navyguyhm3

Like all people...nurses have preferences on the type of practice they wish to do and what type of care facility they want to work in. Some because it fits with their knowledge, others because maybe they had the same issues and wish to use their experiences to help heal and care for others with the same issues or disabilities and then, some just want an easy job, where they can just slide by and get a paycheck. Myself, I take the opportunity to work at any type of facility/setting. It allows me to gain new skills and furthers my knowledge which can only make me a better nurse. There are many avenues to take as a nurse..hence many opportunities to make you that much more better and experienced in different aspects of nursing, therefore, I feel you shouldn't limit yourself to one type of care facility or nursing area..but again..it's based on individual preference.

I'm not particularly religious, but I have my own beliefs. I've said a few prayers with patient's when asked to pray with them, and I will admit that I'm not good at it, but it comes from the heart, and when someone is on their last stand, it's the least anyone can do for a person. Spiritual wellness is a big part of the healing/dying process for many people, and as nurses, I feel we should be there for our patients, if it makes a nurse feel uncomfortable, be honest with the patient, but assure them, you will find them a chaplain or a small prayer group to fulfill their needs, I work at a Seventh Day Adventist hospital, many nurses are willing to step up if one nurse is not particularly religious or has different beliefs.

I'm guilty...but I use that term in a respectful and caring manner, specially for the ones who are hard workers and put forth the effort, and it makes me somewhat proud to call them as such as we are a great team. They call me their nurse and we all get along.

Sounds like she has a "superiority complex" with a "chip on her shoulder" and she's not even a nurse...God help the patients. I'm "just an LVN" and my self esteem is quite high. I love what I do and I will respectfully put an RN in his/her place. A degree doesn't mean jack except that you went to school longer, it doesn't mean you're smarter, more caring, have more common sense or respect...you stephanieshae just proves this point. The "im gonna get the best and worst of both worlds"...what a stupid statement, that isn't just about you, it goes for everybody, from LVNs that have to deal with RNs (or soon to be) who spew stupidity, to all involved in healthcare..and once she realizes there are more people in this world and not just her, maybe she'll fall off her imaginary pedestal and oh boy..with her nonsense..it's going to be a long fall..so..I'll make that bed..but it won't be for me..it'll be for her.

Very difficult subject indeed. Here's my take...let them do as they do, eventually it will get noticed, either by them making a mistake which can cost them their job/license or a patient complaining. You can always suggest to a patient to fill out a comment card about the care & services or lack thereof and by whom. Your hard work will pay off while the lazy bums mumble and grumble. Good is always noticed less that the bad, so I'm pretty sure there are eyes watching them. No matter where you go, there will always be those who work and those who don't. Can't really do anything about it. The best thing to do is to carry on with your job. Things will always come around and play out. Just give it time. I highly suggest the comment cards...it's work wonders for me=-)

Like most have posted..you just need to find what works for you. Myself, I have flat feet and most new balance shoes have arch supports, so I wear those and I also use the dr. scholls inserts, the "foot mapping" technology ones. My feet and knees have been abused from 10 years of military service and 2 years of combat and those insoles have worked wonders for me!

While your quote at the end is mostly true..but if you add on to that with, something like, I know you have questions, I will answer them and explain the treatment (provided the patient allows you too) as soon as I'm done, but i need to focus on your mom..dad..son etc. This generally offers a level of courtesy to the family members and shows them that they are involved/informed with the patient care and it (in many of my cases) relaxes the family and they extend me the same courtesy and respect, allowing me to do my job efficiently and thoroughly and not having them tell me how to do my job. But there's always those that can give 2 figs and will make your night and the patients night hell. i actually had a few patients who have told their family/spouses to get the **** out because they were too involved, trying to run the staff and dictate the ordered care, all in all causing more harm than good to all members of the healthcare team, and the patients themselves.

Dylan...you are oh so right! Seems most patient family members leave their common courtesy and all things nice one they visit..or maybe they just always lacked proper judgement and manners. The way of the world for some people. Just let it roll of your back and carry on.

