nurse1990

Those wait times seem ridiculous. 30 minutes should be a one time occurrence not something that happens multiple times in a day! Your hospital must be under staffed. Do any nurses in Ontario know if OP can switch his father to a different location? Drive might be longer but care could be better. In my hospital ratio is 1 nurse to 4 patients. Wait times over 20 minutes are unacceptable because of this (unless in a code/fall situation of course).

Thanks for the responses! I have tried to be more friendly and it's gotten a bit better. Now its moving from how are you to small talk which is annoying. I feel like I'm forced into conversations, I get this won't make sense to an extroverted person. I almost wish I never made an effort. I'm not good at small talk, ugh. Maybe Ill get better So many awkward moments this past few weeks lol

New nurse here. Finding this hard since I moved out. Basically been eating out like a mad women not good gotta get into cooking

Put most of it in savings but remember I went to the mall and got some makeup from Sephora. Don't even shop there now but it was nice buying something that was more "expensive."

Seems like every nurse in my hospital is very friendly with the doctors. Maybe its because I'm a new nurse (under a year), but I don't feel comfortable striking up random conversation with them. A more senior nurse stated that I was "cold" around some of the doctors. If they're sitting down I don't say hello, when I ask about a patient I don't start with a "Hi Dr.__ How are you?" I usually say "Hi Dr.__ I have your patient...." I didn't think there was anything wrong with this. She is right in that I am awkward person in general. I'm never going to be the funny, charismatic person. It's hard enough making friends with my colleagues. Am I wrong? Should I be making more of an effort? I don't get why I have to but now I'm feeling a weird vibe from some of the doctors. Where theyll ask other nurses about MY patients instead of me :/

I prrobalay shouldnt be saying this but unless you truly LOVE working in the ER I would go somewhere else. Why go through all that just to get paid the same as a regular staff nurse? You don't ever really have to deal with all the headache that comes with the ER. Patients are much more stable. Maybe its just me but I couldn't handle the stress at all lol

Yeah I think I will have to get a second job. That will be the only way that I am satisfied lol.

When did you guys try to tell me anything lol. I didnt join this site until I was a nursing student and even then I stayed in the sections regarding NCLECX and exams. If people told me its alot of hard work and little pay I wouldnt have done it, trust me!

Exactly! I am dumb founded. And my friends and family keep saying you make 31$ like that is my take home at all. Its so frustrating!

Looks like she didnt like your confidence. I had the exact same thing happen to my friend. She was honestly really smart and picked things up quickly. I'm naturally "unsure" as a person, so I would ask questions all the time. Guess who her fav was lol. She didn't like that my friend thought she knew everything. She always talked about how she was gonna mess up one day blah blah. Keep kissing up if you can!

I know this is an unpopular opinion and everyone wants to be a nurse because they love to help people (well not everyone but a large amount)... I CANT BELIEVE HOW SMALL MY PAY CHECK IS AFTER TAXES/BENEFITS! Its in all caps cause I'm shocked! When I was in my orientation I didn't have any benefits and I was still upset on how much taxes cut my paycheck but at least I still had a good amount left. Now take away benefits/union fees, whatever the heck their taking out and making the same amount I made as a waitress! Doing MORE WORK! My sister works at a call centre makes 21 dollars and only makes a few hundred less than me? What????? How???? I just had to let it out cause it's honestly making me take a second look at this career. We work so hard and were under payed!

Canada here so might not be helpful lol 31$. We get taxed more I think than the states tho

I'm on my last month of orientation and some things I've noticed: - I am the type that takes a while to open up to people. Those naturally outgoing "charismatic" people, have ALWAYS been preferred over me. They have made friends on the floor already and get enthusiastic hellos. Its easy to compare myself to them and feel down (which I do sometimes) but I understand that I don't have that personality type. I've slowly made a few friends, and had other parts of me recognized (apparently I'm good at de escalating conflict, yay!) - I have had multiple preceptors (cause I'm being oriented on multiple floors) and I LOVE it. I get to learn different tips and tricks from each nurse. Also, the nurses who have been rude and generally unhelpful, well...I never had to see them again! So although having 1 preceptor is good for continuity, I've been VERY glad to get rid of a few of them. - ASK PEOPLE IF THEY NEED HELP! This has been the thing that has helped people like me. If I ever have time I try and help the other nurses, they really appreciate that and see you are a team player. - Realizing I'm not perfect. Some nurses will expect you to be and thats ok, just remember your a NEW GRAD, youre in orientation and your allowed to make simple mistakes (even big ones but I'm glad I havent made those yet lol).

It was a great read! Ive been working for the past month and encountered about half of the things you talked about! Love your quick head to toe, thanks

Hi OP I was in your position not too long ago. I would suggest calling hospitals and getting hte nurse managers name then emailing them, it worked for me! Some were rude but others appreciated it (and hired me after 5 long months of applying!). Have you tried applying to "NRT" positions?? Theres some available in UHN network, New oakville hospital, credit valley etc keep an eye out for them they welcome new grads and dont expect you to have a ton of experience. Try BC as well I know a few friends who moved there. Also clinics; a couple of my friends work there. If you can get your g2--Agency (do you really need to have to wait 8 months after g1? I thought that was only if you were a certain age if you are 24 it shouldnt be a problem). Home visiting (para med is a good one!). GOOD LUCK! Honestly I can't imagine how you feel I graduated the same time as you and got a job end of November so I've only been working for a month. I took a job where I commute 2 hours there and back (16 hour work days its brutal) cause I have no car! Everyone close to me said to wait it out but I knew that if I did that who knows how long it would take to get another opportunity. Hang in there :)