gwlillith

One of our previous patients developed heel pressure ulcers. The family is now suing our facility. My name is on the chart as I assessed and documented the ulcers when they were discovered by my LPN. (I am the facility's charge nurse 2 nights/week) Now I've been told the facility's lawyers want to ask me some questions. Some advice here would be great. Should I contact a lawyer? Anyone else have this experience?

Actually, after reviewing the application I submitted I didn't see anywhere where birthdate was required and I didn't add it to my resume. I guess I'm just nervous after hitting the big 5-0 that I might be washed up. I think I've read too many articles. LOL That actually puts my mind more at ease. What bothers me tho, is that there are 2 of the same open positions in that department and I applied for one of them. After I read their rejection email I saw that they are still posted. Seems like it gets harder the more experience you have these days.

I saw a few for Aetna while job searching. Can you tell me a little more about what you do and the training process? I've been interested in this for awhile myself.

Hey all! I've been an RN over 20 years with the majority in the ICU. I have CCRN and CNRN certifications and have ASN degree. So far all my applications to other hospitals have been met with "another applicant has filled the position" I have applied for. Could this be because of my age? Is it possible? I'd love to get your take on this :)

Anyone in either one of these programs RN to BSN know the difference in cost and completion. I'm trying to decide between the two since Dignity Health will assist with tuition costs. I can't quite figure out what the total cost would be since they might seem pretty close in comparison. I'm not too crazy about the Religious classes Grand Canyon requires. Would love some input :)

I truly hope they organize a union there and set a precedence for the rest of Florida hospitals! I've worked in many hospitals across Florida and I have to say many have horrendous working conditions and are just plain dangerous!

I agree with your statement. I spent a few years doing registry and traveled to 3 different hospitals within the system. Was definately a new dimension on each shift :) Since I haven't lived in Phoenix very long, and am not really impressed what I've seen so far, I'm looking to not drive so far to get to work anymore. Working nights + Freeway= Very stressed out Nurse! Thanks for the replies everyone!

Hey all! I live in Surprise and am currently working at Barrow's/St Joe's. Alot of changes going on with "the joe" that I don't think is going to get better. But frankly, I'm tired of the long drive! I work nightshift and after almost 5 years here I'd like to hear from some of you RN's out there how other hospitals in the Phoenix area are treating their nurses! Was considering Banner near Sun City and Del Webb. Any and all comments/suggestions much appreciated!

You might have to be a little more aggressive hon! If you really want that job, then might I suggest...lying!!! Well, at least to get thru to the NM...I don't think it was any of the secretary's business why you are calling the NM. Seriously, I would make something up!

Was just discussing this with another nurse tonight. She's relocating and has over 18years experience in Neuro ICU and can't get passed the snooty HR rep on the phone at the facilities she's applied at. The best thing to do is find out who the NM is and go directly to her/him. I'm thinking the HR departments are doling out the qualified applicants with a thimble to keep within the "budgets", and the NM's aren't getting the applicant's resumes like they should! Good Luck

Do they allow you to take the whole course online? I've been wanting to get more information from them, but been evading their calls since I expressed interest in it last year. They've been pretty persistent altho I'm still considering it. :)

Took that awful thing a little over a year ago and passed it. I spent the entire night before the test reading the Hickey book and got the test in front of me and was fuming!! The best advice I could give you is know your anatomy. This test focuses on alot of rehabiliation questions as well. Bowel and bladder training for quads, etc... There were quite a few pediatric questions related to diseases, do the best you can with that. That's about all I can remember right now and good luck guys! :)

Exactly...the thing is we haven't slowed down as expected during the holidays. We were busy straight through with an increase in our census. Overtime is encouraged in our unit due to some staff leaving and we're always short staffed. However, "incidental" overtime is being severely monitored. So our reports are short and sweet and you'd better explain yourself (in writing) why you're clocking out late. Our facility did remove our "critical need staffing" shift differential, which allowed nurses to place yourself on call with extra pay if you're called in. But so far, not too much has changed on the clinical end of things. I think that makes me worry just a little.