I'm not really in to being watched..but if there is more than 2 people in the room, I will usher them out, and if there is a spouse/partner or an older child, I will allow them to stay, but friends must go..it's too distracting, but leaving a spouse in the room allows him/her to observe the treatment being rendered, provided the patient wishes to have any in the room. If so, I do make it a point to ask them..this "I know you have questions, but is it possible to hold them til I'm done providing care and I will explain everything being done and why, that will allow me to focus on your loved one's care/treatment." This way..you're not leaving the family out and in effect you're addressing the patients needs and the family members needs and they won't feel left out of the care. It works too, it usually gets them to realize we are there not just for the patient but them too, and they will allow us to do our job with little interuptions.

peeing in cheerios! Anyway..I'm pretty sure you've come across many people in here (or in the place of work) who try to paint themselves as a "perfect nurse" and have to contradict everything..those are the nurses that usually don't have a good work ethic, but will talk the talk but can't walk the walk, it's all to cover their short comings. I see it all to often..I can blah blah this, I can blah blah that, but when it comes down to it, they got know idea and in the end, they either make a mistake, make a fool of themselves or both.

Typically my family members obey the visiting hours where I work. Sometimes the charge nurse will have the courtesy to allow one member to stay overnight depending on the patients condition, and if the family member is polite enough to ask, otherwise, we'll call security to have them escorted out if they cause a scene, or crowding out the room preventing us nurses from carrying out our duties. I for one..always push most of them out (ones not directly related to the patient) and usually allow the spouse/partner, brother, sister or an older child to stay when performing a treatment or providing care, it puts the patient at ease and it saves me from having them breathing down my back and it gives us some breathing room. As for overnights and visiting hours, the patient's well-being always comes into play, if the patient hyped up and overly anxious when alone and more calm and easier to take care of when a family member is present, we will allow a member to stay with them as it probably helps the patient heal better.

But he does bear some responsibility if he loses his job...he's choosing to keep hanging around this person knowing there can be some repercussions for doing so. The old adage "actions speak louder than words" can apply here. It's two fold..action: knowingly hanging around this pothead & the inaction: not separating himself from it..the possible reaction: loss of job & license, and the fault wouldn't fall squarely on mr. fried brains. Some ties need to be broken and this is one of them. This particular nurse needs to be responsible and step up and do what's best for him and only him or face the possibility of a career killer that will follow him like a pesky gnat.

sho nuff!

I look at it this way...if you choose to let him do what he wishes and continue to hang out with him knowing what he does, then you're not as concered as you sound, and with him "walking all over you", you must not be really putting forth the effort to stand your ground. A person, no matter their career choice would not allow one to jepordize thier career and continue to hang around while he does his extra curricular activities. A sensible and concered person would give them the boot if they really wanted to protect themselves and their career. Hanging out with people who are into drugs are asking for trouble. You didn't actually rob the bank but you drove the getaway car, you're still going to jail. Ditch the fool if you really value your career, or you will eventually end up a loser like him.

Well..I like the night shift because..you don't have to deal with much/if any, of the patient's family, if the facility is in survey mode, you don't have to deal with the state inspectors (they come during the day), no dealing with upper management, just a charge. It's generally slower paced and easier to get all the work done. This shift you don't have to deal with all the other BS, it's just you and your patients and you're not being dragged around every-which-way!..(most of the time). You can focus solely on your patients and the work at hand and provide better care and less of a chance and getting fizzazzled and making a mistake, day shift burns me out, with night shift, I actually enjoy working. It's still a hustle & bustle but only this big (---), day shift is (-------)! Just got to find what fits you.

after all the years of climbing ladders and scaling mountains to reach the top in my nursing career...this is what i look like?

