know why, other than it combines the three areas I enjoy. I have pros/cons for each career choice. And making a decision is difficult right now, I'm at a critical point in deciding if I should return for my BSN and go CRNA, or go for IT and MBA with RN experience. I like the flexibility, technicality, and pay of CRNA. But would trade much of that for the satisfaction of helping to change the way an institution works - especially if it improves the satisfaction and healthcare of patients. Right now I'm at the largest health organization in Florida, and we're using CERNER. And having grown up with Google, Facebook, etc. it blows my mind how un-user-friendly some of these systems can be. Powerful, yes. But at times you might as well have someone looking at the back-end of an amazon server. It may be powerful, but if it isn't implemented effectively or easy to use - and appealing, it doesn't benefit the patient or the clinician. Any advice?

I'm assisting with an education fair, and we have a small display on improving the documentation involved with our 'codes' and need some short tips that other RNs have found useful - specifically in regards to documentation of the event. For example, during a code, our night charge nurse constantly requests verbal confirmation from the documenter that they heard vitals, drug administration, rhythm changes, etc. throughout the event. Being in a location where you can easily see a clock was my first thought, and is an obvious one. What are your suggestions? We would like everyone on our floor to be comfortable with each role, but specifically the documentation seems to be one that is feared by some and we'd like to change that.

I'll second the recession problem. I graduated last December and still have classmates that didn't get jobs (granted some were quite picky) - and our school was the preferred school locally. I had to move down to Florida for my job, and while it wasn't my first (or second) pick I realized with this recession I needed to take what I could get for the experience. Currently my floor has a very high international population among floor nurses, but that's been changing over the last 3-5 years and within the last 2 recruitment has been nearly ZERO from my understanding. I've also heard rumor of eliminating international recruiting for a range of reasons. And this is the largest hospital system in Florida. If your goal is really the US, I'd go to Europe first.

Damn.

What did you not like about the assignment?

I was JUST wondering the exact same thing... so anyone with info please speak up!

I too must sway from the Aviators trend... I had a friend suggest them. And while they do last a LONG time, all I had to do was try them on to realize how hot they would be (I'm in Florida). And the fit is odd, if you notice on their website, all the 'models' have them pulled up to their nipple line. Well, I believe that is how they intend for you to wear them. When I put them on my waste, I've got a 10 inch crotch. The end of May/June I believe is Aviator's anniversary. They offer 25% off during this time - the best deal you can get on their scrubs. Just a tip for those looking into them. I'm giving Iguanamed a try, otherwise I'm going to take sewing classes, and finally use my business degree...

Well I finished my interview, and asked many of the questions recommended here. Unfortunately it sounds more like a normal med/surg floor than it does a Pulmonary PCU. In fact the nurse manager even said, "It really should be a called multi-system PCU". And with a 5:1 ratio, no ventilated patients at all, and "lots of our patients are bariatric patients as well" it sounds closer to a normal floor than it does a PCU. At least it's a day shift (for me personally, nights are a killer). I'll be honest - I'm disappointed. But I might not have much of a choice.

I'm interviewing this week for a position in a Pulmonary PCU. Now that you've been there awhile are there questions you'd wished you asked during your interview? I'm reviewing my vent settings, and the other recommendations you made... Thanks