I'm disheartened to hear this. Although you know you gave it all you had and went through the proper channels to protect your license. There's much more opportunity out there for you. Hopefully they will give you a good recommendation. Did you leave the facility altogether or transfer?

Excuse me for hijacking this thread, but we just had a staff meeting last week with our DON and Nurse Manager of a busy Neuro ICU here in Phoenix who informed us that long gone are the days when you can walk into any facility as an RN (experienced or not) and get what you want as far as a job. In other words, they told us that "You're lucky you have a job here because Nursing jobs are becoming scarce and no one in the area is hiring right now"...I know sometimes they like to put the fear of god into you. All a part of their Nursing Retention program :anbd:, but it really is getting bad out there for new nurses and experienced ones. *sigh* I never thought I'd live to see the day!

Unfortunately that is sometimes the way some ICU's are. Depending on the size of your unit, most have a handful of staff that have been there for years and years and become quite close and clique. This in no way excuses how they are making you feel...we do STILL eat our young...and I wish it wasn't true. I've been an ICU nurse for around 15 years and just moved out of state to work in another facility in the Neuro ICU. I have been treated like the plague as well! This ICU is filled with young nurses who are either intimidated by my experience, or just plain ol' don't like me! I'm made to feel that their way of nursing is the only way to nurse and refuse to allow my input on anything! I have also been added to the "blacklist"...I get terrible assignments, virtually no help when I need it and frankly I won't be here very long! What I'm trying to say is that there will always be some units that will be worse than others. This just may not be the one you need to start your ICU career in! Find one that will encourage your growth as an ICU nurse and give you time to nurture your skills. (they are out there, believe me!) It will take you a good solid year before you will feel comfortable at all! Good luck to you and don't fret about it, it's reallly not supposed to be like that!

Whoever said that nursing was in a "shambles"? Putting words in my typing??? Banner did not handle the situation professionally IMHO. After speaking with 3 different recruiters who could not give me a straight answer is not my idea of a superior system. But you're entitled to your opinion and your advice on my "conclusion jumping" is taken with a grain of salt as well as your stellar words of wisdom on the way the world works. As far as "low balling" on salaries...check out Florida's Salary hall of shame sometime. New grads are making less than a dollar an hour than me after nearly 15 years of nursing.:angryfire I thank you once again for your good wishes.

You're working at St. Joe's or Banner? I'm going to be at Barrow's Neuro ICU on night shifts! YAY!

So true! It also depends on the area. I know L&D is a tough place to work...not my forte' either! I'm really looking forward to this new adventure!

This is a first for me! In all my years in nursing I've never heard of such a thing. Is this the way nursing is progressed? Is it really becoming this competitive? Or is it that my pay scale would be to high? I've been playing phone tag with 3 of their recruiters who couldn't give me any information about the position I applied for and one said he didn't even see it listed anymore :icon_roll Not sure I would have been happy there anyway, but they sent me an email telling me I was turned down! I thought that was a bit unprofessional. :angryfire I'm going to ask them why, but I have a feeling it may have something to do with my relocating in May. I also got turned down by Mayo clinic after a phone interview. I thought it went well, but guess not! Luckily I did accept a position in the ICU at St. Joe's EDIT/UPDATE: Talked to the recruiter at Banner, and they are hiring "internally" and new grads! So there we go...

Thanks for that fresh perspective Broke! I enjoyed your post.

Wow! Had a phone interview with Mayo for an ICU position on Wendesday. Today got 2 calls. One from St. Joe's Nurse Manager Neuro ICU and a recruiter from Banner-Good Sam. WOOHOO! Decisions! Decisions! :cheers:

Never thought about that either. I'll see what Mayo has to offer and hopefully hear something from Banner and St. Joe's next week. Thanks for the info!

That's what I figured, I may try to get some names of managers out there and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the advice!

Sounds like these jobs are becoming pretty competitive. I remember the slogan, "If you can sign RN after your name you'll never be out of a job" Good luck Lou, I've got a phone interview on Wednesday myself!