shortstuff_RN

Our IV pumps have the ability to run concurrently. So primary fluid + potassium (at Y-site) run concurrently over 2 hours or more. No need for an extra pump if your pumps have a "concurrent infusion" option.

Pharmacy usually will do heparin and coumadin dosing. What was the patient receiving heparin for? DVT/PE? Heparin is started for immediate anticoagulation and if the patient will need to be on long term anticoagulation, lovenox can be used (usually it's one dose) before the heparin is discontinued and coumadin is started, and the until therapetic PT/INR is achieved.

Where in Ontario do you live? I was in the same boat a few years ago. I realized the grim chance of landing a job in my city, so instead, I took the NCLEX and got my Michigan licence. Landed a fulltime job in medical/surg/tele. I work under a TN Visa and commute everyday to Detroit for work. Just something to consider.

I wrote last year, and these are the tips i can give you.. 1. ALWAYS look for key words, especially in those questions where it seems that every answer could be right. For example, never "give advice". As soon as you see "give advice", the answer is immediately wrong. Look for "encourage" or "explore". I know prep books go over these kinds of tips...don't ignore them! Read them! They're useful. 2. Read the questions. I woulds say about 70% of the test is in case study form. You will have a huge paragraph (seriously, about half the page) describing the pt situation, and approx 3-5 questions relating to that situation. Also, don't over think the questions. If it's not there, it's not happening! Read the question for what it is, and that is all! 3. Remember what's in the scope of nursing practice. 4. Remember the nursing process! :) Assess before planning or implementing anything :).

Its a general medical floor for geriatric patients. We have geriatric nurse specialists on board. We don't necessarily cater to dementia pts, but we sure do get a lot of them, naturally.

I work on an Acute geriatric medical unit. It would be the perfect type of unit for u.

When i was in school, health assessment/OSCE tests didn't have anything to do with clinical. We didn't have summer placement first year, that's why. The university offered a summer session health assessment class for anyone that failed..but the requirement would be an 80% or higher to pass instead of the usual 60%. maybe your school offers a summer session class??

I forgot to mention that you are required to get a "VisaScreen" to work in the USA. It's a bit pricey. Some hospitals will pay for it.

I know a few people that work at Hotel Dieu, and they've had warning about layoffs, apparently. WRH..they probably do have part-time positions..but as a new nurse, i knew for sure that i wouldn't even be considered. It's all about who you know around here. ugh. The commute isn't bad. Weekends are busy..and the NEXUS lane doesn't operate on weekends, so it's a little rough on those days. It takes me 20-25 minutes to get to the DMC from where I live. The benefits with the DMC, it's set up in tiers. I still don't understand much of it, but it pretty much allows you to use DMC services for the lowest cost. If you use "out of network" providers, than you're paying more. In terms of dental, one insurance company allows you to use "out of network" providers..so I opted with that one because i can use it here in canada. I did not get vision, because their vision plans are not so great. If you plan on living in canada, all u need is to get the TN visa...with no cost to the hospital for sponsoring. They just need to give you an employment letter, and you take it to the US border.

As a new grad, there was no hope getting a hospital-based job in Windsor, unless I did the "New Grad initiative". And true, it's impossible to get a full-time job in the area..everything is part-time/casual. You could go years working as part-time, especially because of the union. So, I did not participate in the program (missed the deadline..lol), and decided to go stateside right away. I wrote the nclex in august and was hired for a full-time position in October. The commute isn't bad at all. The tunnel is usually empty..except on weekends. And, the NEXUS program helps immensely. I don't know much about the facilities outside of the detroit area. DMC has quite a bit of hospitals in the area. Though they are on a hiring freeze right now, it should open up soon (and there IS a few postings currently). Henry Ford also began hiring again. Other hospitals include St Johns, Beaumont (and others..not really familiar). The only Windsor jobs that exist seem to be in the visiting nurse position, if you're interested in that.

I live in Windsor, work in Detroit. Cost of living in Windsor (and surrounding areas) is minuscule in comparison to toronto. Housing is cheap, especially right now. Decent houses for 200 000. If you are an experienced RN, there should be no problem finding a job in Michigan. DMC, i believe, is on a hiring freeze. However, they were just bought out by a for-profit company, who is investing over 800 million into the hospitals, so this could change in the near future. I believe Henry Ford hospital has just started hiring again, as well as St Johns. There's many hospitals in the region..but I'm not entirely familiar with all of them. This is my first year working in the states, so I'm not entirely sure how the taxes work. I do pay michigan taxes each paycheck. I'm not sure what will happen when i file my Ontario tax return next year. I'm assuming that I will owe money, since I live here.

London Ontario always has jobs, so it seems. I went state side because of the lack of jobs in my area. I commute everyday, and it hasn't been bad.

I hold a license in MI and MN. Just apply through endorsement. :)

I graduated in June, wrote my Canadian boards in June and American boards in August. By the time I was fully registered in the state I wanted, it was end of September/early October. I started applying ASAP through their websites. I was really getting discouraged when I kept reading job postings that excluded new graduate nurses. Finally, i got a call back. It was my first interview, and i was offered the job on the spot. Totally didn't expect it! The hospital had just received Magnet recognition literally a week before my interview, and knowing that, and using it in one of my answers really impressed the manager. So my advice is to go into an interview with confidence, and a knowledge about the hospital's values, vision, and achievements...Even individualize your cover letters to fit the hospitals values. Best of luck!