Daisy_08

I don't know if I can offer any advice other then do what makes you comfortable. If you will feel guilty about not, then stick it out. Or if you will resent it then maybe take it off. I do have a question though, I have many Muslim friends and I had always thought you either believed in wearing it and wore it or not. I have friends who do both. Just curious, I thought if you believe you should than you did regardless of others. Hope you don't find this confrontational. I am truly just wanting to understand more about Islam.

Do you have a chapel? I have a few Muslim co-workers who pray there on their break. Also one who just does not pray while at work. So to each there own I guess. Our Chapel has a prayer mat as well, but you would never know unless you asked.

I know its not fair and we all need to vent out our frustrations, especially to a group that understands us. Only read the rest if you want to look on the bright side... (You have a job you like. A manager you like and are friends with, they pay you regularly, you get to have stability, staying in the same area, decorating your home, seeing your friends and family. You have a nice life. If everyone was making the same money would you still be upset?)

A slow unit should mean you are set up to do really well, so I don't understand what you are getting at. You should have ample time to research and get to help other staff with procedures. I hesitate saying this, because I think the responsibility lies with you, but I never let students give narcotics on their own, or any meds until we are both comfortable. I do think that as a student you will make mistakes, when my students make mistakes I think it is a great opportunity for us both to learn, and in the long run it will benefit them (reduces anxiety about making mistakes, they now know what to do, and I can evaluate how they handle it). That being said your preceptor did not set out to fail you. I had an awful preceptor myself. She was AWFUL, but I did my best learned what she wanted (someone to do her work) and passed, and know I enjoy being a preceptor myself because I know what is like to have a preceptor who does not care. I think your best bet is to repeat the course. You obviously wont get a job offer or any references from this last placement, nor does it seem you learned a lot. Get a placement in a different area, learn from but dont dwell on the past and try again.

Depends what area you are wanting to work. Your local college will likely have a variety of courses to choose from. If your not sure, take something you find interesting.

If you are not picky about where you live now, apply to a school close to an area you think you would like to work - placements are the best way to get hired, and also the best way for you to see if you want to get hired. You will then also have the opportunity to develoe a social network in the area while you are in school, and decide if you would even want to live in that area. The other option is to do your consolidation/pre-grad placement in an outpost area or rural.

When we run out of inhalation bags, we use regular sterile water bottles to to manually fill. I think it would be okay.

I know a few RNs who have become OTs. I think quality of life is better as an OT. No nights, little or no weekends. As the other poster said the OTs do seem happier. I would think you may do well to some continuing education in your field if your wanting more. Going back for your BScN is a big commitment to time and money. In the end you will be at the bottom on seniority, with less pay, worse hours and more debt. It sounds like you are good at your job, like you care. Your pts need caring and competent OTs too. It can be hard working in LTC to keep current, as in many smaller facilities. You could start a journal club?

Had a patients family tell me she was in medical school, I ask questions, suddenly she was a nurse, kept chatting... she did a few nursing courses...well not actually...she started a PSW program (Canadian aide for personal care) but doped out....Thanks for the advice lady....

In theory that may sound good, however practical experience is valuable. Can you not begin to work as a RPN where you are working as a PSW? You would be at an advantage for knowing the company, work culture, policies ect. L&D nurses need to think fast on their feet (as for most nurses). Things can go wrong very quickly. You need to gain experience as an RPN first. Skills are transferable - home care will help you gain confidence in in teaching (SO much teaching in maternity!), surgery will help with IV starts, foley's, bleeds...I could go on, any RPN job you have now will help you with your next one, even with time management and leadership skills. I would to suggest that you really look at why you were let go. The company knew how much experience you had when you were hired. So was it a lack of confidence, inability to make decisions, poor decisions? I don't want to be rude, but it sounds like there was an other reason. Get any RPN job and focus on becoming the best at that job, upgrade your skills and knowledge that relate to that job. When you feel confident in that job, then start to look at getting in to maternity. Take a maternity related course and apply for related jobs when you feel you are ready. Keep in mind if your working at a hospital all you need is the seniority to apply, the extra courses don't really matter, they may ask you to do some courses once your hired but seniority will rule.

In Ontario it is up to each employer, so skills can vary, even among RN's. A friend who lives in another city cannot access central lines as an RN. Only specially trained RNs can, but I know in community RPNs access them. The CNO (college of nurses of Ontario) will say they do not outline who can do what. Other than RPNs are to look after pts with predictable outcomes. That being said we all know that health care is not always predictable. There is more opportunity for leadership as an RN, although it is often informal. The RPN is responsible for her own pts. To admit, assess, d/c, chart and call the MD when needed. Care is rarely transferred to an RN unless going to ICU, but the RPN will consult with the RN. RPNs cannot push IV meds as the outcome is not always predictable. Some places RPNs cannot hang IV meds, but that is changing in most places. The RPN education is 2 years, some school have changed the curriculum to 2.5. Its is a demanding program, and due to the number of applicants very difficult to into. I have never worked in the States or another Provence, so I am only speaking to what I have seen.

