winzer

Thanks a lot for the prompt response guys! This clears things up a bit. This issue, especially the one discussed on the AACN website, adds a bit of complexity to my (mis) understanding.

Thanks! That sums it up nicely. So, depending on what "direction" the leads are looking, is it possible for one part of the heart to display a tracing that looks like SVT in one lead but another part of the heart to trace a VTACH when looking from a different lead? How would that even be interpreted? "Oh, well the patient is having VTACH in lead I but that's OK, because it looks like SVT in lead II..." Sorry, I'm just frustrated

I'm a novice at reading telemetry strips. I'm mostly self taught but also took an intro course. If given a given 6 second strip, I'll analyze for about half a minute and I usually get the interpretation right. But my question is this, on a 5-wire telemetry, what lead am I supposed to interpret and WHY? I've searched forums and there seems to be emphasis on lead placement...I don't need to know about WHERE to place the leads. I'm not concerned with 12 lead interpretation either, I'm not responsible for 12 lead stuff on my unit (yah yah, I know it's "good to know" but that's not what I'm asking). I just want to know why a tracing from Lead I looks quite different than a tracing from Lead II. Yesterday, I saw SVT on the monitor of a telemetry patient and this was reading on lead II. Switched it to lead I and it suddenly looked like VTach? 1) What lead should I read on a 5-wire telemetry? 2) Why does the tracing look so different from Lead I vs Lead II, etc? Any input would be appreciated.

If there's a way to send a private message on this forum then I haven't figured it out yet. My email is [email protected]

Hi rpnOntario, I don't know where in Ontario you are but, if you're willing to move up north then you might want to try applying to rural hospitals. That's my situation right now and it's been a positive experience so far. It's definitely going to be a change if you're used to being in a big city and it's a big/difficult decision to make. I'm so far away from what I'm used to but hey, I'm finally making some money and MORE importantly starting my career. There was one nurse that left recently and some other nurses look like they're about to retire. Don't know if management intends to fill the position but it's worth inquiring about. I don't want to post the name of my employer online for privacy reasons I can give you my email if you're interested. Good luck!

It might sound a bit crazy but I guess I've become a bit desperate. I am from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing 8 months ago. My interest is in adult acute care and I would like to work in a med/surg unit or similar. But, like my colleagues, I've graduated as a generalist RN (I passed my licensing exam) so, I don't have any specialty training. I've searched almost all hospitals within a 70 mile radius that offer full/part time RN employment that I might qualify for and that is in my area of interest. After searching for jobs since graduating and getting only one interview so far and not hearing back from 99% of places I apply to... I'm wondering if anybody knows if it were possible to work for free for a few months at a hospital, like a probation period but without pay. My hope is that I could come to an agreement with the unit manager that after a few months, if the unit manager is satisfied with my progress, perhaps I'll offered employment? Even if I don't get the job, what I lose in income I'll gain in experience which is what I desperately need. Every week that passes is another week that my references forget more about me and a struggle to re-study all that was routine when I was back in school. I know it sounds stupid and you might suggest that I have professionals look over my resume and such but I really don't think that my resume/cover letter are the issue. I'm quite serious about this...not just fanciful thinking. So, does anybody know if this is remotely possible or even legal or permissible? I'm also not sure how unionized work places might react to such a work agreement (if it were possible). Even better, does anybody know of any internship programs for new RNs anywhere in Canada (I'll go wherever)?

Thank your for all the replies. I think when it comes to situation like this, you really have to fall back on the basics and one of the fundamental concepts I was taught in nursing school was patient safety (remember the rights of med administration? Right reason, right knowledge, etc. etc. same applies to this situation I think). I don't think anybody wants to hear that the new grad nurse "can't handle it" and wants a reassignment but, as another poster suggested, that's probably what might happen in reality. But combine that with what dudette10 said about showing commitment to research and prep for next time gives a more well-rounded answer as well. During my interview, I answered that I would seek help from my fellow RN colleagues and, failing that, would bring up the issue with the charge nurse. However, I didn't elaborate enough and didn't go so far as to say I would decline the assignment and request reassignment nor did I say I would research it for next time...a pretty so-so response on my part.

