A_Flood87

No its a WIS float position which the new hires are going to be trained for a full 17 weeks for all 3 units. I'm just asking what baseline knowledge I should have going in there

It's float so it will be antepartum, L&D, and postpartum

I've been a nurse a bit over 5 years, and just accepted a WIS float position. I'm wondering what knowledge I need going in to this position. I don't want to look stupid, I don't remember ANYTHING from nursing school. Normal FHR? No idea. Normal kicks per hour? No idea. So, should I study up a bit? I don't even have a nursing book left over! Thanks.

We just had to buy our own health insurance because we are moving. My husband is not able to carry the benefits at this time. The insurance I just bought is only $150 more a month, and making per diem pay is a lot more than $150/month difference. I'm not too worried about buying benefits since I have to buy them elsewhere for this move.

I am moving to AZ at the end of May with my husband and 2 kids. I had thought that maybe travel nursing would be a good way to get things paid for like our move, my license etc. The. I saw that per diems make great money and someone made the point to make sure your travel pay is the same or better than per diem and to be sure that the housing stipend is coming from my pay. So, I'm confused. For Phoenix, I've seen per diem rates around $39. Travel agency websites boast $1100-1400 weekly after taxes (if that's accurate I don't know ) . So since it's a huge move from Boston to Phoenix, should I do a travel assignment for 13 weeks to get some of my move paid for or does per diem make more more sense? Thanks.

My husband and I are considering moving to Arizona from MA this coming May. A little job history for the past few years: 2010-2011 Med-Surg/Tele 2012-2013 Skilled nursing 2013-2014 Med-Onc/Tele (7 months, went to work in day surgery as a temporary position because I needed to move to day shift) 2014-2015 Surgical Day/Pre-Op/PACU (July 14 - May 15, not quite a year, and PACU only Nov 14-May 15) My husband was in the Navy and we moved quite a bit hence the sporadic work history, plus a couple kiddos thrown in the mix. So when we move, I think I want to do PACU again, but am I qualified? I still haven't found my niche. I want to be a midwife eventually, but I'm slowly working towards a BSN so it's a ways away. So in the mean time, do I try to get something new, like post-partum or L&D, or do I try for PACU? I really don't want to go back to floor nursing, I will if I must, but it's not my thing. And unfortunately all the online job postings in AZ don't say how much specific experience they want. It'd be cool to break into a new field, but on the other hand, I'd be happy just continuing surgical day. Thoughts? Thanks.

I work on a med/onc unit where we also do tele. I've applied for an ICU position but I'm having second thoughts on whether or not this is the right time for the move. While I really want to get into the ICU, from what I've read on here there is a 1-2+ year learning curve. I'm starting my online RN-BSN program in the fall plus I have a 3 year old and 1 year old. Is that too much to take on all at one time?! It sounds daunting when I think about it. I really do want to get into critical care, into a speciality, and I'm eager to learn. But do I really want to start at the bottom of the bottom while raising my family and trying to get my BSN? Any 2 cents would be much appreciated, Thanks!

In WA the law is that you have to go through a residency as a new grad (or so I was told, and it only applies to hospitals. You can get on at a nsg home or rehab etc. if you can't get a hospital job). Hospitals will start posting job openings for their residencies and if not you can call the HR department and ask what their policy is etc. I live in Kitsap county and I couldn't find a job (we only have Harrison hospital and they only want BSN students and are REALLY cliquey from what people tell me) so I ended up working all the way in Tacoma for the first year. Now, as much as I want to work at the hospital, I'm at a short term SNF in Silverdale. I like it but it's busy. And being Navy we're not here long, one more year. So it's nice with a toddler and a deployed hubby to be close to home. GL! Search for the residencies and call some nurse recruiters in HR, they're really helpful most of the time! GL!

Honestly, I didn't study all that much. I'm an A, B, C student. I'd say average, nothing special. The best way I studied was practice tests. I used the CD's that came with some of my practice books. I think I took a practice test every few nights for a couple weeks and then just took the test. You know yourself and your test taking abilities better than anyone. Trust your instincts and do what you think you need to to feel confident taking it. Confidence goes a long way!

I started off the same way, I didn't even know what I was getting in to with nursing! There was a girl in my clinical who was already a CNA and I stuck with her which was very helpful. It's taken a couple years as a nurse on my own to get my confidence up and theres still more work to be done! But I completely agree with CheyFire, fake it til you make it! That's been my motto since day one!

I was hired for nights but orientation was for days. On my first day of work since my boss knew I had been looking for a day position she said the person she originally hired for that spot didn't work out so she offered it to me right there (I'm sure the other resident/new grad RN's weren't happy when they overheard that since I was the last one hired). But it worked out. I agree though, nights would be much much less stressful. Good luck!

I feel your pain. I spent months applying for jobs and then decided to apply at LTC. I finally got hired and I won't lie, I really didn't enjoy it. The LPN's there are the ones orienting you and they're snooty because they've been doing this longer than you and think they are smarter than you (and at LTC, they are, especially if you are a new grad). It's paper charting and it took me forever to do my med pass. I worked there 2 weeks and then was offered a job on a progressive care unit in a hospital. I am so thankful to be back in my comfort zone (I worked as an LPN in the hospital). You will make it to the hospital! Working LTC shows you are committed to working despite doing a job that you don't plan to stay at long term.

I finished school in South Carolina and knew I'd be moving to Washington state. I chose to take my boards in SC because WA has a whole list of education requirements such as Biology and nutrition which SC didn't require me to take. It's easier to take them in the state you are endorsed in (Oklahoma City for you). Then, look at IL's licensing website http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/nurs.asp I believe for you it is by endorsement not examination but read the packet through and follow the instructions. For any questions you can call or email them. Good Luck!

A lot of hospitals are now having quiet zones at Pyxis machines which is the equivalent of your med cart. There should be a staff meeting addressing the issue and clearly letting other staff know that you can't talk while you are at the med cart. Good Luck!