sslickerson

As a tech in a 500+ bed hospital I have much respect for the nurses I work with. I *was* a nursing student just a few short months ago but I quickly decided I could never do the job they were doing. I like my job as a tech but I would loathe my job as an RN.

Here is an excellent site to look into: How to Answer the 64 Toughest Interview Questions It's geared toward business but can easily be adapted to any environment. Good Luck!

Thank so much! I was hoping you would say that :)

Hello fellow PCTs! I currently work in ortho/med/surg but I am looking into getting a position in either the ICU or ER/ED. I was just wondering if any of you could tell me about either of these areas and what your typical shift is like. I currently work nights but I am definitely looking to work days at some point. Essentially I want to learn new skills and I've pretty much done it all in med/surg (step-down not ICU). Any thoughts? Thanks!

#1 Anyone who believes they "owe" thire employer anything has their heads in the clouds. You mean very little to the corporation except a dollar sign (how much work you can do for as little as possible). Yes, we all care about those we work with but those are not the people that sign our paychecks. Again, once an opportunity presents itself you take it. This has nothing to do with how "professional" someone is. #2 In the words of Tim Gunn, "make it work!" I'm not so sure she loves her job and if she did she wouldn't be so stressed about the hours. You take what you can right now and you make it work. If we were all to simply wait for something to "suddenly" open up so many opportunities would be missed. How many times have you sat around thinking to yourself, "just a little while longer, maybe something better with pop up." Please, I took your job while you were waiting! #3 Are you kidding me! This has never happened nor will it ever happen. You are putting way too much faith in what is supposed to happen as opposed to what does happen. Again, while you said "I'll play nice and give 2 weeks or month" I took your job. #4 Again, this has nothing to do with being professional but everything to do with watching out for yourself and your bottom line. I don't know about you but I try my best to keep my head out of the clouds. If someone is hiring they are hiring now not a month from now. While you were twiddling your thumbs, you guessed it--I took your job. The bottom line is this: I am highly respected for the work I do, I'm an excellent team player and I always get the job done. When I was being interviewed for my job I was asked the question about strengths and I told them the above stuff but I also told them that I come first, always. I told them, and have proven over and over again, that I am very good at what I do but I also told them that the instant something better came along I might be leaving. I was hired the next day--and yes, I probably took your job. Hang in there OP, find the job you love not the job that everyone says you should love. Stop worrying about all of these truly antiquated rules that do not make sense in today's environment. Do what you need to do to get it done.

I think the bottom line is this: always do what is best for you no matter what. However; that doesn't mean quit immediately just to alleviate the "bad" feelings that this job has given you. You must stick this out but you must also start looking for a new job immediately. I think it's very important to remember that you owe nothing to your job or the people you work with or for. Always put yourself first but do it in a matter where you are truly watching out for yourself (that is to say you need a paycheck more than you need to quit). Hang in there but start applying elsewhere. The instant an opportunity presents itself take it. There is no reason to give a 2 week notice (your employer woundn't give you notice before firing you would they?) and then move on, there is no reason to get all cutesy about it, you have got to watch out for numero uno. Good Luck!

I think, just like any new job, you will feel like that and the feeling will last quite sometime. I think it is important to stick it out, realize that you don't know everything (in reality not that much) and learn as much as you can from those around you. You won't really know how to do your job until after you actually start working on your own, after you find your own rhythm. The feelings of doubt will eventually disappear as time goes on and as you learn about your own potential. Hang in there, this too shall pass :)

I know, this is so horrible. Thank god my hospital has totally banned smoking on campus. It's a good 15 minute walk to the nearest smoking "section" which is the parking lot of a restaurant :) Also, stiff penalties are given if someone is caught smoking on campus (including getting fired which has happened twice already)

Or you could be an ICU nurse where you might have 1 or 2 patients as opposed to 6 on med/surg. Work on it and it will come to you. I too am a nursing student but I am also a PCT on a med/surg unit and I can tell you straight away that those nurses are incredible with time management and multitasking. I'm getting pretty good at it myself. Do you work in a hospital now? Maybe something to think about.

Technically assault is defined as a threat to commit some act of aggression while battery is the physical act of harming someone. Thus you can have assault without battery but not battery without assault. At the very least this action would be considered assault (and should be reported as such to your supervisor and a claim made with the local police department). From a legal standpoint I would argue assault and battery given that the threat was there and physical action was taken. No matter what was in the syringe (even if it was only water) a physical action was taken against this person with the intent to harm or harass.

I would stay away from all caffeine sources (and those Vitamin B drinks including 5-hour energy) and drink plenty of water. At home you really need to get some blackout curtains for the bedroom and buy one of those stand-up fans to give you some background noise while sleeping. If you are married and have kids make sure everyone knows that you need your sleep and you are to not be interrupted unless the house is literally burning down. Turn off your cell phone and make sure that everyone knows that you will not be answering the door for any reason. Make sure you are eating healthy (bring some snacks to work but also one *hot* meal) and try to get some exercise during the week. Good Luck!

I too have read on these boards many times about the cattiness of nursing in general. I'm certain this type of behavior occurs in every hospital and on every unit but I will say with absolute certainty that I never hear it. Do you want to know why? Because never in my past have I ever given someone else the opportunity to talk about another coworker in my presence. I'm well respected and liked and everyone knows that I will not tolerate it. I sometimes find a few nurses or techs just working near me because they know that around me it is a work-only zone. An "island of sanity" as one of my fellow techs once said. I'm not pointing fingers here (well maybe I am) but perhaps people are hearing the gossip because they themselves are or have dished it out in the past.

I hate to say it but I must. As far as I can tell this is strictly an issue dealing with catty women. I know, call me an ass for even bringing it up but you would never see 6 guys doing this. I honestly feel really bad for you but really you just need to get over it and move on. Being a male in a predominately female ADN program I see this EVERY day! The guys in my class do what they need to do to succeed in the program. These are simply issues that we don't need to think about but honestly we don't care either. I just want to scream at you guys sometimes! Why do you care if someone doesn't like you? Why do you care if someone does this, that or whatever? None of this matters, get your degree, move on, become the best nurse you can be and stop worrying about what the next girl 2 chairs over thinks about you! Jumping off my soapbox now...

Yes this helps. Thanks!

Hello all, So, I will complete my CNA course on Wednesday of next week. But due to unfortunate circumstances I cannot take the certificate exam or practical in the same state as I completed the course (AZ). I am moving next week to Minnesota as soon as I am done with the course. Does anyone know if I can just find a test location in MN once I receive my course completion certificate? Thanks, Timothy