I feel for ya! I just graduated about half a year ago and haven't found employment either. Technically, I'm not considered a "new grad" anymore in my state/province and don't qualify for all the "new grad recruitment" advantages that "NEW new grads" get. As I've yet to be successful in the job hunt so far, I'm probably not in any position to offer good and meaningful advice other than to keep on trying. ACLS and extra certification courses in my area cost a few hundred dollars (not including books) per course and I'm saving up for those. I think those extra certifications would really bring value to any potential employer rather than having just the BCLS and your degree. I'm currently working full-time in a low-wage, totally unrelated job (not much better than general labour) just to get the bills paid while I keep applying. As another poster has suggested, you might want to find part-time employment even if its not in your field. I say part-time (as opposed to full time) because it gives more flexibility if you sign up for classes or need days off for interviews. Good luck!

I'm new on this forum and did a quick search to see if there was a similar post but didn't find one so, sorry if this is a repost. I'm a new RN from Ontario, Canada. As some Ontarians know, "new" grads are eligible for HFO funding meaning that the government pays the salary for these "new grads" for the first six months if they get hired. This is great for hospitals because, basically, hospitals get free labour for the first six months and if the hospital likes you, then they keep you.But you have to find a job within 6 months of graduating to remain HFO-eligible. I graudated 7 months ago and have yet to find a job. I am now HFO-INelegible. So, I have the experience of a new graduate without the financial attractiveness of a similar candidate who is still HFO eligible and now I must compete with nurses with 1-3 year experience whereas I STILL have just whatever experience I got from nursing school. Meanwhile, weeks/months go by and my references forget more and more about me. I was a good student in school and got average to above average grades and they still agree to be my references but are now going to just read off an evaluation of me they wrote almost 8 months ago because they just can't remember...I don't blame them, it's been a long time. One day those references are just going to go away...and you can't get any job without references. It's my second-biggest worry. I've had one interview (didn't get the job) in 7 months after emailing about a dozen job applications (HFO careers website not very good, IMO). OTHER than sprucing up my resume and cover letter, is there anything else I can do? I am becoming quite desperate...I've been working full-time as a security guard (low-paying and totally unrelated to nursing) just so the bills get paid while I continue my job search. I've thought of seeking employment in rural communities 12 hours away from home, moving away to another province/state, seeking employment in another country (i.e. USA), and even joining the army as a nursing officer. I've even considered working for FREE for the first two months (it'll really eat into my savings) and hopefully my potential employer will be satisfied enough to hire me on full-time. These are kind of last resort options but, I'll pursue those options if I have to. Anybody have any suggestions? Sorry for the sob story but heck, even reading posts from people in the same situation would be comforting knowing that others on AllNurses share my issue. Thanks for reading my essay of a post!

Here's the situation... Suppose you're a new nurse and, at start of shift, you're assigned to patients with illnesses/post-op procedures/diagnoses/etc. that you are very, very unfamiliar with (or, worse, you haven't even heard of these conditions before). It's start of shift and the rest of the health care team is busy organizing for the day which means they probably don't have time to help you. How would you best proceed? Remember, you're a new nurse and not a student any more so that means...no preceptor to run to and you're on a busy unit. I know it's a general question so, I'm not expecting specific answers but it's a situation that is bound to happen to nurses at some point. I was actually asked a very similar question during an interview (I JUST graduated, which is why I'm posting in the "student" section). I had difficulty answering this question and, even after coming home, I'm still not sure. What might be an appropriate "job interview" answer? Would you do a quick Google search before you saw your patients? Request a change in assignment (not always possible)? Any comments/thoughts with rationale would be much appreciated. Thanks.