RNtoJD

Well, I recently got hired at Lutheran. From what I have seen, it seems like a great place to work. People are friendly, and everyone seems happy to be there. There is very low turnover at Lutheran, so that should tell you something. As for the area, it is in Sunset Park, which used to be very dangerous but has improved dramatically over years. It's no Park Slope, but I am not from NYC, and I feel pretty safe there during the day. Not sure what it is like at night though, as I have not been there after dark. Without knowing what other NYC hospitals pay, or offer for benefits, I can't say how they stack up. I will say that, compared to other places I have worked, Lutheran seems to treat its employees VERY well. Of course, it could just be the newbie pollyanna in me talking, but I don't think so.

Traci, I was told by a paramedic that they suggest doing compressions to "Stayin' Alive" as well... The Muppet Show theme song (anyone remember that?) is also a good rhythm for compressions.

I would go even higher up the food chain to the VP or CEO level, since my experience has been that managers are often between a rock and a hard place. They know they should staff more nurses, but are not given the budgets to hire them. And they are not allowed to publicly take issue with this, lest they be seen as "disloyal" to the hospital. Let administrators who have NEVER cared for a patient, and never had to deal with staffing issues face the music first hand. Better yet, introduce them all to the patients, giving their titles, and making it clear that these are the people who deserve "credit for seeing that this unit is adequately staffed to see to all of your needs." Then let the patients know that "today's staffing ratios are...." Hey people advocate for giving out our last names to potential psychopaths in the name of "full disclosure." I say give patients the complete truth in the name of "full disclosure." Then make some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show.

TNCC was pretty easy. I think it is a one or two-day course, as the other poster said, more like ACLS (only easier, I think). CEN, much more involved, but looks great on a resume. I would take TNCC first. Then worry about CEN. Best of luck!

Just kick over a rock... Hey now!!! LOL... But I gotta say, you'd probably find some of my classmates under there! Leslie, I was going to suggest Taana, but you beat me to it. Great organization.

They don't even need a search warrant...they will simply bring a drug dog to the front door and when the dog picks up the scent, that gives them probable cause to search. Not to get off topic, but I think this is probably incorrect. Unless the circumstances are exigent, police cannot barge into someone's home and search without a warrant (even if it is an apartment). A car, yes because the legal standard is different. But the Supreme Court, even in its more conservative incarnations, has a long history of recognizing the sanctity of one's home. In fact, even if there is a warrant, police are supposed to "knock and announce" their presence before barging in. However, upon information that a dog picked up a scent outside the door, most courts would likely issue the warrant.

For as long as I can remember, I have been tired most of the time. I recently began a weight loss program, and as part of it had my Vit D level drawn. It came back very low, so the APRN started me on supplements. Lemme tell ya... within a couple of days, I noticed a difference. When I take the supplements, I have more energy, and my mood is good regardless of what happens during the day. Like a flipping on a light switch in a dark room. On the days that I forget, I notice a sagging energy level and mood. Not to suggest that antidepressants are never necessary, but this makes me wonder how many people are being treated with antidepressants, when Vit D would do the trick.

One friend majored in computers, and is now selling real estate because her consulting career required too much travel and she wanted to have kids. She is also a deacon in the local church. Last I heard she wasn't very happy. Another majored in graphic design. She is now a detective with the local police department. She is married to another cop and they have two kids She loves her job, and seems pretty happy with the choices she has made in life. Another one majored in fine arts, and is a SAHM. She is miserable, but then she always was. One of my friends from high school majored in filmic writing at USC. She is a writer and director of independent films. I managed to land a speaking part in one of her movies a few years ago, which I have not seen yet (still in post-production, I think). I am an attorney now. Changed careers in '08, but thinking of changing back. I'd love to be able to do both, or find a job that allows me to combine experience gained from both careers.

We had an ED attending at one facility who used to bake all sorts of yummy treats for special occasions, and if someone was expecting she would knit the baby-to-be a blanket. Another pedi hem/onc doc I knew used to play guitar, sing, and juggle for his patients. He has even been seen riding around the onc floor on a tricycle (btw, he is about 6 ft tall). And at the same facility, we had a pediatrician who was dedicated to caring for the underserved. She was tireless in her dedication to her patients, and everyone loved her. Sadly, she passed away from cancer a few years ago, but every year there is a race in her honor to raise funds for the cause that she was so passionate about. Families still talk about "Dr. Nancy" and the difference she made in peoples lives.

I used to LOVE working with the anesthesiologists in MRI. Sometimes, my sides would hurt at the end of the day from laughing so hard. One in particular got on the phone with my daughter who was 10 at the time. My daughter was trying to convince me to buy her an iguana. This doc got on the phone with her and said, "Ohh you don't want one of those. I had one. They aren't very cuddly..." The conversation proceeded, and I thought Doc had my back about not getting another pet, when I heard him say,"I know... here's what you tell your mom. You tell her you want a little brother..." I then heard him giggle like a little kid. Another anesthesiologist brought me chicken soup during one shift when I was feeling crappy. Same one wrote my recommendation for law school Good times.

actually, in ct you would most likely be compensated for injuries sustained "on the job" even if you were clocked out. as long as your injury arises out of and occurs during the course of your employment(or "performing work for the benefit of the employer"). i had a judge who was a former wc commissioner teach my wc class in law school. he found damn near everything compensible, and he was pretty much the norm. not sure about other jurisdictions though.

