RUN_RN

First of all I would like to thank each and every one of you that gave me some great advice! I am so happy that I came to this site for the support. I called HR today and got my answer. I have a meeting scheduled with my CNO, risk mangaement, and HR. pretty intimidating. But i have been preparing myself and my argument through out the day. I will also be meeting with a lawyer tomorrow morning as wel to ask for legal advice. Thank you all once again and I will notify you what happens in the afternoon! Please keep me in your prayers! Thanks once again :redbeathe.

Today when i went to work on my usual shift i got turned away and sent to nursing supervisor office. Once there I found out i was suspended and i still have no reason why i was suspended. I was not informed of the reason nor was given paperwork in regards to my suspension. A week prior I was the triage nurse on a busy sunday and had a patient who was on a 5150 hold elope. The patinet was monitored by security guard but managed to get away. I work in a very small ER and I didnt have the resources to place this patient in seclusion. I did call the police right away and made a police report and notified the caregiver. This patient was on 5150 for danger to others. THe caregiver informed me that if he arrives there she will call the police. This happend towards the end of my shift. But the police were able to locate the patient and bring him back to the Emergency room three hours later. After this incident there was a root cause analysis meeting regarding the elopement that occured and I attented it and explained "what happend" but after the meeting I was not given any diciplinary notice that I would be suspened or written up about the incident. I worked the rest of the week and was not informed. It wasn't until today Monday that I found out I was suspened. I really need your advice if you can please help me. I am still considered a new grad so I don't know how to prepare/fight against the suspension. Please give me all the advice regarding this situation, It will be appreciated.

Thank you all for your responses . If anybody has something else to add that would be great! But my area is in Los Angeles county. I have experienced that you really need to be assertive job hunting, otherwise no one will give you the time. I wish they didn't sugar coat the reality of nursing while I was in school. But I'm not going to give up and stay postive! I wish you the best Old and New grads!!!

Hello, Ugh once again, I'm back on the job market! Yup a soon to be OLD NEW GRAD DEC 09' I finally had my opportunity to start in an acute care hospital...then with a blink of an eye I lost it without even starting it! On a positive note I interviewed today for a county hospital and I was informed that I passed the screening portion of the interview. there is process with the county that I will wait to be on "the list" and I will be able to make the calls to find out who is hiring but, won't happen until three weeks from now.... But my interviewer made a point to differentiate between a county hospital and a private hospital and he mentioned that working for a private hospital would be "easier" and I would have to follow the sink or swim policy if I worked in a county hospital. I was wondering is this true? Is there really no support at county hospitals? Will I be making a wrong choice or even risking my license if I were to get hired? I would also like to hear insight on nurses whom expereinced working in this enviorment and how you hadled the population you were exposed to? What you love about working for a county hospital? Thank you and I will try to keep you posted. This job hunt is depressing and I feel extremly discouraged

"You're going to get the stock answer of, "We have many applicants for this position. We need to interview all of them before we can make a decision." I would NOT recommend going this direction. The manager could want to hire you, but then candidate Y could walk through the door and be the greatest thing since sliced bread and get the job. Then you're going to feel demoralized and frustrated because the manager had said that he/she wanted to hire you." I have to disagree with the above statement. I interviewed with a panel and at the end of the interview i asked, "What do I need to do to get the job?" Everybody laughed and said what a great question! Weeks later I found out I got the job. The reason why you ask this question is because it shows that you are BOLD and whoever asks the best questions controls the interview. While you listen to the response you jot down little notes about their response, then you respond and summarize what they just said and sell yourself with the qualities they mentioned. Good Luck!

Hi Nurses, I wanted to say a thank you for all the support that I have received on this site!!! I am a December 2009 New Grad and after searching for months I finally got a job!! I was shocked because when I interviewed for this position it was a panel interview and I walked out thinking I lost my chance...I even got a rejection email three weeks later...But suddenly I got a call today and they offered me a position!!! I will be working on a Telemetry unit for in a New grad program!!! So thank you all for your support!!! I appreciate all of you!!

Hello, I am unable to reply to PM. The prelimenary assesment is a tool some hospitals use to weed out their applicants. For this specific hospital, I received a call back after I applied for the position. They asked me to come in and complete an assesment. But this was an hour away so I requested via email. The test was timed for sixty minutes about 60 questions. The questions varied from scenario based questions along the lines of how would you react to this, or rank your response scale 1-5 agree, etc...

Hello All, :) I am a California RN that graduated in December in 2009 with my BSN. I have spent the last months looking for a job! (so,old news) But I finally got an interview at a hospital that is hour drive from me. I passed the prelimenary assesment and got selected for the panel interview! Its this Friday and I am so nervous!! I've never had this type of interview! So i dont know what to expect, I was told it will be with the Chief Nursing officer, and the hiring directors of each floor, that will last for thirty minutes. Thoughts from anyone how to prepare? How did you stay calm in an interview like this? anybody have good questions to ask? or any good websites to look? or perhaps any good books on problem solving tactics....( I know thats silly but my problem solving skills are not up to par and I know this is vital) Please help! I really need this my poor boyfriend, can not keep paying my bills . I appreciate any constructive feedback from all you caring nurses A LITTLE HOPE for new grads out here in CA:nurse:

