mcarthur

It depends on what VA you work for. Unfortunately they are not run the same. If you are an RN you are on 2 years 'probation" before actual hiring. If you are an unprofessional as they call them aide, lpn etc you are on a 1 year probation. Depends also on the union, the unprofessional union is strong the professional one isn't at my place. In the past there have been several VA closures. With the money crisis we have now the future is uncertian. There is a big emphasis on outpt care/clinics Unsure what smaller VAs will be doing

First of all you needed to contact an officer if the nurse was not available and let him know you needed help and he needed to get someone available to you even if by phone. You were working impaired. I don't want to say more as you are stressed enough but it would not be good. You need to be more aggressive in these situations. Although you were there with one other nurse there has to be a protocol or someone available for you. you did wrong in not telling your agency. A in case of a potential lawsuit B your agency needs to know what their are sending their staff into I worked in corrections per diem and it is a different culture

Medicare documentation is done in 15 minute increments and the total tallied. Say you are a resp therapist and you document x number of minutes , it is rounded out in 15 minute segments for the total. Maybe what your agency means is that you need to stay for the 45 minutes to account for the nursing care the individual needs for the agencies reimbursement....there is also the possibility and you hate to think it....that they are squeezing medicare for extra time/reimbursement.

I wanted to apply for an agency but heard they give a pediatric competency. I have not worked in Peds in over 11 years. any ideas what they would focus on.

First bear in mind the government is pushing for returning vets to be hired. The VA has to hire veterans first. Yes the Vetpro is ridiculously long. Many VA's pull you as needed also from your assigned units if needed or the ICU is closed or on bypass. I f you are agency then you may not be allowed to be pulled if contracted to that unit from the agency. However they can send you home if not needed. Done many times at the VA I worked at. Secondly my problem I want to seek employment at an agency and heard they give you a competency test. one is pediatric. i have not done Peds nursing in over 11 years. I have been scouring my old books but don't know what areas to focus on....any suggestions from anyone???

I agree with all the previous remarks. You are in a great learning experiance. We learn as we continue in our field. You are laying the foundation for a great career. I firmly believe all nurses need a strong med-surg foundation. It will take you everywhere no matter what you may specialize in later.