MELY13

So, I've been hearing about Epic a whole lot. What is the big deal when compared to Cerner? Is it really that much better for nursing documentation? What is your experience with these two systems? Which do you use and what do you absolutely love (or hate) about it? There's talk we're converting to Epic, so any details would be much appreciated

I live in the Rio Grande Valley part of deep south Texas. Mcallen, Edinburg, Pharr, are some of the little towns here. It is pure healthcare here. Of course, we were also in the news (CNN, FOX etc) and under investigation for the misuse or overuse of healthcare in home healths, adult day cares, hospitals, etc... in the nation! So, I dont know if that plays a big part on it or what. It is a low socio economic status place with Mexican majority, and Philipine nurses dominate the field here! It is an awesome place to live, but after many many years here with never ending heat, I decided to move, again. That's why I'm asking for input of anywhere but here jobs. Thanks for all the postings!

Several hospitals here pay OR nurses seven dollars more than medsurg nursing, regardless of level... But I have heard from professors that it's more likely becuase they have a higher chance of getting sued... I don't know.

Me again. I'm starting to freak out here!! I'm done with school in April, and then shadow in May... I am torn between Recovery and OR nursing... I would love to do the 12 hr shift in ER, but being single with 2 kids will be a challenge. I know there are day surgery centers where I would be able to look for an 8hr shift job (or please correct me if I'm wrong). So, from these two specialties... is salary more because of the lawsuits you might place yourself into or what? And also, what about your skills? Is it really more paperwork than nursing? Please.... if someone could please elaborate on these two specialties, I would greatly love to hear the awesome input!!

Thanks everyone!! Keep 'em coming...

Other than day surgeries, and centers like vannie cook, where else can I look for a day job in nursing? I'm a single mom with 2 kids about to finish school, and would love to do 12 hr shifts, but feel kinda guilty pulling this off just now... maybe when they're a bit older. Any input would be awesome!!

Once I saw a license plate that said RN-TRMA.... I couldn't help but think... bad ass!! hehehe

Would you share your nursing experience..... The best one ever? What was the best department you've worked for? The specialty that you love the most, The best hospital, where and WHY you loved it so much... Are you still there, or have you moved on? Pay... Anything from plastic surgery nursing to hospice... What makes it the best job ever? Can't wait to read! :loveya:

thanks kayty2339! :loveya: everyone else with the awesome input, thanks a bunch too. support systems where i am now are limited, so my kids go to a private school where they provide after school care with activities for when i am in school and work. so either way, my kids are somewhere involved in their church or at day care rather than with my family (1 sis and my mom) who have hectic schedules themselves. i understand the concern, and trust me, i have gone through several big stressors. let's just say that i am able to deal with the financial stressors of moving, support systems, and able to arrange daycare/ nanny/ planned activities.... the emotional stressors will be there regardless of where i live... still what i want is input like the one given by ownadobe and oncrn84 (who i need to thank btw) of places they have lived/ worked and had nice experiences. and maybe options that i might want to try out other than telemetry.

My second day at work as a nurse tech... I'm on the telemetry floor and I am scared to mess up with patient care. I'm still in school and trying to apply everything that they have taught us thus far. One of my patients is a frail 89 yr old who needs to get up and go to the restroom (#2). Ok. I can handle this. I help him up, and he sits down to do his business. His daughter tells me she can handle from there. I go back to nurses station, and a couple of minutes later, the daughter calls that his dad needs help! Here I go... the nurse tech to the rescue!!! I rush in to the room (kinda like Kramer did when he jolts in to Jerry's apartment), put on my gloves, and rush to the restroom. He's still sitting down, so I grab some toilet paper and quickly start wiping him off all while trying to assess the toilet for any bleeding (Coumadin).... At this point, I'm puzzled because the toilet is clean, and so it the toilet paper. I never noticed but he was trying to tell me something, and when I looked at him, he had this scared look in his eyes. "Oh my God" I thought to myself. "He's in some kind of distress", so I ask him, "Sir, are you alright?" He simply looks at me with his puzzled look in his big blue eyes and says, "Well, thank you honey. That was very lovely, but all I really need is help getting up and walking to my bed"....... After the ground ate me up and spit me back up, I help him to his bed without saying another word. He looks at me and grins... I feel too embarrased to smile back. And then he says, "That was the best scare I've had since I've been here". From this point on, I make it a habit to ask what they need and make no assumptions at all.

ISLAND40 and RN2BNWI To elaborate, I want to travel outside of Texas, to find a nice place where I can raise my kids, but NOT be traveling with agency jobs... I know I wont be able to do this (it says up there). It takes me 10 hours just to get out of Texas.... So I want to be in a place where we can take mini vacations without having to drive so far... Nice parks, mountains, etc because I AM very involved in their lives, and will continue to do so ESPECIALLY since I'm raising them on my own. That's why I got a late start with school, to be home with my kids, but now, I need to provide for them myself, and nursing it is. So, still--- Any awesome places that would be beneficial for a family like mine to try and experience?

I'm a 32 yr old nursing student who has spent her life working in "business" field. I am to graduate an RN ADN program in May. I currently work as a nurse tech (I can have my own pts, but I cant take drs orders) in Telemetry and all I can say is "I Love Nursing"! This is where I belong! I never knew it until I started with my clinicals. Yes. It's damn hard, but I love it. My dilema?.... I need input on where to try and work first. I have 2 kids (9 & 5yrs), and would love to travel to places where they would love it. I know I won't be able to pull an agency job with kids, and well, according to my kids, here are the places they DONT want to go to and why: California: still waiting for the big one Hawaii: Too many volcanoes Kansas: Tornadoes. Need I say more Florida: Hurricanes Hehe... Right now we live in South Texas. I've lived here all my life (and in Charlotte, NC). I don't want to stay here (I like to see all 4 seasons, and that just doesnt happen here). Any input from nurses who move around with families? Also, I like tele, but any opinions for OR? Thanks a bunch and a big hats off to all the nurses for being a big inspiration! Mel

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