In Ontario the ADN will qualify you to work as an RPN. You will have some type of skill assessment from the CNO. The RPN scope in Ontario is very different from the US LVN/LPN.

Where you consolidate is where you have the best chance of getting a job, providing you are doing well and your preceptor recommends you. Once you are in a facility you can generally transfer to another unit after a year or so. Your first job does not reflect your career, however you may really love the 'rehab' and stay forever.

I am in Ontario and only speak about this Provence. I know we have nurse practitioners working in mental health at my hospital. They likely went did the family stream or adult. To be an RN in Ontario a BScN is required. To be an NP a masters + the NP certificate program and you also need two years of full time work as an RN is required. I do not see Ontario adding a mental health stream. The NPs working in any area, in most cases worked in that area as an RN and are experienced. We have a family, adult and pediatric stream. As well, one school offering's a NICU and global health stream. I doubt they will ever add a mental health stream. You will need to consult the college of nurses. Good luck

He was swearing in context. but if your uncomfortable I think you have a right to ask, but he also has a right not to comply. I was surprised how nice he was about it. Pt called me a fat B***h, I told pt that was not appropriate, pt then called me a C***. This variation has happened many times.

I knew some students who failed clinical (group placement) for small errors. Usually the teacher did not like them or thought they would make a bad nurse. I have never heard of students failing a final placement for one med error. I tell my students its best not make them, but your still learning and now is the time to learn how not to make one again. I guess if you tried to cover it up and out a pt at risk, that would be fail worthy. My colleague had a student who was so tenable, and could not safely practice, even with supervision. The school moved the student to a less acute area, it seemed silly to us. So failing for a med error alone seems unlikely.

I would give her a chance to call your references. Often it is policy to contact all references, and that can take time, a week or more. However I would follow up after a week or so.

Ontario has RPNs not LPNs. Skills will vary from facility. You should not be trying to focus what skills you need to do but the theory and patho behind that. We can teach anyone to preform a skill. Families can suction, PSWs can change a foley, but it takes a skilled nurse to teach them how. Nursing is much more than a series of tasks. I cannot imagine the PN exam asking you trick questions about things you cannot do. The PN exam is challenging and you will need to study, not just ask questions on an on-line forum.

There are a few mid sized hospitals that are 'changing the model of care' ie cut staff and save money. They are hiring RPNs to replace RNs. So you might get full time sooner at a hospital like that. Very rural areas hire right to full time. Toronto has no jobs. The pt staff on my unit get 30 hours or so a week, but my girlfriend at the hospital across town is lucky to get a shift a week. Different hospitals, different philosophies on staffing.

If you are a new grad it is nice to have the hospital experience first, but not necessary if CCAC is your dream job. However with the threats of closures I would not pick CCAC. It seems to be easier going out of the hospital then getting in, and now with all of the RN layoffs, who knows.

In Ontario minimum 5 years. To do the full time bridge programs, you need really good grades in the RPN program as the bridge is high competitive. There are also some online part time courses as well.

There are a few midwife programs in Ontario that are four years. They take people right out of high school. "The program curriculum is structured to train students who have no prior health care education or experience." Frequently Asked Questions

Apply to every single job within reasonable travel distance (I would think about an hour). Apply to jobs you don't want, you literally can't afford to say 'I don't like old people' or "I don't do nights' ect. Even if it is far from your dream job, apply. Even just going to interviews is good experience. Play up your strengths. You may not have LTC experience, but during your medical placement you discovered your passion for geriatrics and are determined to enhance the life of the client by providing dignified, compassionate care. You may not have leadership experience, but you can talk about how being a girl scout prepared you for leadership. Even if it says 20+ years experience a must, still apply. There may be no other applicants or they keep your resume on file. My first job in health care I applied to 70+ places and only got one interview, but it was enough to get a job! My first nursing job I handed out 40+ resumes and over a period of 5 months got 3 interviews (not including the new grad - I think I applied to them all). Just keep applying, treat it like it is your job, to find a job. They have hired people at my hospital who put their resumes in over a year ago. Just keep applying. Good luck.

What provence are you in? Ontario I did a basic chem unit in a high school general science class, got a 0 on the final test. I managed fine in nursing shcool. In Ontario I don't believe chemistry is a pre-requisite for the PN, but I think it is for the BScN. But knowing it will work for you not against you. You do need to know your sciences to understand what is going on with your patient.

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