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Thanks so much for your reply! My rent here in LA is also a lot just like in the Bay area, but pay up there is way higher than down here.

There are many job openings for RNs in Los Angeles area. It helps a lot to have BSN and at least 1-2 years of acute care experience in the specialty you want to get into. And make sure you have excellent resume and cover letter to get their attention. I recommend making a LinkedIn account and connect with the hospital nurse recruiters as well.

When your constipated patient finally poops (after you tried senna, miralax, dulcolax PO & suppository, enema, lactulose...)

I hope I don't find the patient sitting on the floor by his bed, with bedpan on top of his head and watery stool dripping down all over his face, body, and floor... (true story.. happened in our unit)

Hello, I am currently working at a large magnet academic hospital in Los Angeles and I am planning to move back to NorCal where my family lives. I have 4 years experience (2 yrs step down and 2 yrs cardiac ICU) as BSN RN and also have my CCRN. I need some more information (union, pay, new employee orientation, nurse satisfaction, teamwork among nurses and w/ MDs, etc.) between 2 hospitals where I would potentially work - John Muir Hospital Concord (specifically CVICU) and El Camino Hospital in Mountain View (in Critical Care Unit). I truly appreciate any information you could give me. Thanks!

Hi, I work in a Coronary Care ICU. Today, I attended my hospital's sepsis day conference and a lot of nurses wanted to clarify/know more about management of septic shock on patients who have high risk for adverse effects of aggressive fluid resuscitation (specifically heart failure, renal failure, and liver failure patients). I searched online for research studies on this topic but cannot find a lot of resources. I would like to know your thoughts on this based on your experiences. Side note: In regards to sepsis core measures, we were told that if a patient who meets severe sepsis/septic shock criteria but did not receive at least 30ml/kg fluid bolus, it means that we did not fully implement the sepsis bundle, thus reducing our hospital's sepsis bundle compliance.

Just as a reference, when we moved here to US, my sister finished 2 years out of 4yrs of a nursing program in the Philippines. She got her transcripts evaluated but CSU nursing programs told her she has to start over.. And she did.

Passed the CCRN a few days ago! I used Gasparis DVD's that are really old and did the AACN CCRN review webinar which is more detailed than Gasparis videos. I also did AACN and Pass CCRN practice questions. The practice questions seem so much harder than the actual exam.

Nurses here in LA hospitals are in a contract for 12 hour shifts so you don't get overtime pay for the usual 36 hours/week.

I plan to test by early next year.. Maybe review for 2-3 months. I haven't really started getting some serious studying.

I am about to start studying for the PCCN, did you guys find the book by Brorsen helpful? How about the AACN essentials of progressive care nursing/critical care nursing? I bought the AACN Certification and Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care which contains all questions and I did a 7-week PCCN review webinar offered by AACN.

At least they're underneath the gloves. And that's why you also wash your hands on your way out of a patient's room.

I wear gloves as soon as I wash my hands when I enter a patient's room. Just don't want to touch other people's belongings or side tables, IV pumps, etc. without protecting myself.

1. State you work in: CA (Los Angeles) 2. Years of experience: 1 year 3. Specialty/unit and work setting: Large magnet hospital, step down unit 4. Hourly Pay (base rate) or salary: started with $35.46/hr as new grad, $39.4/hr after 6 months probation, and after a year it is $40.30/hr 5. Differentials (if any): $6.00 night shift, $2.50 weekends 6. Union: Yes, CNA