My ex-hubby and I used to "share" our golden retriever (a female) with his parents. One day, it was determined that she needed a flea bath. My dear, sweet, MIL, in a tone only a mother could muster,admonished the then hubby, "Now JP, when you are giving the dog her flea bath, you make sure that you be very careful of her testicles!"

Oh heck, one of my old favorites doesn't even need to be changed. "The Stroke." I am sure that, given the time, I could nurse-ify the lyrics...lol.

Having worked at both, I can tell you that Hartford not only pays better, but in my opinion, is a better place to work. Better hospital too,IMHO (though I have heard reasonable minds disagree). Parking is also waaaaayy better, as is the food (priorities, you know ). In my experience, HH tended to staff a bit better, though this may have changed since my days there. I would say, if you can get a job at HH, do it. You won't be sorry.

I have 12 years of experience, no BSN, but a BA in another field. I can't even land an interview. It is very frustrating because I am reading about new BSN grads getting jobs at NYP, and I have to wonder if these hospitals really believe that a BSN with no experience is worth more than an RN with 12 years in.

I have never worked there either, but I know someone who did. It is not a trauma center, but it is a teaching hospital (as the name would suggest). It houses the medical school, the dental school, and a pretty extensive medical library. It is also where the inmates from the state's prisons go when they need inpatient treatment (locked units, I believe), It is probably best known for its high risk OB floor and NICU (a friend of mine had two babies there and the care was top notch. I don't know much about the ICU there, but I would imagine it is a pretty well run unit. Farmington is a lovely town, as are the surrounding towns of Avon, Burlington, Simsbury and West Hartford. You are 2 hours in either direction from Boston or NYC, which can be lots of fun.

Noreen: Thanks so much. I would be very interested in school nursing in NYC. I sent you an email, but my computer was having a hissy fit, so I am not sure if it went through.

This would be a good topic for the local chapters of The American Association of Nurse Attorneys to address at chapter meetings.

Thanks for the response. I am finding that I am at a bit of a disadvantage because I took a year and a half "off" from nursing to practice law. I am trying to get back in, and every hospital (not just NY hospitals, btw) that I apply to seems to think that in a year's time, I would forget 12 years of knowledge. Grrr... I am also applying to CT hospitals, but I have to be careful because our firm represents so many of them. All I need is for some recruiter who is friendly with my boss to give the firm a quick call and have an informal chat about the resume that landed on his/her desk.

I would run as fast as possible from this agency. I am getting a bad vibe just reading about it.

Hi everyone. I am an experienced RN (Diploma grad) with 12 years of experience. I have noticed that starting salaries for new BSN grads in NYC are around 70k (give or take). I am in the process of applying to hospitals in NYC and am completely stumped as to what would be a reasonable answer to the dreaded "desired salary" question. I am just looking for a range, as I have NO idea what the market rate for nurses with 10+ years of experience is. I am applying for positions in pediatrics, ER, and radiology (I have experience in all three areas). I am licensed in NY. Thanks for your help!

Hi Everyone! RN for 11 years now. Most recent experience is in Pediatric Emergency. I currently work per diem and will graduate from UConn Law School in May. Nursing has been very good to me!

This happened to me once. A (female, btw) ER doc asked if there was coffee in the back. One of the nurses said yes. She said "I will take mine with cream and sugar." She was ignored. She tried the same thing with me "I will take mine with cream and sugar." I simply said, "Really? Well all the fixins are in the back along with the coffee. Better hurry while there is still some left." I later found out that this doc was driving 4 hours each way to work marathon shifts. Subsequently, I made a point to offer her a cup when I went back there. Not to be nice, but so she would know that when it is MY intent to do something not in my job description for her I will offer to do so. Worked like a charm. On the other hand, in a subsequent job in MRI, I frequently worked with a core group of anesthesiologists (pediatric/claustrophobic patients needed sedation). They could not leave the monitor while a patient was under sedation/anesthesia. I had no hesitation about offering and even making a cup for them. Most were great to work with and one even brought me a bowl of chicken soup when I was sick as a dog at work (he was a sweetheart). Bottom line: we took care of each other and it made the job very enjoyable, but NO ONE made demands.

A friend of mine told me this one. LOL in her 80's and her husband arrive in the ER. LOL has complaints of "transient episode of tachycardia, tachypnea and lightheadedness." She was one of these incredibly healthy elderly types with no prior health history and no meds. Complete workup including EKG and enzymes was negative. Finally, one resident had the presence of mind to ask what this sweet old lady was doing when this happened. Turns out she and her husband were doing the wild thing. Apparently after 50+ years of marriage, Hubby finally got it right (better late than never). After receiving an explanation of the cause of her symptoms, she was sent home and told to go have another one. Wish I could have seen the chart notes on that one. "D/C diagnosis: Orgasm"

This goes back to when I was a new grad. I had a man ring the call bell because he wanted me to scratch his member. I told him, "There are some things that I don't get paid to do. That is one of them." So he asked if I wouldn't mind washing it. Well, he was a bit ripe so I agreed. As I was doing this he groaned as if he was "enjoying himself." It occurred to me that it would be best if he didn't itch down there anymore because it was gonna be a long 8 hours if he was going to ring in every time he had an itch "down there," and groan with pleasure while being washed (eeewww!!). So I looked around the room and saw the answer---lidocaine jelly. Yep... smeared it all over that bad boy. Pt thanked me and I wasn't asked to "scratch the itch" or "wash it" again the entire shift.