NurseRatchetSr

Here's my two-cents for what it's worth. This is the Dallas-Ft Worth area. Have not done active HOSPITAL nursing for about 8 years as I had gone onto managing ambulatory clinics, consulting; QA/Risk Mgmt; aesthetics in the past 7-8 years. Got tired of the management gig and am wanting to just go back to working as a 'staff nurse' for no other reason except that it's easier than management, leadership, politicsblah blah. (No insults meant here as ANY nursing position is HARD WORK!). Okay, so the DFW area (as with a lot of areas within the US) is having difficulties with staffing hospitals. I'm ready to go; I know I have the hands on that I need; I'm comfortable with my skills, I know there is new technology, lotsa new stuff, and I agree that a good orientation with a self-assessment at the end is quite useful and probably all that is necessary for most nurses hitting the ramp again. Nursing is nursing and unless you've not kept up with your CEUs or remaining knowledgeable of your profession and the changes that have gone on during your 'inactivity,' there really shouldn't be any big deal getting back into the groove again. (Yes, there is some need to orient to newer equipment, orientation to the way things might be done, different types of staff and staffing, etc etc. And.....there are some nurses who might be more comfortable with a more lengthy refresher, but each nurse should know what her limits and capabilities are and what she needs to work on to get rolling again). THAT SAID, what do I hear from the 'LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT' at the hospitals doing the hiring? Here it comes: "You haven't done hospital nursing in awhile so we want you to go to a refresher course" (aw right, not so keen on that, but whatever it takes...). How do i get a refresher course? Oh....that's 'easy'. Just go to the local community college and sign up for the course (which I'm told is 16 weeks long and costs 2700.00 AND.....here's another one for ya.....after the first 2-3 weeks of the refresher course, one HAS to work at one of the local hospitals a full shift (D-N-E's), three times per week, UNPAID while attending the CC so that I can become 'refreshed'. And they wonder why they can't keep nurses!?!?!?! OMG. We have met the enemy.....and they is us.

Who cares??? It's his kid and his wife. They can make whatever decisions they want to make regarding delivery, etc. He just happens to be a doc.

Unlikely that this patient can sue for an infection. 1. Infection cases are notoriously difficult to work up and 2. Even though the patient stated that he had an IV, he would have to prove that he had it taken out at a later date, with that healthcare provider documenting what was taken out, what the site looked like, etc. Obviously, if the IV had been taken out prior to being dc'd from the hospital, probably the only hassle you would run into would be that whomever dc'd the iv, didn't chart that it was dc'd. Don't sweat it...at least being sued. You may have to sweat it if the administrators freak out about no docum,entation being done when you dc'd the patient. But then it will be a CQI issue especially regarding the discharge charting.

Tell 'em to take a good look at the new HIPAA law ! That ought to turn their heads a little and make em spit green...

If'n I was in it for the cash...I wouldn't be in Nursing. There is NOTHING WRONG in expecting that you should be paid for what you are worth, what you do, what you put up with, what schooling you went through, what clinical experience you have. Are we professionals or not? Being a Professional Nurse does NOT mean that we should be walked over !! It means the same thing as it does to a CEO, an attorney, a teacher, a physician...ad nauseum. They demand to be paid what they are worth...why don't Nurses do the same? C'mon nurses.....why don't we think that we are worth what we are? New forum???

Geez, it ain't a fashion show, ya know.....