fin0814

This really ...... me off. I got hurt helping patients and here I am being punished and not allowed to work! What do I do? I guess I am going to have to suffer and get my pain management doctor to put me on something non-narcotic. I will just have to grin and bear it and probably cry after every shift. If I am able to come off the pain medications completely do I even have to tell anyone that I was once on them? I am embarrassed enough that I even have to take them. I feel like a complete failure...

I have been in chronic pain management now for 7 years. I recently left a job not realizing that by me taking medications for chronic pain would affect me getting another job. I recently went through a complete background check and UA for a job that I really wanted. Of course my UA showed that I was taking methadone (changed from morphine due to cost) and Percocet. Everything checked out fine with the Medical Review Officer when he called me.... prescriptions matched, etc. I never take my medications incorrectly and if I did not have them there is no way I would be able to work due to this chronic pain. Well, the NP that worked in employee health said that "methadone is used for heroin abusers" so needless to say I was not able to go any further in this job. I am so angry and hurt that she would actually say that to me. Does this mean that I will never be able to work in nursing again? I do not abuse my medications, can function perfectly when I take my meds. Will no one ever trust me just because I take opioids? I feel discriminated against especially by two injuries were from assisting patients.

Chronic setting

If you work for Davita can you explain how your days are scheduled? Do you work 8 hour shifts, 12 hours shifts.... or something different. If you work longer than an 8 hour shift do you get paid overtime after 8 hours? Do you have set days that you work? How does it work if you live in one state but want to work for Davita in another state. I want to move to Florida, and I am in the process of getting my Florida license. I want to have a job in Florida before I start camping out at my in-laws. : ) If I am able to get a position with Davita in Florida would they do a phone interview from the Florida center or would I need to fly there in person to actually interview? Thanks for any information. I am getting ready to make a career change. I just cannot stomach the thought of going back to the floor. Just the thought alone makes my stomach cringe.

Hi everyone, I am thinking about going into Dialysis Nursing. I am a med/surg RN with 8 years of hospital experience and I just have to get out of the hospital setting. I have an interview with Davita next week. I have no experience with dialysis but love patient interaction. Is it possible to go from Med/Surg to Dialysis? I know there will be a huge learning curve and if anyone out there went from Med/Surg to Dialysis, possibly Davita, can you give me some feedback?

I have been applying to the VA for possible positions as an RN. I have had two of my applications go into the referred status, wanting to see if I will be called for a phone interview. My concern is that I am also a chronic pain patient who sees the pain management doctor every four to six weeks. These injuries were sustained while actually working as a nurse. Is it possible for me to obtain a job with the VA even if I take prescribed opiates. My doctor recently changed me to Methadone 10 mg 3x day prn and Percocet 10/325 qid prn. The reason he switched me to Methadone was because of the cost because right now I do not have insurance. I am able to function fine with no side effects from these medications as I have been taking meds for a long time, unfortunately. My question is should I even try to get a job at the VA? I had an interview and job offer with a local hospital and when I took my urine test I told them what they would find. The Medical Review Officer called me and took all my prescription information and called the pharmacy and verified it. BUT the NP at the facility said that Methadone is usually prescribed to heroin users and she has blocked my application. I am so embarrassed to have to take medications in the first place and she just knocked me all the way down. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I HAVE ONE FOR YOU... I was working med/surg and another RN had a patient from out of the country. She begged me to help her and said that if I helped her she would do my next four "poopy" diapers since I cannot stand poop. Anyway, when I went into the patient's room the patient was coughing and coughing and he actually spit something in the trashcan. The RN asked if I could see what it was and possibly put it in a specimen cup. Well, after seeing what it was I had to go get long tweezers. Imagine my surprise when I pulled an 18 inch pink wiggling worm out of the trashcan. This worm was wiggling and wiggling, trying to get away..... UGGHHHH!

OMG.. This is such an overkill!!! This is the reason why I left acute care in the first place. Such nit-picky things. Why didn't the RN after you just come and tell you instead of going to the nurse manager? I know, because she wants you to get into trouble and cause DRAMA. Now, if this was a stage IV ulcer then I think the miss would be an issue, but a small ulcer that was found by the next nurse??? Come on people, let's help each other out and support each other. Let's teach the new RNs, not berate them and go tattle telling to the higher ups. We, as nurses, have some many major issues to deal with on one shift without having to worry if we are going to get reported for something so inconsequential. This makes me see red!

