Txangel791

I am not a writer, so sometimes what I am trying to say does not come through, but I will try :) When I was in nursing school, there were skills that I read how to perform, and saw other students perform, but never got the chance to do it myself because the opportunity never came during clinicals. And there are other tasks that I did once or twice with my instructor right there to help me if it didnt go as planned, but that I never had to troubleshoot on my own. I mean, like an NGT. Did that a few times in nursing school, but working med/surg I learned how to do that with an unconscious, uncooperative pt. I learned how to get it done better, easier. I learned how to do foleys in school, but on med/surg I learned how to do females from behind due to contractures, I learned how to do males with prostate problems. I learned how to start IV's in school, but at work I learned how to finesse spider veins, and hit what I cant see on heavier pts. I learned how to bathe a pt in class, but at work I learned how to do it alone, how to help maintain modesty, how to be sensitive. I learned how to manage my time, how to prioritize my pts, how identify the best way to communicate with each pt based on their personality and current situation- not mine. I learned in school what tasks i COULD delegate, but learned on the job what tasks I SHOULD delegate, and to whom. I think what I want to say is that in school you learn how and why you do certain things, but by working med surg you broaden your education with real world experience in a setting that will expose you to many different kinds of pts, diagnoses, co-workers, families, situations. When you come out of school and go straight to a specialty you learn that specialty. What if you went straight to L&D and learned it and worked it well for 2 or 3 years, then were pulled to the floor to help, or wanted to work some PRN agency for extra money? Knowing pitocin rates, fetal heart tones, and such wont be much help to you with an 80 yr old from the nursing home with stage III decubs who's contracted and needs a foley change, right? I just think it makes for a well-rounded nurse with a solid knowledge base that will support you throughout your career, no matter where you are working at any time. Make sense? I hope so...lol :)

I agree, med/surg experience is very beneficial. When I came out of nursing school I wanted to go straight to the ICU. Many people told me to do the med/curg first, for at least a year but I didnt want to and resented them for implying that I couldnt do well in the ICU without that experience. Lucky for me, the hospital I wanted to work in didnt have an ICU position open when I gotmy license. So, I worked the med/surg floor for 18 months and learned more there than I knew I needed to know! When I finally got to ICU I could appreciate everything I learned on the floor, amd I missed med/surg so much I went back after 8 months in ICU. That time on med/surg taught me sooo much and boosted my skills and self-confidence up to where I needed to be. I encourage every new nurse/nursing student I meet to do that time on med/surg. Bet they resent it as much as I did :)

Still a bit concerned about the swine flu vaccine. There are no long-term reports/studies available. No one can be certain there wont be serious long-term effects. If every other drug or vaccine remains unavailable for 10-15 years due to studies and trials, how can they maintain that this vaccine will be safe with less than a year since swine flu hit the news? Either they knew about it long before we did, or they purposely and uneccesarily delay all other meds. Is it just me? Not much into herd mentality or believing because Big Brother says I should.

That is what was taught in my nursing program as well. Over time ( more than 3 days ), with repeated use, the glycerin causes further drying of the mucosa. We were taught to use a toothette with nonalcohol mouthwash.

You can try a small hospital in a smaller town. The big cities have way more applicants and pay more. Find a small suburb or rural area and take the lower pay- count the experience as one of the benefits.

I agree- go! I also had to leave where I was as quickly as possible, but for different reasons. I cant imagine how you feel. I took an assignment- the first one that came along that was in a different state. While working that 13 weeks, I found a place to live and a job to start when that assignment was over. I didnt know that travel nursing was slow, its been 3 years since I moved. I get emails almost every day with offers. The good thing about shorter ( 8-13 week) contracts is that if you decide it isnt a place for you to settle, you can take another one in another state. I know I have recieved lots of email offers for contracts in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. Go for it!

I started out in La for about 18 an hour, now in texas where starting pay isnt much higher. Remember that you have to factor in cost of living wherever you are, benefits, and job satisfaction as well. I would rather earn less money at I place I love than higher pay for a miserable job. I have made the mistake of having several offers to choose from, and taking the higher pay over the friendly atmosphere. I quit rather quickly and went with the facility I liked more and have been happy since then. Money isnt everything! It's much easier to work OT for the extra money when you love where you are and can be proud of the care you've given. Choose wisely, and good luck!

I just learned that my nurse manager had a license revocation quite some time ago. Apparently the upper management knows about it and are being very hush-hush. I cant believe this person hasnt been fired, or reported to the DA. I know that if I report it, my management will make life difficult for me and I will never be promoted. This is really making me angry. I have even been instructed not to tell anyone. The manager involved is " out on leave" and is presumably being allowed to use vacation time! I believe once a license is revoked you must wait one year before requesting reinstatement, but they seem to think this will be "fixed" rather quickly. I am of the opinion that no matter if they somehow get it fixed, this person was practicing without a license and therefore should be let go and reported. What is your opinion?