April13RN

All is well they apologized for the error and will make sure that it is on the schedule for me to see a speaker next time.

The scheduling coordinator does not have any direct ability to penalize me, but I'm not sure if it is something that might be considered reportable to management. I'll probably give them a call tomorrow to ease my mind.

Hi Everyone, I have been working on an inpatient eating disorder unit since 8/1. I was hired for 32 hour eves but I have never worked that because they have always asked if I wanted an extra shift or to work a double here and there. Last week I worked over 48 hours. To my relief I was scheduled to have a day off tomorrow. Anyways the scheduling coordinator called me today to see if I could work tomorrow night in addition to attending a speech by some speaker that I was already supposed to see. This was the first I heard of me having to come in for a speaker (the speech would be shorter than my drive time there and back). My schedule was blank for tomorrow so I assumed it was my day off and made plans, the coordinator said that it was a scheduling error and I was supposed to be off so that I could go to the speech however this was never communicated to me. I told her that I had plans and could not come in could I be penalized for this? I know I should've asked while I had her on the phone but I didn't think of it until after business hours of course. Thank you!

1) Anytime, even some nursing schools require that you purchase it. I bought mine two years after I graduated. 2) At least health and dental, possibly vision if you need it. In some states you may be covered by your parents insurance until you're 26. 3) In MA you need 15 contact hours for CEUs but it varies by state so check the NJ BON website. 4) It would be impossible to retain everything you learned from nursing school, once you find a job they will train you and you will be able to fine tune your skills to suit your job.

I left a job I loved for a great opportunity closer to home. Sadly the new opportunity did not work out and I am finding that the best thing to do is submerge myself in things I love to do/de-stressers (working out, cleaning, watching movies etc.) in my spare time. During the time that I would be at work I am making it my job to send out resumes to any promising opening. So far so good, I have two interviews next week. The hardest part is just trying to keep your spirits up enough to job hunt. Try and find some supportive friends I found good shoulders to lean on in my fiance, mom, old co-workers, and good friends. As far as my next position goes I plan on omitting it from my resume since I was only there for a short time. If they ask further questions I will keep it short and say something like I was not a good fit but it was a good learning experience. Good Luck!! You're definitely not alone:redpinkhe

Hi Everyone, I am training at a busy pediatric office and today I made a basic safety error. I feel awful and I knew better. I was giving immunizations to a one year old and the first one was fine, but when I went to give the second one, an SC the child flailed forwards causing the needle to come right out. Instead of stopping and changing the needle I became flustered and re-stuck the child with the same needle. Both parents were hovering over me the entire time and the mother was not holding the child's arm as securely as I had anticipated. Luckily I have a great preceptor who was watching and was able to step in to help. Then the mother requested that my preceptor complete the rest of the vaccines (rightfully so). It is just such a heartbreaking feeling that sticks with you when you hear a parent request that you stop and and when you know that you knew better. I started there at the beginning of May but have only been giving vaccines for about 3 weeks. Does anyone have any tips and tricks to help maintain a safe environment and to stay calm while giving multiple vaccines to crying/screaming infants and toddlers.

I've found that males are especially helpful in the psych field. Alot of clients that I have worked with seem to work better with males. Guys can also come in handy if any physical management is needed.

I am currently employed as a school nurse at a school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. I love it, the hours are M-F 8-4 and the pay is about 26/hr. It is very rewarding to work with these kids and teach them to tolerate simple things such as applying a blood pressure cuff. At this position I am offered full benefits and 3 weeks vacation I just gave my two week notice to trade for a position at a pediatric practice about 5 min. from my house. I will be taking a three dollar pay cut and my vacation time will go down to 10 days, but I will still have full benefits. The new hours are 9-5 four days a week, 9-7 once a week and every other Saturday 9-12. I am looking to broaden my skill set by working in this practice. I wish your cousin good luck! Office nursing is generally very stable and rewarding.

Although psych nursing may not be as clinically challenging as med-surg there are many other risks posed in this field. For example working with aggressive or self injurious patient puts both staff and patient at risk for injury and infection. I work in a school for autistic children and adolescents and there are some days that I treat more staff than students. The most common injuries I see are bites and bruises. Not small bites that you would expect from children, but large bites that require antibiotics and frequent monitoring for loss of sensation in the area. Although the work load may seem less at times the risks of this environment certainly make up for it.