Try psych/behavioral health facilities. They seem to have a high turnover of nurses and usually are always hiring because of that. With no experience, you will probably get in pretty easily because these facilities can't keep 'seasoned' nurses. You will gain experience and after a few months, you can look elsewhere, unless you find that you like psych. It's not what i really want, but, it gives me the experience to work as an LVN and it gets me a pay check. Look into Sun Healthcare's Sierra Vista rehab in Highland, Ca or Olive Vista.

There is something out there!!! and it found me!! I am working as a psych nurse in Highland, Ca. Is it what i want to do? no...but, i took the job. The DON loved my resume and military background and gave me the job right off. Psych is completely new to me, so i took the job as a way to get the experience. I'm still "shadowing" another LVN, until i get the hang of it, but all in all....things are going well and i should be on my own shortly. I will be a charge nurse, the only nurse on the unit with 45 beds. The CNA's are great too, they've helped me out more than i expected and the staff throughout the building generally get along very well.! Wish me luck and i will keep you all posted.

A Corpsman..also known as "Doc" is the best trained healthcare professional in the US Military. We are the doctor, the nurse, the surgeon, the mom & dad. If you're a Doc serving alongside the US Marine Corps, you are pretty much the only healthcare professional to treat your platoon from physical exams/assessments to minor surgery, suturing and emergency medicine and everything in between! You name it, we're trained for it (well most things anyway lol)

a phone call is always good..means they saw something they liked..but it also means that they are calling others as well...meaning, someone might be just as good/qualified, have said all the right things and and they got a call back to come in for a face to face interview...a lot rides on that initial phone contact. it's a good sign but it could also be false hope if someone else trumps the others.

Congratulations!!! I'm still waiting for that little glimmer of hope:-( Well...i do have a little hope..I'm going to do the agency thing..tho many here say that's dangerous water for a new nurse (Im only an LVN)...but it seems to be the only way i can get work and a paycheck.

Hmm..Just go to your manager and say...I was offered this position in CTICU...everything was flying colors and going great..now I am no longer offered the position..They deferred me to talk to you as to why I am no longer 'fit' for CTICU. Cut right to it. This is about you and your career, so you have the right to know and they should lay it all out on the table. Just don't go in there with a confrontational attitude. Just explain the along those lines as i said above.

I came across this problem myself..i was offered a job..but it was admin (QA/QC medical records). I took the job because it was 23/hr. But, after sometime of thinking about it..i really didn't want it. I didn't want to be a desk jockey, I wanted to use my skills as a nurse working with patients..not paper. I gave them a courtesy call, and kindly rescinded their offer after accepting the position and was honest in the explanation i gave them. Tell them like it is..but you don't need to get into your personal finances, just merely explain that you you need to go with a company that has competitive but more affordable insurance plans for your family. It might be cheaper to forget about company plans and find private insurance as well. There are many out there with usually better rates and coverage. Anyhow, a courtesy call is a good option, and it will reflect on your character, so if by chance, you happen to inquire about a future job with them, you will not be remembered as the 'rude one' who couldn't even politely decline an offer.

there is a nursing shortage here where i live as well (LVNs & RNs). I live in Riverside, Ca. Many of the students i went to school with already have jobs..and im the odd one out. Every SNF, LTC, Hospitals even county and state corrections have hundreds of openings..ive applied to all, must be hundreds (ive been keeping a log!!) and still get overlooked. i am very discouraged. I have great skills as an LVN, trained by the navy..then school...and i know i can be an invaluable asset. just seems, no one is willing to open the door for me and give me a chance. I really do want to say **** it and throw in the towel and get a job that is beneath me just so i can attempt to put food on the table. moving isn't a option. I am beyond broke & have a hard enough time trying to feed my kid.

I keep reading posts about how some got jobs right away, others had to wait and then others simply over looked. I'm in the overlooked category. Is there a secret? or something i'm not doing right or missing? Im more than qualified for most positions/units but i get nothing except a few phone interviews & that's it. I'm bummed. And contemplating giving up on the LVN thing since it just doesn't seem to be working in my favor. Help help help please!!!