slc31

Seasoned Ortho/Neuro Nurses, I need your assistance. I'm a new nurse working in Ortho/Neuro/Trauma (I also float to general MedSurg), and I am trying to update my resume. This is my first nursing job since passing NCLEX, and I having difficulty writing my job responsibilities. The floor that I work on receives trauma patients (stabs, falls, shootings, motorcycle crashes, motor vehicle accidents, occupational/freak accidents, sports injuries, and elective surgeries) that result in fractures, lacerations, closed head injuries, subarachnoid/subdural hematomas... Some patients are on the floor for 24hr observation; after which they are admitted, transferred to an ICU or discharged. Others are scheduled for ORIFs, IM Nails, Spinal Disk Fusions, Incision & Evacuation, STSGs, Muscle Flaps, Incision & Drainage... The post-op patients have wound vacs, hemovacs, JP drains, external fixators, ace wraps/splints, immobilizers, TLSO braces, hinge braces, traction, CPM machines, NG/Peg tubes... On my particular floor, there is a lot of pain medication administration, PCA pump maintenance, wound care/dressing changes and education on pain management, mobility, and self care. How do I write my job description so that it communicates succinctly what it is that I do as an Ortho/Neuro/Trauma Nurse? I have a copy of my job description to reference, but it seems very vague to me. It states:Under general supervision, provides functions of a professional nurse providing direct patient care by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care of assigned patiens; may provide guidance and direction to health care personnel.... All nurses provide direct patient care, patient/family education, dispense medication... Please help.

I'm really in need of sound advice and appreciate any feedback. I'm a new grad RN (Dec. 09', passed NCLEX the end of March) and have just accepted my first job as a RN on a ortho/neuro floor. While I feel so blessed to have finally landed a position, I am concerned that I am setting myself back as far as what my career goals are. This specialty is not my 1st, 2nd or even 3rd choice; but, I was able to sell myself to the nurse manager as a new nurse with no experience who was more concerned with starting out with a broad foundation in nursing... Prior to nursing school, I worked in OB/GYN outpatient settings for almost 10 years as a medical assistant. I have always seen myself working as a CNM or WHNP in an outpatient setting, while also picking up shifts on a L&D or M/B unit to maintain my bedside experience (I don't know if it's possible for an advanced practice nurse to do this, but I like both settings). A few days after I was offered this position, I was invited to interview for a RN position in a OB/GYN/Fertility private practice. I thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to transfer my skill set, as the specialty matches my background. The interview didn't last long. The provider didn't ask many questions and had little time to answer my questions about the practice. The provider asked for my reference list, asked when I would be able to start, and said that I would be contacted. I was turned off by the interview as the provider seemed rushed. After I left that interview, I called HR and accepted the offer for the hospital position. Although this position is not the specialty that I desire, it is hospital/acute experience. I figured that a hospital job would put me in a better position to get onto a L&D or MB unit than more office/outpatient OB/GYN experience. Moreover, this economy sucks. I can't afford to wait around for a job in my desired specialty to magically appear, because my student loans are about to enter repayment. I think after the orientation period, I will look for a second job to supplement my income. The thing that makes me sad is, if I stay in this postion for a year or two, it will be 1-2 years before I can start to get any women's health nursing experience needed for graduate school. I'm trying not to be ungrateful. I do feel blessed. I just hope I made the right decision. My questions are: Do you think that Ortho/Neuro is an ideal place for a new grad to start? Is it as great a place as, say Med/Surg, or is it too specialized? Do you think that starting out in this specialty will make it even more difficult to get onto a L&D or MB unit in the future (What skills set will be transferrable?). How long after working in this position as a new grad should I be able to start looking for a second job (I want to switch to nights while working days or per diem in another place/specialty). Thanks,

.I was wondering the same thing. In this economy when new graduate nurses are trying to find a job "anywhere", how does endorsement of licensure work? When applying for positions out of state, should you apply for endorsement of your license to that state before you start looking for jobs in that state or after you've gotten a position in that state? I've been indicating in my cover letter that I will be moving to that state. Would the time factor involved in the endorsement process (in some states, it may take 5-6 weeks) make employers hesitant to hire nurses from out of state?

Thank you all for your kind words & prayers! I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am officially a RN!!!!!!!!!!! I guess PV is on CST because my results became available 5pm EST. 75 Qs, 15 SATA It was a difficult journey, but I'm thankful that I made it through. I have been reading these posts every day for inspiration. I don't have any new advice as to how to study. What worked for me may not work for someone else. I used Prentice Hall Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN Reveiws & Rationales. I read the entire book, did all of the questions in the book as well as the questions on the CD, and read the rationales for all of them. Although it was time consuming, to me, it was an excellent review of nursing content. I also used the CDs that came with the other Prentice Hall books (MedSurg, Psych, OB, Peds) to answer questions. In retrospect, I feel that it is important to know your content. Read and work your way through your review materials. If you took great notes nursing school, use them! As for test strategies, don't rush while taking the exam. Try to concentrate on answering the first 75 questions to the best of your ability. Read the questions carefully to understand who/what is the question referring to, and what are they asking of you? Read all of the answer choices. Once you have eliminated a choice do not go back to it! If you are down to 2 answer choices go back & reread the question again. For those who suffer from test anxiety -like myself- Deep Breathing and Prayer helps. I prayed before, during and after the exam. Best of Luck to everyone!!!!

I'm really starting to get anxious. :chair::chair::chair: I took the NCLEX- RN on 3/31/10 at 4pm. :barf01: Today at 12pm, I did the PVT & got the good pop up. I was happy, but the PVT didn't relieve my anxiety. I thought that I would only have to wait 4 more hours to confirm by using the Quick Results Service. I tried at 4:20pm, but it still says that my results are not available yet. Is it 48 hours after the time you took your exam or after 2 business days? Do you think the Holiday has anything to do with the delay? Different Time Zone? I'm trying to calm myself down but the anxiety is really getting to me.

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to take NCLEX at the end of March and am feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus. I graduated in December. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to study as consistently as I should because I have been taking care of my grandmother (she had a stroke) since January. Here I am at the last week of February, and I don't feel like I'm ready; but, I don't want to take it in April when the test changes... I have been using the following to study: Prentice Hall Comprehenisve Review for NCLEX-RN Reviews & Rationales by Mary Ann Hogan NCLEX 3500 by LWW ATI question bank Does anyone have any experience with these prep items? Did you find them helpful? I have read many threads in this section regarding Saunders and Kaplan, but I don't know if the content/questions are any more difficult than what I'm already using. I've tried to look at the Saunders books in bookstores to compare, but they are all shrink wrapped. I used Kaplan in the past when I took my GRE, and it was ok. So, I have 4-5 wks left to prepare. With such short time, should I focus on both content and questions or just questions? I have been reading content, answering questions and reading all of the rationales. This is time consuming, as I only finish ~ 6 chapters/day. I appreciate your feedback.