notmanydaysoff

"The more hours we work, the less she pays us." WHAT? Has she bothered to explain this "formula" to employees? What verbiage is in your original or current work contract/agreement with regards to what constitutes a pay period, a normal work week, OT, holiday pay, comp time, reimbursement for mileage, phone, etc.

For my current job (I work for a large faith-based/corporate health care company), part of the job app process included a personality test that is commonly used in employment screenings. Sorry, don't know the name, but it is used to determine personality strengths and weaknesses, character type, etc. When I made the short list, I had to take a drug/pharmaceutical test that included questions on calculations, general drug classifications, and other drug-related stuff. Got one question wrong, that is how many mls in an ounce. I said 20. WRONG! I will remember the correct answer for the rest of my life! Best of luck to you!

The CA BVNPT publishes a list of providers for IV/BW cert for VNs. If that is what you're looking for, you'll find it here: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/education/schools/iv_bw_providers.shtmlr Certification runs around $300-$400 +/- Are you looking to get a phelbotomist certificate? If that is what you need, that is available in numerous locations. That's what runs around $2-$4k. Make sure you get what you need.

I have a BS degree in agronomy. After working 30+ yrs as a field biologist in production agriculture, I decided it was time to hand over the reins to the younger folks just out of college. I went back to school in my mid-fifties (4 yrs ago) and got my vocational nursing license. I was on track to do an RN bridge, when last summer, two of my good friends retired! WTH was I thinking? Starting over again at 60, having to do time working nights, med-surg...no thanks. I've got a great (benefited, permanent FT) job working urgent care. Wouldn't change it for the world! I can see myself in my current position for 4 more years and 1 month. I'll be 65 then, and that's when I'm planning to retire and working only PT per-diem, if at all. We'll see!

"I do understand that I'm a new grad and I don't really have alot of demand right now due to being inexperienced" Hmmmmm, let's see....little experience, benefits, vacation, SL, free use of gym, uniform allowance, etc., a PRN job where you've only been called once to work... YOU'RE BEING OFFERED A FULL-TIME JOB and you're wondering if you should take it? Personally, I'd take it. I tell folks just getting out of school or college, to take a job, (almost) any job to get started. Get your foot in the door, get experience, and at some point, move on. First jobs are not always the easiest to come by. Go for it. Whilst pay rate is important, there are many other factors that need to be considered. It pays to be more circumspect (and philosophical) when making decisions. I am not a greenhorn. I'm working on a second career. I retired from my first one and went back to college 4 yrs ago and had to start over again. LVN I Step 3 (they gave me a couple steps because of my previous experiences and education), per diem, crappy schedule, no benefits. Now I'm FT and benefited.

For one year, I drove 1 hr for school and just a bit more than that for clinicals. Classes always started at 1500, so not difficult. Class got out at 2200 and I had to make the drive home at night, by myself. For clinicals, we had to be on the floor, ready to receive report at 0650 for day shift and 1450 for PM shifts. That meant I was up at 0500, out the door at 0545. Everything was ready to go - lunch, knapsack w/books and gear, uniform ironed and ready to put on. All I had to do was shower, dry my hair, get dressed and eat breakfast. I didn't have kids or other distractions. My husband was totally capable of getting himself up and ready to face his day. I'm an early morning type, in fact I prefer it, so getting up early was/has never been difficult for me. But I can't tell you how many times I'd go to kiss DH and my dog good-bye, all snuggly and warm in bed, and there I was, warming up the car getting ready to drive down the hill in the dark, wishing I could be in bed with them. Wasn't always easy! But that was 4 yrs ago, and now I have an absolutely great job.

The following is cut and pasted from a post that I wrote a few months back. Working and going to nursing school are not mutually exclusive ~ just be prepared and ready to do them both. Best of luck to you! I decided to pursue nursing as a second career - something to work at part-time in my pre-retirement yrs. I already had a BS degree in my previous profession as a biologist. Going back to school at 56 - wow! I did so much better, straight A's, perfect attendance, I had total focus, and also worked about 20 hrs/wk as I phased out of my previous career. Went through an accelerated LPN program (3 clinical and 2 class room days/wk) in 11 mos. A combination of day/evening/weekends classes/clincals. What it took was organization and structure, with little, if any, deviation from scheduled: * meal preparation for my husband and I (lunches, dinners) * dedicated time for doing housework, laundry, grocery shopping * dedicated time for the massive amt of studying for school. We were tested daily and could not get behind * limited family/friends time. There were numerous events that I simply could not attend because of the above... * time for exercise * a super-supportive husband * and the money to do it

My first thought after reading this was that the pt was going into hypovolemic shock due to decreased blood flow and poor perfusion. For the initial action, the path of least resistance, like a PP said, would be a flick of the thumb to increase fluids. When studying for nclex a coupla yrs ago, I looked hard and fast at the wording in the Saunder's 3500 bonus CD questions. Statements that include words like "initial action," will give you an idea of the correct answer w/o having to fully understand the scenario. Rule out the obviously wrong answers and pick between what is left, choosing the safest for the patient answer. Good luck!