Gerrardstown, WV here!

I was licensed in MD and applied for my WV license. My WV license came through about a week after submitting the paperwork. I had no problems getting my WV license. I am in the same boat as you. Live in WV, MD license, but needed WV license for position here in WV.

Dear JackieAnn, I am in the same boat as you. I am leaving floor nursing behind due to the reasons you mentioned plus more. No matter what we did management would never be satisfied. Patients were ALWAYS right no matter what... I cannot tell you the number of times I was cussed at, belittled, attacked by patients, etc. Do not get me wrong, there were many times that I really, really enjoyed floor nursing such as the time that I had a dying man who only wanted to have a shave. I stayed late in the morning and completely shaved his face. This involved cutting the hair and shaving with those dull razors, but he was ever so grateful. His family did not recognize him when they came in. It hurt my back and legs but I was more than happy to do it for him and I made the patient extremely happy and the family, but guess what... I got in trouble for staying one half hour late to do this!!!! That was the straw that broke the camel's back. They wanted the patients happy and the families happy, but WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT WORK OVER. That night I did not take a break at all but never charged the unit for my lunch.... Anyway, I am excited to start HH and cannot wait to get going. I have my new scrubs being delivered today, got funky new shows, new stethoscope, nursing bag, etc. I am completely starting over and wanted new things to mark my new field. I will let you know how things are going when I get a month into the new job. I know I will have a huge learning curve regarding insurance, etc. but I had an even larger learning curve when I started as a new RN in med/surg. Good luck to you.

Hi Everyone, I really appreciate all your comments. I am SOOOO excited to be starting in this field after many years in med/surg. I am looking forward to actually talking to my patients, not having my call bell ring every two seconds. I am not going to miss the "back-stabbing" that occurs on the floor and the poor staffing where I end up with 8 patients, four on restraints, one detox patient, two postop, etc. etc. I am very grateful for the experience that I have had as a med/surg RN and know that it is going to benefit me greatly in the field. After accompanying a nurse on a "ride-along" I knew that HH was for me. I am busting at the seams, I am so excited to start. I have orientation in two weeks and just can't wait to start. I started my career in med/surg and never thought I would leave. After dealing with violent patients and management that did not give care, I finally decided to make the move and I know this is the best thing for me. I will have to get used to working five days a week, but I am sure not having to work weekends and not being so stressed out about having to go work will make it all worth it. I am proud to be part of the HH family and will keep in touch after I get a few months under my belt. Wish me luck as I know my learning curve will probably make me cry for the first six months but I am going into this with my eyes wide open. I am going to be the best HH RN in my area!!!!

I was browsing around the forum reading different conversations and happened upon this comment in Nurse Management. I am not a home health RN yet, but will be starting my new position as home health RN later this month and I took offense to this statement. Why would a manager state that home health is "less desirable?" I am really, really excited to start in this career choice, leaving med/surg nursing after many, many years.

Libby, Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to the board. Thank you so much for your input. I am not sure how you came up with 80-85K/year... If so that is more than I was making as a floor RN. How did you come up with that? Happy Holidays to everyone!

Hey everyone, It has been a long time since I posted anything here. I have just been offered a job as a home health RN. This is a new field for me. I have ten years of experience in Med/Surg in a large hospital. They are offering me an hourly rate of 28.75 (which is a lot less than I was making as a Med/Surg RN), but w/o the politics of the floor. They are also offering me PPV as follows. Both offers are with benefits and 0.56 mile. This is in WV. What do you guys think. My goal is to see 7 patients a day once I get going, is this feasible? Thanks for your input. [TABLE=width: 645, align: center] [TR] [TD]NON-BILL/HHAS/OASIS [/TD] [TD]$25 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ROUTINE VISIT [/TD] [TD]$45 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ADMISSION - OASIS [/TD] [TD]$90 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ADMISSION - NON OASIS [/TD] [TD]$60 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]D/C SUMMARY [/TD] [TD]$13 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]MEETING / JOINT VISIT [/TD] [TD]$30 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ROC/RECERT [/TD] [TD]$75 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]WOUNDVAC/IV [/TD] [TD]$50 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]OUT OF COUNTY [/TD] [TD]$10 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]OASIS TRANSFERS [/TD] [TD]$10 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]WEEKEND VISIT [/TD] [TD]$5 [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]