nitrospeed16

Hello all, Looking for thoughts on a current situation. I work at a sub acute facility on 2nd shift, I have been here for a year. Last year I applied once for a morning shift position, but that position became unavailable as the nurse who left that spot decided to come back. This month, my supervisor called me into the office and asked if I was still interested in a day shift position. I of course said yes, and had an informal interview. I was told they had other candidates to interview, which was understandable. Flash forward to this week...I was told a coworker on my unit got the position. This person started after me, has equivalent experience, and told me several times that she didn't want or apply for day shift. When I asked my supervisor for tips in improving my performance in order to be considered in the future for a day shift opening, she said there was no particular reasoning, they just came to a decision and that was who they picked. Am I wrong to feel slighted? I was friends with this person prior to working with them, so I feel betrayed on both ends. I feel like my work dangled a carrot in front of my nose by telling me they would consider me for the position, (they came to me) then chosing someone else. I'm also upset at the friend for lying. Should I look elsewhere for a morning position or stick it out? I feel like length of employment didn't have a factor at all, nor did clinical performance.

Not a hospital, but I was quoted $20 hr plus $3 shift differential at a LTC facility as a new grad.

Thank you SquishyRN, that helps put things in perspective a bit. You are right, this nursing job is better than having no nursing job at all.

Hello everyone, I graduated with my RN degree in May, passed my boards in July. In October, I started working at a local LTC that serves veterans. I got offered $20 (mind you, I am in the DC Metro area where cost of living is outrageous) plus $3 differential for the 3-11 shift. Since I had not received any interviews for FT jobs from several other locations I had applied to, I took the job. Orientation began ok, but since I had a PT job as a travel vaccine nurse I could only orient 3 days a week. Now my orientation period is up, and I am beginning to feel like I made a bad choice in accepting the job. Here are a few of my concerns 1) Is the salary low for a new grad RN in the DC/MD/VA area? 2) I was feeling rather competent until I worked on a floor with one of my supervisors the other night. I still am uncomfortable with doctor phone calls, and remembering some of the protocols...so I asked a question to my supervisor. Her response was more of a snicker, and she asked if I had been a nurse long. I responded no, I was a new grad, and she looked at me as if I had sprouted an arm on top of my skull. Her and the other supervisor aren't much help in the way of training, they do show me what to do but I feel extremely ignorant when i have to turn to them for help. Is this normal for LTC facilities, or just mine? 3) Given the above, I don't feel comfortable being off orientation, because I feel like there is ALOT that I don't know. I'm afraid if I mention that I need more time I will get fired, but honestly I am stressed out by the job to the point where being fired might be a relief. I feel like I am losing nursing skills by the day and feel like if I stay in this position that I will be incompetent as a Med Surg nurse if/when I do get a hospital position. What should I do to maintain my clinical skills/knowledge? Thank you all for any advice. I am dreading my shift tomorrow and hopefully someone can give an answer to help me clarify what direction I should go.

Hey guys, I have an ICU paper revision due on Tuesday, however I'm getting stuck on the purpose of lidocaine for my patient. He had an order for lidocaine 2% 75mg bolus IV. Since he is intubated, I thought the purpose would be to control ICP rises during ET tube suctioning, but my instructor said this was incorrect. What would this medication be given for? My mind is blank at this point.. The patient presented with a CVA and rhabdomylosis, which led to him being placed in the ICU and intubated. Thanks!!

Hey again everyone, This year I started my first semester in nursing. I've spent the past 2 years finishing up most of my pre-reqs and general ed classes. I work as a vet tech part time (16 hours a week) and have been there for about 5-6 months. The problem is, lately my job has taken a sour turn. Beginning around Christmas, I feel my boss has become Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde. I'm one of two techs that work there, and usually Saturdays I'm the only one there, balancing the front desk and appointments. I've been in the veterinary field for close to 6 years, and my technical skills are proficient. Lately however, nothing I do seems to be good enough. And God forbid that a client comes in early while I'm there by myself, I get cursed at, lashed out upon, yadda yadda. If I ask a question, it's as if I'm the stupidest person in the world. My nursing classes run from 1-4:30 on Mondays/Wednesdays, and I have A&P on Tuesdays/Thursdays 8am-12. My clinicals start at the end of this month and run from 3pm-9pm on Tuesdays/Thursdays at a local nursing home. I work about 16 hours a week. On top of school/work, I have a 7 month old at home. The lack of time for myself or even school work doesn't bother me too much, I still manage to study and have been an A student, so far. It's the anxiety that my job creates that bugs me. Even on my days off, I'm constantly thinking about and dreading my return to work, even if it isn't for another few days. When I'm at work, the feeling of knots in my stomach is overwhelming. The worst part is, I'm unsure of exactly what I've done to deserve this new status as the "black sheep" of the clinic, and sadly, I'm almost too afraid to ask. I could survive with the loss of income if I were to quit, since my husband is the bread winner of the household to begin with. But with a 7 month old and us trying to save for a home, the income I get goes a long way. I'd love to hear from anyone who has been in this type of situation before, and what has helped you get through it. I'm not sure how well I will fare once clinicals start, but I'm determined to make it through this job as long as I can.

Thanks so much...:)

At the risk of coming off as a moron, I have a "simple" drug calculation that is really stumping me. The question: "The order is to give 1/6 gr of a medication. The vial contains 10mg/ml" I converted the 1/6 gram to mg -> 166 mg The answer that the assignment gives is that 1mL would be administered to the patient. How are they getting that answer??? Someone please explain this to me, I know I am missing something simple here, but for the life of me, I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

Thanks everyone!

Hello everyone! My first semester of nursing classes/clinicals starts January 18th. What should I expect? What topics/skills are usually covered during the first semester?

I'm new to the forum, and since this is my first post here I'd like to start out by saying that this forum has been a huge help to me. I've gained valuble insight on the field of nursing from reading posts on here daily, and would like to thank everyone for their contributions to the forum. I would like to hear from people who have made the career change from being a vet tech/vet assistant to being an RN. What skills/knowledge that you learned in "teching" did you find helped you the most when making this transition? Other than the change of species, what are the major differences that you noted when changing fields? Any other observations or suggestions are welcome as well. I will be starting clinicals for my ADN here in southern MD in spring of 2012. I did briefly consider going to school to become an RVT/LVT, but since there are no colleges near me in Maryland that offer a LVT program (only in nothern VA) and since regulations in MD are lax enough to allow non-licensed techs to have a wider scope of practice, I decided to make the transition to human nursing. Even though I love working with animals, the two year degree to become an LVT doesn't offer very much in job growth (other than becoming a veterinary hospital manager, there is very little room for promotion.). The highest pay I have seen for an LVT is $19 an hour. Thanks for any input!