KittyK

When I got my first position 30 years ago there wasn't a nursing shortage. I was graduating in April and getting married in June. I needed a job in the new community where my husband and I would be living--a small college town with one small hospital. I made an appointment with the Director of Nursing in January for an interview. She was very gracious as she toured me around the hospital. But, she explained, there were no open positions. I told her I understood, but if one came open, I wanted her to remember me. Looking back, I can't believe how bold I was! Someime in May the hospital called and said they had a part-time position on the evening shift for IV team. I took the job even though I had never started an IV. I had that position for several months until a med/surg position opened up. I've always been grateful for that IV experience.

I used to drive 30 miles one way, five days a week, through a major city with lots of interstate traffic. In the morning I could leave early enough to get there in about 45 min, but in the afternoon it was awful. I could drive anywhere from 45 min to 2 hours, usually more than an hour. The reason I left that job was because of the commute. After six years enough was enough. Then I took a job 13 miles from home and it takes about 30 min one way. It's not on the interstate. I worked three 12-hr shifts for that job. Now I'm at a job that is 33 miles away, but on the interstate and going in the opposite direction of traffic. I can't imagine working a job close to home. It would be wonderful. I listen to audio books in the car, so that makes my drive very enjoyable.

If ER interests you, I say go for it. I think it's better to check it out as a staff nurse before you make the grad school decision. I work mother/baby. We had a tech working for us who was a nursing student. After graduation she worked with us for a while then made the switch to ER. She really likes it, but still works for us occasionally as a PRN. Maybe you could talk to the ER manager or educator and arrange a day to shadow someone (on your own time) to see what you think. And yes, it's hard to leave the familiar for the unknown. I've been a nurse for 30 years and am starting a new position on Monday as a full-time instructor in an ADN program!

When it comes to communication, especially with patients, my bottom line is to tell the person what I am going to do and to tell them what I need them to do. For example, when I have a postpartum patient up to the bathroom for the first time, part of my instructions are, "now that you are finished, I will clean off the toilet while you wash your hands". Or for students, "while I read the scenario, you will follow along on the IV pump". Of course, there is much more to communication, but the focus is on the desired outcome.

I work in Mother/Baby and get tired of women coming to have a baby and not having a car seat, expecting we will give them one. Most have cell phones, artificial nails, laptops and/or tattoos. We will give a car seat after a financial needs assessment at no or low cost, as determined by the social worker. One time a grandmother called our unit after the family left the hospital and asked if they could come back and exchange the car seat we gave them. Theirs didn't have a"visor" over the seat and they wanted one with a visor. I wanted to tell her, if you had bought the car seat at Wal-Mart and had the receipt you could exchange it. But since you got the car seat for free, that's what you get and you should be satisfied. This is one I actually said: One day a grandmother was proudly showing off the pretty clothes she bought for the grandbaby (at an expensive mall store). When I asked if they had a car seat, they said they didn't have one and needed us to give them one. I said, "You know, you would have better spent your money to buy a car seat rather than the fancy clothes!" When I said that I would be happy to call the social worker to do the financial needs assessment (standard procedure), they conceded they could use the one they had at home from the older sibling. Unbelievable!!

I've been a nurse for 30 years and have just accepted a position as a full-time instructor in an ADN program. I have a Master's Degree in Parent/Child Nursing (CNS). Most of my experience has been in staff development. I have done PRN clinical instructing and guest lectures as an adjunct faculty member in two different BSN programs. I am excited to have a full-time position and I know I have a lot to learn. I've read the "tips for new educators" post and already have a good basis for what I need to learn during my first weeks on the job. I look forward to reading and learning more on this site. Thanks!!!