Hello All :) I am a New grad without a job living in southern CA. After countless applications I finally got a call back for a new grad program that is a half hour drive from my home. But before I get to excited I need to take a prescreening test, this is a situational/outcomes test, that is timed for 60 minutes. If I pass the test, then I am qualified for a panel interview. An interview is hard to come by these days, therefore I am really nervous,I dont know what to expect. My question is have any of you ever had to do this for a potenital interview? and if so what can I expect? How should I prepare myself? Thank you all! :redbeathe

REALLY? I'm asking for support and advice not your sarcasm...ALSO its wrong for RNs to sign the witness portion of the consent forms if they didn't actually witness and they were pre charting to save time

Thank you sooooooooo much for your support and wonderful advice!!! :hug:. I will try all the suggestions! I really love the TOP 10 List! that is so creative!!! Thanks again I knew I could count on the wonderful nurses on this site :)

Hello, I am a new graduate RN with my BSN (December 2009). I took my boards in Feb 2010 passed and I of course like all the new graduates out here in sunny California have applied to many jobs with no luck. I relocated from the mid-west for personal reasons. But anyway, In March I finally got a call back from an outpatient surgery center went to the interview and I got hired. little did I know what I was getting myself into . ( Little background about this place...There are only three RNs that work for two of busier days, and small facility) I was hired for part-time work so I only worked on the busy days...So my first day I was given no orientation!! This is a fast-paced place. Therefore you can imagine me trying to orient as a new grad. The RN that i was following had only been there for a month herself! So I was learning from her how to do things. My boss was no where to be found..there were patients backed up needing to admit..while I am trying to learn all the process...my boss would make nasty comments about how slow I am or how stressed out she is because patients are backed up. Mind you its my FIRST day...I have no experience... This job was a complete nightmare I had no support or leadership from my boss because again only three RNs including me. Also I witnessed "pre-charting, the RNs signing consent forms without the patients presence to "save time" I know I am new but I am not stupid...I know that's a big no no. The list goes on and on. But already this is a long post. But honestly I am not even telling you the whole story of my experience. The owner of the facility is notorious for "firing" people for random reasons. Well yup you guessed it.. I no longer work for this facility....I was not fired but i was "Let Go" I asked why and He could not give me a clear response. He said my RN skills were excellent on site...but he needed me as a PRN nurse. I was shocked because I worked my butt off trying to learn and worked hard, stayed late....provided great customer service to my patients. But believe me I will not go back there. But I am back to square one. NO job!! I have gone to several hospitals talked to nurse managers, no luck...started calling nursing homes today...none are hiring can you believe it??? I live in the San Fernando Valley so If any of you live in this are can you give me advice?? I am so discouraged I feel worthless.. am I really an RN? I can't believe how invaluable I feel right now...I feel like I'm getting depressed. Everyday I get up to look for jobs and have not found one. Thanks for reading this long post. I am open to all comments/ suggestions they are needed and will be appreciated! thank you :redpinkhe

Hello All, fun post! I love to watch greys anatomy and I usually get my hairstyling tips form there..One that I love and gets the hair out of my face is...I am unsure if I can explain it but...seperate two chunks in front of your face..one where your part is and the other along the side. With each individual chunk you can braid it...so you end up with braided pieces that frame your face.The rest you pull-back in a low-ponytail and make it into a bun or straighten the remaining part of your hair and wear it back...If you dont know what I am talking about look up "Arizona" the actress on Greys that usually sports this style.

Congratulations!!! I really hope I get a job soon!!!

Yes, Heather 424!!! :)

Hello All, I wasn't really sure about this "trick" but I tried it anyway. I took my NCLEX-RN exam on the Feb. 23, 2010 the computer shut off at 75 questions....I walked out and panicked a little. Due to the fact that I felt that I really was not thinking during the questions and it only took me 50 minutes!! But anywho...It took me about an hour and half to get home of course I tried the trick and I got the "good pop-up!" I still was skeptical then days later I checked the CA BON website and my name was on there!!!! . I wanted to say that this trick is true!!!! and good luck to all the NCLEX-RN takers!!! Also thank you for the support I was provided on this website:heartbeat

Awesome!!! congratulations :monkeydance: I take mine on the 23rd...I am really nervous!!!

P.s. I hav another question...so I need to get my ACLS, certification and I am wondering how to go by doing this? I know lots of hospitals require these certifications. IF I am missing any others let me know soon. Again I am a BSN new graduate nurse seeking a job...yet to take boards end of January 2010.

Hello, I wanted to thank you for the reply, it was my first post :nuke:. I will take your advice and inspirational wisdom to get a job and pass boards.

Hello All, Hi I just graduated this December 2009 with my BSN. I am currently looking for a job in southern california. Although,I am running into difficulty with jobs because I lack experince, duh Im a new grad...Well I would like some help. I will be moving to calfornia in two weeks and I will be taking my boards here at the end of january I hope. So nurses that just graduated what can I do? How should I market myself better? I really hate applying online...and just waiting...I also would like to hear some advice as to how you all studied for NCLEX-RN exam . THanks. Oh by the way I am moving to the LA area. I have also tried looking online for hospitals...but I cant seem to get a complete list of all the available hospitals in the LA area.