JStarr

Thank you for taking time to reply - If you don't mind me asking why has the surgical floor been a negative experience for you?

Hello - I am a new grad RN and have recently been going through the interviewing process with a couple different facilities. My interviews were in person rather than phone but most of the questions were sort of the same. I applied for all new grad positions so I am not sure if that makes a difference, if it is a new grad position they will know off the bat you lack experience. Why to do want to work for this facility/hospital? What are your strengths/weaknesses? What would your previous supervisors/teachers say about you? What would you do if you saw another nurse not following procedure? (chain of command stuff) Give me a time when you encountered conflict and tell me how you resolved it? Give me a time you went above and beyond for a co-worker or patient? What areas of nursing interest you and why? What is you biggest accomplishment? What are your future goals? Where do you see yourself in five years? What do you bring to the facility that other applicants don't? something about interpersonal communication skills and a situation where you utilized them? *They always ask if you have any questions as well, always have something appropriate to the situation* I asked things about orientation, continuing education opportunities, clinical ladder for nurses, etc. and what to expect next in the interview process* They did not ask me any specific nursing knowledge questions, more questions about myself and situational ones. Good luck with your interview I know its nerve wrecking! Since you won't have a chance to "present" yourself professionally dressed and all, make sure you sound confident and professional on the phone Best wishes to you!

Hello all - I am looking for some advice I am a new graduate and have always had an interest in Occupational health nursing. I am currently interviewing for different nursing positions and one is med/surg the other occupational health. I am looking for advice b/c I have heard Med/Surg should be your first position for experience, but I know occupational health is not always easy to find and I do have an interest in it. Will it hurt my career long term by missing out on the med/surg experience? Or, do you take a leap of faith and go for what you have an interest in such as occ health in this situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! All the occupational health nurses I have ever spoken with really love their jobs and have nothing negative to say about it.. Thanks all -

The whole deal is a mess!!! I'm out the job I wanted but moreover humiliated to family and friends (they believe me, but sounds ridiculous to them). I went to chat with a pharmacist actually 3, all indicated oxazepam is end metabolite of valium; since drug screen shows oxazepam and I have no script for that but do valium I think someone is just not wanting to take the time to investigate this but me. Besides, I have old scripts for valium and were told it is not illegal to have/take old scripts..so I should be cleared, but I'm not. Attorney said they have no legal obligation to hire me so it's fighting a losing battle (unfair) but since I can provide all scripts and scientific information about metabolism possibly discrimination. I really don't want to fight this like that, but I just want them to know I am not a drug abuser! and yes it is possible for a drug you never have taken to end up in your system. Thanks for comments all.

I picked up the ED MAR to verify and yes it was given to me along with Toradol and IV fluids. I have to say I am as skeptic as you - but not dumb enough to take valium one day prior to a drug test. That is why this whole thing floors me, the actual urine test was 5 days after the ED visit.

Thanks for all the advice and information. The reason they will use this facility as a reference is I worked as a tech for awhile before taking a break and then returning for a nursing position, so it is on my resume. I provided the ER report and MAR, along with RX for valium from awhile back. It is just very frustrating b/c the reason they said they won't review it is b/c there are time frames they called me on a Thursday at 10 am and gave me until 4 pm to provide all the documentation to prove RX and I was 1000 miles from home with no computer or fax so I did my best; I had no idea a drug I didn't take would show up? I told them valium may show up but they said I didn't test + for that one, it was the oxazepam. I think this was simply a hard lesson learned and I will have to seek employment somewhere else, but will just make sure to take a drug screen prior to the required one to make sure. I was just treated very unfairly and humiliated. So, I shall seek employment elsewhere. The biggest joke was my drug test was administered by handing me a cup, sending me to the public restroom along with my purse and jacket, alone. I made the deposit, flushed the toilet and washed my hands prior to returning the cup to the fill in nurse for Occupational med!

Hello all - I am a new grad nurse and accepted a position contingent on passing physical and drug screen. One week prior to test I was in the ED with kidney stones and was given fluids, pain meds and valium. I indicated to the nurse I had been on meds prior to the drug screen. The results indicated I tested positive for "oxazepam".. I have never heard of this drug. After hours of research and speaking with pharmacy they indicated it is a metabolite of Valium which I did get IV in the ED. However, my job offer has been revoked and no one seems to care enough to listen to me. I am embarrassed, humiliated and upset however it seems I can't do anything about it. Are there any Occ med nurses out there that have any advice?? Now I am afraid any other employer that may call for a reference will not hire me based on my position being revoked at this hospital. Thank you in advance