I decided to pursue nursing as a second career - something to work at part-time in my pre-retirement yrs. I already had a BS degree in my previous profession as a biologist. Going back to school at 56 - wow! I did so much better, straight A's, perfect attendance, I had total focus, and also worked about 20 hrs/wk as I phased out of my previous career. Went through an accelerated LPN program (3 clinical and 2 class room days/wk) in 11 mos. What it took was organization and structure, with little, if any, deviation from scheduled: * meal preparation for my husband and I (lunches, dinners) * dedicated time for doing housework, laundry, grocery shopping * dedicated time for the massive amt of studying for school. We were tested daily and could not get behind * limited family/friends time. There were numerous events that I simply could not attend because of the above... * time for exercise * a super-supportive husband * and the money to do it Well, that was 4 yrs ago and I've been working in urgent care for close to 3 yrs. I was very fortunate to land a great first job. Last year I got accepted into an 9-mo bridge program. They wanted me to take the TEAS, even though I had great HESI scores from LPN school. Didn't want to do it, but I figured I could study for the TEAS the same way I prepared for the HESI. The deal breaker for me though, all things considered, was when somebody told me that if/when I got my RN, I would have to essentially start at the bottom, as a new grad RN. Probably in med-surg. Probably doing nights. Two of my very good friends retired at about the same time that I got accepted to the bridge program. That was a real wake-up call for me. What was I thinking? For the first time in my life, I decided that age really wasn't on my side. Coincidentally, the day after I got accepted to the bridge program, my nurse mgr offered me a FT job with cadillac benefits. In the matter of a couple days, I changed my life plan. I accepted the job. So my PT job went to FT (for nurses where I work, 72 hrs is FT). My retirement date is when I turn 65 (4 yr and 4 mo)! Am I glad I did it? You bet! There is never a dull moment where I work. We never know what's going to come in the door next. Good luck and I wish you all the best in your career choices.

If I am an employee (aeb them withholding taxes), and I work full time, don't they have to offer benefits? The IRS has a list of criteria that is used to distinguish IC status from employee status. That they are withholding taxes is one of the biggest indicators that you are an employee. If they tell you where to go, when to go, what to wear, how to report, etc., those are significant factors and weigh heavily in the event of a court case. Check here: Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee? As for them having to offer you benefits because you work full-time, depends on the contract you signed when hired. I worked as a per diem in the float pool for 16 mos. until a permanent FT position became available. Many wks I worked 40+ hrs. I didn't receive any benefits, instead I was paid an "in lieu" differential of 10%. More and more companies are hiring on casual, PT, per diem employee basis. Benefit pkgs that include health, retirement, vacation, sick leave, and other goodies, can run 20% to 30% (or more) of the salary. Benefits are expensive and should be considered as part of the total compensation pkg.

Urgent Care can be fast-paced, busy, and interesting. I've been working UC for a couple years and wouldn't change for anything. The hospital I work for hires LPNs almost exclusively to staff the centers. If you can think on your feet, react quickly, are confident about your skills, can do IVs, catheters, drawing blood, can assist the physician, then by all means, try it. On any given day, we can see a variety of stuff like lacerations, abscesses, partial/complete amputations, cardiac problems, broken bones, urinary retention, UTIs, URIs, SOBs, and other non-emergent cases. We also get loads of boring stuff like coughs, allergic rhinitis, migraines, drug seekers, people who need work notes, worker's comp cases, dental pain, sore throat, etc. Lots of people don't have a PCP and wind up in UC for regular care.

jess - the school I attended had the same requirements. it can definetly be done, but what it meant is herculean amts of studying and being prepared. many in my graduating class could not score the 90+ percentage on the exit exam; the school gave them 4 or 5 tries. the folks that couldn't score were also the ones that really didn't put forth the effort. good luck and study hard! I'm sure glad it's behind me!

the statement, "I understand that you are responsible to the highest level of education" is not entirely true. I would think it depends on the job title and responsibilities. I have more education than many of the RNs I work with, and I certainly do not have more responsibilities than they do. LPN is a second career for me; went back to college in my late 50s. My retirement job, so to speak.

personally, I would be upfront with any potential employers. they need to know that you will probably be moving on when you become licensed. it is expensive and time consuming to train an employee.

what is the job title/work responsibilities of the lpn working in the pharmacy? if job responsibilities are not nurse-related, there shouldn't be a problem.

