kel*rn*bsn

I recently switched off of per visit to hourly after lots of fighting for it. I am so much happier and feel I finally compensated for my time. As,a per diem they would send me all over the place and very little continuity of care. So I would do a solid chart review and spend time with the pt, often referring back to my computer to verify order which slows you down, then have to finish charting at home. I was not compensated for researching pt prior to visit, travel time, documentation time, calls from care givers or doctors or whatever later that night or next day. It's a lot of little bits of time that all add up to an average of 2hrs per visit which translated to very low pay. You need to ask a lot of questions prior, ask about territory size, continuity of pts, can you bill hourly for extra work later or next day etc. Good luck

I went into nursing because I wanted to be an oncology nurse. I finished school right when things were getting brutal with getting a job as a new grad. I got a job in a priv pract as an infusion nurse which I have loved for the past 9 months but I work very part time and with very limited meds and pt population. I applied for an oncology infusion job, interviewed and was hired on the spot. I was very excited to finally be headed in the direction I want to be in. I started last week working around my other job (I was afraid to give it up) and am wondering if maybe I made a bad move. This place has recently been through a big staff turnover (an NP and RN left and I think it was a little ugly although I have little to no details) and now the other NP whom I am working under (and supposed to be trained by) is short staffed and being pulled in every direction. Needless to say she does not have much time to stop and explain things to me so I am trying to observe and absorb as much as I can. In the 5 shifts I have been there I have seen things that make me nervous. I cant say the NP follows propper protocol and I am scared that this is who I am learning from. Some things are blatant like not always wearing gloves, no gowns when mixing or hanging chemo and other things are not so obvious since I have never been in this environment. My question is did I make a mistake? Should I stay and be happy to have the opportunity to learn whatever I can? Should I just take it with a grain of salt and bear with it until something else comes along? If I stay how do I make sure I am following proper protocol? (I do not want to do anything to risk my health or license) I know in this economy you cant afford to be picky and any skill is better than no skill....or am I wrong? any guidance would be great. Also any suggestions on books, skills courses etc would be great. I am in the phila region. THANKS!!!