BethAn

I agree with you completely. How could the people in charge of the nursing home not know that this constitutes assault? I don't buy this at all.

The House has introduced the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 on November 9th. It is important that we speak out on this issue and not let it fall through the cracks! You can view the bill in it's entirety here. I've also posted some other helpful links here. Let your voices be heard, nurses!

In my home town there's a Dr. Iatesta. He's an opthamologist. In my OB-GYN clinical there was a Dr. Apgar.

That sounds about right. MICU=highest acuity and lowest amount of revenue for the hospital. Always trying to save a buck.

That sounds about right. MICU=highest acuity and lowest amount of revenue for the hospital. Always trying to save a buck.

We've never used propofol in our MICU. It's always Fentanyl and Versed. I guess I've always wondered why we don't use it, as I've heard other nurses talk about how great it is. Anyone know possible reasons not to use it...more expensive? long term use causes liver damage perhaps??

We've never used propofol in our MICU. It's always Fentanyl and Versed. I guess I've always wondered why we don't use it, as I've heard other nurses talk about how great it is. Anyone know possible reasons not to use it...more expensive? long term use causes liver damage perhaps??

Three 12 hour shifts, rotating AM/PM, every third weekend. No bonus, though unless we work in 2 extra shifts in a 6 week period.

Ah, I remember those days so well! I think this anxiety is inevitable. Instead of "trying to absorb it all" just sit back and have faith that you are absorbing it, passively. Your brain is doing some behind the scenes work and sorting out many details for you. Eventually you will start having these "aha" moments and realize that you know more than you think. In the meantime, try to get as much relaxation in during your downtime. You owe it to yourself.

I agree with stressgal. I started out in the MICU as a GN also and my orientation was so stressful and so involved that I didn't have any time for journals or outside organizations. And we weren't allowed to join committees until after orientation. The best thing you can do is to absorb as much as you can during orientation and leave some time for yourself to relax and enjoy life.

It sounds worth it to take the job in the small hospital. Just make sure they have an adequate orientation period.

Hi everyone, The service workers (environmental, food service, etc) of our hospital are possibly going to go on strike next month. The hospital policy is to use us, (the nurses) to cover their shifts while they are on strikes. That means that I am required to sign up for additional shifts to come in and clean the unit, answer phones, and work in the cafeteria. I think this is grossly unfair and goes against everything I have learned in nursing school about perpetuating the idea that nurses are to be perceived as professionals. In addition, it's mandatory overtime. Everyone I work with seems rather complacent about it. I was wondering if anyone else out there had an opinion on the matter. --Beth