SnowboardRN

I've been on tele for a year (SNF for 2 years before that) and I'm ready to start applying to any and every posted L&D position until I land one, ha. I want to stay in my hospital, but I don't know the first thing about trying to transfer units. Obviously I'm sure every hospital is different, but should I start by taking a detour one day to the L&D unit manager and talking to her? (I have never met her or him before). Apply & fill out a transfer form or just apply & only fill out a transfer form if I get a position?

I work on tele with 5-6 patients and no monitor tech, sometimes no patient care aide's either.

I worked in LTC for almost 2 years, because hospitals here weren't really hiring new grads when I graduated. Then, there was a huge demand for tele nurses in all the hospitals around here, so I applied and got interviews and hired at each one! (I only took one though, obviously). One of the girls that got hired after me has been in LTC for eleven years before getting that job. So no, not impossible. I think the experience is beneficial. You probably will never be hired above someone with acute care experience (unless you just have that dashing personality, haha) but when there's a demand, I'm sure your experience will help earn the job, not hinder it.

Hmm, we have to have an order if the patient CAN leave the floor. We never let them leave because we are responsible for their health. There have been two instances that I can think of that I've gotten orders for a patient to leave the floor. One was because her daughter was in a car crash and was in our ER. Another time a patient was going to be discharged later that day, and wanted to go to the gift shop. Both times a PCA went with them. We also don't allow smoking at all. All smokers get a nicotine patch. (also just wanted to add I've never had someone demand to leave, and if they did I would just give them AMA papers I guess? I wouldn't stand there and MAKE them unless they were on a 72 hr hold)

Umm I would say probably TCU, rehab, maybe behavioral health. Those patients trend to have a lower acuity. As for med surg, I think that's kind of hit or miss. I wouldn't consider it low acuity, but I wouldn't always consider it high acuity either

It goes back and forth here. When I graduated two years ago no one was hiring. Now, at least at my two employers plus another hospital, they are practically begging people to apply... Or it could be no one wants to work at these places, haha. But really, there is once again a shortage here. They recently bumped up pay.

That makes me so sad that they treated you that way. :-( I have been a nurse for two years in a SNF and then started working on tele. They gave me ten weeks of orientation, and i didn't start taking on 4 patients myself until the 7th week! (full time training) Just don't be too hard on yourself, it sounds like their expectations were not reasonable at all

Thanks everyone! Just wanted to give an update. I called Monday morning first thing (was scheduled to work Tuesday) and they said that with an open wound I couldn't work until the doctor gives the okay, which should be this Saturday when I get my stitches out.

I broke my finger yesterday. Got stitches and a splint. I work Tuesday and just wondering how this is going to go over. I want to work, but when I call them tomorrow to give them a heads up I have a feeling they are going to tell me I can't. I don't know how I would give shots, change dressings, put in IVs, wear gloves etc. It's my index finger on my dominant hand so I would require a lot of assistance from other nurses. I want to work, so I'm bummed. Anyone ever broken a finger? What happened with work?

I KNEW you had to be from Indiana when you posted your pay. I'm in Indiana and it's exactly the same at my hospital.

I wanted to give an update on my old post here, I was not accepted. It was because the school I graduated from was state accredited, and they only allow nationally accredited. I thought that my school was nationally accredited but after many tears and phone calls I learned that I was wrong. The good news is that I only have my associates degree, and have been accepted in to a nationally accredited school to get my bachelors. But now this thread has me worried because I have gone to this school before and have no idea what my gpa is from those classes. My gpa at my associates school was well above the 3.0... So will they take my associates and then my bachelors, or will all of the old classes count as well? They will be on the transcript when I graduate, but they aren't for the degree, so I'm confused.

I was born at ball :) A couple of years ago my aunt said they start new nurses out at 23/hr. That's 6 more than just an hour and a half north!

Sorry I quoted the wrong person.