SadRN2010

I'm shocked to hear how many of you use alcohol to clean the port before withdrawing a sterile urine sample. I was taught that alcohol can alter the results, use betadine to clean port of a foley. :)

Well, I don't work in California but I went to school there and have several friends who work there now. But first of all~ A little advice.......Do not go to nursing school because you will make good money. Nursing is the most stressful, exhausting (physically & emotionally) and disapointing thing I have ever done. If you do it for the money, I promise you, you will quit in your first year. Money will not get you through this roller coaster, regardless of how much. You have to love caring for your patients sooooo much that their little "thank you" makes it all worth while. The money will not do that for you long term. But as far as I know in N. California. Kaiser RN's make about $46/hr to start, Mercy about $40/hr and Sutter and UC Davis, a little less. Good luck!

I thought nursing school was the hardest thing I had ever done too............until I started actually working as an RN. Now, I wish I was still in school. Take lots of deep breaths and remember this: Life is a journey, nothing is what it seems, and nothing worth having comes easy.

I wouldn't do that. Don't burn your bridges, and forget how lucky you are. I graduated a year ago and some people from my class are still job hunting. Think about it. 30 minutes? That's nothing. :)

Thank you very much for responding. I really think it is the patient load and some of the issues at the hospital where I work. I moved out of California for my job as a new grade because I was not able to get a new grad job in California. I love where I live now but have decided to move my family back to California asap where I will never have more than five patients, will actually get to take breaks and make more money. Just have to get a job there and it might take a while.......Hopefully I can keep it together where I am while I am waiting. I know that there will be issues at evey hospital, but hope that with less patients, I will like my job. I have to at least try, right? If I am still this unhappy, then I will have to try something that is not floor nursing. :) Thanks again!

What is your hospital policy? Where I work, IV tubing is changed every 24 hours. Other than that, there is no reason not to use the same tubing.

I went through a 12 week ICU training orientation with the same schedule. Then became a full-time night shift employee. I am sorry to say that my sleep is still (9 months later) just as much a mess. Even though I don't go in on days anymore, it is just as exhausting when you want to be awake during hte day and sleep at night on days off. Clock gets so messed up, I am always tired. Not sure if you will be a night shift person after your orientation or not but just be happy you have been given such an awesome position and be thankful for the education and training you wil get. It will be tough but you can do it and you will be glad you did in the end. I graduated over a year ago and some people from my class still do not have jobs..........we are lucky!

I work on a surgical floor and days has 5-6 patients and night has 6-7. I work nights and almost always have 6 patients right off the bat, then get another one within an hour. Once I had 8. It is ridiculous trying to provide good care with this work load. I moved out of California for my job but will definately be going back for less patients and better pay as son as I have neough experience to land a job there.

Hi everyone. I am new to the site and a new nurse. I have been working for nine months now and I am very unhappy. I need some input please. I have a love/hate relationship with my job. I am not sure if I really want to be a nurse anymore. I know the first year is hard and it should get better but I am feeling very let down still. I have wanted to be a nurse all my life and finally became an RN at age 39. Now I am wondering if all my hard work, debt, and my dream are nothing more than heartache. I have 7 patients at night and with admits and this patient load, I struggle to get things done fast enough. I have never worked this hard in my life, never been under this much pressure, stress or had this many physical issues caused by my job. I LOVE caring for my patients but the other things I listed are making me hate my job. I work with wonderful people and get plenty of support as a new nurse. I force myself to keep going to work and keep hoping it will get better. I cry at the end of my shift way too often. I have moments at work when I feel so good and then five minutes later, I want to cry. I feel like I can't be a good nurse because everything has to done so quickly, it is not the standard of patient care I want to provide. I constantly worry that I am going to miss something big because of it. Now, we are under all this pressure to not have overtime so it is even more stressful and I have to chart less so I can get done on time and not risk getting written up for OT. So now I just don't know if it is just not for me or if it really is the "new nurse" thing. I feel so let down and frustrated, it honestly hurts like a broken heart. I am sad to feel this way after finally achieving something I wanted my entire life. Any input is highly appreciated.

Congrats on making through the first year. I am nine months in and everyday is a struggle. Too many patients (7 NOC) and it is insane. Hope I can say the same thing in three months :)

Anyone willing to relocate to Reno, NV should apply at Renown Regional Medical Center. They gladly hire and welcome new grads. Good Luck!