GMSinCA

In California if you don't get a lunch break within the first five hours of your shift you get a penalty hour, which is basically an extra hour of pay. Nice to have the extra money but gets old!

I work in outpatient OR. We are understaffed, lunch breaks not always given ( and if they are sometimes after 7 hours of work). They provide us with lunch but it not healthy (think Chinese and taco shop), so usually I eat what they give us because I am so hungry it and it is readily available. It has really taken a toll on my health. I am not getting enough calories in my diet and my energy level has gotten pretty low.I would love to hear suggestions or learn what other operating room nurses are doing in these situations!

I totally understand if this is an all day case. I get low blood sugar and can understand if a doctor or scrub needs a quick snack. This case was 3-4 hours, and an elective case. Maybe eat a big breakfast before like I do. I doubt the surgeon would be so tolerate if I started snacking during the case. I am not really comfortable keeping baggies of fruit in my scrub jacket!

I work at an outpatient surgery center (physician owned). The other day one of the doctors had the nurse feed him during the surgery. She had fruit in her pocket, and would literally lift up his mask and feed him during the procedure. I know this is wrong! I work with this doctor tomorrow, and have prepared myself to say no if he asks me to do the same thing. Again, I know it is wrong I just need a little validation to give me strength tomorrow!

I recently got hired at an outpatient surgery center, and I was asking myself the same question. I am rushed 95% of my day, and actually feel like I am not giving my patient the best care I need to. The surgeons have office hours too, so they are hurry hurry hurry.

I totally understand what you are going through. I graduated in June 2009 and am still looking for a job. You are not alone (I hate when people tell me that but it is true). I have been rejected so many times, and it certainly takes a toll. My advice is apply to every job not just hospital new grad jobs. If you are not already, take ACLS and maybe some other classes in a speciality you might like. Also, I have been told by many nurse recruiters that volunteering looks good on your resume.

I am also from the midwest and am now living in San Diego. I am a new grad (graduated in June 2009) and am still looking for a job. I have heard experienced nurses are also having a hard time. There is certainly not a nursing shortage in San Diego! Rumor has it hospitals have to post jobs externally, but really only have intentions of hiring internally. Keep in mind, visiting San Diego and living in San Diego are not the same thing. The cost of living is very, very high. Most people think the weather is 70 degrees all year....not true. Summers can be hot (high 90s), and very few places come with air conditioning. The beach during the summer is a mad house due to all the tourists. I would not move until I got a job. You might try an agency job. I always see them advertising (for nurses with a year experience), and sometimes that can be your in for a hospital job. Good luck!

Just got the rejection email from Sharp HR. No job for me

Not to diminish your hope.....NICU is only hiring 1 new grad.

I graduated in May 2009, and am still looking for a hospital job. I am currently working in research also. I say in this economy...take any job you can get. Some experience (research or not) will look better than no experience!

I am in San Diego. You were right...I do have a house and a husband. My husband has a good job down here (thankfully), so moving is not really an option. I have applied at nursing homes and clinics. Because of this market they basically can have their pick of who they want to hire. Not exactly what I had pictured when I started nursing school, but need to pay the bills somehow!

Yep I got the same email. So much for working at Sharp

Oh...I think on the Sharp website it said Mary Birch NICU was only open to internal candidates, so Grossmont was my only hope.

I got my information from a employee who works in that unit. I am secretly hoping that information is also wrong, as I was very upset when I heard this. Interesting that HR told you that. Every other hospital has told me that they give internal applicants "priority", but I guess Sharp does it differently. I understand the stess you talk about...hard not to get frustrated!!

For all of those who applied for Sharp NICU...don't hold your breath! I applied to NICU, and heard Grossmont NICU is only hiring 1 new grad. They have a lot of internal applicants, and they get interviewed first. I have a feeling it might be a similar story in other units!