"Do you think that I was functioning within my scope of practice?" you asked!

I hold licenses as an LVN, an esthetician, and an establishment owner in CA. I also happen to be versed in the law, specifically the Business and Professions Code, that regulates the who, where, and what of things pertaining to the cosmetology industry. The following section should answer your question. You'll note the inclusion of the verbiage, "or permit to work." 7349. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to hire, employ, or allow to be employed, or permit to work, in or about an establishment, any person who performs or practices any occupation regulated under this chapter and is not duly licensed by the bureau, except that a licensed cosmetology establishment may utilize a student extern, as described in Section 7395.1. Any person violating this section is subject to citation and fine pursuant to Section 7406 and is also guilty of a misdemeanor. What you were doing clearly falls under the scope of practicing cosmetology. Look at section 7316 that describes what constitutes cosmetology. Stuff like..."Arranging, dressing, curling, waving, machineless permanent waving, permanent waving, cleansing, cutting, shampooing, relaxing, singeing, bleaching, tinting, coloring, straightening, dyeing, applying hair tonics to, beautifying, or otherwise treating by any means, the hair of any person." Unless you were just sweeping the floor or taking out the trash, you were practicing cosmo! Even though there is a section (7319.(a)) that exempts nurses from the code, I think you'd be hard pressed to prove that your LVN license was applicable in this instance - and especially since you are a former BBC licensee. I would never allow anyone to work in my shop who is not licensed. Not a good idea to subject your friend to a potential fine. The BBC does not take kindly to unlicensed folks practicing in a licensed establishment.

cover letters serve a definite function - they introduce you and give a brief explanation of why you are such a great fit for the job. there are bunches of examples of same online; there are also great reference materials in any library specific to resume/cover letter writing. when I was looking for a job, I put together a bang-up cover letter and resume (that I customized for each job) with the help of what I mentioned above. put some effort into it, it'll pay off in the long run. just like MrsCuoco said, her letter got noticed. be sincere, succinct, and informative. and PLEASE, have a second and third set of eyes review and comment. too many resumes/letter go out w/o proof reading, and it shows. good luck!

I know a certain flu shot clinic out of Phoenix was/is recruiting nurses who had an entrepreneurial bent to do just that. Find venues, set up and administer. I worked for them doing retail and industrial clinics for a season just out of school a couple yrs ago, and did quite well. They have sent me a job announcement every year since. However, I got hired to work urgent care and did not pursue their opportunity. I first heard about the company here on AN. Management does not allow mentioning their name - not sure why. My experience w/them was positive.

what kind of questions were on the test? were they pertaining to nursing or general civil service type questions. Isn't SCVMC a county facility?

Looking for a job is a job in itself. It takes more than just sending resumes to every employer who places an ad. Start by being organized, have a shining functional skills resume (shows that you are clever, thoughtful) that you customize, along with a cover letter to each potential employer. Make sure you are continuing your education (shows initiative), make calls, show up in person, talk yourself up. When you go to an interview look sharp, look mature, exude confidence. I got my first job doing flu immunizations. My first "real" job was 3 months later working in urgent care - with no experience. Yes they wanted experience. I was one of 226 applicants. How did I get it? Read above. This question has been asked many times. Lots of suggestions can be found. Best of luck to you!

HQs are in AZ, but they contract all over the country.

My first job was doing flu shots with a company out of AZ. I worked in walmarts (not my favorite place) and various food processing /industrial sites (much better). I became the jedi-master of giving IM injections, having given hundreds in about 3 or 4 months. Right after that, I got my current job working in urgent care (even better yet!). BTW, I heard about the flu shot job right here on AN! They hire in July/August for work that starts in September, going thru December. If you are able to work independently, are reliable, have people skills, and have no problem filling out paperwork, give it a go. Good luck!

You ask, "Anyone else have this problem?" No! Comments like, "No one personally has said anything negative or mean to me," and "but I just feel like every day I am looked down upon. I feel like they don't trust me (even though I have not done anything wrong) but they look at me as if I am not a nurse" sound as if they are coming from inside your head. You will never be effectual if you continue to think of yourself as being inadequate. I hope you get over these feelings.

Been working urgent care for a while; some days are busier than others. Today was a 10 outta 10 on the busy scale. In a 10-hr shift, we saw close to 50 pts. Included several lacerations w/both suture and dermabond repair, 1 anaphylaxis, 2 pts that needed IVs, about 6 or so injections (lost count) - lotsa TDaP and a coupla IM antibiotics, 2 urinary caths, several broken bones, a coupla orthoglass splints, 1 person to the ER, many x-rays, OMG...the list goes on! 1 doc and 2 nurses. I'm tired but it was a good day. I'm home now and unwinding. How was your day?