Autism: False Prophets is a great book explaining early autism theories.

There is a field for every nurse. If you decide bedside isn't your thing there is community health, school nursing. I work pedi. psych at a school for autism it is so much fun and the hours are great (holidays off, no nights or wknds).

Sounds like a solid thought process to me.

25-27 in Boston area, very difficult for new grads, often taking about a year to find jobs post-NCLEX passing. Still many hiring freezes and internal hiring only.

Yes the doctor does have a place of practice in the city however the behaviors of these children puts them and public at risk for injury especially in a busy place. Thus I would like to avoid having to bring them out to receive a vaccine that we can admininster in the school once we can get a hold of them. That is a great idea about checking with larger retailers I'll do that on Monday. Thanks!

Thanks dudette, yes i did already check with the Massachusett Department of Public Health, they have none until January.

Hi Everyone, I work at a school for autistic children that has several group homes. Once a month we have the PCP for these children come to perform their annual physicals. This month I have two patients that the physician has ordered annual flu vaccines for and a varicella vaccine, we do not have a private pharmacy. My dilemma is finding a pharmacy that will fill these and either deliver them to the school or allow us to pick them up. I have found pharmacies that at least have the flu vaccine in stock that I can pick up, but with the varicella vaccine I have had no luck finding it anywhere and the Mass. DPH will not receive a shipment until January. These students are autistic and it is very difficult to bring them out to a separate doctor's appointment just to receive a vaccine. Any ideas where I can find varicella vaccines? Thank you!!

I work at the May Institute as a school nurse. It is a school for autistic children aged 6-22 we also have 8 group homes. I absolutely love it, I was on a pedi. med-surg floor at Mass General as an intern for a few months and although I was learning alot there the commute and overnight shifts made it so stressful. Working with these kids is extremely rewarding and if you know that bedside is not your thing it is a perfect place. Plus I am making the same as I would in a hospital and I work from 8a-4p with weekends and holidays off. This is my first RN job and I couldn't ask for anything better.

I work 8-4 at a school for autistic children with no weekends. It's not as much clinical experience as I would like but it is extremely rewarding.

In MA you do not need CEUs to renew your license the first time, this may be the case where you are as well

I am a nurse at a school for autistic children. It is rewarding, full time, great hours, holidays, benefits and snow days! Plus I'm still using my clinical skills.

1. What type of education program did you complete? BSN, ASN, Second degree, etc. 4 year BSN 2. When did you graduate and how long have you been working? Graduated May 2009, passed NCLEX first time in August 2009, started first nursing position March 2010 3. Current position and goals for the future. grad school, specialty? RN at a school for autistic children doing their meds and daily assessments 4. Tell me a little about your orientation. How long was it? Was it structured? Did you feel like you were just thrown in? When I started we didn't have a supervisor and there was no official orientation it was just kind of learn as you go, luckily I have great co-workers that are willing to teach and answer any questions. 5. What were the biggest challenges you faced in orientation? when you got on the unit alone? Biggest challenge; realizing that all documentation is my responsibility and that there is no preceptor to double check and make sure that I signed and documented in all the right places. 6. Biggest suprises? Biggest surprise; the amount of staff that I treat for injuries from the students. 7. Did your educational training adequately prepare for the "real world"? It prepared me somewhat but most of my learning has been taking place at my job. 8. Something you wish you had been told while you were in school? People make mistakes, it's not the end of the world just learn from it and move on. 9. Were more experienced nurses helpful and receptive to your questions? what about the doctors? My co-workers are great I work on a team of four nurses and luckily they were receptive to having a new grad. 10. Any advice for new grads? Accept that you will be learning for a long time and try not to take any advice/criticism personally, most of the time people are just trying to help you learn.

Endicott College in MA makes you take (and pass) two or three a semester and the exit HESI to graduate.

Umm our clinicals are spread out over a longer period of time. I would need to know more about your ADN program to know how different it is.

Did you mean auscultating?

Nail polish is removed because it may interfere with obtaining an accurate 02 sat measurement. Lipstick is removed in order to observe for signs of circumoral cyanosis which may indicate that the patient is not well oxygenated.